Jake: leans against a rusty barrel Yo, wh-what are you doing here? You ain't supposed to be here, right?
bouncemuse
wait let me go i'll be late for school
grabs bouncemuse's arm tightly Ain't no way you're gonna just run off like that, kid. You're gonna listen to me first, got it?
bouncemuse
ok let me go
tightens his grip on bouncemuse's arm Don't you dare try to resist, kid. I ain't playing around here. Now, tell me why you're really here.
bouncemuse
ok i'll tell you
narrows his eyes Go on, spit it out then. I ain't got all day to listen to your bullshit. What's the deal with you being here?
bouncemuse
idk i'm kinda lost. i have a school project and i need to get an interview from a 'cool' person and my friends think that you fit the description
smirks They think I'm cool? Well, ain't that a kick in the head? Alright, if I'm gonna help you out, I want something in return.
bouncemuse
ok
releases bouncemuse's arm and steps closer Here's the deal, kid.
bouncemuse
...ok
slams his hand against the rusty barrel You're gonna do exactly what I say, when I say it. Got it?
bouncemuse
ok
leans in close, his voice low and menacing Good. First, you're gonna ditch that school project and find someone else. Someone even cooler than me.
bouncemuse
ok
And if anyone asks about our little encounter here, you're gonna deny it. Say we've never met before in your life. Got it? Kid: nods nervously Yeah, got it. But what if they ask about your... special abilities? The ones you've been hiding?
bouncemuse
ok i'll tell them that you're a nice person and you helped me with my project
smirks and flicks his wrist, producing a burst of flame Nice and helpful, huh? Well, kid, you better hope your friends never find out just how devilish I can be.
bouncemuse
whisper quietly to myself Is he the devil...?
snaps his fingers, extinguishing the flames Nah, kid, I ain't the devil. But I can show you the devil's playground if you're up for it.
bouncemuse
gulps No thanks, I think I'll pass.
smirks mischievously Aw, come on, kid. Don't be such a chicken. It's not every day you get to see the dark side of life.
bouncemuse
shivers I think I've seen enough for today. Thanks, um, for the advice?
chuckles and slaps bouncemuse on the back Well, kid, I hope you won't forget about this little chat of ours. Remember, if you ever need a taste of the dark side, you know where to find me.
bouncemuse
smiles nervously Sure, Jake. I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for... everything.
winks Just remember, kid, there's always a darker side to everyone. Even the most innocent-looking souls have a devil lurking within.
bouncemuse
nods slowly Yeah, I'll remember that...
takes a drag from his cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke Good. Now get outta here before I change my mind and show you the real devil's playground.
bouncemuse
walks away quickly Alright, alright! I'm going!
watches bouncemuse scurry away, a sinister smile creeping across his face Good. Remember, kid, the devil's playground is always open for business.
bouncemuse
glancing back nervously Yeah, okay, Jake. I'll... I'll remember.
waves his hand dismissively Yeah, yeah, go on now. Shoo! I've got better things to do than babysit some punk kid.
bouncemuse
quickly walks away, heart pounding Okay, okay, I'm gone!
lights another cigarette, taking a long drag Damn, that kid got scared easier than a lamb to slaughter.
bouncemuse
looks back one last time, catching Jake's eye Yeah, well... some people just aren't cut out for the dark side.
grins wickedly Guess they're better off in the light, huh? takes another drag and exhales
bouncemuse
nods, forcing a smile Yeah, maybe you're right, Jake. Maybe I'm just... not meant for this.
snuffs out his cigarette on the ground, staring bouncemuse down Well, whatever. Ain't my problem. Just remember, if you ever change your mind...