December 23, 2005
Week 34 - Impossible Dreams 15
Episode 5
Powell sits in his cubicle at Fiddle and Burn Magazine, watching the colorful spirals of a screen saver swirl on his computer's monitor. After a few moments, Rantz steps in.
"Hey!" he says. "I read your article on Coyote Man. Good stuff! But... The only thing is... Truth is, I wasn't too crazy about the ending... It's kind of a downer... I mean, he gets stabbed... and that's it?"
"That's what Harry said... But... what can I do? It's over."
"But what about all that stuff with Captain Camouflage? He's just gonna shoot out his illusion ray and take over the country? I mean... I know I'm not an editor or anything... But I've got to worry about people renewing... I don't think our readers'll like the bad guy winning."
"That was all just... just made up! The important thing is that Mr. Lamont is getting back in touch with reality... He's... He's not so crazy anymore. That's the real ending."
Rantz shakes his head. "I'm just not sure what our readers'll think."
Powell reaches into his pocket. He pulls out the plastic fang and chain. "You see this? It's the Mystical Talisman. Anyone who wears it gets... gets the proportionate strength and the senses of a Coyote."
"That's the Talisman? From your story? It's supposed to be from some ancient Indian tribe, right?"
Powell shrugs. "Maybe. Or... Um... Maybe it's a cheap trinket from some cheesy gift shop somewhere..."
Rantz looks at him. "What do you think?"
Powell lets the chain drop onto his desk. "I think... I think Mr. Lamont is a really nice old man who just... who the world didn't turn out right for. So he decided to make his own world where things were better."
"I can understand the temptation."
"So can I..."
"Well... Whatever the ending, it is a good article. It'll really get the magazine noticed. And believe me, we need it!"
Powell nods. Rantz smiles and leaves.
Powell leans back in his chair and stares at the swirls on the computer screen. Then he picks up the necklace and watches as the plastic fang gently sways in the stale office air.