Post by Peter Vaughn on Oct 8, 2019 12:57:19 GMT -6
*The picture comes up on what looks to be a meeting hall for people with issues. The chairs are all arranged in a circle, with only half the seats filled. There is a man currently standing, finishing up his story.*
Man - And it was so hard. I so badly wanted another drink. But somehow, with the help of my sponsor, I got past it. I'm still here. 83 days and counting.
*The people around the circle applaud, with the man taking a seat. A woman in a suit, sitting to the side, stands up, clearly in charge.*
Woman - That was wonderful, Harold. Who else would like to speak?
*After a few seconds, a shaky hand raises up to get her attention. She smiles and nods to the person.*
Woman - I don't believe I've seen you here before. Please, stand and tell us your name.
*The man stands up, readjusting his janitor uniform before speaking.*
Peter Vaughn - Hello... my name is Peter Vaughn... and I'm an addict...
*The rest of the group greets Vaughn, although a few of them exchange glances as he continues to speak.*
Peter Vaughn - I know I've got a problem. It all started out so innocent. I just... I just wanted to feel better about myself. To be a winner for once. And I was. But now... now I want more. The pills... they're calling to me... and I heard about places like this, and I thought... maybe you could help me.
*The woman slowly stands, walking over to Vaughn to give him a quick pat on the shoulders. She turns to the others.*
Woman - I'll be right back, guys. Peter, please, come with me.
*Vaughn, surprised by the special attention, nonetheless goes along with it, walking away from the group where they can talk in private.*
Woman - I'm sorry you're dealing with such a problem, Peter. It's not something anyone should deal with alone. My name is Mary.
Peter Vaughn - Nice to meet you, Mary. Did I do something wrong?
Mary - No, I mean, not exactly. This is an AA meeting.
Peter Vaughn - Right.
Mary - Alcoholics Anonymous?
Peter Vaughn - Oh. I always wondered what that stood for. I've seen the signs for so long.
Mary - Yes, most people who come to this session are dealing with their alcoholic vice. But we do have a substance abuse group that gets together in about an hour, if you want to stick around and attend. I'm sure it will help you.
Peter Vaughn - I'm sorry... I'm getting everything wrong nowadays. It's hard to think straight...
*Vaughn takes out a cloth and blows his nose. Hopefully it's not a cloth he uses during his cleaning detail. Mary again puts an arm on his shoulder.*
Mary - It's okay, Peter. You didn't do anything wrong. We want to help. Can I ask... which drug is it? Cocaine? Marijuana? Prescription medications?
*Vaughn shakes his head, before looking around quickly in either direction.*
Peter Vaughn - Supplements.
Mary - What was that?
*Vaughn clears his throat, before talking slightly louder.*
Peter Vaughn - Supplements.
Mary - Supplements?
Peter Vaughn - Please, not so loud!
*Mary, confused, takes her arm off of Peter, trying to figure out if he's serious. It's clear from his face that he is, so Mary, always willing to help, decides to continue.*
Mary - I didn't know... you could get addicted to those.
Peter Vaughn - You didn't see it, Mary... you weren't there... when I took those pills... and I suddenly felt stronger. I felt better. I felt like I could do anything... and then it happened.
Mary - What did?
Peter Vaughn - I did it. I defeated The Lost Soul.
*Mary takes a closer look at Vaughn, wondering if he's actually dealing with mental issues. Who's ever heard of defeating a lost soul?*
Peter Vaughn - But it all went wrong after that... The Lost Soul got fired. And it was all my fault!
Mary - The lost soul that you defeated got fired from somewhere?
Peter Vaughn - And now... I don't know what to do. Do I take more? Or is it risking too much?
*Mary makes her decision. She takes a step back, looking towards the office nearby.*
Mary - Look, I've got a friend in the office there who can talk to you. He's very good at this sort of thing. Follow me?
*Vaughn nods, but suddenly there's a triumphant musical number. Mary jumps, surprised, but Vaughn just reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone.*
Peter Vaughn - Sorry, it's just a... text...
*Vaughn studies the text for a few seconds, then looks up at Mary.*
Peter Vaughn - I'm sorry, I've got to go...
Mary - What? Peter... wait!
*But Vaughn is already heading towards the doorway, hurrying outside.*
Mary - Just... come back when you're ready!
*We switch to an outdoor view, where Vaughn is leaning against the building, breathing heavily. He looks at his phone again to double-check.*
Peter Vaughn - TIO?!?! The Incredible One?!?
*Vaughn appears to have the shakes now, as he slides down the wall.*
Peter Vaughn - Why'd it have to be him? I can't defeat him! He's too good!
*Vaughn bangs his head against the wall a couple of times, feeling utmost despair. Then, he slowly reaches into the pocket of his janitorial uniform, and pulls out a bottle. The camera focuses on it, showing it to be a multi-vitamin.*
Peter Vaughn - The only way... there's only one way...
*Vaughn holds up the bottle, staring at it with both longing and disgust. He continues looking at it for a while, as we slowly fade out.*
Man - And it was so hard. I so badly wanted another drink. But somehow, with the help of my sponsor, I got past it. I'm still here. 83 days and counting.
*The people around the circle applaud, with the man taking a seat. A woman in a suit, sitting to the side, stands up, clearly in charge.*
Woman - That was wonderful, Harold. Who else would like to speak?
*After a few seconds, a shaky hand raises up to get her attention. She smiles and nods to the person.*
Woman - I don't believe I've seen you here before. Please, stand and tell us your name.
*The man stands up, readjusting his janitor uniform before speaking.*
Peter Vaughn - Hello... my name is Peter Vaughn... and I'm an addict...
*The rest of the group greets Vaughn, although a few of them exchange glances as he continues to speak.*
Peter Vaughn - I know I've got a problem. It all started out so innocent. I just... I just wanted to feel better about myself. To be a winner for once. And I was. But now... now I want more. The pills... they're calling to me... and I heard about places like this, and I thought... maybe you could help me.
*The woman slowly stands, walking over to Vaughn to give him a quick pat on the shoulders. She turns to the others.*
Woman - I'll be right back, guys. Peter, please, come with me.
*Vaughn, surprised by the special attention, nonetheless goes along with it, walking away from the group where they can talk in private.*
Woman - I'm sorry you're dealing with such a problem, Peter. It's not something anyone should deal with alone. My name is Mary.
Peter Vaughn - Nice to meet you, Mary. Did I do something wrong?
Mary - No, I mean, not exactly. This is an AA meeting.
Peter Vaughn - Right.
Mary - Alcoholics Anonymous?
Peter Vaughn - Oh. I always wondered what that stood for. I've seen the signs for so long.
Mary - Yes, most people who come to this session are dealing with their alcoholic vice. But we do have a substance abuse group that gets together in about an hour, if you want to stick around and attend. I'm sure it will help you.
Peter Vaughn - I'm sorry... I'm getting everything wrong nowadays. It's hard to think straight...
*Vaughn takes out a cloth and blows his nose. Hopefully it's not a cloth he uses during his cleaning detail. Mary again puts an arm on his shoulder.*
Mary - It's okay, Peter. You didn't do anything wrong. We want to help. Can I ask... which drug is it? Cocaine? Marijuana? Prescription medications?
*Vaughn shakes his head, before looking around quickly in either direction.*
Peter Vaughn - Supplements.
Mary - What was that?
*Vaughn clears his throat, before talking slightly louder.*
Peter Vaughn - Supplements.
Mary - Supplements?
Peter Vaughn - Please, not so loud!
*Mary, confused, takes her arm off of Peter, trying to figure out if he's serious. It's clear from his face that he is, so Mary, always willing to help, decides to continue.*
Mary - I didn't know... you could get addicted to those.
Peter Vaughn - You didn't see it, Mary... you weren't there... when I took those pills... and I suddenly felt stronger. I felt better. I felt like I could do anything... and then it happened.
Mary - What did?
Peter Vaughn - I did it. I defeated The Lost Soul.
*Mary takes a closer look at Vaughn, wondering if he's actually dealing with mental issues. Who's ever heard of defeating a lost soul?*
Peter Vaughn - But it all went wrong after that... The Lost Soul got fired. And it was all my fault!
Mary - The lost soul that you defeated got fired from somewhere?
Peter Vaughn - And now... I don't know what to do. Do I take more? Or is it risking too much?
*Mary makes her decision. She takes a step back, looking towards the office nearby.*
Mary - Look, I've got a friend in the office there who can talk to you. He's very good at this sort of thing. Follow me?
*Vaughn nods, but suddenly there's a triumphant musical number. Mary jumps, surprised, but Vaughn just reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone.*
Peter Vaughn - Sorry, it's just a... text...
*Vaughn studies the text for a few seconds, then looks up at Mary.*
Peter Vaughn - I'm sorry, I've got to go...
Mary - What? Peter... wait!
*But Vaughn is already heading towards the doorway, hurrying outside.*
Mary - Just... come back when you're ready!
*We switch to an outdoor view, where Vaughn is leaning against the building, breathing heavily. He looks at his phone again to double-check.*
Peter Vaughn - TIO?!?! The Incredible One?!?
*Vaughn appears to have the shakes now, as he slides down the wall.*
Peter Vaughn - Why'd it have to be him? I can't defeat him! He's too good!
*Vaughn bangs his head against the wall a couple of times, feeling utmost despair. Then, he slowly reaches into the pocket of his janitorial uniform, and pulls out a bottle. The camera focuses on it, showing it to be a multi-vitamin.*
Peter Vaughn - The only way... there's only one way...
*Vaughn holds up the bottle, staring at it with both longing and disgust. He continues looking at it for a while, as we slowly fade out.*