Chapter Text
1935
Quietly but swiftly, a man in a fedora walked through the music department, his body tense. He had all the knowledge necessary to complete his goal. Violin. He plucked the strings, allowing them to dig into his flesh. Piano. He played the keys unrhythmically, not being one for harmonious sounds. Violin. He left it with red marks on his fingers. Bass Fiddle-
“And to what do I owe this pleasure Ethan?”
Ethan stopped and slowly turned around, showing no anger or fear. He was good at that, being the head of Animation. Standing in front of him in a pose that was designed to tell him how smug he was, was Harrison the Bass Fiddle Player. He had appointed himself as band leader after Jack resigned. Practically everyone hated his guts. He was like a much lesser version of Joey except less....welll......he didn’t have that air of power around him.
“My my Ethan, you know it’s rude to go snooping around other people’s stuff.”, He said, flashing him a smile filled with spite, “And I believe you were about to lay your inky hands on my bass Fiddle.”
Ethan looked down at his hands before back up at Harrison, keeping a blank expression. He glanced at the projector booth to make sure Norman wasn’t watching before allowing a scowl to cross his face. Knowing what this meant, Harrison allowed his smile to disappear and be replaced with a look of distaste.
”Tell me, Ethan, what are you doing here?”
”I like music.”, Ethan replied. He’d spent days formulating a lie for this exact moment if Norman was watching and decided to test it now, “But I couldn’t find any records for the Lighter Side Of Hell so I tried to replicate it. But I’m completely tone death.”
Harrison narrowed his eyes and began to circle Ethan like a predator stalking prey. Ethan remained completely still. Alright, how do I get out of here. Jasmine should’ve realised something’s gone wrong by now. Or perhaps she’s abandoned me to be eaten alive. Yeah. That’s a lot more likely.
“Well, Ethan, that’s a pretty good lie. You really did think it through. Now let me ask you a question Ethan.”, He circled back in front of him, a smile on his lips once more, “Where were you and my piano player on Tuesday night?”
Sh**. Ethan felt his face go red and Harrison’s smile grow wider. Should’ve know this would happen. He felt the other man’s eyes examining him, picking apart his secret one avoided gaze at a time. Crap. I’m done for. He’s going to take me to Sammy and I’ll get eaten alive. He’ll make sure of it. Ethan leaned back from Harrison, catching a whiff of something like perfume.
“So Ethan, tell me. Have you been naughty?”
”THERE YOU ARE LADDY!!!”
Both heads looked to the doorway where a very drunk Jasmine was stumbling through, her clothes dishevelled, a bottle with 3 Xs in one hand. Following close behind was Marvin, who was giving her a very stern look, like a dissapointed father. And close behind was George, trying to steady her with his weak arms, his voice quivering like it always did. She barged past Harrison and put an arm around Ethan’s shoulders.
“I was wondering where you were!”, She boomed in a strong accent, “You missed out on a couple shots with me and the lads!!”
”Apologies Jasmine, I was just trying to get some music for the occasion.”, He looked Harrison in the eyes, “But I couldn’t find it.”
“J-Jasmine.”, George shakily said in a whispery voice, “We didn’t h-have any-“
Her foot slipped, kicking him in the ankle, causing him to clutch and hop about on one leg. Marvin snickered from nearby, pushing his heavy miner hat out of his face. Jasmine kept a broad grin, also looking Harrison in the eyes. He looked at the two of them before smiling.
”Well, make sure you don’t break anything. Also, you should sober up before your work time starts again. Mr Drew doesn’t like people drinking on the job.”
Jasmine returned a smile before stumbling off, dragging Ethan with her. George followed close behind, closed up like a hermit crab in a shell. Marvin cast a glare at Harrison, reaching into his pocket and lighting a cigarette before leaving. They turned a corner and Jasmine straightened up, brushing down her shirt.
”That was a close save. Any longer and I would’ve been done for.”
”Yeah, yeah.”, Jasmine replied, “At least I came. You owe me now.”
”S-So,”, George said, creeping closer to Ethan, “Did you get it?”
”No.”
”What do you mean no!?”, Marvin exclaimed, “I could’ve gotten fired!!”, He crossed his arms, grumbling, “I never even wanted to go through with this stupid plan.”
He let out a small yelp as he was yanked forward by the strong grip of Jasmine.
“Look, I helped you with that thing, now you need to help me until we see this through.”
”See it through!”, He exclaimed, “You mean MORE sneaking about and lying!? We’ll be fired for sure!”
Jasmine lifted him off the ground, holding him close to his face. Ethan swore he could hear fabric tearing from her grip on his shirt but decided to just enjoy the show.
”Listen bucko, you don’t want to help me with this, you can tell Mr Drew why there’s an hole between his office and the hallway.”
”Okay, Okay!!!”, His feet touched the ground and he snatched his body away, “But if I get fired I will make sure you have a slow and painful death.”
And with that, Marvin turned and stormed away. It appeared that George had long disappeared, as he did in uncomfortable situations. Ethan and Jasmine made eye contact.
”So, guess we’ll have to make a new plan then.”, Jasmine said, arms folded, “Well, I’m free next Thursday.”
”Me too. What about Harrison?”
”Working. But I’m pretty sure you’ve got Saffron on our side.”
She gave him a wink before walking off, curly black ponytail swaying side to side as she left the room. Ethan brushed off his suit, adjusted his tie and left, not noticing a figure slink back into the shadows.