Supernaturally Yours Episode 16
“Well, everything looks to be in order here,” the American Airlines employee said, smiling at the warm reunion. “Thank you for flying American Airlines!” She wandered off to her next destination feeling good that she had helped a child find his parent.
Marvin waited until the woman left before he let go of Franz. “That was pretty good, was it not?” He had a big smile on his face. “I’ve been taking acting lessons.” He looked at Josslyn and Franz and saw that they had shocked looks on their faces. “Oh, I keep forgetting you two have never met me before. Yes, it is I, Large Marvin.” He grew irritated with them and folded his arms. “Yeah, I know, I’m a kid, but only in body! I’m well over 200 years old.”
“I imagined you to be a lot bigger,” Franz said. He had heard rumors that Large Marvin was a balding, fat man that looked a little like Dennis Farina. He wasn’t expecting to see someone who looked like he was a member of the Mickey Mouse Club.
“Yes, the nickname is a misnomer, but it’s good for my image.” Marvin picked up the black duffel bag that had been resting behind him and set it on one of the chairs. “Now, time to get down to brass tacks. Please have a seat.”
Franz and Josslyn sat down in the chairs across the aisle from Marvin. Lemonjello and Orangejello remained standing, so as to protect them from any threats. Marvin got a serious look on his face. It was strange to see a young face look so focused. Franz had to remind himself that Marvin was a dangerous person who could probably snap his neck with a blink of his eye… Or was that a rumor, too?
“Franz, I need you to come back to New York with me.” Marvin saw that Franz was going to interrupt him, so he simply put his index finger up and asked to be able to finish his thought.
“My blood empire is beginning to suffer because my new you isn’t as adept as you in the field of negotiating. You hurt us when you left so abruptly. Things are shaky. I’m not doing nearly the amount of business I used to. The dealers loved talking with you. You knew how to make people feel important. You are the key.” Marvin leaned forward and grinned. “I really need you to get back to work pronto.” Marvin then set his finger down and allowed Franz to say his peace.
Franz knew that he had to act diplomatically. One did not simply tell Marvin ‘no’. He had heard stories about vampires losing their heads because they didn’t follow one of Marvin’s orders. Franz wasn’t sure how he was going to be able to do this and keep his head… Or was it another rumor? Nothing was as it seemed any more.
“Marvin, I appreciate all the nice things you’ve said about me,” Franz started. “And there was a time that I enjoyed working for you, but I changed my mind. I feel that what I was doing was wrong and I didn’t want to be a part of it anymore.” Franz stopped to gauge Marvin’s expression. He couldn’t tell if Marvin was beginning to get irritated or not. Curse your poker face, he thought. Then he hoped that Marvin didn’t hear that. “I no longer wish to be a part of the organization.” Franz thought it would be best to leave it at that.
Marvin, Josslyn, and Franz sat in silence for a minute. No one dared to move or even breathe. Franz looked over at Josslyn and saw that she was trying to read Marvin as well. After a minute, Marvin lowered his head and exhaled. He reached into his duffel bag and pulled out a juice box, fruit punch. He pulled the straw off the back of the box and unwrapped it. With a childlike delight, Marvin poked the straw through the designated hole. He looked up at Franz and Josslyn and sipped happily. He truly looked like a child now. Franz and Josslyn wanted to feel better about this because there was something cute about the whole scene, but then they recalled that this boy controlled whether or not they got to keep their heads.
Marvin finished the juice box and crumpled it in his hands. “Lemonjello, throw this away please.” The hired hand turned around and took the juice box. He looked around for the nearest trash receptacle and journeyed towards it. Marvin returned his attention to Franz, which sent a chill down Franz’s back.
“So, you’re not coming back?” Marvin asked. Franz shook his head. “Are you sure I can’t convince you? More money? More clothes, preferably with some color? Tickets to some sporting event? Your own operation? You name it, you got it.”
“A Jedi craves not these things,” Franz replied.
Marvin sighed and steepled his fingers. “That is most unfortunate. I must say that I’m a little disappointed, but not surprised. I thought that I would let you come back to me of your own volition. Now, I must do something to ensure the profitability of my empire. Josslyn?”
“Yes, sir?” Josslyn knew why she was there.
“Are you ready to do the Total Job?” Marvin asked.
“No problem,” Josslyn replied. She turned to Franz and grinned. “This is going to hurt me more than it’s going to hurt you.”
“Bullshit,” Franz said. “Marvin, don’t do this!”
“I have no choice.” Marvin closed his eyes and looked away.
Josslyn took a hold of Franz’s hands and held them. She looked into Franz’s eyes and saw the fear in them, the betrayal. She squeezed Franz’s hand in an effort to tell him that it was going to be alright. She offered him a smile and a wink.
Franz could feel Josslyn invade his mind, depositing thoughts and ideas. He tried to fight against her and retain control of his mind, but she was strong and forceful. His eyes widened as everything that made him Franz was slowly being replaced by the person that Marvin wanted him to be. With no mental strength left, Franz gave up and faded into the dark corner of his mind.
Josslyn laid Franz’s hands down onto his lap when the job was done. She looked at Marvin and indicated that she had done what he had asked. “He’s ready.”
“Franz, are you ready to go?” Marvin asked.
“Yes, I am,” Franz said. He stood up and offered Marvin his hand. Marvin accepted it and got up from the chair. “I trust you had a pleasant trip.” He smiled at Marvin as he helped pick up Marvin’s duffel bag.
“I sure did,” Marvin said. “But I’m in a big hurry to get back to New York. There’s a deal that I really need negotiated and it could be very profitable.” Marvin patted Franz on the back as they neared the check in line. “I need you on this one.”
“I will do my best,” Franz said.
Josslyn snapped and her henchman followed them to the check in line.
As they stood in line, Josslyn watched as Marvin and Franz had a nice conversation about the logistics of getting blood from humans in the upstate area of New York. She found it creepy how agreeable Franz was. Maybe she had done too good a job on Franz. When the conversation changed to My Little Pony, Josslyn knew that this wasn’t natural. She debated whether she should say something to Marvin before they got to the desk.
“Pinkie Pie is the shit,” Franz said.
“No, no, no! It’s all about Applejack!” Marvin added.
“Franz?” said a familiar voice.
Franz, Marvin, and Josslyn turned to see that Rob and Evan were standing by the check in line. Rob looked heartbroken.
“You’re going with them?” Rob asked. “After everything that happened, you’re leaving?”
“Yes. I have a job to do,” Franz replied. “You wouldn’t understand.”
Rob lowered his head and sighed. “I guess not. Are you going to come back?”
“I don’t think so, Rob.” Franz looked at Rob and smiled. “But don’t you worry. The apartment is paid up for the rest of the year, so you can stay there.” There was a tear running down Franz’s cheek.
“Sure, thanks,” Rob mumbled.
“I’ll see you around,” Franz said. He turned his back to Rob and attempted to continue his conversation about My Little Pony.
Marvin couldn’t help but notice that Franz’s eyes continued to water. The whole thing was rather quite tragic. He had won, but at what cost? A good worker? A good friend? Could he really sit back and pretend that Franz was really happy to be working for him again? Not even Josslyn’s mind wipe was 100% accurate. There was something within Franz that still yearned to be free.
“Josslyn, undo the job.” Marvin lowered his head, defeated.
“Are you sure?” Josslyn asked. Marvin nodded his head. She took Franz’s hands into hers. “Look into my eyes, babe.”
Josslyn looked into Franz’s eyes and saw an emptiness behind them. There wasn’t anything recognizable in his eyes; no fire, no spark, no Franz. This saddened her.
Franz felt the invading thoughts begin to retreat. He was slowly regaining his mental faculties. With a rush of energy, he crept out of the dark corner of his mind and returned to the vampire he once was. He found himself in line to get tickets to New York City. He had to get out of there. Franz looked at Marvin and saw that he was nodding.
“Franz, I must apologize for the thing that I’ve done,” Martin said. “You left the life and it wasn’t fair of us to come and try to drag you back. Isn’t that right, Josslyn?”
“Yeah, whatever,” she said. Josslyn tried to avoid eye contact with Franz, but she was glad that life had returned to his eyes again. “I’m sorry that I did the stuff and things. Go, be free!”
“But what about your empire?” Franz asked.
“They rise and they fall,” Martin said. “Maybe it’s time for my reign to end.”
Franz thought those words betrayed his physical appearance. There was much wisdom in them. Franz got out of the line and rejoined Rob, who hugged him instantly. He looked over at Josslyn, Marvin, Lemonjello, and Orangejello. They looked like an odd group of vampires. He waved goodbye to them. Marvin was the only one who waved back. Josslyn stood there looking conflicted. She didn’t know which emotion to portray: anger, relief, hope, jealousy, love…
Rob, Evan, and Franz started to leave the airport when Marvin called out to them.
“Franz, by the way!” Marvin wriggled by the people behind him in line to run to Franz. “Wait, before you go. The laptop that you used back in New York, I can’t get it unlocked because it needs your password. I’ve tried rebooting it and everything. What’s the password?”
“StrawberryShortcake69. Capital S’s,” Franz said.
“What the hell kind of password is that?” Marvin laughed. It was strange hearing some a mature sounding laugh coming from a child. “Thank you, Franz. Good luck with your new life.” Marvin bowed before he headed back into line with the rest of his gang.
“Well, I guess it’s back to Angel Springs,” Rob said happily. “We’ve got to get you back to work!”
“Actually, I think Franz has the night off,” Evan said. “They didn’t seem to remember that Franz worked there.”
“So I guess I’ll have to apply all over again.” The prospect didn’t sound appealing to Franz, but he did enjoy working at the grocery store. He’d gladly fill out the paperwork again if he had to, but first he just wanted to get out of the airport.
As they walked out, Franz turned to Evan and said, “I don’t think we’ve been introduced. I’m Franz.” He smiled as he extended his hand. He had great hopes for the rest of the evening.