“Hey, Sequel, buddy,” Motif said softly, “It’s time for you to go. It’s time for you to tell your story, okay?” Sequel nodded, slowly at first and then quickly. Something behind Sequel’s  eyes seemed to come alive as he took in and released a breath.

“I was a director.” He began, his speech was quiet and a bit stilted, but awake and alive. He even moved more naturally, very different from his usual stiff articulation. “I did… mostly indie films, had a... fair reputation,” He seemed to wax and wane from a haze, fighting to keep himself present “I was trusted to direct the adaptation of this book, a science fiction novel, a very good science fiction novel. Lots of fans. First big movie.” He tightened his grip on the book in his hands, and his face grew tense and dark, “The movie was... awful… hated. Everyone hated it. The book fans said I got the whole thing all wrong. Lots and lots of talking about how bad it was. I got emails and letters, all of them angry… but entirely right.” He paused and swallowed, “Some people wanted to kill me over it, wanted me to kill myself over it”

Sequel started shaking a little, and Motif looked worried. But still he continued.

“The author hated it. He knew all the things I got wrong… it was a horrible adaptation ... And then…” Sequel looked down at the book in his hands, “He wrote the second book. All the angry people were so happy.  A respite from my trainwreck.” Sequel ran a shaking hand over the front of the book. Motif grimaced. Sequel held the book up in front of him, letting it bath in the light of the fire.

“One day I’ll read this book.” He said with a chilling little laugh, “And then I’ll know just how much of a stupid fuck I am, won’t I?” He smiled a very large and unsettling smile, then laughed some more while everyone watched, transfixed as if they were watching a body hit the floor. Then the light in his eyes disappeared, and he closed back up again, resuming his position. Motif let his face sink into his hands and began to quietly sniffle, and then cry.

“I am never letting him read that goddamn book.” He sobbed quietly into himself.