Mr. Love: Queen's Choice One Shots

Victor: Photographs

I really hoped my secret wouldn't be exposed.
    This was a time of turmoil in Loveland. World War 2 was at its height, the newspapers flying off the shelves for the latest updates on the war. Thousands were off fighting for Loveland, while a few others were staying behind to care for children and society as a whole. This truly was a unique time. Women were required to work jobs men usually did in order to make up for the short labor. But I wasn't interested in working in some dingy factory making planes. I was destined for adventure, and a war wasn't going to deter me from pursuing my passion: photo journaling.
    I walked into the office of the editor, my journaling cap on. My trousers were loose enough to disguise my lower extremities, as was my button-up shirt. The camera hanging around my neck was heavy, the leather strap worn away from constant use. I grabbed a new roll of film as the editor turned to me, his typewriter stopped halfway through a sentence. The paper fluttered in the fan's breeze.
    "Gabriel," the editor said, calling me by my fake name. "We've got a job for you."
    "Yes, sir," I said. Thank God I had specified that I was a teenage boy; my otherwise feminine voice had no explanation.
    "We found the next location of the biggest businessman in Loveland." The editor stood, handing me a picture. The man's face was covered by an umbrella in the photo, two other men around him looking in opposite directions. "His name is Victor Li. Nobody has been able to capture his face on camera. But that's going to change."
    I looked at the editor. "How will I know I've got him?" I asked.
    "His pocketwatch," the editor said, pointing to one tucked inside his breast pocket. "He carries it with him everywhere." The editor handed me another roll of film, along with a file. "This is where he's going to be, and this is where you'll need to be to get a picture. We've calculated the angle perfectly. The picture needs to be crisp, so use that film; it's the most expensive film we've got."
    I swallowed hard. "Yes, sir."
    "Good luck, Gabriel," the editor said, patting my shoulder before sending me off.
    I was dismissed into town. It was a short walk over to the building where I was supposed to hide to take the picture. My brain was swirling. Why was I in charge of getting Victor's photo? I climbed the dilapidated stairs, clicking the film into the camera and winding it slowly. It was a thin film, perfect for pictures that couldn't have a flash. When I entered the room and saw the broken window, I smirked. That editor! Using natural sunlight to enhance the image. He really knew his stuff.
    I waited patiently, my camera poised and ready to snap the photo. At exactly 2:08pm, I saw Victor walk into the lens sight. He paused, turning and looking behind him. He perfectly revealed his face to me, and I snapped the photo. I took a few more, hoping the shutter wasn't too loud. Once I got a few, I quickly stepped away from the window. I raced down the stairs and out the back door, bolting for the editor's office. This was it! I had done it!
    A sudden grab startled me. I was dragged back quickly, my arm yanked back painfully. I winced as I struggled, but the man had a tight grip on my arm. I looked up, my eyes meeting the steel grey eyes of Victor Li. His dark hair and light eyes was a beautiful contrast; a rarity in Loveland. I blinked, completely caught off-guard.
    "The film," Victor said, his voice surprisingly deep and stern. "You loaded the film wrong."
    I ripped out of his grasp. "How do you know?" I asked. I shook my head. "No, you're wrong! I have your photo, and I'm taking it to my editor this instant!"
    Victor looked at me for a moment before grabbing my hand and dragging me in the opposite direction. I struggled, kicking and fighting to get out of his grasp. A few people looked at me strangely, but nobody helped me; it looked like a father dragging along a disobedient son. I frowned deeply and finally managed to get my sleeve out of his grasp.
    "I have your photo, Victor Li!" I said loudly, holding my camera. 
    Victor turned. "Don't you want to develop it quickly?"
    "Huh?"
    "The developer in your editor's office will take a day, at least. If you want quicker results, you should do so in my developing room. It's quicker there." He smirked. "And if you finally see that you're wrong, you can always take another photo of me there."
    My anger boiled. I was about to retaliate when his index finger pressed against my lips.
    "Hold that temper of yours, girly," Victor said, making my face go pale. "I'm shocked the editor hasn't noticed you're a woman yet. The old man's eyesight must be failing. Either that or you never looked much like a woman in the first place."
    "You!" I barked as he continued on. I quickly jogged up to him. "Why are you being so rude?"
    "Who's picture was taken without consent?" he asked, eyeing me sideways.
    I bit my lip. I had no choice but to follow him. I kept walking until we reached a small building. He walked in, ignoring the people at the front desk. He led me back to a hallway filled with developing rooms. He opened the door to the first one and motioned for me to go in. We both entered, and I popped out the film. I began to work, dipping the film and letting the image settle before hanging it. Victor leaned against the wall, watching me closely.
    "So," I began, pinning the film up, "how did you know I was a woman?"
    "Most men don't wear belts with extra holes poked into them," Victor said, nodding to my waist. "Most also don't have their hair sticking out of their caps." He touched a piece of my stray hair, rubbing it between his fingers. "Not to mention the fact that as you ran, your binding for your chest came undone."
    I blushed madly and turned away. "Okay, fair enough. But how did you know I was taking a photo of you?"
    "That shutter isn't as quiet as you think it is," he said.
    "And what's the deal with you not wanting your face photographed?"
    "Personal preference." Victor smiled, crossing his arms and looking at me. "What's with that expression? I've answered every question you've asked."
    "I feel so honored," I said flatly, looking back at the film. "You're Mr. Big Shot here in Loveland. Why haven't you enlisted in the war? You know, like ninety-nine percent of other men?"
    "I'm a businessman. My business would go under if I were to leave for war." He walked over to me, taking down the now-dry and processed film. "Take a look."
    I looked at the film. Sure enough, he was right; the photo hadn't been taken correctly. I swore, crumpling the film up. It didn't matter how expensive it was now. It was useless. I rubbed my forehead, pacing nervously. "Man, the boss is gonna kill me."
    "Didn't I give you permission to take another photo if that one failed?" Victor said, smiling smugly.
    "I don't have anymore film left," I said, my eyes widening. That was why he wanted me to process it. He knew I wouldn't have any more film on me. And if the photo had processed correctly, he could have taken it and left me alone. I realized all too late I had been duped. I was seething, mad at this businessman and mad at my stupidity. How could I not have noticed that?
    Victor smiled and threw the film in the wastebasket outside the room. "Well, Gabriel. It looks like you can't catch a photograph of me." He smirked, leaning down and touching the rim of my cap. "Tell your editor I said hello." He touched the tip of my nose condescendingly before walking off, his hand in his pocket and his shoes clicking against the tile on the floor.
    I bit my lip. "I'll get a photo one day, Victor!" I shouted at his back. "I swear it!"
    Victor chuckled and walked out without looking back. "I'm sure you will."