Designer Demise

Archive Week

This week I will posting unreleased material from last year and also reposting some reworked versions of my earliest wordpress posts which didn’t receive much of an audience.

Enjoy.

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“I don’t want to live this life anymore, fame is an all consuming whore.” The client looks around the sterile, borderline clinical office. The company logo, an uppercase C swallowing lower case r, is everywhere.
His eyes are drawn back to the pudgy businessman with an unconvincing comb over seated in front of him.
“So, you’re ready to end it? You have to be sure. We can do this but there’s no going back,” says the businessman, impatiently rapping an expensive pen on an even more expensive desk.
The client buries his face in his hands, takes a moment to compose himself, then runs his fingers back through his hair, exhaling deeply.
“Tabloids want me dead, why not give them what they want.” He pauses, scratches at his elbow pit, then asks, “So, what’s the best way, like, what do most people choose?”
“Drugs mostly. But if you want it clean, painless, a plane crash is a good way. Less questions as well. A lot of the greats went that way. The bopper, Holly, Denver. It won’t destroy your reputation, you’ll have an everlasting image, and then, after they pronounce you, your royalties won’t suffer.”

This is a template answer to a common question the businessman has had to repeat often, he simply adjusts for the client of the day.
The clients eyes drift again. He looks out the window. A pigeon stares in at them, it’s breast held high, it bobs, then takes off, flying from sight. He snaps back to the conversation.
“I was wondering about my name.”
“That’s not important. We can fix that for you, or you can decide for yourself,” responds the businessman. He can see the tentativeness in the clients face. This may take some selling yet.
“You know we’ve had many famous clients in our time. Elvis was a personal favorite. He chose the name Jesse Garon. He lived in Argentina until he got homesick. Moved back to the states summer of oh nine. He lived a few blocks from Graceland. Died last year, sad stuff.” He paused, making the sign of the cross and bowing his head. “But, he took the chance and lived a peaceful life of his choosing, out of the spotlight. The decision is yours, we are simply here to give you the choice.”
“Okay, let’s do it.” The client replies without a moments hesitation, the excitement clear in his voice.
The businessman smiles, he throws his arms wide, as if unveiling a promising future.

“Welcome to Celebrity Retirement.”

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Eugi’s Weekly Prompt: Everlasting