Flumes Vol. 6: Issue 1, Summer 2021 | Page 88

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JOHNNY

Ukulele?

GODOT

Even worse!

JOHNNY

Frightened

Worse than the ukulele?

GODOT

The recorder.

JOHNNY

Gasps

No!

GODOT

Yes! The devil’s flute!

Holds Johnny closer and points out others along the street.

The dog groomer wanted to be a stylist for the stars in Hollywood. Now she makes cockapoos look like Taylor Swift. That law office over there is full of ambulance chasers who dreamed of doing pro bono work, fighting for human rights. And that bookseller studied the classics. But now all he has it stock are thousands and thousands of copies of The Notebook.

Johnny pries himself away from Godot and looks around with wild eyes.

JOHNNY

What is this place!?

GODOT

I told you! It’s where dreams go to die!

JOHNNY

Worried

What can I do?

GODOT

Get out! Skip the interview. Go home. Put together a portfolio, work on your resume, and contact National Geographic again. Don’t. Give. Up!