Chapter 2 – I'm a Screenwriter, But This Isn't the Script I Wanted
After showering and changing into clean clothes, Bruce headed downstairs to Monica's apartment.
Chandler answered his knock, stepping aside with a grin. "Hey, Monica's your classmate look like actor. You know anything about acting?"
Monica cut in immediately. "Chandler, stop. Don't make fun of him."
Bruce glanced around the living room as he entered. Phoebe stood by the dining table, Joey straddled the back of the couch eating a burger, and Monica sat next to Rachel—still in her wedding dress. Ross stood on the balcony, a brooding silhouette against the late afternoon light.
Bruce settled onto the couch. "It's cool, that's just Chandler's weird sense of humor. And no, I don't know martial arts, but I do have a very gift—the power of prophecy."
Chandler perked up. "Really? Okay, prophecy guy, show us what you've got."
Bruce paused dramatically. "I'm getting a vision... about two people in this room. But I probably shouldn't say anything—might mess with fate."
That got everyone's attention. They all leaned forward.
"Come on, you can't drop that and not follow through!" Monica said.
Bruce shrugged. "Alright, you asked for it." He pointed. "My prophecy is about Chandler and Monica. You two are going to fall in love... and get married!"
A beat of silence, then everyone burst out laughing.
Monica laughed the hardest. "Okay, Chandler's officially dethroned. Bruce is now the funniest person in this room!"
Chandler's laughter faded as something occurred to him. "Wait—you think that's hilarious because you'd never date me? What, am I not good enough? Is the idea of dating me that absurd?"
"Chandler, come on—it's you. Can you honestly picture us together?" Monica wiped her eyes. "Besides, you laughed first!"
"I laughed for totally different reasons... actually, I'm not sure why I laughed." Chandler looked confused.
When the laughter died down, Bruce turned to Monica. "So, you've got a date tonight, right? With someone from work?"
Monica's eyes widened. "How did you know that?"
Joey snapped his fingers. "Oh yeah! At the café you mentioned some 'not-really-a-date' date thing. Who is this guy?"
Monica waved them off. "You'll see when he picks me up. But Bruce—how did you know? More prophecy stuff, like that ridiculous Chandler-and-me thing?"
Bruce paused. "If I told you to cancel tonight, would you?"
Monica snorted. "Based on how accurate your last prediction was? I'd do the exact opposite."
"Fair enough. Just... maybe talk about it tomorrow with whichever coworker you run into first."
"Which coworker?"
"You'll know tomorrow."
Monica leaned forward. "Okay, stop being cryptic and tell me everything!"
Bruce smiled apologetically. "Sorry, that's all I'm getting."
Chandler jumped in. "Hold on—when did you become the fortune teller? Don't you need, like, a crystal ball? Tarot cards? A suspicious tent with incense?"
Bruce shook his head. "I'm not a fortune teller—I'm a screenwriter. Anyone can make predictions. The trick is being right."
Chandler smirked. "Ah, a screenwriter. Ever wonder if maybe you're just making this stuff up?"
"I'm a writer, Chandler, not delusional."
Joey's face lit up. "Wait, you're in the business? I'm an actor!"
Bruce grinned. "Nice."
"So what have you worked on? Anything we'd know?"
Bruce thought for a moment. "Ever heard of Interview with the Vampire, Jurassic Park, First Blood?"
Joey frowned. "Yeah... you wrote those?"
Everyone turned to look at Bruce with newfound interest—and skepticism.
Bruce laughed. "God, I wish. No, I wrote Jurassic Park: Adults Only, Interview with the Vampire: The Wrong Bite, and First Blood: The Other Drop."
Joey nearly dropped his burger. "Wait, Jurassic Park: Adults Only? You wrote that? I'm talking to the writer of Jurassic Park: Adults Only?"
Bruce spread his hands. "Guilty as charged."
"Dude, I love that movie! I've seen it like a hundred times!"
Bruce deadpanned, "You might be the first person I've ever met who rewatches adult films."
Phoebe made a face. "Joey, what kind of garbage are you watching?"
She turned to Bruce. "No offense, but that title alone sounds... questionable."
Bruce shrugged. "None taken. I couldn't even finish watching it. But those movies paid my student loans, rent, and kept me in coffee."
Joey looked at Phoebe earnestly. "It's called Jurassic Park: Adults Only. I'm an adult. What's the problem?"
Phoebe just stared at him.
Ross emerged from the balcony. "So you write... pornography?"
Bruce sighed. "Yeah. Not proud of it, but that's the reality. My stuff plays at midnight screenings or goes straight to video. A guy's gotta eat. But I'm not doing it forever—someday I'll write something that won't get a teenager grounded when their parents find the tape."
Joey looked genuinely distressed. "Don't you dare quit! This is your calling! Your gift! I need more of your work! I'm hitting the video store later to rent your other two."
Bruce chuckled. "Appreciate the support, Joey, but I'd really rather write legitimate films."
Monica shook her head in amazement. "Bruce, who would've guessed the quiet guy from high school would end up... I still can't wrap my head around the fact that my old classmate wrote Jurassic Park: Adults Only."
Bruce raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you've seen it too?"
Monica shrugged. "Maybe. What's it to you?"
Bruce groaned. "Great. With this many people watching, I should've negotiated a better deal." He stood up. "Anyway, I should head back upstairs and actually write something. You guys are welcome to stop by anytime."
He turned to Rachel before leaving. "What you did today took real courage. Don't second-guess yourself. This is the start of your new life—embrace it."
Rachel looked up at him uncertainly. "But what am I supposed to do now?"
Bruce smiled. "You'll figure it out. You're stronger than you think."
[500 Power Stones → +2 Bonus Chapters]
[10 Reviews → +1 Bonus Chapter]
Enjoyed the chapter? A review helps a lot.
P2treon: Soulforger (20+ advance chapters)