Further developments
Not much has changed since my last entry. This is a new installment of my story "The Worst Manuscript Ever Written." Today will consist of chapter two, in which the lines are drawn. Enjoy and God Bless you.
II
The two met at noon at the cafe. The weather was nice, a cool breeze ruffled the pages of the cursed manuscript. Fangrid handed the peice of work to the publisher and he began to skim it as he had done with countless other works by countless other authors. Jason Epstein wasn't just a peddler of literature, he was also in a way, a peddler of ideas. As the executive of a small, yet prominent publishing firm, he held tremendous sway over what prospective readers would know. He put down the manuscript after a few minutes of reading. There was a look of absolute disgust on his face.
"Fangrid, you said it was terrible, but I didn't think it was going to be this bad" He remarked, handing it back to the author.
"Aren't you going to take it home and finish going over it?" Fangrid asked.
"No" Epstein said flatly. "And I don't think you should either"
There was a noticeable change in Jason's countenance. Something within him had transformed during the few minutes he had skimmed the work. Something had either frightened or offended him at the core of his being and he became very serious.
"Not only am I not going to publish this, but I'm going to burn it the first chance I get"
"Thats a bit excessive, isn't it?" Fangrid reasoned.
"No its not" Jason argued. "Everything. Its all true. Its obvious that you know too much. We can't have other people knowing these things"
"Its not true, I arbitrarilly made it up"
The exchange was becoming heated and the other patrons of the outdoor cafe were beginning to stare. The calm and relaxing atmosphere was shattered.
"If you don't destroy it, I will!" He reached for it, but Appleton quickly snatched it up and then hell broke loose. Resorting to violence, Jason attempted a right hook. Fangrid leaned back and kicked the table up from underneath so that Jason was sent reeling.
"Damn you!" He muttered as he clattered to the sidewalk with the table and the cups.
Fangrid didn't hear the insult, he had taken off in the opposite direction. Jason gave chase, but soon lost him in the crowded square several blocks away. He swore and cursed with such ferocity that a flock of pidgeons scattered, lest they be subjected to the foul language.
"So, this is the way its going to be then" He said quietly. "Nobody else must know the truths of that manuscript. I will destroy it if I have to destroy you in the process, Fangrid Appleton"
And then he smiled.
"Don't forget, old chap; I've been your publisher for several years. I know where you live and I know how to reach you"
II
The two met at noon at the cafe. The weather was nice, a cool breeze ruffled the pages of the cursed manuscript. Fangrid handed the peice of work to the publisher and he began to skim it as he had done with countless other works by countless other authors. Jason Epstein wasn't just a peddler of literature, he was also in a way, a peddler of ideas. As the executive of a small, yet prominent publishing firm, he held tremendous sway over what prospective readers would know. He put down the manuscript after a few minutes of reading. There was a look of absolute disgust on his face.
"Fangrid, you said it was terrible, but I didn't think it was going to be this bad" He remarked, handing it back to the author.
"Aren't you going to take it home and finish going over it?" Fangrid asked.
"No" Epstein said flatly. "And I don't think you should either"
There was a noticeable change in Jason's countenance. Something within him had transformed during the few minutes he had skimmed the work. Something had either frightened or offended him at the core of his being and he became very serious.
"Not only am I not going to publish this, but I'm going to burn it the first chance I get"
"Thats a bit excessive, isn't it?" Fangrid reasoned.
"No its not" Jason argued. "Everything. Its all true. Its obvious that you know too much. We can't have other people knowing these things"
"Its not true, I arbitrarilly made it up"
The exchange was becoming heated and the other patrons of the outdoor cafe were beginning to stare. The calm and relaxing atmosphere was shattered.
"If you don't destroy it, I will!" He reached for it, but Appleton quickly snatched it up and then hell broke loose. Resorting to violence, Jason attempted a right hook. Fangrid leaned back and kicked the table up from underneath so that Jason was sent reeling.
"Damn you!" He muttered as he clattered to the sidewalk with the table and the cups.
Fangrid didn't hear the insult, he had taken off in the opposite direction. Jason gave chase, but soon lost him in the crowded square several blocks away. He swore and cursed with such ferocity that a flock of pidgeons scattered, lest they be subjected to the foul language.
"So, this is the way its going to be then" He said quietly. "Nobody else must know the truths of that manuscript. I will destroy it if I have to destroy you in the process, Fangrid Appleton"
And then he smiled.
"Don't forget, old chap; I've been your publisher for several years. I know where you live and I know how to reach you"