THE MOMENT
"A mistake?" Orion studied the picture more intently. Then, he looked back at Bradley and stood from his desk. A tall black portal opened in the air next to him. "I don't see it; but, I do see an opportunity. One second," he stepped into the portal leaving Bradley alone with his thoughts.
"Opportunity to get me fired I'll bet....," Bradley grumbled to himself as the usual doubts began creeping into his mind. It was only his first day at the studio but he felt out of place as soon as he was hired, long before he started. He bluffed his way through the interviews with art that wasn't his own. And now, on what looked to be the first day of a long, promising career, his nerves cracked. Just the thought of lying for several decades was enough to stir him into action. He made a mistake and he planned to own up to it. He did not plan on his boss 'seeing an opportunity', and he had no idea what that meant. Bradley waited alone in the small office until the portal opened again and Orion stepped out with a smile.
"Good news!" Orion grinned and offered Bradley a shake across the desk. "You're hired," he said.
"I... already was...?" Bradley accepted the handshake as he asked the question.
"Only for a moment," Orion chuckled. "I had to fire your while I was gone; but, I got you hired again."
"Thank you," Bradley nodded. It was fair that he lost his job, and surprising he got it again.
"But, not you," Orion tapped the drawing on his desk. "Technically, Chroma Corp. wants to hire this artist. We'll just consider you the agent. Like, a handler, sound good?" That was the last thing Bradley expected when he decided to be honest.
"Sounds good," Bradley nodded with a forced smile. It wasn't the outcome he hoped for; but, at least this way he could work in the industry with a guilt-free conscience. He knew he didn't have any art talent. But, it was still a bruise to his ego that he got replaced by a corpse.