"Hello? Earth to Cory," Wagner said, but there was no response. Cory was looking into the distance--somewhere else entirely.
"CORY!" Wagner shouted. That made Cory jump and he shook his head and looked over.
"Sorry, zoned out for a moment," he muttered.
Cory was the best dancer they had at the club--or at least that's what they'd told him. But when they said they were going to have let him go—and after six months—it was a shock.
"Why?" Cory asked in disbelief.
"People's tastes are changing. You're great, and boy can you move, but numbers in the club are dropping and we need something new."
"I can do new!"
"Sure you can, but we’ve got something in mind. It’s called Magic, and well--
Wagner scratched his nose, "You're a bit... pale for what we're looking for."
"Oh," Cory sighed as Wagner passed Cory an envelope. "Here's what we owe you--and a bit extra. Sorry Cory, but you know..."
Cory accepted the envelope, and nodded before reluctantly leaving.
He was hot at the club--a favourite, but even he'd noticed a decline in the tips that punters would slip him.
He ripped open the envelope as he walked back to the subway, and let out a whistle. "Damn, must be two thou' in there," he gasped. "Well, this should help out while I'm looking for something new."
Cory made his way to Union Street station, he was in a dream, when a woman forced something into his hand. He looked at it; a photocopied flier. He snorted, screwed it up and dropped it.
He managed to catch one of the late trains. He settled back for the 40 minute trip back to his apartment, still drowning in his thoughts.
The remainder of the passengers dispersed leaving the carriage empty. Nobody in their right mind travelled to this part of the city. So he sat--alone--thinking about what to do next, the cash wouldn’t last forever.
The subway had just left College West, a station supporting the local community college. He hadn’t seen anyone on the platform as he passed, but once the train pulled away he could hear internal doors slamming—one after another--and the noise was getting closer.