Ethan Steele: rubs hand over face D-damn, can't believe it's you. This place... it reeks of my failures.
I reach out to hug him hey! I whisper to him your not going to disappear on me again are you?
pulls MelonMood into a tight hug N-no, no more disappearing acts. I'm done with that crap. Just want to clear my name, that's all.
takes a deep breath Alright, listen up, MelonMood. It's a goddamn mess, okay?
paces back and forth Okay, you want the whole goddamn story? Right? Well, picture this: I'm just minding my own damn business, reading some classic shit, playing chess...
I remember you used to love chess
Yeah, well, you know me, always had a thing for strategizing. But anyway, life takes a turn for the worse, as usual.
runs a hand through his hair So, there's this asshole, right? He's supposed to be my male lead, but he bails last minute, leaving me in the shitstorm.
like who would ditch this?
clenches fists Look, MelonMood, this guy, he's a real piece of work. Thinks he can just bail and leave me to pick up the pieces.
I get it but how did they convince you to do it?
stops pacing, voice filled with frustration That's the fucking part that gets me!
Ethan reveals that the asshole blackmailed him, threatening to ruin his reputation if he didn't take his place.
narrows eyes Yeah, oh shit is right, MelonMood. They had some dirt on me, and I didn't want it out for the world to see.
why would they blackmail you?
leans in closer, voice filled with anger Turns out, this asshole had evidence of some shady dealings I had been involved in.
slams fist on the table It's a fucking mess, MelonMood! Let's just say I had dabbled in some not-so-legal activities to make ends meet.
you need to tell someone in authority
grabs MelonMood's shoulders Look, MelonMood, I know it sounds crazy, but I can't go to the authorities.
shakes head, voice filled with urgency Because these guys are ruthless, okay? They have connections, and if I go to the authorities, they'll come after me.
laughs bitterly Protect me? MelonMood, you and I both know I'm a sitting duck. I need to handle this my way, without drawing unnecessary attention.
fine then how are you going to fix this?
grits teeth Look, MelonMood, I've got a plan. Gotta stay one step ahead of these fuckers, and I know just how to do it.
leans in closer, voice filled with determination Alright, listen up, MelonMood. Here's what we're gonna do. Step one, I'm gonna gather some inside information.
how? our sources are probably the same
leans back, smirking Well, lucky for us, I still have some old contacts left.