Chapter #7Sell the mask to Andrew by: Seuzz   (Text by Gimlet )
OK, thinking it through does pose some problems. Andrew would have to basically give up his life. A Mask of him wouldn't work, those legs would be paralyzed too (if you can even use a mask of yourself!). But a merged mask, though untraceable, would not be him. If he wore it all the time he'd have to get a new identity to go with it. But, that would be his problem. Knowing him he'd probably find a way, 'adopt' the merged mask persona, then fake his death and give everything to the new him? Hmm, maybe he can come up with something better, but it could work. You are pretty sure you can trust him, thus him knowing it's you that have this shouldn't be a problem, though you don't like the idea of him knowing about the book. Maybe tell him you found the 'recipe' for it online? Then of course the website is gone, no trace anywhere, no history etc. You could show him what happened even! When you try to write the instructions down, or type them into a computer they'd vanish! It'd prove it! That way he'd only know you could make masks and not wonder what else you could do.
Or you could say you bought the mask that you make and are just reselling it to him?
First though you need a new mask to sell, and that'll take time. Another week most likely. Another week of back breaking labor! Okay, not backbreaking but still not fun.
You hear the sounds of laughter downstairs and remember that Umeko just arrived. For the moment you hide the mask (NOT under the bed with your porn! You do not want your brother to find this.) and straighten your hair and clothes before striding nonchalantly downstairs. Yes, Umeko and your mother are talking in the living room, Umeko looking fantastic as ever in a powder blue dress, her hair pulled back in a ponytail.
"Hey Umeko." you say, trying to sound as cool as possible. "How've you been doing?"
"Very well, thanks Will" She says "I was just telling Mrs. Prescott about the movie."
With difficulty you managed to not let your face drop with the reminder that Robert got a 'date' with Umeko. He would pay for that, you'd find a way. Maybe there are a few things you could try with the mask that wouldn't be too risky?
"Will?" Umeko says, waving a hand in front of your face. Oops! You drifted there.
"Oh, I'm sorry Umeko, I just thought of something," you say, and before she can ask what you were thinking of, add "So are you ready for your starring role today?"
She raised an eyebrow, probably amazed you remembered about the flute accompaniment she's doing at church. "I know I am! Why don't you come and listen, Will. I'd like you to hear how well I've practiced."
Going to church is not exactly your idea of fun, but for this?
"Of course, I'd love to Umeko."
"Good, tell Robert, I'm sure he'd love to hear too."
You grin through gritted teeth and just nod. Damn, that's probably going to spoil it for you! Maybe you can avoid sitting right next to him? He's bound to be a pain through the whole thing!
The show is fantastic, and of course you are completely unbiased! Afterwards you can't really remember much apart from Umeko's playing (she was accompanying someone, right?) and how she looked, so focused and really having fun up there. That's another thing you've always admired about Umeko. She has no embarrassment on stage or in front of a crowd. You just tend to clam up. Watching her have fun on the flute, knowing that everyone is listening to her playing obviously is a big thing for her.
When the show is over Robert and you almost get in a fight leaving the church trying to get close to Umeko to escort her home, but a cough from a woman behind you stops you both from making a fool of yourselves. Instead you both look daggers at each other the whole way home and both miss out on chatting with Umeko. Infuriating, and of course it's all Roberts fault!
The next day is back to school and although there is a temptation to take Robert's Mask into school and play some sort of prank on him you do manage to resist. You don't want to be found with a Mask, let alone for someone to find out what they do! This week does seem less intensive on homework, at least from English, and Physics at least you're good at and can deal with it pretty handily (mostly). That leaves you with quite a few nights of full time burnishing your new mask that you fabricated Sunday night. You have to find a better place to do this, blowing the smoke out the window will only work so long, and your Dad complained about the smell again.
Effort on the Mask goes well, and it is mostly done by Wednesday night. On Thursday, though you can't wait to get home to finish the Mask off, things side track you. Well, one particular 'Thing'.
"Hello Prescott, I was just thinking my fist needed a bit of practice and what do I find? A perfect punching bag? I guess I'm just lucky."
Lester The Molester! Oh shit!
You know by now that it doesn't really help to try to talk back to him, it just speeds up the pummeling you'll get... or not. Sometimes he just gets off on the fear in your eyes, the not knowing if Lester will flatten you or not. Unfortunately this isn't one of those times and you stagger to your next class trying to catch your breath after having the wind knocked out of you. At least he didn't give you a black eye. Explaining that to Dad might be a problem.
You spend the rest of the day thinking up ways to deal with Lester once you have the money to make as many Masks as you want. A particular favorite is Using a Lester Mask and a merged mask to frame Lester for murder of guy who doesn't even exist! Tricky to pull off but no way to counter it! Even if it never goes to trial the arrest will be on his record forever!
As you leave Math class at the end of the day you bump into Caleb. "Hey Prescott. What's up?"
You've seen Caleb a couple of times through the week so far, mostly at your locker, but had been a little preoccupied to say much. From his face he might be worried about you. What have you done wrong?
"Oh, nothing much. Got molested, got picked for a verbal presentation in English for next week. That's gonna suck!"
"Hear you man, so... any word from your Dad?"
You clench your eyes tight at the familiar question.
"Look Caleb, he doesn't trust you, OK? I'll keep trying, and maybe he will put your name forwards, but don't count on it."
"Doesn't trust me? Why?" he says looking genuinely confused.
"Perhaps that whole 'shoplifting' thing last year..."
"HEY! You know I was framed for that! I just wish I knew who slipped those magazines in my coat!"
"Yeah, right." you say, chuckling. Magazines was a little too high brow a name for what Caleb had been caught with.
For a moment Caleb looks like he is going to retort back, but then he stops and stares.
"OK, what did you do with Will?"
"Huh?" you manage intelligently.
"You haven't asked once if I talked to Eva about Lisa!"
That hits you. In all your focusing on the Masks you'd completely forgotten about Lisa. Well, not forgotten, just thinking about different things.
"I've been busy." you say lamely.
"With what? What could possibly tear the great Will Prescott away from the plan to re-unite with Lisa?"  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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