Page 40 of Beyond the Darkness
“And, although we feature local issues, our show is listened to internationally.”Amber was all business.“Our streaming numbers are consistently on the rise, month on month.We’ve won awards for…”
Hudson stopped listening to her.He knew exactly what they hoped covering the production of a play that was also the subject of an active murder investigation would do for their numbers.
He raised his pile of envelopes to stop them.“I’m sure that’s all very impressive, but I’m not going to lie.If I had my way, you wouldn’t be here.And I’m going to do my best to make sure you’re here for the shortest time possible.In the meantime, I intend to stay out of your way.Please do the same for me.”
With a smile as insincere as Corman’s, he walked away.
“You’ve got the wrong idea about us,” Amber said.“We’ll prove our worth to you and you’ll come around.”
There wasn’t a hint of uncertainty in her voice.This pair were not used to being turned down and rejection had little meaning for them.
“What’s rattled your cage?”Steve asked.He sat on the floor, legs crossed as he stretched.For once, he was not posting selfies or inspirational messages on his socials.
“What do you think?They have no business being here.”
Steve wrapped an arm around the opposite elbow.“I think they’re pretty cool.And they’re telling the truth.They do have a big following.Like, seriously massive.”
“Excuse me if I don’t shit myself with excitement over that.”
Steve stared blankly at Hudson, as if he’d just spoken an entirely new language.And then, after the cogs had ground in his brain, he said, “Probably too modern for you anyway.I forgot you’re from the dark ages.”
Cheeky motherfucker.
Rav was on his phone when Hudson approached him.Without a care for his privacy, Hudson took the seat beside him and slapped the large envelope on the desk.He sipped his coffee while he waited for him to finish the call.There was nothing sinister in the other letters.Standard fan mail and requests for autographs.
“Another one?”Rav asked when he was done.
“Yep.”
“I’ll have my team look at it.”
“No need.The police are on their way to collect it.”
“Police?Oh right, they took the letters from last week too.”
“Yes.Police.My stalker is here, in Blyham.I saw him outside my building over the weekend.These photos are coming from him.I’m sure of it.”
“Are you all right?”
“Not really.I wasn’t in the best of places when I came in.”He pointed at Corman and Amber, huddled across the room.“And they are only making it worse.How long are they here for?”
Rav shifted his ass uncomfortably.“The next two weeks.They’ll be here all the way to opening night.”
Hudson’s jaw dropped.“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Do you know how much media interest there is in this production now?We have to give them something.At least this way we can control what gets out.Corman and Amber are highly influential.It’s not just their podcast, they’ve got TikTok, Instagram.Their reach is huge.”
“I don’t give a shit about their reach.This is…fucking heartless, is what it is.We’ve lost a vital member of our team, and you want to use that for…what?Some fucking online content?”
“That’s not what this is about.We need them.The show needs them.Tickets don’t sell by themselves, you know.And as great as you are, your name alone can’t fill the theatre every night.”
Hudson tightened his fists.“What the hell are you taking about?It’s already sold out.”
“In Blyham.We’ve got to focus on London now.I’ve got a shit load of interested investors, but they’re not ready to part with their money just yet.The first week here and the reactions to it will get us over the line.”
“And you don’t think your cast and crew are talented enough to achieve that?You need cheap gimmicks.I thought this was serious theatre, not a return of vaudeville.Besides, we’ve already got Luke covering the build-up.”
“It’s a different world now, Hudson.And a whole lot of different mediums.We’ve got to be across the lot.We need to exploit every opportunity that’s available to us.”
