Blood and Clay (A Mister Morgue Fan-Fiction)

Fascination

MORGUE

I slowly finessed the first meat hook through my nasal cavity and out my mouth before slipping the second one through the opposite direction on the other side. I then roatated my head to display my work of art more clearly for some members of the audience. As I did so I caught the eyes of someone standing practically front and center in the crowd. Her eyes were such a light grey they were almost white and her hair was a dark, chestnut brown, the underside dyed a deep, blood red. I stared into her soul and she stared into mine. Then, the moment was over and my mind was back in my body, performing again.

I quickly finished my set and let Asia take the stage. As I exited I made sure to lock eyes once again with the girl I had seen earlier. I tilted my head to the side, signaling for her to follow me. She weaved around people in an attempt to escape the large swarm of onlookers.

"Bravo." Was the first thing she said to me.

"Why thank you." I bowed my head slightly. I could see the excitement in her eyes, the joy on her face after watching me perform. It was strange to see so much delight in one person, usually it was fear, wariness, or just absolute stun in the eyes of audience members, but this girl...This girl was smiling like her childhood dream had come true.

"Really, it was absolutely fascinating. I wish I were that gifted."

"I'm sure you have something you're fantastic at." I smiled. It wasn't awkward between the two of us, or weird that I had coaxed her out of the crowd. It was comfortable. Comforable and people are not to things I put together well.

"The only unique thing I can do is a party trick, at best."

"Oh come on, when I started out all my acts were was party tricks. Well, they would've been but I don't really go to parties."

"I don't know..."

"You can do it."

"Alright." She cleared her throat and repeated me,

"Oh come on, when I started out all my acts were was party tricks. Well, they would've been but I don't really go to parties."

in my voice.

She had repeated my sentence, in my voice.

"That is not just a party trick, that is talent. You know, we have an open call next week but if you want to hang out until we close and show Todd tonight there may be no reason to let a bunch of strangers show us acts that likely won't even come close to Venice Beach Freakshow standards."

"But I am a stranger."

"What's your name?"

"Bri is my nickname, but my real name is Brier. It's French."

"Well, Bri, I'm Morgue. There, we're not strangers anymore." She smiled again and nodded.

"But, I also already have a job."

"Where do you work?"

"At a production studio."

"Really?" I was impressed, with how young she seemed, "What do you do?" She was silent for a moment.

"I'm a secretarial assistant."

"You're the secretary's assistant."

"Yeah."

"Now, Bri, are you from California?"

"No."

"Why'd you move down here?"

"Because I wanted to perform." I looked at her with my eyebrows raised, and she understood.

"Okay, I'll stay."

"Great. You can stand with me side stage and watch everyone finish up." So, Bri and I stood there watching Asia eat fire and swallow swords and every now and again I look at her and she always has this shine in her eyes, this fascination and wonder that I'm not sure I've ever seen in anyone watching before.

Visitors began filing out of the Freakshow and I quickly dragged Bri up on stage once everyone was gone.

"Todd," I said, getting his attention, "with your permission I don't think we'll have to hold an open call next week."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I think I've found someone to become part of the Freakshow." I nodded to her, silently telling her to introduce herself.

"Hello everyone, I'm Brier Methot, but you can call me Bri and I can imitate people."

"Imitate people?" Phoenix asked

"Yeah, like, okay...um. Can you help me out with this?" She asked him. He was starstruck as he walked up onto the stage. They seemed about the same age, it'd be cute if they went out.

"Give me a sentence, anything goes."

"Okay...Hi, my name is Phoenix Ray and I'm eighteen years old." She did her thing.

"Hi, my name is Phoenix Ray and I'm eighteen years old." Everyone swung back in their seats, clapping and hollering, and Phoenix stood there stunned that a beautiful girl had just spoken to him in his own voice.

"Try Todd!" Danielle said, while Todd stepped up onto the stage. Todd gave his signature opening spiel, the one he used to lure in an audience. And, as expected, Bri delivered. It was slightly more strained than when she did it with Phoenix, but Todd's voice was much lower.

"Sorry about that, I don't think I've ever spoken that low before."

"No, no. That was excellent." Todd said, "I'd love to have you become part of the Freakshow. You guys?" He asked the rest of us. Everyone cheered and I whooped in her favor.

"Thank you so much Todd, this is my dream. I've always wanted to perform, that's what I moved to California for, not to be a secretary's assistant. I'm quitting my job tomorrow." Everyone cheered again and she walked off the stage towards where I stood, stage right.

"Thank you too Morgue."

"No problem, you are exceptionally talented."

"Um..." she paused "could I get a ride home? I walked here and had planned on walking back before it got dark."

"Oh yeah, no problem at all. Just give me a second." I said, running to the back and grabbing my keys.

We both got into my car after she gave me her address. We drove in silence for a couple of blocks, she didn't live too far away, before I noticed she had fallen asleep. I stopped in front of her apartment building before walking to her door, unbuckling her, and picking her up like a baby. I luckily got past the guy at the front desk without too much suspicion, and got her up to her room. I grabbed her keys out of her jacket pocket and after trying a few, got the right one to open the front door.

I carried her inside. Her apartment wasn't clean, but it wasn't a mess. It was cluttered, but not dirty. It wasn't hard to find her bedroom considering it was a two room apartment. As I went to lay her down she wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Don't leave." I chuckled.

"I have to Bri, I don't have a tag on my car for your apartment building, it'll get towed."

"Oh," her eyes were barely squinting open, "thank you for today."

"My pleasure," I unlaced her arms from around my neck and bowed slightly. She smiled and rolled over, falling asleep immediately.

I exited the building and headed towards home, but for some reason I couldn't keep Brier Methot off of my mind.