Bethany

To:team@horror-onix.com

From:Ryan@horror-onix.com

Monday, 9:01 AM

Subject: Welcome aboard

Hey everyone!

It’s difficult to deal with the departure of our story lead, Angie, who has moved on to the next adventure. I know this is all sudden, but I have full confidence in all of you.

I’m certain you’ll join me in welcoming Cammie as story lead. She comes highly recommended and has tons of great experience especially since she’s a published author with six horror books. Let’s give her a warm welcome!

Ryan

VP Horror-Onix, LTD

Monday, Aug 3; 10:17 a.m.

New job is turning out well

Mom

It sounds like a great challenge. Plus

the money.

IKR! My student loans were stressing

me out. Being an author doesn’t pay

that well.

Mom

It will be a nice relief. I love your books

but steady income is so much more

reliable. What’s the office like? Do they

have a nice office and a working coffee

maker?

Yes. The break room has quiet pods

so I can hide and work on a book

during my lunch breaks.

Mom

Any cute guys? Office romance?

You’re never going to give me a break,

are you?

Mom

I’m your Mom. It's in the job

description. Come to dinner this

Sunday. You can tell your father

and I all about your job.

Okay! I’ll be there.

Mom

Bring a cute boy.

…

Mom

Haha! I’m horrible. Love you!

To: Cammie@horror-onix.com; CC: Ryan@horror-onix.com

From: dan@horror-onix.com

Date: Monday, 10:20 AM

Subject: Meet to discuss storyline.

Cammie! I’m so happy to have you aboard. I know you’re just getting settled in, but it’s of the utmost importance that we meet to go over the story ASAP. I know we already discussed things, but I wanted to emphasize how this is going to be a baptism by fire. Ryan and I are here to help and support but we’re going to lean heavily on your expertise.

I’ve attached the previous script and by the time you get to page twenty you’ll see what we’re working with.

If it’s okay with you, I’d like to do a working lunch today, I’m buying. Let me know if you want brisket or Italian.

Kind regards,

Dan

Ceo Horror-Onix, LTD

From: Cammie@horroor-onix.com

To: Dan@horror-onix.com; Ryan@horror-onix.com

Date: Monday, 10:25 AM

Re: Meet to discuss storyline.

Thank you for the script. I’ll work on it until lunch.

I’ll take brisket and baked beans and the homemade macaroni with broccoli.

Cammie

Monday, Aug 3; 10:49 a.m.

Ugh, this story is bad. It’s so bad I think

that’s why the previous writer quit.

Tyler

Well Sis, that’s why they hired you.

My friend Zack said their last one

wasn’t so good. The other two were

great and put them on the map.

What made it bad? Was it the story? Or

the characters?

Tyler

Zack said it only focused on the

woman screaming “Please, I don’t want

to die!” and then shoot the things

chasing her. He forced himself to finish

the game. You want his number?

No. Mom will think I have a boyfriend.

Zack is your friend, not mine.

Tyler

She was bugging you about that again?

LOL. You’re the last one.

The title is so bad for this too. It’s like

the previous person was using AI to

write everything. Sound cues are weird

too.There’s so many metaphors and

poorly written dialogue. I just caught

it using a sentence from a Stephen

King novel.

Tyler

Sounds like you’re starting over.

The CEO is not going to like that. But

I can already tell this is a dumpster fire.

Tyler

Coming to dinner on Sunday?

👍

12:07 PM

*Phone Ringing*

“Hello, this is Cammie.”

“Hi Cammie, it’s Dan.”

“Hey Dan, I’m in the room. Are you—”

“Ryan and I are on the road right now because I got a call from the investors. They wanted to meet with us. Their office is across town so I thought Ryan and I could talk on the phone with you about the story.”

“Okay.”

“How far have you read into it?”

“I’m on page thirty eight. I’ll be blunt you with you, it’s bad. First is the dependence on a creepy sound. Second, the structure is incorrect, characters are flat, the goals don’t exist, and it’s written in passive voice. It’s a grammar teacher;s nightmare.”

<Ryan in the background>“Ha! Maybe we should call it that. The attack of the Grammar Nazis.”

“That’s a horrible name, Ryan.”

“It’s okay guys, I do this for a living. What I wanted to know is what is important to you? Are any components of this story vital? If I start over and throw anything out am I going to hurt your feelings? How much do you care about Bethany, the main character?”

“Cammie, we knew it was a disaster. That’s part of why we lost the other writer.”

“Dan, it was all over Kotaku and IGN and the other gaming news sites.”

<Ryan in the background>“I told you she was blunt.”

“Okay, okay. The story was my idea. That’s why we’re going in to meet with the investors. I don’t know if you could give us a first chapter in an hour, but I’d love to give them something. I think they really didn’t like the story as it stands now but we’re stuck with it. We’re in your hands, Cammie. I’m hoping you’re our miracle worker.”

“No pressure then. I gotchu.”

“Call or text me anytime, Cammie. I mean it. This is more important than my sleep.”

“Thanks Dan. I’ll call.”

“Oh, and another thing. I ordered your food and it should arrive anytime. Sorry we couldn’t be there.”’

“Thank you. I can just write.”

“Thanks Cammie. Good luck.”

Monday, Aug 3; 12:19 a.m

This brisket they bought me is killer!

Tyler

And yet here you are rubbing it in. I’m

guessing the meeting got canceled?

They are meeting with the investors.

I have a vibe that funding might get

pulled.

Tyler

Yeah, that’s rough.

I wanted to ask you something. What

scares you?

Tyler

The IRS.

Be serious.

Tyler

I am! They threatened to audit us if we

didn’t send in some information

regarding last year's taxes. Jen didn’t

see me for a whole month.

So what makes them so bad

that you’re afraid of them?

Tyler

The power they have to take

everything away and tear you apart.

Hm. Thanks. That’s what I needed.

*Phone Ringing*

“HR, this is Mary.”

“Hi Mary, this is Cammie.”

“Hi Cammie, how are things going?”

“It’s good. Dan said to contact you regarding equipment. I was sitting in the executive room writing and noticed that there’s a scraping sound coming from the ceiling. Has Ryan or Dan ever mentioned it?”

“I’ve never had them say anything.”

“It sounds like someone limping and dragging a leg, or something.”

“Or a dead body. We are a horror company.”

“Oh Mary, you’ve worked here too long.”

“I just don’t stay after five thirty.”

“Oh, haha! I understand. But if you’d let maintenance know. It’s probably an air conditioning panel that’s loose and the wind is playing with it.”

“Thanks Cammie. I’ll let maintenance know.”

“Thank you, Mary. Goodbye.”

“Bye.”

To: Dan@horror-onix.com; Ryan@horror-onix.com

From: Cammie@horror-onix.com

Date: Monday, 2:33 PM

Subject: Outline and characters.

Hi Dan and Ryan,

Here’s an outline (very rough) and a character design rough drafts. To be blunt the material must be changed.

Cammie

To: Cammie@horror-onix.com; Ryan@horror-onix.com

From: Dan@horror-onix.com

Date: Monday, 4:41 PM

Re: Outline and characters.

Let’s meet tomorrow first thing to talk things over. It’ll just be me. Ryan has other meetings.

BTW, Mary asked me about the sound in the ceiling. I’ve never heard it before.

Dan

Ceo Horror-Onix, LTD

Monday, Aug 3 7:18 pm

Are you home?

8:14 pm

Tyler

Getting my kid into bed. What’s up?

What would you say is the scariest

movie you’ve ever seen?

Tyler

Watcher in the Woods. When I was a

teenager. The Birds was the horror

movie I hated. I was in biology class

and we were studying birds.

No zombie movies?

Tyler

Too silly and unrealistic.

7:23

Tyler

You typing?

I’m still at the office. There’s this

dumb noise coming from the ceiling.

It must have just started.

Tyler

Are you there alone?

The janitors are on the bottom floor

vacuuming. I figured I’d just stay late

while I’m in the groove. I ordered in

some Chinese. So I’m fighting with

chopsticks and threatening the scary

noise with them.

Tyler

Okay. Let me know if you meet this

ghost. I gotta vet all the guys you date.

Insufferable dork.

Tyler

Soulless wench.

love you!

Tyler

Love you too, sis. Don’t work too hard.

To: Dan@horror-onix.com; Ryan@horror-onix.com; Mary@horror-onix.com

From: Cammie@horror-onix.com

Date: Monday, 9:20 PM

Subject: Outline and characters.

Outline is finished for review. It’s attached. Please send me your markups ASAP.

Anyone know why the sound is louder at night?

Cammie

Aug 4, 8:16 am

Good morning!

Tyler

Still alive? I’m shocked. The ghost I

talked to said he’d take care of things

for me.

The sounds got louder last night and

stopped right before I left.

Tyler

Ah, courteous ghosts. Don’t want to

keep anyone awake.

I’m staying late again tonight. This time

I brought ear plugs.

Tyler

Shouldn’t you have brought pepper

spray?

What should I bring to dinner this Sunday?

Wine or whiskey?

Tyler

Neither. My kid will be there.

Babysitter?

Tyler

You know Matthew loves to hear you tell

stories. He loves his aunt!

So, whiskey?

Tyler

You’re a turd.

To:Dan@horror-onix.com; Ryan@horror-onix.com

From:Cammie@horror-onix.com

Date: Tuesday, 8:39 AM

Subject: Story outline chapter one

Hi guys,

First chapter outline. I had to change a lot of things to make it work. The first chapter was sabotaging the rest of things. Please read and leave notes.

Cammie,

To: Cammie@horror-onix.com; CC: Ryan@horror-onix.com

From: dan@horror-onix.com

Date: Tuesday, 8:40 AM

RE: Story outline chapter one

Cammie, you cannot change the story! The investors won’t like it! Please call me to discuss.

Dan

CEO, Horror-onix, LTD

Aug 4, 9:03 am

OMG. Boss just chewed me out.

Hated my changes.

Tyler

Lame. Why didn’t he like them?

He said the investors want the story

their way. They don’t want to change

it. I think he doesn’t want to alter

things.

Tyler

But he knows the story sucked! What

is he thinking?

I should have read the signs before I

agreed to take this job. The guy’s a

control freak. I’m gonna be writing

till midnight.

Tyler

Good luck. Call if you need to talk.

To:Dan@horror-onix.com; Ryan@horror-onix.com

From:Cammie@horror-onix.com

Date: Tuesday, 9:39 PM

Subject: Chapter 1

Dan,

Attached is chapter one, rewritten. If you don’t accept these changes your game will be worse than the previous one.

Also, the sound was louder tonight. Is there a stairway behind the door in the corner?

Cammie

To: Cammie@horror-onix.com; CC: Ryan@horror-onix.com

From: dan@horror-onix.com

Date: Wednesday, 7:41 AM

RE: Chapter 1

It’s good. But it sounds like you need more tension? Please call me to discuss.

Dan

Aug 5, 9:16 am

%#$@ $%#!

Tyler

Are you censoring for effect? It’s

hilarious.

Another meeting. Another ass chewing

session.

Tyler

Quit. If it’s day 3 and it’s this bad.

You’re gonna have health issues.

I can’t. I need this job. He challenged me

and said I don’t know how to write horror.

I mean, HELLO, I have six published

novels.

Tyler

It sounds like he doesn’t know what

he wants. It’s your job to tell them.

Whiskey on Sunday. Tonight too.

Tyler

Don’t work too late. I think the sound

is getting to you.

Aug 5, 7:04 pm

I just heard the sound. It’s like metal

on cement.

Tyler

I thought they fixed it.

I’m going to text you every time I

hear it.

Tyler

I don’t like this. You should head home.

I don’t get any work done at home. My

cat distracts me.

Tyler

It’s legit not good for you to stay at the

office alone.

I’m fine. Thanks for caring

Aug 5, 8:01 pm

Scraping sound. It’s louder, more in the

corner.

Tyler

Turn the lights on. I do that for my kid.

They’re programmed and I can’t change

them. It’s fine. I have a lamp on my desk.

Tyler

Famous last words. Don’t get too

scared of the dark. How far you got?

Suffering through chapter one still.

Aug 5, 8:21 pm

Sound. It’s closer. More frequent, every twenty

minutes.

Oh, sorry. You’re busy with the kids.

To:Dan@horror-onix.com; Ryan@horror-onix.com

From:Cammie@horror-onix.com

Date: Tuesday, 9:39 PM

Subject: Chapter 1 revision

I’ve attached what I’ve reworked. Bethany’s friend has more lines and action / interactions. The most important thing is to make the audience fall in love with her. Think Aerith from Final Fantasy VII. This will raise apprehension and psychological terror.

When is maintenance going to fix the sound?

Cammie

To: Cammie@horror-onix.com; CC: Ryan@horror-onix.com

From: dan@horror-onix.com

Date: Wednesday, 8:40 AM

RE: Chapter 1 revision

Call me to discuss.

Maintenance didn’t find anything.

Aug 6, 10:01 am

Hey mom, tell dad to reply to my

text messages.

Mom

He’s out in the shop. Probably has

hearing protection in. I’ll tell him when

he comes in for lunch.

Mom

What’s up?

No one is in the office today except

for Mary who’s on the bottom floor.

3rd floor is kinda lonely.

Mom

Did your boss chew you out again

today?

Not really. He read my stuff I spent

all day on yesterday. I think he see’s

the value of my work. He still wanted

to talk to me for over an an hour about

the same thing. I don’t think he knows

what he’s doing. He doesn’t understand

scene setup, character development,

hero arc, or how to create tension. He

wants me to tell the whole story right up

front. I told him we need to deprive the

audience from information until the last

second so they keep guessing. It creates

a mystery. People love mysteries. Mix

that with the horror aspect, and it’s

going to be a good adventure. I spoke

with the art department today. I told

them to make it darker, and limit the

field of view. I’m gonna make the

main char only have a cell phone

flashlight to make the searching scenes

more ominous.

Mom

And he hates it, doesn’t he.

I’m to the point now I don’t care if he

hates it. I’m going to write how I know

how.

Mom

And how’s the office ghost?

Hasn’t gone away. I’m asking him to

dinner tonight. Maybe he’ll let me work

in peace.

Mom

Hah! Well tell Patrick Swazy I said hi.

What?

Mom

Aug 6, 8:01 pm

First sound of the night.

Tyler

He’s late.

I know. It’s different tonight.

Tyler

You should call it a night. You might be

stressed. It’s been a long week.

It’s moved. It’s behind the door.

*Phone ringing*

“Leave. Now.”

“Tyler, you don’t need to big brother me. I’m fine. I’m in the office.”

“Cammie, you need to get out. Work from home—what was that?”

“It’s at the door.”

“The door?”

“The one in the corner. Wait, it stopped. The door is locked.”

“You’re literally telling me that there’s something hiding behind the door?”

“Wait, I feel a breeze.”

“GET OUT.”

“Who’s there? Who are you?”

“Cammie! Get out!”’

“Who are you? Stop approaching me.”

“Cammie, I’m going to call the police. Run out of there now!”

“Go away, Stop. I said stop! Tyler! Help! Help! Tyler!”

*Crashing items.*

“Please...please..don’t.”

“Do you have enough now to write your story, Cammie?”

“Cammie? Cammie? Who was that?”

“It was...it was Dan.”

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