The Night Before the Shoot

The week flies by, a blur of preparation and anticipation. It's the night before the shoot, and I’m at my desk on the 39th floor of my office, the city lights stretching out, a blanket of sparkling lights. Iris is with me, having me sign some final papers, her presence a comfort amidst the excitement.

I glance at her, taking in her beauty. Her tall, slender figure, caramel-toned skin, and piercing green eyes have always commanded attention, but tonight, I find myself appreciating her in a new light. As she leans over to hand me a document, I catch a slight glimpse of her cleavage through her blouse. I quickly avert my gaze, feeling a rise in my blood pressure, but I push it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

“I’m not signing away my firstborn, am I?" I joke, trying to keep my professionalism ahead of my fanatacism for the job at hand.

Iris smiles slightly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "You don't have any children," she replies, her voice an amused rumble.

She hands me a final paper, covering the information with her hand. "What's this?" I ask, curiosity piqued.

She shakes her head, a glint in her eye. "It's a surprise. I worked hard on this these last few days, so I can't tell you yet. But trust me, you're gonna love it."

I sign the paper, my hand moving swiftly across the page, my mind racing with thoughts of what the surprise could be. The paper is thick, and I watch the ink dry, finalizing the details.

Iris then hands me three 4K Blu-rays: "Lisa Frankenstein," "Freaky," and "Abigail." "Gifts from Kathryn," she says.

I frown slightly, looking at the discs. "I don’t have a 4K player or a TV that broadcasts in 4K," I tell her, disappointment tinging my voice.

Iris checks her watch, a smug smile playing on her lips. "You get home in the next half hour, you will."

I look at her, confused. "What do you mean?"

She grabs my jacket from the hanger on my wall and presents it to me. "Go home. Try to get some rest. Tomorrow’s a big day."

As I stand up to leave, I can't help but let my gaze wander over her body, taking in the curve of her hips, the length of her legs, the way her blouse clings to her waist. I shake my head, pulling myself out of my animalistic urges. I’ve always kept things professional with Iris, and I’m not looking to break that tradition, or my relationship with Emily. Not here in this world.

I don't speed home, but as I pull into my garage, I see a Best Buy truck driver and a second worker hopping out of the cabin with a clipboard. He asks my name and I acknowledge, letting them inside.

I watch as the installers hang a new 70” 4K Samsung TV on my wall, replacing the one I owned. They also hook up a surround sound system and soundbar, complete with a PlayStation 5 Pro with a disc drive. On the coffee table, they set a Blu-ray of the complete series of "Supernatural" along with a card that reads:

"So excited for the shoot tomorrow, don’t know if you have this set yet, but Erik and we thought it needed to be watched with the proper resolution and sound. They’ll set it all up for you. See you tomorrow. And welcome to the Supernatural family."

I'm as happy as a kid at Christmas, my heart swelling with gratitude and excitement. The technicians have created a high-end home movie theater, and the setup is immaculate. I can't help but feel a sense of awe and appreciation for their generosity. The room is transformed, the deep bass of the sound system vibrating throughout the room as they test it, the image on the screen crystal clear.

The installer finishes up, handing me the remote. "All set, Mr. Delgado. Enjoy your new home theater."

I thank them, tipping them generously, my voice filled with genuine gratitude. As they leave, I find myself standing in my living room, surrounded by the fruits of my labor and the generosity of others. I can't help but feel a sense of contentment and excitement for what tomorrow will bring.

I know Iris suggested I get some rest to make my mark on the "Supernatural" universe, but I’m too excited. I need to burn off some of this energy without sacrificing the need for sleep, and I know just the way to do it. The portal to my domain opens, leading to the endless black of the void, still amazed at how time stops for me as I summon it. I smile and step through, eager to explore something different this time.