Lobo's Den - The Circle and the Future

“We’re back, talking with Cassie the Raven Witch about twenty-five years of music,” Diego Lobo said. 

“So, Brookside and Firelight were your comeback, then with Forgotten Dreams and after that The Circle, you were on top. Cassie Goth, a world-famous, award-winning musician.”

“Yes, poor little Cassie Goth,” Cassie laughed. “Let’s not forget, I grew up as the heiress to the Goth family fortune. We weren’t exactly hurting for money or opportunities. I could have sat back and done nothing and still lived a very comfortable life.”

“But you didn’t,” Diego said. “Instead, you became a famous musician and singer.”

“It’s more fun,” Cassie laughed. “It’s just important to remember I had a lot of opportunities that some don’t. My father, the best-selling novelist, said many times that the best writer he ever knew was a schoolteacher in Willow Creek who never got published because he spent all his time helping his students and his friends. That’s why we, who have the means, need to help give others the opportunities we got handed.”

“You recently endowed a scholarship program for aspiring artists and performers,” Diego pointed out, “and you are partnering with Londyn Huntley in Iris Entertainment.”

“That’s right,” Cassie said.

“Speak of Londyn,” Diego said, visibly trying to regain control of the interview. “After The Circle, you decided to take a spin around the stage as an actress. What brought that about?”

“I was on top,” Cassie smiled. “I was looking for a new challenge and someone suggested acting. I just jumped in with both feet and hoped. Talk about privilege giving you opportunities.”

“Oooh, I don’t know,” Diego smiled. “What do you think, folks? Was it just fame or can Cassie really act?”

The audience again erupted in applause.

“See, they love you,” Diego said.

“Well, it helps that for my first acting jobs, I was literally playing myself,” Cassie said, but she smiled. “The Raven Witch, doing a couple of guest spots on popular shows. It wasn’t exactly a stretch… but I got lucky and got some help from some very talented actresses, like Londyn and Vanessa Jeong. With their help, I managed to at least not embarrass myself. Miranda was still pretty embarrassed, but like I said, she keeps me humble.

“So, music, acting… things were shaping up,” Cassie said.

“OK, let’s talk about the Mill Lane Incident,” Diego said.

“I forget that’s what they call it,” Cassie said, a hint of bitterness touching her eyes.

“Five years ago, May 22^nd, 2021, you and your family went missing from your farm on Olde Mill Lane,” Diego said with surprising gentleness. “There was blood on the scene, signs of violence… and no sign of any of you. After several days, everyone assumed you were dead…”

“Not everyone,” Cassie said softly. “Some people looked for us.”

Only those who knew her recognized the anger simmering in her voice. Diego, regrettably, did not.

“It’s been suggested that…” Diego started.

“That my father died because he looked into it,” Cassie snarled.

Somewhere overhead a stage light burst in a startling rain of sparks. Someone in the audience gave a muffled shriek.

“That Don died because he looked into it,” Cassie continued, her black eyes boring into Diego’s suddenly horrified face. “That a reporter, Olivia Kim-Lewis… who was a close friend of my little brother, did you have that bit of gossip, Diego? She died looking into our disappearance.

“We reappeared, more than six months later and after my stepmother, Bella Goth, blew her cover as an Agency Operative to bring down Nancy Landgraab’s criminal syndicate,” Cassie continued coldly. “Are you going to ask me if we were hiding from the Families, Diego? Are you going to ask me if they kidnapped my daughter a year later, because we were involved in taking down the Landgraabs? Is that your question, Diego…”

The image on TV screens around the country flickered and changed angles suddenly, as the studio cameras unexpectedly shorted out.

“No comment,” Cassie’s voice was a whisper, that echoed in the silence as the last camera died, leaving viewers looking at black screens.

------------------

“Sorry folks, we had some technical difficulties here in the studio,” Diego said, all smiles. “We’re still here, talking with Cassie about her music and her film career. You were saying how you didn’t think much of yourself as an actress… but Curse of the Pirate Queen. Big hit.”

“Yeah, I guess it was,” Cassie smiled.

Nothing on either of their faces suggested to the average viewer that anything unpleasant happened moments earlier. There simply weren’t so many people who were close enough to Diego Lobo as to recognize the tightness around his eyes. Those close enough to Cassie to see behind her smile already knew the truth.

“I enjoyed working on Pirate Queen,” Cassie continued.

“So, do we have more movies in our future?” Diego asked cheerfully.

“We’ll just have to see,” Cassie replied. “Right now, I have a wedding to help plan and a production company to get off the ground.”

“Very exciting,” Diego said. “You know, I don’t think I got my invitation to the wedding,” he teased.

“Well, it’s just going to be a small thing,” Cassie said. “Family and a few friends. It’s the reception you want to crash.”

“Be careful, I might just,” Diego smiled. “Cassie, thanks again for being on the show.”

“Glad to be here, Diego,” She smiled back.

“Well folks, that’s all the time we have tonight,” Diego said. “Sorry again about those technical problems. Join us next week when we’ll be talking to Orange Bailey-Moon about his new book - ‘Yes Means Yes, a Dude’s Guide to Consent.’ See you then, in Lobo's Den.”