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peanut-tyrug · 1 year ago

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Pink City AU: Hunt for the Boxman

Prologue: Part 1 - Admirer to Hunter

TV show host Hoonis Boogie sets out to find his long missing idol, Darles Nemeni. The man who created the one-hit wonder “The Darly Boxman Show”.

—

NOTICE: This AU is partially based on my ideas/interpretation. If anything appears to be inaccurate, I apologize. I tried to work with what little I had to make smth. I also took a few artistic liberties.

Another thing: THE PINK CITY AND IT’S CHARACTERS DO NOT BELONG TO ME!! IT BELONGS TO GOOSEWORX!! Some canon lore for The Pink City has also been implemented in this story. This is just an AU/story I made based on it. If you’d like to check out The Pink City series itself, check it out here!

—

TRIGGER WARNING: This fic contains the hearing of voices, emotional outbursts, caps, swearing, and family issues. If you aren’t comfortable with these things, please don’t read this.

Something a creative can desire is being acknowledged for their work. Remembered for what they gave the world. Acknowledged by those seeking fame.

Whether intentional or not, it can still happen to those who come across the work of someone now long gone.

Two young siblings in a family of six, Remney and Hoonis Boogie, sit in their homes dusty attic. Remney, the second oldest daughter amongst the quartet of siblings, is scouring through boxes. The youngest and only boy of the four, Hoonis, watches his sister scour.

“…Oh, where are they?” Remney asks herself.

“Where’s what?” Hoonis asks.

“You’ll see, Hoonis.” Says Remney.

Remney continues to look through the boxes. As she opens up her next box, she’s finally found what she was looking for. “Oh! Here it is!” She says excitedly, yet softly.

Remney takes out a few old VHS tapes and sets them on the ground for Hoonis to see. Hoonis glances over what’s been put in front of him. “…What’re these?”

“These are old tapes of a show the others and I used to watch, 'The Darly Boxman Show'.” Says Remney. “I haven’t watched it in ages… it’s been one of the few things to bring me joy. The others though… they don’t like as much, unfortunately…”

“What’s it about?” Hoonis asks.

“You’ll see.” Says Remney. “Help me get these downstairs, please.”

Remney opens the attic door and heads down the ladder. As she approaches the floor, Hoonis slowly hands her the tapes, which she sets on the ground as she receives them. Once the tapes have been set aside, Remney helps Hoonis down and shuts the attic door. She picks up the tapes and the two head over to their small living room. Remney puts a tape in the old TV and sits next to her brother already seated on the floor. It takes a bit, but the program eventually boots up.

The screen is taken up by a bright yellow background. A large, colorful logo then slides into view, 'The Darly Boxman Show'. Hoonis is quickly pulled in at the sight of the character portraits sliding into view.

Darly Boxman, who is literally what you’d think it is, a man with a box for a head with a pair eyes popping out of it. Mimlimim, a woman with offset white eyes and vibrant blue head. And Milkpooch, basically a white dog.

Once the vibrant yellow screen fades, a wide shot of the three characters comes into a view. As the title music comes to a close, Darly Boxman looks to the viewers with bright blue bloodshot eyes.

“Hey, kids! Welcome back to show!” Darly says in a high and peppy tone of voice. “I’d do the normal thing and catch you up on what we’ve been doing out here, but there’s simply NO TIME!” Darly puts his hands up to his box head. He then looks over to Milkpooch. “Isn’t that right, Milkpooch?”

Milkpooch responds to the question in beeps. It moves it’s head around as it speaks.

“Oh!” Darly says as his eyes widen. He glances away from Milkpooch worriedly.

Milkpooch speaks some more in response to Darly’s surprise. Darly looks back at the animal.

Darly glances away from Milkpooch again, and then looks back at it. “…We don’t have to do this right now if you’re really not feeling up for it.”

Milkpooch speaks again.

“Why are you so mad at me?” Darly asks sternly, his voice deeper and less energetic than what it had been before. It appears he’s broken character.

Milkpooch pauses before beeping a single time in response to Darly.

“Okay, THAT’S IT YOU LITTLE SON OF A B**CH!” Darly exclaims, the swear barely being censored. Darly picks Milkpooch up and throws it into the air. As Milkpooch soars, it appears to have hit something. The unknown object then reveals itself to be a white pyramid with eyes on each surface. Darly looks back in confusion.0

Mimlimim then looks forward in surprise at the pyramid. “Wowie! Darly, look!” She says through a text box. “We found Zendamina! Which means we’re near one of the seven concraduous temples!”

“That must be why Milkpooch was so rude to me!” Says Darly.

As the episode continues to progress, another one of Hoonis and Remney’s family members appears.

“Are you showing him that show we used to watch?” Asks Denise, the oldest of the four siblings, looking over to Remney. “How’d you even find those tapes?”

Remney looks back to Denise. “I found them in the attic.” She says.

“Will he like it?” Asks the second to youngest sibling, Puudle, who has also shown up beside Denise. “I never really liked it.”

“Who cares if you didn’t like it?” Asks Hoonis, looking back to Puudle. “I like it.” He looks back to the small TV.

“You do you.” Says Denise. “Have fun.” She walks off. Puudle follows.

Remney then turns over to Hoonis. “Hey, I’m gonna go paint… do you know how to handle the tapes?”

“I do.” Says Hoonis.

“Okay… don’t get tangled in the film reels.” Says Remney. She walks off and heads to her room, leaving Hoonis alone.

Hoonis stares intently at the screen, completely immersed in the world of Darly Boxman.

“…Maybe one day I’ll be able to meet you, Darly Boxman.” Hoonis says to himself. “Be just as good a host as you…”

Eventually, once the episode ends and the credits begin to roll, the show host’s name appears.

'CREATED BY DARLES NEMENI'

Darles Nemeni.

A name Hoonis would remember for all time. A name permanently glued to his brain.

Whether you like it or not, when you make something that someone admires and adores, that someone will always want to meet you and learn from you. Discover how to be a grand creative the people will remember for generations.

Regardless of if you’re even around anymore.

—

It’s early in the morning. Hoonis sits quietly in front of the TV, intently staring at the screen, before a sudden news broadcast pops up. Hoonis is snapped out of his trance, but continues to look at the screen.

“We interrupt this program to announce that Darles Nemeni, the well known creator of the children’s program: 'The Darly Boxman Show', has suddenly gone missing.” Says the news reporter.

Hoonis’ eyes go wide with shock. “…Huh?” He moves closer to the screen.

“Authorities and friends of the celebrity have looked through his home, but he was nowhere to be found. Not even his daughter was certain of his whereabouts.” Says the news reporter.

The shot then cuts to the actress of Mimlimim, Thlouretta Gudds, sitting in a chair. She’s being interviewed. “I tried giving Darles a call, but he didn’t answer… we had an episode to shoot today.” She says. “…Gee, I hope he’s okay… he didn’t seem too well when he was leaving the studio yesterday…”

The shot cuts back to the reporter. “The whereabouts and fate of the celebrity are currently unknown, and until further notice, Darles Nemeni is presumed missing.” Says the reporter. “Thank you all for your time.”

The TV then cuts back to what Hoonis had previously been watching. His eyes are wide with shock. He sits back. “…WHAT!?” He shouts.

“Hoonis!?” Hoonis’ mother exclaims as she rushes into the living room, the father following behind her. “Are you alright?”

“It’s Darles Nemeni!” Hoonis shouts. “He’s missing!”

“…Who?” The mother asks, before realization hits her. “…Oh, the man that made Darly Boxman?”

“Yes!” Hoonis exclaims. “He’s missing! What if he’s dead!?”

“Oh, honey,” Says the mother as she approaches her son. “I’m certain he’s okay.”

“Heh, I doubt it.” The father chuckles. “That man’s a looney from what I heard.”

“Don’t say that!” Says the mother sternly, now looking back to her husband. She turns back to Hoonis. “Don’t listen to him, Hoonis. I bet Mr. Nemeni is just fine.”

“…I hope so.” Says Hoonis. “Maybe I’ll find him… someday…”

Someday…

Maybe the desire to meet an idol can turn into that of a scavenger hunt for a long lost man.

—

It’s been years. 20 years, to be exact, since Darles Nemeni had went missing. He’s yet to be found. There hasn’t been a single word of him since his disappearance.

Well, barely…

Hoonis Boogie, now a fairly well know and infamous TV show host in the Pink City, has occasionally went around asking citizens if they’d ever heard of the man.

After asking many civilians and getting nowhere, he resorted to finding those who had known Darly.

“Have you ever heard of a man named Darles Nemeni?” Hoonis asks struggling freelance photographer Puggs Nisterly, who was the director of photography for Darles’ show.

“…I worked with him. We go way back.” Says Puggs. “But, I haven’t seen him. Sorry, man.”

~~~

“The weather today is clear now, but some hard rain may be coming in later, so keep those umbrellas high.” Says Marmalo Luzz Jr., a radio host, and the son of Marmalo Luzz, who was an actor on Darles’ show.

“Excuse me,” Says Hoonis, suddenly barging into Marmalo’s recording room. “Have you heard of a man named Darles Nemeni?”

“Huh? What?” Says Marmalo, turning back. “No, man! Get out!” Marmalo gets up from his seat and drags Hoonis out the booth. Hoonis attempts to let himself back in, but to no avail.

~~~

Something that can be hard to stomach is hopelessness. Losing all the confidence you had, and watching it be slammed in a blender.

Hoonis had tried all he could. Digging through old episodes to find others who had worked with Darles, but not being able to find many. Most cast and crew members either no longer lived in the city or had passed on. He’s tried to look into the man’s life too, but there wasn’t much of anything that could’ve explained what had caused him to go missing.

…Other than possibly how insane Darles was. Or acted.

The man had gotten noticeably mentally unstable as his show progressed. Maybe the show had gone on for so long that he was just tired of working on it? If so, why did he not stop? Because he wanted money? Is his insanity rooted from something else? Had he always been like that?

As Hoonis walks down the street, feeling helpless, a poster on a wall catches his eye. He looks up at it.

The poster shows a woman dressed in a gray suit. A happy look lays on her face. Hoonis looks up to see a show title. 'The Bep Nemeni Show', it says. To side of the poster reads a slogan of some kind: 'Live. Laugh. Loathe.' it reads.

Hoonis ponders over the name. Bep Nemeni…

“DARLES’ DAUGHTER!?” Hoonis shouts. “She has her own show?”

Hoonis quickly becomes invigorated with hope. She can help him get more insight on the man.

He needs to get on her show…

But how? Hoonis isn’t certain.

Amongst his thoughts, Hoonis’ phone begins to ring. He scrambles through his suit’s pocket and picks the device out. Denise, now his manager, is giving him a call.

“Hello?” Hoonis asks.

“Hoonis,” Denise says from the other line. “Get to theatre quick. You need to be ready for Ghost of the Year by the time the sun sets. Can you do that for me?”

“OH SHIT— RIGHT!” Says Hoonis. He had forgotten. He’d be hosting the 57th annual Ghost of the Year that night. “I’ll be there! Thanks for reminding me!”

“You’re welcome.” Says Denise, she hangs up.

Hoonis begins rushing to theatre. Amongst his crazed thoughts on his show that night, he keeps Bep’s show in his mind.

He’ll get on her show… somehow.

—

The show appears to be going smoothly. Everyone is happy and Hoonis is doing well.

“Judges! Have you made up your minds?” Hoonis asks.

One of the judges, a glitched and shadowy being with a singular eye, nods.

“Okay! I guess it’s that time of night where we find out which one of these horrifying ghosts will be our GHOST OF THE YEAR!” Hoonis declares, the crowd cheers.

From the distorted being, an envelope flies out of their head and hovers directly into Hoonis’ face.

“Ow! The f**k was that?” Hoonis asks.

The being moves it’s arm and beeps in response.

“Alright!” Hoonis begins. “The Ghost of the year is…!” He pauses, as a big star in above the stage hovers over the various chosen ghosts picked for that year, fixing to chose the winner.

Although, it seems to be taking awhile. A little too long.

The distorted judge seems to be irritated by how long the judging is taking. They expand into a large mass, causing the stage to glitch out. Including everyone there and the show’s host.

Hoonis let’s out a distorted shrill before everything suddenly goes dark and quiet.

—

Hoonis suddenly wakes up. He gasps and looks around.

He’s no longer in the theatre.

Instead, he’s in a hospital room. The only sounds coming from a heart monitor and a small fan in the corner of the room. His head feels like it’s stinging a bit. Hoonis feels his head to realize bandages have been wrapped over it.

Hoonis sighs and lays himself on the bed. Who knew that bringing suspense could wreak absolute havoc on a theatre full of civilians?

…Lord knows how long he’ll be stuck in bed.

…How was he going to get on Bep’s show now…?

Suddenly, a knock is heard. Hoonis looks over to the door.

“Mr. Boogie?” A voice calls.

“…Yes…?” Hoonis asks.

The door slowly opens, revealing the source of the voice. Hoonis’ eyes go wide.

Bep Nemeni herself steps into the room.

Hoonis quickly rises. “…Bep Nemeni!?” He asks. “Is that you?”

“Yes, Mr. Boogie.” Bep replies.

“Oh, call me Hoonis.” Says Hoonis. “What are you doing here?” He asks jovially.

“I saw your live show tonight.” Says Bep. “I really liked it. I wanted to ask if you’d like to—“

“YES!” Hoonis exclaims.

“LET ME TALK!” Bep yells back.

Hoonis is taken aback by the sudden anger.

…Maybe she got that from her father?

“…I wanted to ask if you’d like to be on my show sometime. When you get better.” Bep says.

“Of course!” Says Hoonis. “I’d be honored to be on your show.”

Hoonis then suddenly gets an idea.

“…I have a question for you, if you don’t mind answering.” Says Hoonis.

Before Bep can ask about Hoonis’ question, her watch suddenly beeps. She looks down at it. Her face engulfs in worry. “Oh, I’m sorry. I have a meeting to get to.” She says. “We can talk about your question after my show with you, okay?”

Hoonis quickly becomes washed in disappointment. “…Sure.” He says.

“Good.” Says Bep. “And take this, it has my studio’s address and number on it. Call me when you’re ready.” She pulls out a small card from her suit pocket.

“Thank you.” Says Hoonis, trying to hide his disappointment. He takes the card.

“You’re welcome. Get well soon.” Bep exits the room, shutting the door behind her.

Hoonis sighs.

He’ll just have to wait a bit longer.

—

It’s been a few days since the accident on stage. Hoonis has mostly recovered. He still has bandages wrapped on his head.

It’s fairly late in the afternoon. Hoonis sits on his head, phone in hand. He types Bep’s number into the phone. It rings, before Bep picks up.

“Hello?” Bep asks.

“Hi, Ms. Nemeni. It’s Hoonis.” Says Hoonis. “I’m out of the hospital. I think I’m ready to join your show.”

“Great.” Says Bep. “Come by the studio at 4:30 pm tomorrow, got it?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Says Hoonis.

“Good.” Says Bep. “See you tomorrow.”

“You too.” Says Hoonis. He hangs up.

If he had a mouth, a large smile would be plaster on his face. He bubbles with excitement.

The time had finally come.

—

It’s the next day. And despite him still experiencing headaches, and the odd visions of his now deceased mother, he feels he’s recovered enough to finally see Bep and join her on her show. As he finishes getting ready, he picks up his phone and rings up his father. He’d call Remney, but she’s busy.

“Dad!” Hoonis exclaims. “I think I’m getting close to finding Darles!”

“Whose that?” The father asks in an old and bitter tone.

“…Darles Nemeni? The one who made Darly Boxman? The man I’ve been searching for since I left home?” Hoonis tries to remind his dad.

“…Oh, that one.” Says the father. “You’re still after him? What’s up with you?”

“I have a dream you don’t get.” Says Hoonis. “I want to be just like him. Learn what he learned… only mother would appreciate my aspirations…” He reminisces.

“Who cares? She’s dead.” Says the father. “But, I know I can’t stop you. Go after that lunatic all you want. Don’t come crying to me or your sisters when he turns you down.”

“I hope I don’t have to!” Says Hoonis. “And stop doubting me!” Hoonis hangs up the phone and shoves it into his pocket. He heads out of his rickety old apartment and heads to Bep’s studio to prepare for the show. He proudly walks down the street.

—

Hoonis continues to walk down the street, Bep’s card in hand, until he stops at a fairly large yet still small building. It’s address matching the one on the card. Hoonis slowly walks up to the door and slowly knocks.

It takes a bit, but someone eventually opens the door. The man looks down at Hoonis.

“…Hey.” Says the man. “…Mr. Boogie? Hoonis?”

“Yes…” Hoonis looks at the man’s name tag. “Bendle. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, sir.” Says Bendle. “Ms. Nemeni’s waiting for you. I can take you to her.”

“Thank you.” Says Hoonis.

“No problem, sir.” Says Bendle.

Bendle takes Hoonis down a few small hallways before slowing into the backstage room. It’s dark. Scattered around are a few cameramen and other crew members holding flashlights. Among them is Bep, who is speaking to a cameraman. She doesn’t sound very happy.

“…Is she alright?” Hoonis asks.

“She does that a lot.” Bendle responds.

“…Do you…” Hoonis begins. “…ever get tired of it?”

Bendle doesn’t respond. He only glares down.

As Bep is sternly and harshly whispering to the cameraman, she turns her head. Her expression quickly changes. She then approaches the men.

“Hoonis!” Says Bep. “I’m glad to see you’re doing better.”

“I-I am too.” Says Hoonis.

“Is there anything I need to do, ma’am?” Bendle asks Bep.

“Yes,” Bep begins. “Go over to the cameraman and teach how to do his job. He can’t do it right.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Says Bendle. He heads off to man Bep had been talking to.

“Are you ready?” Bep asks.

“Ready as I’ll ever be! Heh.” Says Hoonis in an excited tone.

“Just as peppy as you were when I first saw you!” Says Bep. “Get yourself situated. We’re almost ready to go on air.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Says Hoonis as he nods. Bep leaves him to go check on her crew again. He looks around.

Everyone is preparing for the show to start. Everyone must be nervous.

Hoonis is especially nervous.

He’s been waiting forever to talk to someone that knew Darles. Someone that would hopefully have insight on Darles that had never been publicized.

As he wanders through his mind, Bep suddenly appears by him. “Are you ready?” She asks.

“Yes.” Hoonis responds, his voice tinged with nervous excitement.

Suddenly, music blares from beyond the back of the set. Bep takes Hoonis’ arm and drags him out. They enter the set, and in front of them, a large audience sits. Each seat looks to be taken up. Everyone’s claps and cheers echo through the set.

They’re on air.

Hoonis hasn’t been this excited or nervous about a show in years.

As the two hosts go up on stage, Bep releases Hoonis, allowing him to take his seat.

After the music stops, Bep begins her opening. “Hey, everybody!” She says excitedly as she sets herself in a seat. “How are you all doing?” She shouts to the crowd. Everyone claps and cheers.

“On tonight’s show, we have someone very special! You might’ve seen him before!” Bep begins. “Please welcome, Hoonis Boogie!”

The audience cheers again. Hoonis quickly rises from his seat and lifts his arms into the air. “HELLOOOO, EVERYBODY!!” He shouts, letting his inner TV star shine. The crowd cheers even louder. Hoonis sets himself back down. The crowd simmers.

“How are you tonight, Hoonis?” Bep asks.

“My emotions are very conflicted right now!” Says Hoonis. The crowd laughs.

“Okay!” Says Bep. “For those unfamiliar, Hoonis here has been a show host for— how many years?” She asks.

“Around ten years, since I got out of college.” Says Hoonis. “Heh, it was a hellhole, let me tell you!” The crowd laughs.

“I’d imagine it was!” Says Bep, chuckling. “Just like my father!” The crowd laughs again.

Hoonis ponders over the statement… Bep doesn’t like her father? Was it a joke?

“Anyway,” Bep continues. “Some of you may know Hoonis as the current host Ghost of the Year! Matter of fact, he recently hosted one of those shows, but it didn’t go very well.”

“It, in fact, did not.” Says Hoonis.

“How are you feeling, Hoonis?” Bep asks. “After that incident? You didn’t get your funny bone tickled too much now, did you?” The crowd laughs.

“Now, I won’t bore you with the details of my oddly swift recovery, but the visions of my dead mother are finally starting to fade! And thank God for that, am I right?” Says Hoonis. The crowd laughs as Bep nods in agreement.

Amongst the crowd’s cheers and laughter, a faint voice can be heard. “Yeah! I hate my mom!” Says the voice.

“That’s wonderful to hear, Hoonis! I’m glad you’re feeling better!” Says Bep.

“Heh, I am too.” Says Hoonis. “I don’t have to hear my mother’s distorted whispers in the night anymore!” The crowd laughs again.

“Yes, yes, exactly!” Says Bep. “Moving on from that, I have a question for you, Hoonis. What inspired you to become a TV star?”

“Oh! It started when I was young.” Hoonis begins. “A dear sister of mine showed me these old tapes she and my other siblings watched when they were young, 'The Darly Boxman Show'. I’d imagine you’re familiar with it?”

Bep then appears to be a bit strained. “O-oh! Yes!” She says, sounding slightly irritated. “I’m familiar!”

“…Are you alright?” Hoonis asks.

“I’m alright!” Says Bep. “No need to get your gears all stuck in a jam!” The crowd chuckles.

“…As long as you’re okay with it.” Says Hoonis. “Anyway, the creator of the show, your father, he went missing. And I’ve been trying to find him for years. I’ve been wanting to meet him ever since I had been exposed to him…”

“Maybe you shouldn’t.” Says Bep under her breath.

“…What?” Hoonis asks.

“Maybe you shouldn’t go after him.” Says Bep again, slightly louder.

“Why?” Hoonis asks.

Suddenly, Bep aggressively stands from her seat. “BECAUSE HE’S A TERRIBLE MAN!!” She shouts. “All he wanted me for was to continue his legacy, continue his show! HE NEVER CARED ABOUT WHAT I WANTED!! WHAT I WANTED TO DO WITH MY OWN LIFE!! Why go after a man who cared more about his legacy than his own family!?”

Hoonis is taken aback. “…I-I’m certain he loved you very much.” He says.

“HE NEVER LOVED ME!!” Bep responds.

“Are you sure of that?” Hoonis asks. “Did he ever show he loved you?”

“If he ever did, I doubt he meant it.” Bep responds.

As Bep stares Hoonis down, the crowd begins to talk amongst each other. Bep snaps out of her anger and looks to audience. “Haha! We’ll be right back after our commercial break!” She then picks Hoonis up by his shoulder and drags him off stage. Outro music plays as the the crowd slowly claps.

Bep drags Hoonis out of the set and into a hallway. She grabs him by the shoulders. “WHAT DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND!?” She yells. “HE NEVER LOVED OR CARED FOR ME!! He just wanted me for his STUPID SHOW!!” She pushes Hoonis away.

Hoonis stumbles back, but regains his balance. He stares Bep in the eyes. “…But don’t you miss him? At least a bit?”

Bep doesn’t answer. She looks down.

“…That’s none of your business.” She says. “Just go.”

Hoonis hesitates, wanting to speak again.

“Please.” Bep says quickly, cutting Hoonis off.

Hoonis steps away from Bep, leaving her alone. As he walks off, he can hear faint sobbing from the nearby hall.

She’s likely not happy that the crowd had to see her in such a state. Another thought sticks to his head.

…She does miss him. Although, not outwardly.

Hoonis doesn’t want to think Darles was a man that didn’t care for his family. He was a celebrity, but hopefully one that actually cared about others. About his daughter.

After all, why would you want to idolize someone who reminded you of your own unloving father?

…Maybe it’s all a misunderstanding on Bep’s part?

The only way to know is to meet the man himself.

…Hoonis is desperate. Desperate to find anything on where Darles may have gone. Who the man was… and why he acted the way he did…

…What if there’s something here that had gone unnoticed?

As Hoonis walks, Bendle appears to his side.

“Hey—“ Bendle begins.

“AH!” Hoonis yelps, startled. “Bendle! Hello! Do you need something?”

“I can wash your vest if you’d like.” Bendle suggests. “We have a washer here. I thought it’d be good to wash it for you. As an apology for what happened tonight.”

“Oh!” Says Hoonis. “Thank you! I appreciate it.” Hoonis removes sparkling violet vest and hands it to Bendle.

“You’re welcome, sir.” Says Bendle, taking the vest. “You can stay here 'til you get your vest back.”

The two men separate. As Hoonis walks, he tries to find a spot where he can start looking for evidence.

Hoonis is suddenly filled with determination as he turns to see a small storage room. He quietly opens the door and enters. Around the dark room are various boxes stacked on top of each other, which are likely full of props and equipment. Hoonis begins scrambling through one of the boxes… only to find old VCR tapes.

Hoonis reaches for one of the tapes and stares at it. No title indicating what could be hiding within those reels of film. He looks around some more to spot an old TV sitting in a small hidden part of the room, hidden behind a box.

Hoonis steps to TV and spots cords within the box. He turns to see an outlet near the TV.

Only one thing to do with all this.

Hoonis plugs the TV up and sticks a tape into the tape player. Static appears on the screen… before a very familiar bright yellow background appears…

Realization and nostalgia hit Hoonis like a truck.

These are Darly Boxman tapes…

—

It’s been a few hours. The sun has likely set by now. What started as a search for clues has turned into a show binge as Hoonis intently watches the episode’s ending play out. His bow tie has also been untied, unbeknownst to Hoonis.

As the episode’s credits roll, Hoonis places a hand to the screen and rubs it down the buzzing glass.

“Oh, Darly Boxman…” Says Hoonis. “Will I ever be as good a host as you?”

As Hoonis admires his idol, the door to the storage room opens. Hoonis turns his eyes to spot Bendle staring him down.

Hoonis turns his head around to stare at the man in silence, before speaking up again. “I wouldn’t remember this if I were you!” He says.

Bendle then shuts the door and stands in the hallway, confused by what he saw. “…All I wanted to do was tell him his vest was done drying…”

“Bendle?” Bep asks Bendle as she approaches. “Where is Hoonis? I don’t think he’s left the studio…” Irritation bubbles in her voice.

“…I-in there…” Says Bendle, pointing to the door.

“What?” Bep asks, heavily irritated.

Bep slams open the door to see Hoonis placing another tape in the TV. Hoonis looks back as tape slowly enters the slot. Bep stares in utter anger and dismay at the sight of her father’s show intro begins to play.

“…WHAT IN GOD’S NAME ARE YOU DOING!?” Bep asks furiously.

“H-hello, Bep!” Says Hoonis. “I just found these old tapes and—“

Before Hoonis can continue, Bep goes up to the screen and punches it, breaking the screen. Glass gets thrown around everywhere, but no one is terribly hurt.

“…Got carried away.” Hoonis finishes his sentence.

“Bendle!” Says Bep, turning to face Bendle. “Find who smuggled in these tapes!”

“Y-yes, ma’am.” Bendle hurries off.

Bep then slowly turns to Hoonis and looks him dead in the eyes. “…What about 'I hate my father' do you not understand?” She asks, voice shaking with anger.

“I-I…” Hoonis stammers. “I was only trying to see if there’s anything I could find on Darles…”

“What the hell could I possibly be hiding from you!?” Bep asks.

Hoonis thinks about Bep’s statement… “…Nothing about his personal life, I’d imagine. I’d be left to believe he was always a busy man…” Says Hoonis. “But, still, did he ever truly show he never loved you?”

Bep looks taken aback. She then gets up and drags Hoonis out of the room and to the washers. She takes his vest out of a drying machine and hands it to him.

“Get out.” Says Bep. “I’m done with you.”

Hoonis hesitates. He stands silently.

“Get. Out.” Says Bep, even more sternly than before. “GET OUT!!”

Hoonis hurries out of the washers and heads for the exit. Bep storms off.

Hoonis almost trips as he exits Bep’s studio. The sun has set. The sky is dark and the buildings are a deep purple. Hoonis walks down the sidewalk as puts his vest back on and fixes his tie.

His arms sag, he walks slow. The day that he had been waiting for has become one of the most disappointing days Hoonis has ever lived.

—

Hoonis has been trying for days. Going after any morsel of info he could find, but there wasn’t anything. No new point to go off from.

He’s watched tapes, interviews, everything he could find and purchase from sellers. He’s even rewatched them, thinking there could’ve been something he missed.

Everything…

And yet, nothing.

He stands in his room in front of a bulletin board he made, pacing. Trying to connect the dots.

No new information on Darles. Nothing.

“Oh, dear God!” Hoonis shouts into the air. “Give me a sign! A new lead! Anything!!”

Hoonis plops onto the floor, onto his back, desperate for answers. Desperate for anything that could help him.

Amongst his silent pleas, that he thought would fall on deaf ears…

“…HELP…” Calls an unknown voice.

Hoonis quickly rises and glances around.

“…HELP ME…”

No one is there.

The word repeats in high yet desperate tone.

“…HELP…”

An idea crosses Hoonis’ mind.

He needed help…

…What if he had some extra help in finding Darles?

What if he had been trying to look for him all wrong? What if he needed extra hands?

He wants to call Remney, but she’s busy. Busy with art things. Hoonis then gets another idea.

Go around the city. Ask who could be of help. Who wouldn’t want to help a celebrity?

—

It’s early in the night. The Pink City has been coated in a soothing purple hue.

All appears calm and well.

…But it’s not.

“Excuse me! Hello!” Hoonis calls out into the street. “Would anyone be so kind as to help a celebrity find his idol?”

Hoonis goes up to multiple citizens as he calls out. Each one moves out his way, creeped out by the stranger asking for such a thing no one wanted any part in.

As Hoonis scouts the area for people to ask, he spots two strangers sitting in front of a gonstri shop. Both strangers appear to be wearing causal clothes. One is wearing a fedora on her head while the other has a cigarette in his mouth.

Hoonis rushes over to the table the strangers are sitting at and body slams on top of it. Both strangers appear to be stunned, the fedora wearing one more so than the other.

“WOULD YOU BE SO KIND AS TO HELP A CELEBRITY LOOK FOR HIS IDOL!?” Hoonis shouts into the fedora wearing woman’s face.

The woman, looking panicked, darts her eyes around before pushing Hoonis off of her shoulders. The man gets up from his seat and stares Hoonis down, almost as if he’s defending his friend.

Fear begins to bubble within Hoonis. He gets off the table and stands before the duo.

“Have you ever heard of a man named Darles Nemeni?” Asks Hoonis. “Darly Boxman?”

The man shakes his head, a no. The other, however, looks as if she’s thinking. Trying to recall something…

Hoonis looks with desperation as he waits for an answer.

The woman then looks to the man and outlines a box over her head.

Hoonis’ eyes light up. “Yes!” He says. “You know who he is?”

The woman then begins to think. She eventually looks back up at Hoonis and shrugs.

“You don’t know?” Hoonis asks.

The woman shakes her head. Her friend then looks to her, then to his phone. He’s texting her. The woman does the same.

…Hoonis wonders why they’re texting.

“What are you texting for?” Hoonis asks.

The duo looks up at Hoonis. The man then shows him his phone. It appears to be how they communicate.

Hoonis takes notice of the contact name at the top of the screen.

“…Elain?” Hoonis asks.

He looks to the duo. The woman, Elain, nods. She shows Hoonis her phone to show him her friend’s name.

“…Dento.” Says Hoonis. The man, Dento, nods once Hoonis turns to face him. Hoonis then decides it’s best he introduces himself. “Well, allow me to introduce myself! I am TV star Hoonis Boogie! But, just call me Hoonis. Good names, by the way.” He puts out his hand.

The duo nods as Dento steps foward to Hoonis. He hesitates, but eventually shakes his hand.

“Now that that’s done, would you mind helping look for Darly Boxman?” Hoonis asks. “He’s my idol, and I’ve been trying to find him for years, but to no avail. I’ve considered asking around the city for help, and so far, you two are the only ones who haven’t run away from me! Would you mind lending a hand?”

Dento looks to Elain. Elain looks to Dento.

They appear to be questioning Hoonis.

Hoonis questions as to why as Elain looks up at him. Desperation coats his eyes.

Elain looks back to her phone. She begins typing. So does Dento.

Hoonis waits for a response, his heart pounding from the anticipation.

Elain and Dento pack their phones in their pockets and face Hoonis. Elain puts her hand out for Hoonis to shake.

Hoonis’ eyes light up with happiness and excitement. He takes Elain’s hand and firmly shakes it. “Thank you, thank you!” He says. “I’m so glad you have the same desires I do!”

Elain nods in agreement as Hoonis continues to shake her hand. Elain appears to be slightly uncomfortable, but Hoonis doesn’t notice.

“Now, follow me!” Hoonis declares as he begins to drag Elain along by the arm. Hoonis doesn’t really notice Dento quickly running after them.

A grand adventure beyond what is known awaits them.

- END -

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