Макс Коллинз: No One Will Hear You

“My only regret,” Jana was saying, “should this creative endeavor result in our deaths, is that our ultimate goal will not be achieved. We intend to go to new heights — who are the most famous of our kind? Jack the Ripper, in real life? Maybe. Hannibal Lecter, in the movies? Perhaps. Well, we intend to outdo them both. If you are viewing this, we likely failed. But just think... just think what our success would mean — we would be stars... not reality TV, Mr. Harrow, nothing so minor... but the movies. The big screen.”

“Wow,” Harrow said. “She’s even crazier than I thought...”

“I’m sure you’re thinking, J.C., that these two freaks are nuttier than a fruitcake. Well, you’re right and wrong — think about it. We will never stand trial. The whole world will not understand us as performance artists — we will be declared insane... and one day a forward-thinking psychiatrist will set us free. Free, and available to star as ourselves in a movie of our life.”

Harrow and Carmen exchanged astonished glances. Just when you think you’ve heard everything...

On screen, Jana was saying, “That’s enough, Vince. No one’s ever to see this, anyway. Not unless we release it someday, ourselves.”

He was grinning, nodding. “Bonus features!.. Just one thing more.”

Jana nodded her permission.

“I want you to know, J.C... and any family members and friends of the actresses I have already cast or will be casting in the days ahead... that there is nothing personal about it. As my own casting director, my costars are actresses who have found fame elusive themselves. And thanks to me, they will finally have their fifteen minutes. Of course, the costar I’ve cast for our climax has already made it, hasn’t she? She deserves special ‘guest star’ billing. I realize I indulged in typecasting, since she’s previously appeared in a serial killer episode of Crime Seen. But I had to do it, J.C. — to give you a strong finish and because, well... Carmen Garcia is just perfect for the part.”

Carmen rose and staggered to her chair, slumping there.

Vince’s voice continued: “Andrew Cunanan had Gianni Versace, Manson had Sharon Tate, we have Carmen Garcia...”

The monitor went black.

Carmen said, “I would have been the next DVD.”

“But you aren’t. You fought back. You won.”

“I... I don’t feel anything about it — about killing her.”

“You will. She was a monster, but she was a person once. It’s going to hit you, Carmen. No way you can prepare for it, but just... don’t be surprised.”

She laughed bitterly, nodded toward the pile of DVDs. “Won’t Dennis just love airing this crap.”

“Why, are you going to tell him about them?”

She blinked at him. “Aren’t... aren’t you? You know he’ll make copies before you give them to Lieutenant Amari.”

“I don’t think Anna needs these.”

“But... they’re evidence .”

“Are they? That case is closed.”

“You mean...?”

“Vince and Jana’s show just got cancelled.”

And Harrow dumped the discs in his waste-basket.