“No, this will work.”
“It won’t, you just want to do something crazy.”
“Crazy, come on, crazy is just a state of mind.”
“Exactly, your sate of mind is crazy.”
“Well, maybe, I think if you want a statement that will really kick this thing off, I mean The King of the Bums would be a great entrance onto the scene.”
“Take a break, have a smoke, Jesus.”
The man throws his arms into the air and steps outside. She is not sure what he smokes but whatever it is it fits his personality very well. She begins to pace in the room. Slowly at first, the cheap carpet made from some terrible synthetic squeals from every step she takes.
“The King of the Bums. Can you believe it.”
She looks to the corner where the quiet man is sitting. He coughs lightly, even his coughs are quiet.
Quietly and slowly after a long pause he speaks “You want a statement. King of the Bums would be a statement. Would it develop a foundation? I think it would. Is it crazy? Yes. You wouldn’t have gotten involved with him if you didn’t want crazy.”
She looks at him for a long time. Though she is not really looking at him she is looking at nothing. The thoughts are written across her face. Thoughts coming fast but not connecting anything together. Mostly she is thinking how she could benefit from the crazy actions of an unhinged wildcard.
“This hotel is really bad. This room is so cheap.” She says more to herself.
“I have seen worse.”
“Worse than this? I cannot imagine. I mean you can almost push your finger through the wall. I not only can hear the people next door, but I can hear the people two doors down.”
“You wanted a place where no one would see us together, with this location you have accomplished that goal.”
He talks so slow and deliberate. He is so sick. I need to find out what has made him so ill. What kind of reporter would I be if I cannot even figure that out?
“How long have you been sick? Is that why you stick to your solitude?”
“Do you always just eject your thoughts? Does the world always get hit by your spray of rapid fire?”
“I have never heard anyone call my questions rapid fire, and yes. Yes, is the answer I always want to know I want to be inside everyone head. I know that at all times people are thinking something and I wish to know what that is.”
The door bursts open and it appears the smoke break is over.
“Did he speak? Dam, did I miss it?”
“So, welcome back King of the Bums.” She says regretfully. “Don’t make me regret this. Also, you know the deal. I get your only interviews and the story.”
“Ya ya ya. Now then.” He rubs his hands together like some super-villain planning his big scheme. “We need to find beer, a lot of beer, bottles would be best, but we can use cans.”
“Beer?” she exclaimed.
“Ya, a lot.”