Brevity
Charcoal City... a bustling metropolis to most... but to Dioptase, the world renown and anonymous street artist... a canvas.
When a painting bought by a local tattooist is revealed to be of incredible value, the procurer and her friends find themselves targeted by the corrupt parties that want it for themselves.
In order to preserve the message and keep the painting out of the hands of a villainous mob family, the mysterious creator must intervene while circumnavigating their own complicated connections to the predicament.
Brevity is a mini-series saga of art, crime, family, friendship, labor, and hidden identity.
Brevity
Episode 3
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Awkward Reunions... History of Dynasty... Ember Ignited...
Voice Actors: Amber Aubin, CJ Cinco, Joe Valdes, Bob Cooner, Sam McMorris, and Dan Paragon.
Written, Narrated, and Produced by Mark Johnston
www.constellationaudio.biz
Photo Credit: Seth Steward
Music by Mark Johnston
Constellation Audio probably presents Brevity by Mark Johnston. Episode three. As Christian reaches the 55th floor of the downtown Opal Tower, the first of three stories that his father owns, he is greeted by a kind receptionist at the front desk of the vastly overcrowded lobby.
SPEAKER_04Welcome to the Footman's International Brotherhood main office in Archambo Industries. How may I help you?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, I'm here to see Collette. Can you let her know that her brother is here?
SPEAKER_04Oh, certainly. Gosh, Christian, I didn't even recognize you. It's been so long. Your hair is different.
SPEAKER_02Ah, little CJ with his tight pants. How cute!
SPEAKER_00Christian turns around to see an enormous hulk of a man walking out of the elevator. He is wearing all black with the shirt tucked in to extenuate his core and chest. A razor-sharp haircut frames a chiseled and hardened face. Behind his ear is a squiggly, translucent wire leading to the communication bud nestled in the canal. Christian certainly recognizes his father's personal bodyguard and head of security. None other than his older brother, Lawrence Lefty Archambo.
SPEAKER_03Must have loosened up around here. Security extends to more than just the office, dipshit.
SPEAKER_02Mind your business.
SPEAKER_03You must be on a new steroid cycle. Dad still gives you a bonus per pound of your deadlift, Max? Well, I would say that he couldn't afford it, but you know Dad.
SPEAKER_00The two brothers arrive at a pair of closed doors. Yes, I know Dad. If only the government were privy to his spending. Lawrence cuts off Christian's sentence by grabbing a handful of his leather jacket and pulling him in tight with one hand. Their faces so close Christian can smell the burrito that his brother had devoured for breakfast. Lawrence stares back at him with unbridled ferocity, then laughs and releases his grip. The giant mass of muscle simply smiles and opens the door while motioning for Christian to enter. Jeez, dude. Lawrence remains in the hall and closes the door. Christian walks in to find his sister pacing the magnanimous open conference room with a cell phone glued to her ear. His dad's lawyer, Vaklav, is seated at the enormous table with the manila folder and some documents strewn about the glossy wooden surface. A young legal associate sits beside him. His sister, Colette, was six years his elder, but carried herself like their age gap was twice that.
unknownFor Christ's sake, Penny.
SPEAKER_00She was his father's lead assistant and ran all of the day-to-day operations of their father's mini business entanglements. Reuben's public salary as a union chief was substantial, but even Christian had no idea how many other revenue streams there were pouring in from the many handshake negotiations and implied leverages. Certainly the government knew very little, but Colette had them all flowing like sophisticated financial plumbing. His father trusted her with everything, and she made it her mission to protect him and his empire. She pays him no attention as he walks in and approaches the table.
SPEAKER_01Hello, Christian. Thanks for coming. We just need you to sign a few documents for us here.
SPEAKER_03I'm guessing this has something to do with the lawsuit shield we set up for dad a few years ago.
SPEAKER_01Well, that wouldn't be the preferred nomenclature, but yes, it is regarding the trust that your father created in your name some time ago. So does that mean he's in the clear and wants his money back? Well, property, actually, but in certain terms, yes.
SPEAKER_00Lawrence enters the room momentarily to whisper something to Colette. She puts her hand over the phone to receive his message, then barks at Christian.
SPEAKER_04It's just a formality, Christian. Sign the damn thing.
SPEAKER_00The fiery family accountant puts her phone back to her ear, apologizes to the person on the other line, and leaves the room through a side door.
SPEAKER_03Love you too, sister.
SPEAKER_00Alright, whatever. Where do I sign? As Christian begins to sign the multitude of mystifying documents, the twin conference room doors open wide yet again. His father enters the room.
SPEAKER_02Christian, my boy, what the fuck are you wearing? Motorcycles again? You're gonna get yourself killed. You should see what my SUVs do to motorcycles. It's not pretty.
SPEAKER_00In lieu of a hug, the intimidating mob boss simply puts a hand on Christian's head and rustles his scalp. With his other hand, he's holding a half-eaten maple bar donut. His overstretched suspenders are clinging on to the silver trousers that rest at perfect height above recently shined shoes. His tie, navy blue with little hammers and wrenches patterned throughout. Atop his head, not a single strand of hair.
SPEAKER_02Listen, Siege, thanks so much for doing this. We're trying to make some renovations to those warehouses in Crystal Village and the legaleese, it's all complicated. You understand? Sure, Dad. No problem.
SPEAKER_04Dad, I need you in here for a minute.
SPEAKER_02Sure thing, I'll be right there. CJ, hang tight. I'll be right back. I want to show you something.
SPEAKER_00Christian is pretty sure he already knows what his father intends to show him. He was at the auction house that day, watching his sister rapidly overbid for the hastily out-chisled illustration. It made his blood boil. Of course his dad would be the one who ended up with it. It makes perfect sense. It's just the item he would proudly boast. It's even got that rugged construction look with the exposed rebar jutting through the sides of the concrete. It was probably one of his own Union crews who ripped it out of the wall. If only he knew. After scribbling his name on the last document, Christian stands up to wander the room. He walks over to a series of portraits on the wall. The first is of his father, followed by two more progressively older yet elegant photos of similar-looking men. He halts his walk in front of the final portrait.
SPEAKER_01Christian, why don't you tell my colleague here about your great-grandfather Reginald?
SPEAKER_03He came to Charco City like a hundred years ago and got a job as a bricklayer, joined the Brotherhood and worked his way up to leadership. He figured out how to harness the strength of the tradesmen and built the union into a powerhouse. Our family has run it ever since then. They called him Reggie X.
SPEAKER_02Reuben had quietly re-entered the room. Hard as a hammer, with an ambition that was undeniable, accrued plenty of power for himself, but also gave the rank and file much more than a seat at the table. Turned the footman into a sophisticated weapon, if you will. He was a hero to his men. No doubt about it. Collected loyalty, in fact, wrote the book on leverage. Alright, enough with the history lesson. Now come with me.
SPEAKER_00Ruben takes his son up two more floors to his private residence. The entire story is one giant modern luxury apartment. After following a long hallway, they finally arrive at his father's famous showroom. On the way in, Christian did not fail to notice the overkill of video cameras, and knows there would likely be many more unseen security measures as well. When they finally reach the newest addition to his father's gaudy collection, Christian has to both feign surprise and hold back laughter. The giant piece of building looks utterly ridiculous in the delicate, mood-lit room, and the subject of the painting was even more fantastically absurd than he had remembered. Christian never intended for it to be anything meaningful. It was just a stupid cartoon painted undoubtedly and authentically well. The meaning was intended to lie in its eventual disappearance, an achievement regrettably robbed from ever occurring. All that mattered to Christian's father was the exuberant price tag. To him the value dictated the greatness.
SPEAKER_02You see, son, this is real art. It's my pride and joy. You can count on one hand how many of these exist. And I've got one. I've even got a lead on another. It'll be mine soon. What? What could he mean? Is he talking about No? Don't go thinking that I've forgotten that you wanted to be an artist when you were little. So cute. Well, what do you think? Mr. Art Expert? Pretty great, huh? It's sure something, Dad.
SPEAKER_03Congrats.
SPEAKER_02Oh, come on, don't be like that. Some people have talent, some people don't. Get over it. You're lucky that you gave that up a long time ago and took up whatever it is you're doing now. Music and motorcycles? What the fuck, CJ? Is that how you spend your time? Ah, Jesus, for Christ's sakes. Just like your mother was.
SPEAKER_00Christian's fists were beginning to clench. He took every muscle in his body to hide his hatred.
SPEAKER_02Anyways, I'm showing this baby off in a couple of nights at the workman's gala. I'm being honored, and this is gonna be the talk of the event. Good for you, Dad. You deserve it. I know that you never come to these things, but you should be there. I think most people have forgotten that I even have a third kid. We'll see. I think I might be busy. Sure, sure, all right. Get the fuck out of here. The masseuses will be here in ten.
SPEAKER_00As he gladly leaves his father's apartment and heads for the elevator, Christian shakes the impulse to break one of the many expensive decorations on display around the room. He is furious, but also inspired. He secretly thanks his father for the focus and motivation that this madness had given him. A public event like the Gala would be the perfect opportunity to complete his unfinished business with the preposterous concrete shark frog. His father's humiliation was now of paramount importance. Christian reaches the elevator and summons a lift down. After a brief two-floor descent, the doors open to a boisterous commotion at the office level of Archambo Industries.