End of a Career
1076 Words
"Broki, you need to wake up!"
"Huh? What... Is there something wrong?"
"There IS! We only got only thirty minutes before class starts!"
"HUH!? WHY DIDN'T YOU WAKE ME UP!"
"Look at me Broki. I'M STILL WEARIN MY PAJAMAS, OKAY? I just got out of bed. Now, hurry up!"
Ugh... Me and my sister overslept.
She got home last night, and we had a feast while watching our favorite show, "Comedy Blues!" and played some video games after the show finished airing.
"Go take your bath. I'll prepare breakfast in the meantime."
"Got it!"
You're energetic as always, Leen.
•••
"And that's all folks! May we see each other again! Adioooooossssss!"
"And... that's a wrap! Good job everyone!"
"Comedy Blues!" is a television program that's shows a lot of hilarious moments and bloopers from various fields.
The host of this beloved show is Andrew Lament, a man in his mid-twenties, got blonde slick hair, red eyes and has the height of 5'9". He's a bit chubby, and he added it as one of his assets to perform a humourous performance.
Every people love him, or so he thought.
The rating of the show he's hosting in is slowly dropping. Some even commented that it's no longer funny, or that the host no longer has the edge of comedy performance. The studio knew about it, and told Andrew. He would then do a lot of stuff that's entertaining, but were eventually discarded by the public. He's trying so hard to bring happiness to everyone and yet not an ounce of appreciation was given to him from the audience, the staff and even the studio manager.
The next day in his exclusive room, he's lying on the floor and mumbled about how distressed he was in these past months.
"I did everything and yet it's not enough for their tastes. I guess it's time for me to give my resignation letter."
He stood up, and pulled his drawer to get the letter he wrote two months ago. As someone who stayed in this business for a decade, he knew that every star will eventually be burnt out of fame. He went to the office and talked with their management. His letter was accepted and he slowly walks away from the place he knew and loved, trying to ignore the jeers he received along the way. It's not coming from any fans, it came from the staffs. They ridiculed him too much that any weak-minded individuals would burst into tears.
"In the end, I'm being thrown out after being used. What a life."
He didn't return to his home. He instead planned to go to the place where everything started. It's a park located few kilometers away from the station. He wanted to feel the nostalgic feeling of happiness he had once felt. He rode on a train, texting his friends about his retirement.
"You have reached the destination~~"
The doors opened, and the people from both inside and outside the train were rushing to move. Andrew followed suit while hiding his identity with a pair of glasses and a hat. The weather's a bit chilly, so he also wore a brown scarf and a yello jacket.
After a few moments of walking, he finally reached the place. Out of the blue, tears came rolling on his cheeks.
"Ah, I truly miss a normal life. Bringing happiness to the people isn't an easy feat. And yet, if the comedians are the ones who needs happiness, who'll be the ones that will make us laugh?"
He kept on mumbling, while he's walking towards a swing. He sat on it, and swings himself back and forth with it for a while, trying to ease the pain in his heart by filling his ears with the metallic squeaking noise the swing made.
"Oh no!"
A strong wind blew out his hat. He ought to pick it up but was then collided with a running person.
"Gah!"
"Wah!"
"Argh, Leen! I told you to not run carelessly! Now look what happened!"
"Sorry Broki. Anyways, are you alright? Sorry about it, mister."
Andrew removed his now shattered glasses and wiped his face to get rid of the dirt he gained after having his face crash on the ground.
"A-ah, no. there is no need to aplogize. It's also my fault for not noticing you running towards my direction. Hmm? Is something wrong?"
He looked at the two strangers. Their eyes are widened and their mouths are opened out of shock. He then realized that his face is now uncovered.
"Wait... aren't you...?"
"C-crap! Ah, I-I'm sorry folks! I'll be going now!"
He's about to take his leave, but his jacket was tugged by these two students.
"N-no! Please wait! Please hear us out!"
"Yes! Me and my sister are your big fans! Wait a while, uhh... Where did I put my...there! Please sign my notebook please!"
"Eh!? Broki that's not fair! I want to get his autograph!"
"Wait, bring out a marker too just in case!"
He watched the two as they searched the girl's bag for a spare notebook and a marker. He's been in the entertainment industry for ten whole years, and got some fans. But they came jeering him whenever he failed. He had once thought that the people who proclaimed themselves as big fans never existed. In this world full of criticism and judgemental stares, he never saw this kind of reaction from individuals who called themselves his big fans. The fans whom he had met before were smiling and wanted to shake his hand but their eyes were saying otherwise.
However, these two are different.
Their eyes are filled with happiness.
"Yes! I got it! Now, if you please — eh?"
"Ah! Mister Andrew, are you alright?"
"Huh?"
He didn't noticed it, but he's crying.
This time however, is different. His freezing heart started to thaw out. His feeling warm, and the tears weren't made out of loneliness.
This happiness he's feeling right now is the same level of happiness he had once experienced here in this very park they're in, when he was scouted by a late talent scout.
"I'm sorry. I'm okay, don't worry. Now, you need me to sign, didn't you? Gimme those notebooks and allow me to grant your happiness", he said before showed his most vibrant smile he could muster for these two specks of light that saved him from his sorrow.
- Writer
