《I am the Night》Chapter 9: The Curse of Basil Karlo
Advertisement
Wayne walked along with an older man who carried a clipboard, "The movie is cursed, you see. We've had all manner of accidents since filming started on this project. I saw the bracket on that fresnel light, if you are standing there trying to tell me a woman did that, well, I'm calling bullshit. Unless that woman has the strength of ten men like Wonder Woman or Super Girl. Let me tell you if Wonder Woman or Super Girl is here on the set trying to kill people, why bother using a fresnel light like that?"
Wayne nodded and then asked, "Have any of the other accidents targetted anyone directly?"
"Not at all, just things like that. Boom crashing down, set pieces falling over. Stunt car with no brakes. I caught a pistol loaded with bullets instead of blanks... They have all been things I have seen on other pictures, but never this many." The older man flipped through the documents and said, "Look at this, this is the safety report from the last picture I did. 12 violations of safety procedures. But this is the 'The Man of Clay' 72 violations. 20 Injuries and 1 death. It's ridiculous. Even that Twilight Zone debacle was cleaner than this picture."
Wayne asked, "You said that you thought it would take ten men to take the light down? Why is that?"
The older man took out his cell phone and showed a picture of the bracket, "You see how the bracket is twisted here? Even if I used power tools I couldn't twist it around like that in the time an actress was standing still on a mark. If the light was just hanging by its power cable, we'd have seen the light move like a pendulum and it didn't which means it had to be twisted off and cut in mere seconds. Someone grabbed it, twisted it off, cut it, and threw it down on that little girl's head. Why would the woman that could do that, fight over a part with, no offense intended, a B actress who wasn't even worth a tenth of this low budget picture's budget? No, if I had to guess, the man who did this, they weren't targeting that little girl they were after the picture itself."
Wayne stopped walking and then asked, "You think this is someone with a grudge against the picture, someone with super strength?"
The older man stopped and then pointed at one of the lights in the rafters, "These lights are constantly inspected due to state and city regulations. That means daily inspection. One of the first things we do each day is walk through the sound stage and check each light both visibly and the old tug check. That light was secure three hours before the scene. Do you understand? Now, you're asking me if another actress had the time to walk in and yank that light off its bracket and then hit another actress in the mere minutes she is on a certain mark right beneath? Yeah, I'm telling you it was a super."
"Thank you for your time and expertise, Mr. Grady, you've been a big help." Wayne gave him a strong handshake.
Advertisement
"Unexpected. I didn't figure you for a hands-on man, Mr. Wayne. I figured you more for a soft hands type." The older man stated respectfully.
Wayne gave him a wink and then turned and walked away.
"Oh! Mr. Wayne, I just remembered... The one you should look into... It's old Basil Karlo." Mr. Grady waved before walking away.
Wayne stopped walking and then took out his phone and did a quick search for Basil Karlo surprisingly found that the man who was born in 1917 was still very much alive. He quickly called up Alfred, "Alfred, I need you to find me an address for Basil Karlo, yes, he's still alive."
On the other end of the line, "Master Bruce, it seems Basil Karlo shares an address with Katherine Karlo."
Wayne nodded and then said, "Well, I was headed there anyway, I won't need to add another destination. Alfred, I was speaking with the Key Grip on the 'The Man of Clay' and he was telling me that the bracket couldn't have been destroyed by a regular person during Julie's murder which was also backed up by the safety officer and various other members of the staff. I heard from several people that our murderer needed the strength of many men."
On the other end of the line Alfred was typing into the computer and said, "Master Bruce, there are several in Metropolis with the strength needed, in Gotham three names appeared that you may want to check into. Mark Desmond, Solomon Grundy and Hugo Strange."
Wayne nodded and then suggested, "I should probably check into Pamela Isely as well, they may have accidentally enraged her if they filmed in Robinson Park or another area she protects." He scratched his head and then said, "No, Basil Karlo and the Karlo family are the most obvious ones to look into. They have a connection to the film and a connection to Julie. I'll focus on them for now. Where are the GCPD looking?"
Alfred looked into the GCPD files and said, "I suggest asking Commissioner Gordon, Master Bruce, because it appears the GCPD are more interested in fired employees and a man named Edison known as the 'Film Freak'. Also, you should know that Mr. Fox and several other people connected to the Gotham Renewal project have left updates saying that stage one is underway and the trash cleanup has met with little to no resistance."
"Good, good, very good news indeed. Thank you, Alfred. I'll head to the Karlo residence then." Wayne got on his motorcycle and then zipped over to the Karlo's home. As he was riding through traffic another bike shot around the corner in front of him. A very shapely woman was riding. Wayne found himself wanting to keep pace with her as they zipped through traffic.
Shockingly the woman who was always just ahead of him made the exact turns leading to the Karlo home. Right up to the gated archway leading to an old estate. She pulled her helmet off and stared at Wayne who pulled his helmet off. She had long blond hair, a beautiful face. She frowned at him and angrily asked, "Why are you following me?"
Advertisement
Wayne chuckled, "Maybe I am a fan?"
"Oh? You know who I am? You don't seem like the kind who would watch a Soap Opera?" She flipped her hair over shoulder. She gave him a long look and then asked, "Wait, are you Bruce Wayne?"
Wayne gave her a gentleman's bow from the back of his bike, "I came by to speak with your Grandfather about a movie my company is involved with."
"Oh, you guys finally reached out to him about Clayface. Well, I can tell you. Grandpa hates that they are making this remake. He thinks it's a sacrilige to remake a perfected work." The blond woman shrugged.
"I wanted to talk to you as well, since you worked with Julie Madison before." Wayne watched her carefully.
"Julie Madison? Ah, yeah. I uh... Yeah. I worked with her before. We are kinda... Well, we were rivals. I was a better actress and she was prettier than me and was better at networking." The blond woman held a hand up to her mouth and mimed giving a blowjob. "Wait, I'm sorry. She's dead, I was raised better than that. She was good, I am just a little jealous that she got parts easier than I did." She hung her head and then said, "Sorry, follow me up. I'll take you to see my Grandpa."
She started her bike and then rode up to the mansion with Wayne following close behind.
Walking into the Karlo mansion there were movie posters on every wall. There were also props used from the various movies on display. The blond woman set her helmet down and took off her leather jacket in the entryway and then turned and offered a handshake to Wayne, "Sorry, Katherine Karlo, I didn't introduce myself before. Mr. Wayne can I get you something to drink?"
Wayne looked around and then said, "I would love some tea, thank you." He saw a life-sized statue of Clayface and then asked, "Your grandfather is over a hundred now, right?"
Katherine walked into the kitchen, "Yes, he is one hundred and five this year. He hasn't been able to act for the last 15 years. He just can't remember his lines anymore. Well, really he has been retired since the 90s. Not his choice, he just couldn't get parts once he got older."
Wayne who had followed behind watched as she made the tea for the two of them. "I heard that you were trying for Julie's part in 'The Man of Clay', do you have a shot at it now that she has passed?"
Katherine winced and shook her head no, "No, I have no shot. The director said my performance was too close to the original and he wanted a fresh take. He was right really, I have seen that movie hundreds of times after all, of course I would see that part exactly as the original. Only someone like Julie Madison would think to do the part like Molly Ringwald in 'Pretty in Pink'." She sighed and then asked, "Do you like milk or sugar in your tea?"
Wayne smiled, "No, but thank you. Do all actresses assume that the others sleep with directors to get their parts?"
Katherine winced again, "You know all that hashtag me too stuff? Yeah, well, it's a lot more true than any of us would want to let on." She rubbed her forehead, "I try not to get involved like that, I'm a real actress you know? I went to the Tisch school of the arts at NYU. The thing is..." She slumped a bit and then took a sip of tea before continuing, "Agents push you to go to these parties and then they have you aggressively target powerful men, a little flirting, a little smiling and you know, maybe your career path starts looking a little better. You do a little more and maybe you move from a B lister to an A lister."
"And you, are you an A lister?" Wayne smiled and looked as if he were slightly guilty.
"D lister. Maybe a C lister at best." Katherine smirked, "I tried the flirty thing once, with the director of the Soap I am on, you know what it got me?"
"The best part?" Wayne asked as he took a sip of tea.
Katherine shook her head no, "No, I wish. It got me a bad reputation and a bit part on the show. For three years I was little more than part of the set. What got me the best part was a lucky break. The show's writers saw me at a dinner theater by chance while writing the next season of the show. They had been trying to talk the director into getting Julie out of the cast because she was too picky."
Wayne raised an eyebrow, "I had heard a different version of that event."
Katherine picked up her tea and said, "I'll take you to see my grandpa, he's a little unfocused at times. So, please keep that in mind."
They walked into another room, a small parlor and then Katherine said, "Papa? It's Katie, I brought a fan who would like to meet you, it's Mr. Bruce Wayne."
The aged Basil Karlo looked excited as he visibly got into character. He then spoke in a characture of his movie persona, "Mr. Bruce Wayne? I see, I remember your father, Thomas, a brilliant doctor."
Wayne smiled and gave him a head nod. He reached out and offered a handshake. Basil gave his offered hand a squeeze. Bruce felt like his hand had been in a vice. "That's quite a grip you have Mr. Karlo."
Basil chuckled, "The secret to being a top actor is to always keep your mind and body in peak form!" He gave Wayne a long look over and then said softly, "Mr. Wayne, you would be a fine actor yourself."
Advertisement
- In Serial7 Chapters
Dragon Guardian
The world of Orana is a vibrant place. Mana flows through the Air and Life flourishes. Beings everywhere grow in power steadily and eventually evolve, linking themselves to the elements themselves. Above all other beings are the dragons. Ageless and Limitless, the eldest of their kind can shatter mountains with a breath and churn the seas themseleves. Born into conflict, Israkur is the scion of two ancient lines of dragons. Armed with only wit, the power of his race, and determination to become the greatest he will journey out into a chaotic world to reach his evolution. But, to grow in strength he must face grave dangers: Deadly Felines, mostrous demons, and Cunning hominids all number among the many beings that would gladly kill a dragon to obtain its power. Making Friends in unexpected places and vanquishing all his foes join Israkur as he sets of on the journey of an immortal lifetime. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - All credit for the cover goes to the wonderful artist dashase. You can find her and her other work here: http://dashase.deviantart.com/
8 61 - In Serial17 Chapters
A Path Wide Enough for One
A story about the second son of a noble house and his journey down the path of magehood. Follow Asmodeas as he seeks to step out of the shadow of the name of his family and prove himself every bit as worthy as his brother who has gone before him, a famous mage in his own right. This is a world where Gods, Immortals and mages roam with impunity, filled with magic and wonder, mystery and opportunity. Strongly focused on progression with elements of the "rational" subgenre of fantasy. Magic academy.
8 185 - In Serial24 Chapters
Camp Runaway
Running away from their jobs as camp counselors, Ellie and Seb embark on a road trip with unexpected turns en route to their destination - New York. *****Camp Raukawee was meant to be where Ellie Morrison and Sebastian Lee spent their summer working as camp counselors, but they've had enough. Escaping in the middle of the night, the friends hatch a crazy plan to make their way to New York to visit Ellie's dad, who she hasn't seen since he moved five years ago. Along the way, however, a series of cities and events have the pair not only questioning their individual futures, but wondering what will happen to the growing spark between them as the countdown to adulthood begins. [[word count: 90,000-100,000 words]]Cover designed by Gillian Goulet
8 132 - In Serial11 Chapters
A Crone's Trade
Latgalay lusts for beauty, power. When her tribe’s raid is repulsed, and when a wizard counter attacks, Latgalay seizes power. But there is a cost: her soul. Setting is in an alternate reality during the Roman incursion of Britania. Latgalay is from an embellished tribe of Picts, there are Spirits, Magic, and some pretty dark shit. I wrote this one back in 2015, when I was in a completely different headspace. Like, seriously. Dark. I've gone through and edited some of the worst of it out, but the tone is still there.
8 140 - In Serial6 Chapters
Dungeon: The Demon Dragon Core
A dude living on earth is so done with life that. Crappy job check! No girlfriend check! The man wishes for something fun to happen to him. "Hey, kid don't play in the street!" Crash! "Oh my god! He is dead!
8 194 - In Serial74 Chapters
Let's Learn Korean [Compilation]
Highest Rank: #1 Non-FictionAnnyeonghaseyo. Jeoneun Man Joo Yeon imnida. I'm here to help you to learn some korean phrases,grammars or words in an easy way here in this book. DISCLAIMER:This is just a compilations! Credits to the sources I got! ?CoverPhoto by @-imyourprince
8 124

