Anthology Two Presents

PRENTICE:
"Act" (Part I)
By Stephanie Vance

'Another drab and dreary day, when I so wanted something better.'

'What was that?'

'Nothing, was I talking to you?'

'Now, now, let's not get nasty. For this to work we need to remain civil. For the moment anyway.'

'Yeah, whatever. Shall we...?'

A light whisper "...yes."

She stood out amongst the trash and refuse of the alley. Her hair was in matted tangles, a dirty, torn jacket clothed what at first glance seemed to be a scantily clad form. Stooping down she picked up a pencil and proceeded to draw upon her face and down her body. As the rain ran down in long smudges her hair lengthened, her clothing took on the aspect of fine silk. The final touch was a fur coat, where the tattered coat had been.

'Your approval?'

'As ravishing as usual. Nice touch with the hair. I was getting tired of the brunette.'

'Hmmm, she was a bit boring wasn't she?'

'Come on, he's waiting.'

'Your point?'

Nothing but a sigh answered her. She glanced from under the awning atthe rain, and then down at her fine clothes. "Just perfect." She looked around and saw a piece of newspaper sticking out of a nearby trash can."I guess this'll have to do." Quickly getting out the pencil she had usedearlier she flattened the newspaper onto the wall behind her, and proceeded to draw an umbrella. Once finished she took the paper and shook it vigorously."Damn handle always get stuck..." Suddenly she was cut off from the rain that had been blowing upon her, where the newspaper had been was now a newspaper styled umbrella. She confidently stepped out onto the pavement,sidestepping the men in their business suits heading for the cross walk.

'You did remember to push the button this time, right?'

'Stop smirking, you don't do much better. Besides I didn't have to this time, someone else already did.' The little man turned green andshe crossed with everyone else.

'By the way, where are we going?'

'Prentice! For the love of-. You said you knew!'

'Well, this setting has left me a bit disorientated, and we were in a bit of a hurry earlier. This fellow shouldn't be too hard to find.'

'Considering it's always best to find our prospective clients beforethey learn how to find us- Look out for the carriage!' A car went speedingby as Prentice leapt daintily out of the way. Suddenly she felt a handgrasping her arm, steadying her.

"Claire? Are you all right?" She turned to see a man in a gray tweedsuit. His hair was slightly damp from the rain. Brown eyes met her green one as a smile spread over both their faces. A memory stirred in Prentice's mind, producing his name and other information.

"Scott? Yes I'm fine, thank you. Daydreaming I guess." 'It's him,I told you we'd find him!' Her friend was prevented from answeringas Scott led Prentice to a cafe and then inside.

"You should be more careful about where you choose to daydream. How was your trip?"

"Fine, the weather was a bit off, as always." The waitress brought two menus and laid them down before turning off. Prentice watched Scott, ashe watched the waitress walk off.

"What was that? Oh yes, Scotland any time of year can have beastly weather."

She smiled at him, noticing how his eyes swept over her. From her disheveledhair to her (as she thought) moderately cut blouse. He grinned and signaled the waitress over.

"A cup of coffee please, with cream, and you?"

"A latte, thanks. So, what have I missed while I was gone?"

"Besides the usual paperwork, harassing phone calls, and me? Not much,the boss does want to go over the portfolio with you though."

'Is it just me or is this guy overly sure of himself?'

'Don't worry, he is.'

"I was wondering Claire, now that you're no longer seeing Greg, if you'd like to go out sometime?" Prentice assumed a carefully made mask of surpriseyet inside she was jubilant. This was the opening she had been lookingfor. Considering the fact that Scott had quietly disposed of her 'fiancee' Greg, his comment would have been not only extremely rude, but distasteful and sickening to some. Of course 'Claire' had no knowledge that that was what had transpired. She figured that he had left the country with someone else.

"Well, I'm not really sure... I mean I don't know what to say."

"If its too soon, I understand. But a woman like you shouldn't be staying home at night."

"Give me some time to think about it, okay?"

"Sure," He smiled at her from over his coffee cup, "No problem."

The waitress then reappeared with the bill, slapping it down on thetable. Scott picked it up and left the money underneath the salt shaker. He then grabbed his coat and Prentice's umbrella and escorted her out the door. While opening the umbrella under the downpour she asked "So, where were you thinking of us going tonight?" He tried to keep the huge grin off his face, without much success.

"Maybe to dinner, then a movie, my apartment?"

"Well, let me catch a cab and go back to my apartment. I'll give you the address and you can come by later and pick me up."

"Sounds good to me. Around what time?"

"Hmmm, around seven-thirty?"

"Alright." So saying he stepped to the curb and flagged down a cab.Opening the door for her with a bow, she laughed as she got in. Handing him a piece of paper from her pocket, it had her address and phone numberon it, Scott lifted it to his lips and kissed it.

"I'll call you first, before I come over." He shut the door and waved, as Prentice gave directions to a fairly nice neighborhood. The cab driver let her out at the stairwell, as she handed him her tip he winked and drove off. The doorman opened the door for her, while taking her coat and umbrella.

"I trust you had a good time, Miss Dean."

"Yes, thank you Clyde. A gentleman should be calling around seven-thirty. Will you buzz me on the speaker-phone when he comes in?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Thank you."

Prentice shook out her damp hair in the elevator, and smoothed out her skirt. Everything was going splendidly. All she needed right now was ahot bath and a couple hours sleep, and she'd be ready for her evening.

Walking down the hall, Prentice fumbled in her pockets for the keys. Then she sighed in disgust as she realized that she didn't have them. Thereal Claire did, and she was still up in Scotland. An occasional checkup showed her to be dallying with some Scotsman, no longer grief stricken over the loss of her fiancee. Well there was only one thing to do, she glanced furtively up and down the hall, satisfied at seeing no one sheplucked a hair from her head and wetted it with her tongue. Then she tooka piece of rug from the floor and a leaf from a nearby plant. Her handsmoving quickly she twined the hair and piece of rug together, while shredding the leaf with her teeth and sticking the hair-rug into her mouth she proceeded to chew the mess together. All the right consistency she leaned over tothe door and spat the mess onto the keyhole. Muttering under her breath she pressed one of her tingling hands onto the door and turned the doorknob with the other. The door slowly opened, she heard a 'ding' as the elevator's doors opened at the same time. Prentice hurried into the apartment and shut the door behind her, thankful that Claire was not one of those foolish people who believed in alarm systems. Looking around the apartment Prentice could see why though. Who would want to steal anything from here? The woman had no style what-so-ever! She loved frills and pink color tones! Prentice was feeling a bit nauseated looking at it all as she moved from the living room to the bedroom.

'Hey, you awake yet?'

'Yeah,' A mental yawn sounded throughout her head, 'what'sup?'

'Take a look at Claire's apartment!' Suddenly she felt a twisting sensation and felt a slight pressure behind her eyes as they moved in her sockets, to look around.

'You have got to do something about this! Its horrid, and a slander on good taste.'

"I agree," She said laughing, "Have you seen my paints?"

'No, did you try looking in your back pocket?'

"Good idea." She took off her coat and laid it on the floor and started to rummage through it. In the back, left hand pocket she pulled out anold moth eaten bag. Untying the drawstrings she pulled out a palette, several brushes of various sizes, and a container of paints that seemed to cover a broad spectrum of colors. She then went to the kitchen and filled the sink with water. Then she dumped the paints, palette, and brushes into the sink. After finding a piece of paper she took out her pencil and drew what colors and designs she wanted where, as well as any ornaments she might have had from her old apartment.

"By the time I'm done with my bath, and about an hour or so of sleep it should be done."

'Mmmmm. Do you want me to wake you up in plenty of time to get ready?'

"Please. I suspect that Claire and I are the same size. I just hope that her clothing style is better than her apartment."

'Doubtful. Go have your bath, I'll wake you up.' Her only answer was the sound of running water, after that she still got no answer as Prentice sank into a weary sleep.

'Wake up sleeping beauty, its time to get dressed for your big date.'

'No need to be sarcastic. Just because I'm going and you aren't.'

'Well, I am in a fashion.'

Prentice rolled out from under what was now, she noticed, a rich wine, black and fiery russet silk comforter. The walls were the color of a fiery sunset of muted oranges, and blues. This was much better, her paints had outdone themselves. Padding softly across the shag carpet to the dresser,she pulled open a drawer and saw socks and underwear.

"Hmmm, at least she has good taste here." The next drawer showed tohave several sweaters and blouses. Prentice's face lit up when she sawthe rich gold sweater, and in the drawer down a pair of patent, black leather pants. A pair of knee-high black boots found in the closet and a sprits of perfume completed the picture. A buzzing sound went off somewhere near the door.

'Call, huh?' Though the answering machine showed a message that wasn't there previously. She looked at the buttons on the intercom, trying to remember which one to push. She opted for one in the middle. "Yes?"

"Your gentleman friend, Mr. Scott is here, ma'am."

"Thank you, Clyde. Send him up please." A few moments later the doorbell rang. Crossing the floor, she stopped by her jacket and picked up her knife.As she unlocked the door, she bent down quickly and stuck it in her top.She opened the door with a smile. Scott looked her over with surprise.

"You look great. I didn't think you had anything like this in your wardrobe."

"Well, you couldn't expect me to wear it to work. So, where are we havingdinner?"

"I thought maybe we'd eat at Porchinis. It's a great Italian restaurant.You do like Italian don't you?"

"I love it, though I haven't had it since I went to Italy." She wavedgoodbye to Clyde as a cab pulled up and she and Scott got comfortable inthe back seat. After giving the cabby the directions, Scott settled backwith his arm around her shoulders.

"You went to Italy? I didn't know that, when?"

"Oh, I did some traveling before I went to college. The people are sopleasant."

"Mmmm-Hmmm." His arm tightened on her shoulder, the fingers caressing the fabric. Prentice leaned her head back and looked at him, smiling. This man was so easy to read, just like an open book! Luckil y she was savedfrom him responding as the cab pulled to a curb and the stubbly cabby lookedinto the back.

"Hey, mister! I ain't got all night. You gonna pay me or what? It's $22.50." Scott pulled out thirty-dollars and handed it to the man. The door was opened by a man dressed in what seemed to be gypsy styled pants and a loose sleeved, lacy shirt. Prentice had got past the point of staring at anything now days though, you never knew what you'd see in a city as big as New York anyway. The man smiled at her as they walked by, Scott clasping her by the elbow. She winked and the man's smile grew bigger as he rushed to open the restaurant door as well. Scott muttered a thank-you as they went inside.

The restaurant was filled with candles. Hanging from medieval looking chandeliers, candelabras, and surrounding the tables. Some were even floating in the fountain that was situated in the middle of the restaurant. Growing grape vines, surrounded by dark paneled wood and walking musicians playing violins quite overwhelmed her. The scent of freshly poured wine, and cloying perfumes made her head spin. She blinked her eyes to see a waiter in the same outfit as the outside smiling at them from behind a pedestal. After checking their reservations, he led the a secluded table in a recessed corner. Where the candle light barely illuminated it, and people couldn't really see you, the sound of the fountain covered your conversation. The waiter pulled the chair out for her, and then set the menus on the linentable cloth. Scott took his seat and reached for his menu, gesturing ather to do the same.

"So, what do you think?" He asked as he noticed her looking around.

"It's really beautiful. I'm quite impressed."

He smiled and looked at his menu. She skimmed the menu and decided on a salad with goat cheese, raspberries, and vinaigrette dressing as a starter,and a slice of lamb that was roasted in garlic and papaya nuts. The waiter bustled off, quickly retiring with the wine and two glasses.

"To our friendship."

"To us." She said smiling. His eyebrows rose a little at the implied statement, and then he smiled.

"To us."

'Don't drink too much, you'll need your wits about you.'

'I can hold my liqueur. Besides how am I supposed to play the drunk-take-advantage-ofdate if I'm not a little trashed. I'll be fine...'

'Mmmm-ph.'

The food arrived with much show. Obviously the chef was a man who enjoyed his job. The lamb was situated in the middle of the plate, with whole garlic cloves arranged on top. Arranged around the lamb were herbs, with fresh vegetables. The salad came with two forks and the raspberries spelt out'love'. Upon seeing this, they both smiled as his hand reached across forhers, while his other hand reached to pour another glass of wine. After the dishes had been cleared away, Prentice noticed how warm she was feeling. She looked at the bottle, it was almost empty. Well she wouldn't have tofake playing the drunk date it seemed, but that was okay. In fact the mood she was in, anything seemed okay. Scott came around and helped her to her feet, as they walked out the door, she leaned against him. 'This might actually be fun.' She thought. His clothing fir him admirably wellshe noticed, with his arm wrapped around her waist. Standing by the shinning pavement he drew her closer and she felt his lips touch hers.

'By the Gods! You amateur! Sleeping with him was only a decoy! You aren't supposed to be thinking about actually doing it! I'll have to fix this somehow, before you ruin us both.' Prentice paid the voice noheed as another cab pulled up at the curb and she and Scott climbed inside, pausing long enough to give the cabby directions to Scott's apartment.

She awoke in a strange bed with a god awful headache and someone besideher. Prentice kind of remembered the night before, a lot of wine and candlelight, soft music and then that's where her memories grew fuzzy.

'Awake, I see? Hope we enjoyed ourselves?'

'Shut up! How long have I been out?'

'Only a couple of hours, I took the liberty of waking you up early. What we have been looking for is hanging around lover-boy's neck.'Prentice leaned over the body next to her, trying not to touch him. Sheheard laughter in her head as her thoughts started to make her blush. Hastily pulling down the top covers, she saw a slender silver chain, pulling itup she saw the pendant that had caused her many aching, sometimes pain-filled and dangerous hours. Those hours had also left her violently sick for daysin that alley, and some of her memories fogged by mental fatigue. Turning over the pendant, it caught the light from a nearby candle, sending brilliantshafts of greens, blues and reds across the walls and ceiling. Carefully taking the chain in her hand, she looked for the clasp, there was none. Trying to be as gentle as possible, Prentice took it between her fingers and broke it, Scott stirred in his sleep and started to turn over. She casually stretched and let it fall out of her hand, landing near her clothes. Prentice then once again took a piece of her hair from her head, and putit around his neck.

Whispering softly she placed her hand lightly upon the strand, and glamorized it. The glamour gave the piece of hair the same feeling and weight as the chain had. Hopefully he wouldn't notice until it was too late to do anything about it.

'Kill him.' The voice whispered in her mind

'What?' This wasn't the first time such an order had come from the voice, but it had been awhile. Memories started to stir in her mind.

... a burning village, the smoke rising up to obscure her vision, and fill her lungs

... chanting, a loud gong sounds somewhere, she glances down andsees the bloodied sword in her hands. As she raises it to strike the slumbering child before her, a harsh wail pierces her mind...

A loud wail pierced her mind, sending her thoughts scattering like smoke.'What?'

'Kill him, and then drink his blood.'

She was suddenly shuddering with an overwhelming desire to do exactly that, as she jerked herself to her feet, and towards her clothes. Reaching for her dagger she leapt over to the other side of the room, and then crawled towards the side of his bed, raising the knife high she grinned maliciously.

"What on earth am I doing!?" Prentice came to herself with a start.Scott moaned in his sleep and began to open his eyes. Suddenly her handswere no longer her own. As his eyes came fully open and began to focuson her, she saw her hands slash down. Maniacal laughter burst out of her,growing louder and louder. Over and over again, the knife went up and downlike a see-saw. The blood flowed like a river, down the bed, onto the floor, puddling; in a crimson tide around her feet. She fell sobbing to her knees in abject despair. What had she done! A human life, wasted. Gone. A black depression overcame her, as she fell backwards, her head hitting the floor, sweet oblivion overtook her.

'... I can't believe you. How could you do something so stupid?'The voice woke her with a start. She was sitting in an old leather chair.Her boots were on the floor beside her, she stood up and felt the leather pants caress her legs, the gold shirt sliding across her shoulders. How strange she didn't remember getting dressed. She reached up to pull her hair back and touched a chain. She lifted it out from under her shirt.The crystal on the end refracted light from a near-by candle. Shedding deep reds, mahoganies, and black shadows across the floor and ceiling. While watching the shadows she noticed a faint, coppery smell in the air. Prentice looked around, trying to pinpoint where the smell was coming from.It was then that she noticed the form lying on the dark bed. It all camerushing back to her. The evening, the restaurant, the time afterwards,waking up once, but then the memory stopped. She struggled against the wall in her mind, knowing somehow that there was more.

'I told you that you wouldn't be able to handle yourself.' Anoily voice said inside her mind. Her head sank into her hands, as she beat mentally against the wall.

'Why didn't you stop me?'

'You managed to block me out somehow.' That didn't sound right,yet what could she do about it now? Shrugging wearily she figured she'd deal with it later.

'What are you going to do then, about this mess?'

'Can you use the pencil? To camouflage the body?'

'It would camouflage the blood, but not the body or the smell. You must have some suggestions.'

'Actually a perfect one. Just leave, let someone else find the body.Wash the knife of all fingerprints. Out the door we go, after you've had a shower of course.'

"I can't just leave him here, like this! Besides people will recognize me."

'The pencil will still change you, right? Use that, and you can and will leave him like this. We have what we came for, we no longer have anyneed of him anyway.' So saying, Prentice felt her body walking, tearing off her clothes as she went. She saw herself turn the shower on, and stepin. She felt tentatively in her mind, the wall was still there. Frustration welled up inside her, she turned the water up. As the steam rose around her, dampening her hair, she glanced down and saw the blood running offher body and down the drain. Memories stirred again, the wall weakened...

... a flash of light, a cry of pain reverberated down her spine. Her hair stood on end, she clasped the rock tightly in her hand. Straining her eyes to see a dark mass loomed before her...

... darkness was all consuming, yet she wasn't afraid. "Prentice..."It was a whisper, filled with a strange mixture of compassion and irony.She turned and saw him, his face smiling in the fire light.

... "The Void, where was it? It should be here!" She should beable to sense it. The pain was becoming excruciating, she couldn't take it much longer...

'Finished with your shower yet?'

'Yes...'

'Don't sound so weary. You're making me ache. Get out, use some of his clothes. Your pencil is in your jacket.' Climbing out, using the wall for support, making sure that she didn't slip on the water that was dripping from her shivering form. She made it into the horrid bedroom, without looking at the corpse, she rummaged through the closet, and puton some shirt and a pair of jeans. Crawling towards her coat, pass her torn torn clothing she reached into the right pocket and pulled her pencil. The charcoal smelled musty, almost sour as she drew all over body. Her hair shortened and became straight. Red and gold was replaced by a rich, ebony black, her eyes changed from green to blue. Her body tightened, becomingless voluptuous and more wiry. She found her cleaned knife in the bathroomsink, sheathed in and tucked it into the waistband of her jeans.

'Ready?' She felt a desire to say 'no' she wasn't ready, and for the woman to get off her back.

'Ready.'

'Good, you do remember what the crystal is for, don't you?'

'Yes. I...'

'Well, it's the only way out of this mess.'

'I don't think that...' Once again she watched as her hands reached up, and dealt her face a ringing blow. Trying to clear her eyes from the tears she felt a shock course through her body. In her hands the crystal glowed, brighter than the sun, with all the colors of the world it seemed,yet also empty. A loud humming noise filled her mind, echoing throughout the fiber of her being. Her mouth stretched into infinity, the ground spunas a black mass appeared in front of her, sucking the air from her lungs. She entered the swirling mass, laughter rang all around her. 'YOU AREMINE!' Prentice felt small and trapped, feeling waves of sickness descendover her, an image was fixed in her mind of a single, glowing candle flame,before someone snuffed it out, and then the darkness took her.

A maid entered the apartment to do Mr. Scott's laundry. She noticed an odd smell coming from the bedroom. She opened the door, cautiously, and screamed, and screamed...