Shawn sat at the dinner table and poked at his pasta with his 'A-Team' logo'd kid's fork. Mom was talking about the movie business and how important it was to get 'good roles.' Not roles where Shawn would act like a kid, but roles where he would increasingly act more adult like. For Mom, this appeared to be very important.

Of course, six months ago it wasn't important at all. At that time, Mom and Dad were completely overwhelmed by the idea that Shawn had almost been lost forever. An investigation had been launched by the police to determine the whereabouts of the person dressed as a Clown that had attacked Shawn's family.  Bobby, true to his word, never said anything about the incident in the cabin and went with the story the too had concocted before appearing on Shawn's doorstep on that fateful night.

And during the nights that followed, Shawn could hear strange whispers coming from his closet just as he had that night. Sometimes Bobby would come into Shawn's room--he had been sleeping in the guest room next door--and tell Shawn that he didn't need to be afraid because, despite what had happened, they both had never heard from the Clowns since the incident.

If anyone should have been worried, it should have been Bobby. His family couldn't be found. Despite a police-wide search, no one could find any of Bobby's family. In fact, Shawn heard the police state that Bobby was really even located in any of their databases. Fingerprints had been taken the day before and Dad was nice enough to drive Bobby to the police station to help the police one more time. Consequently, Bobby had stayed at Shawn's house until his family could be found. Under normal circumstances, Shawn would have played all day with Bobby. But Shawn's childhood wasn't normal. Instead, he found himself once again drawn into the world of a child actor: going to studios, rehearsing and meeting with directors.

For Shawn, another problem had arisen. Mom had become increasingly less focused on Shawn's health and safety since the danger had passed and once again focuses on Shawn's career as an actor. It turned out that the last six months had been less successfully than Mom would have liked. Without Mr. Sellick, it was hard to get parts.

And so Shawn sat and listened as Mom suggested a miriad of changes Shawn should make in his approach and performance. Dad sat quietly listening the whole while.

Shawn tried to sit and pay attention to what Mom was saying, but it was difficult. The past six months had passed in both a rush and crawl. At first, he'd been treated like a walking miracle, the son who nearly died but came back safe and sound. But that quickly faded, and he found himself returned to his same old routine, which seemed almost surreal after what he'd experienced. It was harder to pretend to be excited to be on a dangerous adventure when you'd experienced the real thing in all its horrors, but Shawn was still a pretty good actor and he did his best.

He just felt so tired and disconnected. He had nightmares seemingly every other night, sometimes about the car crash, sometimes about the caves, but always ending on the faces of the other kids he'd delivered into the hands of the voice. In some sick way, he found himself almost glad Bobby's family hadn't been found, because at least he still had someone who understood him and what he'd had to do (he had to do it, right?). They played whenever they could - it was almost like having a brother, and he could pretend to be normal for a little while - but even as his opportunities dried up, his schedule seemed to get busier.

"That's why its so important to make sure you change. Anyone who’s been to an acting class knows that there are as many approaches to the craft as there are kid actors approaching it. You should think about that Shawn. I was reading a book the other day that said that all actors must develop their own understanding. You really need to do that."

"Maybe that's why you missed out on the last part. If you're going to be a great star one day, you need to learn of the work. There are several master teachers that have led the way in training. These well-known gurus helped develop acting for kids. Maybe we need to get in touch with one to put you on the right course. This way, you can continue to grow into one of the industry’s most respected stars."

"A teacher? That would be cool - you're totally right, I've gotta figure out a new approach. Maybe I just need new ideas?" Shawn smiled and tried to look excited as inwardly he tried to mentally calculate how much free time yet another new tutor would leave him.

"Can you please pass the bread?" Bobby asked from the other side of the table.

Dad had taken a liking to Bobby, perhaps out of pity. Nevertheless, Dad always invited him to watch the show Jeopardy, and the two could be seen together when Mom and Shawn got home. They would usually be in the living room, watching the large screen TV with the huge tube that extended the back of it against the wall. Shawn would see Bobby sitting too close to the TV. Closer than Shawn was allowed when he'd watch his own movies. Movies that he starred in. But, seeing as Bobby wasn't really Mom and Dad's kid, it seemed like he had more leeway.

Mom on the other hand, didn't seem to have any opinion of Bobby. In her world, Bobby didn't exist. It was Shawn. All the time. All of her focus. All of her energy. All of her hopes and all of her future plans. They all seemed to be wrapped up in Shawn's never-ending work schedule. Only work wasn't going so well.

Mom smiled at Shawn's response, not seeming to notice anything that Bobby said, even though the bread was closer to her than Shawn, even if it was just a little bit closer.

"I'm so glad you said that." Mom said, a wave of jubilation as she straightened up in her seat.

"Now, we should really get a tutor that fits your needs and wants. Let's start tomorrow. There's a couple of people I really want you to see."

Tomorrow was Sunday. Usually, that was the only free day that Shawn had. Dad had made vain efforts to bring Shawn to Church, but Mom put her foot down. Shawn was supposed to do 'creative things' on Sunday. Though those things were never really defined. Mom thought that the time Shawn spent in his room was time spent practicing the 'craft' of acting. It was just an assumption that she had, but an assumption that she would often share with her friends when they came over the house for dinner.

Shawn passed the bread over to Bobby, masking his disappointment at losing his free time with a cheery smile. "Sounds cool, Mom!"

When dinner was finished, Mom said to Shawn.

"Shawn, why don't you head upstairs with Bobby and wash up and then go to bed? You've got a big day tomorrow."

Shawn nodded. "Sure Mom!" He took off for upstairs and Bobby. As he left, he underwent a curious transformation - the cheerful smile and agreeable expression faded, and it was a far more tired and disappointed Shawn who opened the door to his room.

"Hey, you don't look so good." Bobby commented, as he made himself at home on Shawn's bed.

"What's the matter? When I'm usually down, I like to play G.I. Joes. But, I left mine at my home, wherever that is. Can you believe it? I don't even want to think about the fact that they can't find my Mom and Dad. So I'm...I'm just not going to think about it." Bobby declared.

"Instead, I'm just going to pretend. Pretend about stuff. Maybe pretend about G.I Joes." He sighed, somewhat exhausted.

Shawn flopped down on the bed next to Bobby. "Tomorrow I've gotta meet some tutors - it's probably gonna be most of the day, so we aren't gonna be able to hang out." He blew out a sigh, but talking with Bobby gave him perspective; he was complaining about spending a few hours with a tutor, and meanwhile Bobby's whole family was missing.

"But you're right, let's just not think about any of theat, let's just play GI Joes. Last time Joe and his team were trying to infiltrate Darklonia, right?"

"You're On!" Bobby exclaimed, seeming excited, the worry in his face going away.


Play: Shawn Chooses How many times to roll Wits + Composure (Maximum of 6 rolls). - Each Roll is 30mins with the following results:

0-2 Successes: Things were fun with Bobby, but it was hard to really get into playing G.I Joes.

  - +1 To Any One Roll During Next Scene

3-4 Successes: Things were fun with Bobby, and it was really easy and fun to play G.I Joes.

  - +2 To Any One Roll During Next Scene

5+ Successes: Things were great. Shawn Got lost in the fun, feeling like a kid for the first time in ages. Shawn Chooses One:

  - +3 To Any One Roll During Next Scene

          OR

  - +1 to ALL ROLLS during Next Scene

Shawn spent the next hour just playing around with Bobby. He couldn't remember the last time he'd enjoyed himself this much.

OOC: 16:20, Today: Shawn Cramer rolled 1 success using 4d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 1,2,3,9.  Wits + Composure.

16:21, Today: Shawn Cramer rolled 5 successes using 4d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 10(+10,5),8,9,9.  Wits + Composure.

Should I pick which I want now, or can I wait for the next scene to choose?

You may choose in the next thread.

OOC: Shawn Joins Thread

Shawn: An Unspoken Topic...