Part 2:
Alex coughed, and looked at his dusty surroundings, discontent with waiting for so long. An empty desk and stacks of papers and books scattered all over the floor surrounded by four walls covered in all manner of dents and markings shared his company. Instead of a receptionist, books stacked precipitously high on the chair behind the desk greeted him. He walked toward them, careful to avoid stepping on any of the neglected materials strewn across the carpet. He peered over the books on the chair, reading the titles and authors. They all appeared to be books on the Occult. He turned his attention to the floor. More of the same nonsense.
"Messy, messy, messy", mumbled Figsworth to himself, gazing lazily across the floor.
"You're one to talk. How many papers do you have scattered over your desk doctor?"
Figsworth whipped around to see a short stocky man standing behind him. He had a round face and unassuming features. His dress was reminiscent of a 19th century British explorer on safari and Alex wondered if the man hadn't taken one too many drinks somewhere.
"I don't drink doctor. But let's get right to business; I believe I have an item you want." The mystery man shuffled to his desk and retrieved a wrapped item form the file drawer. Alex's curiosity was peaked, along with his skepticism. What could possibly be worth the trip across town?
"The answer to your dreams, and mine, doctor." With that the stranger unraveled the packaging to reveal the Thanatos Vase, the missing piece in Alexander's career.
His jaw dropped. It was more spectacular than he had ever imagined. Polished obsidian black paint interrupted only by the silver and golden decorations that adorned it. He had read descriptions of the vase, but no words described what he saw. The vase was flawless, it personified the very definition of beauty.
"Oh, Dr. Figsworth, I see in your eyes your fascination with its beauty, it's wonder, it's splendor. You do not know how long I have waited for this day Alex"
Something suddenly occurred to Alex, and he drew his gaze up from his white whale to meet the eyes of his benefactor.
"What do you mean 'you've' waited a long time for this? Just who are you, and how do you know about me?"
"Oh, there is not much to know Alex. May I call you Alex?" the man smiled gently, but there was something pentrative about his gaze Figsworth could not quite place. He nodded affirmation as the man continued.
"My name is Edward, and I have been waiting for someone like you for a long time. You see, I have been in possession of this vase for quite some time now. I was much like you once, and when I received the vase I thought it would solve all my problems. But it came at a price, you see, as I soon came to realize."
"What price? This is the greatest discovery in our time! Anything is worth this", exclaimed Alex, overcome with excitement and the thought that this vase could propel him to the top.
"The Price...is the reward. You may think this vase is just an artifact, but there is a deeper power behind it. It has the power to grant your innermost desires, if that's what you truly want."
"It is! I must have it."
"What is your greatest desire, Dr. Figsworth?"
"To be famous and rich. To be the greatest professor ever, and loved for it!"
"So it will be". With that , Edward passed the vase to Alex.
He finally had it, the artifact he had worked so hard to find. Alex held it gingerly, turning it over in his hand and studying its features. The colors, the pictures seemed to dance, no they did dance. At first Alex thought he was seeing things, but the vase had come to life in his hands, the colors swirling about in animation, and a warm tingling sensation swept over his body.
Edward smiled, took the vase and wrapped it back up.
"Follow the directions I will give you, and your wildest dreams will come true. A word of warning though: Think carefully before you use the vase".
"Incredible", he muttered to himself as he looked up to thank Edward. He saw only the wall of the room. Edward had vanished as quickly and silently as he had appeared. Quiet little bugger. With that, Alex wrapped the vase back up and left, anxious to begin gratifying his ambitious dreams.
Part 3:
The sound of thunderous applause and acclaim rang out in the amphitheater. Alex soaked it in as he stepped back from the podium, his debate finished. He glanced at his defeated opponent, who held his lead low, in shame. It had been 2 weeks since he had been given the vase. He wished for fame,and he wished for admiration. Now, his peers considered him a genius, and he had been giving lectures to thousands. He had finally become the successful professor of his dreams, and felt immensely satisfied. He was finally receiving the recognition he deserved. He made sure of it.
Grabbing the vase, he walked down the aisle to leave the room, passing a multitude of people smiling, patting him on the back, snapping his picture, and shaking his hand. The applause was practically deafening. He entered the hall filled with more people applauding. They rushed around him as he cleared the doors, as he tried to make his way outside.
The people became more pressing. They tore at him, jossled him, pushed, grabbed. His jacket ripped in the melee, and he struggled to hold onto the vase.
"What is happening?" Alex started panicking and running down the hallway leading outside, trying desperately now to escape the hordes of fans. There were two men in front of the door, applauding. They blocked his exit, trying to grab him, talk to him. He shoved them out of the way and burst down the hall. He did not stop running as he made his way outside, and behind him he could hear people coming through the doors after him.
What was going on? The crowd had never been this fervent after a lecture, and he had given at least a dozen since he had the vase. Alex darted down an alley, and ran behind a near by dumpster. He stuck his head around the corner and kept quiet. Two, three, and then a mob of people ran by the alley, shouting, screaming. Some brandished cameras, others pictures of Alex or copies of his book. For all Alex was concerned, they may as well have been wielding pitchforks and torches.
As the last stragglers in the mob went by and the noise faded, Alex let out a sigh and slumped against the dumpster. He tried to collect his thoughts and assess the situation. Was this going to happen more frequently? Was this the drawback of using the vase? Would it get worse? A million questions raced through his head. The vase would answer them.
Alex made it to his car without further incident, only to find Edward leaning casually against his door. A little odd, Alex noticed Edward was still wearing the same outfit as before.
"How does fame treat you, Alex?"
"What the blazes is happening? I was nearly mauled by the crowd today", Alex motioned towards the tears in his jacket and pants.
"Yes, I did warn you about being careful how you used the vase. I'd be wary about where you take it, there are a few people who would love to use it's power for themselves. If I were you, I wouldn't trust anyone."
"You never mentioned that using the vase would turn people violent Edward. You don't think that would have been something to tell me?" Alex replied, heated and feeling hot over the deception.
"A man I know would like the vase. You can give it to me now, or him later, when he comes to visit you. Bottom line Alex, is that the only way to fix your situation is to give up the vase, and with it, everything you've earned because of it".
Alex snorted, "You must be daft! Over my dead body will I relinquish the vase".
Edward's eyes sparkled, "Let us hope it doesn't come to that".
