I Think I Might Be Going (Nim)Batty

It had been a long few weeks. I know getting a job is important, but at this point I think my parents were going… well, a little overboard. Seriously, threatening to strike me from their will if I don't get a job is pretty Overkill. But, either way, here I was heading to an acting studio for my first interview. I had always been told I had a talent for voice acting. After all, when I can convincingly sound like female characters from games, like Fidget, when I'm just a dude in his late 20s, that's quite the talent.

That being said, I was a bit confused when I pulled up to an abandoned looking studio. It was like nobody paid any upkeep here. Parking here, I head in to find the guy who scheduled the interview. It didn't take long. All I had to do was follow the signs leading me to an office. Along the way, I noticed a lot of the studio was falling appart. Some doors were tilted due to rusted and broken hinges, a few floorboards were missing here and there, even the paint on the walls was decaying. Whoever owned this studio must have been in a bigger rush to get employees than he was to get the place fixed. Though as I carried on, I noticed there was an actual theatre further in. The theatre itself was also in a severe state of disrepair. Many of the chairs were either torn apart or just outright missing. The curtains looked like they had massive claw marks tearing through them, some parts even having a singged hole in them. It wasn't on one of the paths to the Director's office, so I cautiously carried on. I took a wild guess that it's not just voice actors this guy was looking for. He must want to run a full gig. Little bit of a red flag, honestly, though the state of disrepair the entire studio was in made it a little hard not to mark another red flag right then and there. But, I figured this was more of a long term project. Or I hoped so at least. These red flags were at least somewhat redeemable, but I didn't have all the information yet. I'll need to find out by talking to the Director.

Another notable feature was the dressing rooms. I was rather drawn to them, since they were the only immaculate part of the studio. Inside, I found a full body mirror. I decided to indulge in a little bit of vanity as I looked into it, double checking my appearance. I was androgynous as always, which was a major boon in my life. I was always able to pass off as either gender, depending on how I dressed. Although recently I've had to take extensive measures to get rid of my beard and any stubble. It ends up adding about half an hour every day to my morning routine. Annoying as it is, I'd much rather keep hold of my androgyny. Beyond my neutral appearance, today I had chosen to take a male appearance. So I was decked out in a suit and tie, with matching dress pants and shoes, all white.

When I finally got to the office, the door was open, but the man was writing at his desk. Being cautious to not frighten him, I just knocked on the open door. He looked up, a little alarmed, but composed himself quickly.

"Ah. Ash. I've been expecting you, please take a seat." He said, gesturing to the chair in front of him. I nod, drawing my phone out of my pocket and making sure my Demo Reels were loaded.

"Thank you, sir." I responded as I sat down. He shook my hand as I did. "If I may ask, what's with the state of the studio? Everything looks… Broken." I asked brazenly. He sighs in response, evidently having hoped I wouldn't bring it up.

"Yeah, it doesn't look good, does it? I uh… don't have the power to get it fixed right now. But! With your help, I can." He answered. I noted he seemed a bit eccentric. Good, I never did like robotic bosses.

"Alright… what is it you need, exactly?" I asked. I mean, I figured some people do equate money to power. He might be one of those people. It's no unforgivable sin, but at the very least it can be corrected. Not that it's my job to correct people.

"I'll need your consent for a number of things. I know you already signed the consent forms online, but I need to make double sure you know what you're getting into. Alright?" He put forth the forms I signed. Looking them over, they did indeed look like the forms I dealt with. One for 18+ acting, one where I signed what scenarios I'd be willing to participate in, and one where I filled out my personal information. Of course, it said that I'd come from Florida, moving all the way to California for this job. I also confirmed my age was, in fact, 25. As for the reason I wanted this job, I left it as vague as the night sky. I didn't want to sound like some jerk trying to get his parents to stop nagging. I nod.

"That looks about right, sir. I have read each of these forms." I let him know. He smiled at that, quickly moving on.

"Great. I see you've got some demo reels there. Feel free to play them, I want to see how you are." He said. More than a little reluctantly, I played the files. It was very awkward to sit through sharing a clip of me playing as two characters. One was Fidget, and the other was Amy Rose… the clip wasn't exactly 18+ but it was very suggestive. There were more clips, but I'd rather not get into describing them.

In the end, he seemed impressed. "Saucy. I like it. In that case, let's go ahead with the last bit. I am legally obligated to inform you that we have no coverage in the case of any unfortunate accidents, be it dismemberment, death, or any form of substance abuse, and will be hiring you with the understanding that you know how to take care of yourself and prevent such accidents from taking place."

A bit grim, but it got the point across. I could get hurt with this place in this state. I nod along. "Understood. I know how to patch myself up."

"Okay but do you know how to defend yourself?" He asked. That question raised a major red flag, and caught me off guard.

"Uh. Er… you don't even have security?" I asked, hoping to deflect the question while I think on it.

"Can't afford it. We have to be our own security." He told me solemnly. I sighed.

"Well I have swords at home, and a dagger, but I barely know how to use them." I said in response.

"Good enough. We can begin immediately. Go ahead and get yourself into the dressing room, I'll handle the paperwork." He told me. With that cue, I nodded and headed back to the dressing room. A few of the floorboards threatened to snap under my weight, but I was nimble enough to switch boards mid step. Thankfully, I made it to the dressing room without a scratch. I looked over the choices of costumes as I sat down in one of the many chairs available there.

Since I wasn't really given any instruction besides go here, I just sat and waited. A lot of the costumes here were of characters from various media. Among them, I could recognize the dusty figures of Dust, Fidget, Midna, Link, Zelda, Cadence from Crypt of the Necrodancer, and many more. Hell, there were so many characters here, I'd be surprised and more than a little disappointed if the Director didn't have a license for these characters.

Eventually, the Director comes to the dressing room. "Alright Ash, paperwork is squared away. Now let's see what role we can get you in." He says as he looks through the costumes. I stay seated as he does.

"Alright. Any plans?" I ask curiously. He holds up the Nimbat and Midna costumes.

"Well, I was wanting to do something involving a major crossover. Question is, what's your favorite flavor of protagonist? I'm thinking something like the sidekick taking a major solo role." He proposed. I smiled at that.

"Aw hell yeah. Midna got her spotlight, but Fidget really needed a stronger role than what she got." I remarked.

The director smiled. "Just what I was thinking. Here, go ahead and put the costume on. I know you only signed on as a voice actor, but you'll need it. You'll see what I mean." He said as he handed me the Nimbat costume. Taking it, I gave him a dubious look. Then I shrugged, and took a quick look around to find a private spot to dress up. There was another door on the far side of the room, though it was more like a gilded gate. The frame was immaculate as the rest of the dressing room, showing no signs of decay in the least. Not even rust. Headed through it, I closed it behind me and started to change into the costume.

There was something odd about how the costume felt. It breathed really well, so well, in fact that I could still feel the air on my skin when I had it on. The other odd thing I noticed was that the tail seemed to move like a live one. I didn't really get to reflect on that for long though. When I opened the door after putting the costume on, there was nothing but a wall of light on the other side. And because I had already started the momentum to walk out of the changing room, I walked right into it without warning. After that, the world faded into darkness before I had a chance to realize I was passing out.

I guess the next question is… what happens next?