"This is it!" Victoria Clemens said under her breath as she boarded a Greyhound bus. Her destiny, her dreams, her perfectly planned life: they started with that bus ride. Before she knew it, Victoria would be traveling to the metropolis city of Berkly. That bus ride, that city, and living with the bustling city folk was all part of her extravagant lifetime plan. Everything was working just as schemed. Victoria smiled, thinking of her excellent work at making such extended and detailed arrangements. "Not too bad for a girl straight out of college," she thought to herself, taking a seat on the bus.

Since she had entered into her college years, Victoria Clemens always had big ideas to follow her dreams of getting a degree in creative writing and film production. It took her years of hard work, but there she was. She was ready. She was graduated, young, fresh, and hired as a TV screenwriter for a new television series. She was planning to live in Berkly, as long as she had her career in screenwriting, and she was determined to be the best screenwriter she could be. Needless to say, that day - the day she would move to Berkly and become an amazing writer - was the most exciting day of her life thus far. So much opportunity and adventure awaited her in the monster city.

Victoria's mind filled with wondrous possibilities of her new life away from college and her home town. It was hard for her to take everything in. She sighed once more, smiling with her pearly white teeth. Her suitcase rattled softly below her. Her high heels turned back and forth as she shuffled her feet with excitement. The feelings inside of her were hard to contain. Because of this excitement, one might think that perhaps Victoria Clemens was making a bit of a scene. She was smiling openly, fidgeting like mad, and letting her suitcase bump around under her feet. But surprisingly, not a person on that small bus noticed. This was no news to the city folk. Berkly was well known for its bright opportunities.

Before Victoria could think about much more than her day ahead of her, the bus had rolled to an abrupt stop, letting her off and on her way to the shining inner city of Berkly. She couldn't help it. She squealed "Thank you!" to the bus driver. The bus driver couldn't help but smile. As a matter of fact, by that time, Victoria Clemens's joy had rubbed off on all of the passengers. "Remarkable lady," the bus driver said under his breath, closing the doors to his bus. Victoria nearly slipped on the steep steps of the bus, but she was alright. She had never felt better. Soon, she would be moved into her very own apartment space, and she would have her very own job as a screenwriter.

Victoria, still beaming with excitement, plopped down onto a bench that was in a sheltered bus stop. She filed quickly through her handbag, looking for a map. "Strange," she mumbled under her breath. "Where in the world did I put my map?" Victoria shuffled more viciously through her handbag, becoming frustrated with the disorder arising on what was supposed to be the best day of her life. "Where is my map?!" she groaned out loud.

"You look like you need some help," a voice chuckled next to her. Victoria shot her head up to see that she had been throwing a small tantrum in front of a man sitting on the edge of the same bench. Her face burned red. "Um no, I, ah...I've got it. I'm good. Thanks." she stuttered. "Way to go, V!" she said sarcastically under her breath. "I must be in here SOMEWHERE!" she said, refusing to give up with her hopeless search.

"Do you need directions?" the man asked in a more persistent tone.

"Nope! I'm fine!" Victoria said through her teeth. Her temper was getting to her far too easily, and it was becoming humorous to the man on the other end of the bench.

"Okay then, let me know if you find that map." he said. He squinted up at the sunny sky, twiddling his thumbs.

Victoria glared from over her sunglasses to see the mocking gestures he had made. She felt her face get hotter and redder as she swiped through every square inch of her bag. No way was her perfect day going to be ruined by stooping for directions. This was not the day for her to be needing someone to depend on. Victoria was ready to move on from dependency.

The man looked through the sides of his eye sockets, peeking at her fit of rage. He subtly chuckled again and interfered. "Ma'am, it's obvious to me you are not going to find that map. I insist, let me help you."

Victoria stopped shuffling and sighed quickly and harshly. "Fine! Fine! I must have left the map on the bus. I don't know how to get to my new apartment. I'm new here. I don't know anything! I'm...lost." She ended in a defeated tone. She took off her aviator sunglasses and looked up at the man, who had stood and stretched.

"Thank you!" he said in a strangely relieved tone.

Victoria stood up as well. "Thank you." she replied, less enthusiastic then the metropolis native.

"Where to, Ma'am?"

"Um, Berkly Park Apartments." she mumbled, straightening her hair.

"Oh! Really?!" the man said, surprised.

"Yes...?"

"That's my apartment! It's only a few blocks away. We can totally walk from here."

"'We?'"

"Well, why not?! Cheer up. It's a short walk."

"Sure, take me then." Victoria said, obviously tired of interaction with the stranger.

Victoria and the man set off to the west down a sidewalk that was near some quaint shops. Victoria stashed her sunglasses as the two continued into the shade of the skyscrapers. There was silence for a time. Victoria felt awkward and sheepish about following a stranger through Berkly. The man seemed at ease. He began to power walk, making Victoria try to keep up in her high heels. He wore a small smile, and had a gleam in his eye. What a strange person. Victoria thought, glaring at him. The man noticed her glance and looked her directly in the eye. Her head shot forward, trying not to behave like an alien. The man didn't mind, and looked forward once again.

"So," he began "what brings you to the heart of Berkly?"

"I got a job." she said, attempting to sound half interested in conversing.

"I see! What field are you working in?"

"I'm going to be a screenwriter for a TV show that's being shot in Berkly."

"Sounds like fun!"

"I sure hope it is." she said, looking away and rolling her eyes. It wasn't the time for small talk, especially after the detour in her perfect plans and the embarrassing neediness she had.

The man didn't say anything more after that until they got to the hotel. Victoria was glad. Somehow, the stranger made her very uncomfortable, and she didn't want to see much more of him, despite hardly have making eye contact with him or speaking.

After turning a few corners, the two stood in front of a tall apartment building. Victoria's shoulders relaxed as she briefly set down her briefcase. The feeling of utter excitement filled her again, and she forgot her unpleasant experience in asking for help. She smiled with her beautiful white teeth. There stood her new home.

"This is it!" the man said, breaking the silence.

Victoria glared over at him again, but with less dissatisfaction. "It sure is!"

"I'll show you in."

Victoria reached for her luggage and sighed. After hesitation, she admitted her thanks. "Hey, thank you. I couldn't have found this place on my own. It was helpful to have a human GPS." she smirked.

"My pleasure. Helping people is my job." He laughed.

After getting set up with keys to her new apartment room, the man walked with her all the way to her third-floor room. Victoria now beamed with excitement, beginning to forget she was accompanied by the helpful stranger. She smiled like a dazed child as she came to the font door of her room. "Here it is!" she squealed. She mindlessly handed her heavy briefcase to the man and unlocked her room. When she entered, her furniture had already been set up by movers, and the floors, counters, and tables were spotless. It was a small facility, but she was overjoyed to be in her very first home. She dropped her key, ran and jumped on her couch. "This place, it's all mine!" she squealed. The man couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and laugh. He was shocked that she had forgotten that they were complete strangers to each other. He turned on the light in the house and set the suitcase near the front door. "I guess I should be off." he shrugged.

"Oh!" Victoria exclaimed. "I should pay you something."

"No need, Ma'am. It was my pleasure."

"Here!" she said, shoving a ten into his hand, ignoring his comment. "Take this!

The man refused. "No, really, Ma'am. I'm just fine."

"Oh, how about a check? I'll write one out to - oh dear. What is your name, anyway?" She cringed slightly, realizing the silliness of the question.

"The name is Curt Larkins, and no, I promise you don't need to pay me a thing. Honestly!"

"If you're sure..."

"I am."

There was an awkward silence. At least, it was awkward for Victoria.

"By the way," Victoria started "I forgot to introduce myself. The name's Victoria, Victoria Clemens."

"Nice to meet you, formally." Curt said, shaking her hand.

There was another pause before Victoria broke the silence. "Well! I guess I should go and get set in my apartment...thanks again."

With that, Victoria shut the door and went to make herself at home. Curt left shortly, crossing diagonally to his own room. He laughed to himself for a reason that must not have been obvious, and closed his door behind him.

-

Later that evening, Victoria was comfortable and busy on her laptop. She sat cross-legged on her bed, barefoot and in comfy clothes. Flyaway hairs dangled around her face as she leaned into the glow of the laptop screen. She was preparing for the start of her job, and her very first assignment: making the first episode script of the new TV show. Victoria had been typing away for about an hour, and had no signs of stopping, until the interruption of a cellphone made her lose her focus. "Who could that be?" she whispered nonchalantly. She looked to find that it was her new boss. "Good heavens!" she uncontrollably screamed, pressing the call button on her smartphone. She pushed the flyaways from her face and brought the phone abruptly to her ear. "Hello!" she burst out, a little too loudly. She realized her strange behavior and cleared her throat. "Ahem...um...hello, this is Victoria Clemens. Who am I speaking with?" she said in a low tone. She gave herself a face palm. 'Who am I speaking with?' Are you kidding me? She thought to herself.

"Er, this is your boss, Miss Clemens. You know: Justin Kahn? I'm directing the new TV show Heroes of Greece?"

"Oh! Shoot, of course it is." Victoria mumbled. "Uh, heh heh...what's up Mr. Kahn?" Victoria slapped herself again.

"I was just making sure you made it to Berkly alright."

"Yeah! I'm working on the script right now."

"Oh, perfect! Just wanted to remind you that you'll need to be finished with it by next week. This is a TV series after all, not a movie."

"Yes, sir."

"Also, keep in mind that this is a very action-packed show. We need lots of action from the get-go. It needs to have special affects, superheroes galore. We need to make sure the audience is hooked on episode one. Clear?"

"Extremely. Thank you."

"No problem! We'll have you come to see it being filmed next week after you finish the script."

"Sounds great!"

"Uh-huh. That was all. Thank you again for collaborating with us."

"It's my pleas-"

"Oh, and one more thing. If anyone asks you what the plot of the script is, don't tell them it's about superheroes."

"I suppose that would give it away-"

"Oh yeah, and you can't tell them I'm directing it. Alright?"

"Uh, okay. Wait, why would that matte- "

"Thanks, Clemens. You're a hoot!"

"Thanks..."

"Have a good one now."

"You t-"

Click. No more Kahn on the phone. That certainly wasn't comforting to Victoria. This was a man who was on the ball and beyond. He was quick to speak, on schedule at all times, and was obviously expecting Victoria to not make any mistakes with her first week of work. Victoria's mind began to slowly swirl with anxiety. "Well, that wasn't comforting." she mumbled twirling some of her black hair around her finger. She shut down her laptop and looked at the time. She was ready to have a break. She began to think about all of her plans. Would they turn out? She didn't want to have to go through asking for any more help, or going off her beaten path of ideas and dreams. That just wasn't how she operated. Victoria felt like her life of independence was well over. No more rules from anyone but her boss at work. That's the way she liked it.

Victoria sighed, and pulled the covers farther down her bed. It was time for a rest after her big day.