Read Me; The events in the following fic have been led by an alternate ending to the Mel Brooks film The Producers. I found it highly doubtful that Max, Leo and Franz would be released from Sing Sing because they were able to bring joy and laughter into the hearts of every murderer, rapist and sex maniac in Sing Sing.
N.A; The Producers is © Mel Brooks as well as Max and Leo and other characters known in the film. Rating is T so expect the unexpected. The story is currently seen through Max Bialystock's eyes.
Chapter: I -- Friends
I'm so dismayed. Is this how I'm repaid? To be...Betrayed!
Sitting in the back of the barred van, I fiddled with my handcuffs apathetically. None of this twisted reality felt even the slightest bit real. It was more like some nightmare I could not awake from. It's not a pleasant feeling, I give you that. I feel dead inside, unsure of what to emotion to show at this point.
I remember when the judge made the verdict, my literally heart had skipped a beat. It's a shame it just didn't stop beating completely, that would have been a miracle. I'm in for five years in the state penitentiary at Sing Sing...five years! Max Bialystock, is actually going to prison! And it's all because of him, the man sitting across from me, Leopold Bloom.
I don't know why Leo came back, even when he had everything he ever could have dreamed of back in fabulous Rio. Maybe it was guilt. If so, guilt sure took long enough to catch up with him.
When he first literally danced into that courtroom I felt the urge to ring his neck. It wouldn't have looked all that great for my image but by this point it was obvious that the jury found me guilty anyway. I actually regret not choking the man now, screaming at him in a haze of furry 'How could he do this to me, how could he stab me in the back like that? Leaving me to rot away in prison while you spent all our money!' ...no. Not our money, MY money! I'm the one who had to work for it, not him.
A shudder sent itself up my spine at the thought of those seniors I had 'accompanied' for those many long, horrid weeks. At this rate, the denture marks may never go away. I suddenly felt so unclean. Then again, I've never really been known as a 'clean' man. More as a sewer rat decaying in a cesspool of horrid musicals these days. Funny, I used to be the king of old Broadway. My shows were always filled with class, the best champagnes would fill my glass, my lap was filled with gorgeous ass...but all that's gone now...because of him.
'You can make more money with a flop then with a hit.'
My hands curled into fists as I casted my gaze down to them. He ruined me, ruined! If he'd only have given me those blasted books instead of screaming absurd names at me.
"FAT!"
We could have both made a break for it, been home free! ...but no. When the cops came and arrested me he did nothing. He simply remain hidden in the office like a pathetic little insect. Cowardly little caterpillar.
'Never met I man I ever trusted, always dealt with shysters in the past. Now I'm well adjusted 'cause I've got a friend at last.'
He wasn't my friend. The little performance in the court room was merely an act...wasn't it?
"Max...?"
Breaking from my train of thought, I realized I was still in the back of prison truck, still going to jail, and still sitting across from Leo.
"Yeah." My response was flat and toneless. It was unbelievable how dry my mouth had gotten over such a short period of time.
"I'm sorry."
I did not look at him. "I'm sure you are."
It was obvious to me, no doubt Leo, that I was unconvinced by the projection of my voice. I couldn't be sure wither he was looking at me, watching my face and reading it or if he had his gaze cast elsewhere like myself. None the less, I took no chances and remain determined to keep my facial expression hard.
"I know it was a mistake to do what I did. After I sent you that postcard--"
Ah yes, his lovely little postcard. Back when I was waiting for my trial in the slammer I received it during the second mail call. Thinking back, I'm rather astonished I didn't rip the card apart after the first read.
"Mail call!" The guard walked around the cells with a brown bag which I assumed was filled with letters for the prisoners. He stopped beside my cell wearing a smirk "Hey fatso!"
"I'm not that fat!" I snapped back, frustrated from all the name calling I had been through.
"Say's you." the guard replied with ease. "Yea got a postcard."
"A postcard?" blinking several times I pulled myself up from the my mattress and sat up. My eyes studied the guard carefully "From where?"
"Brazil."
"Brazil? Who do I know in Brazil?" A brief silence was shared between us. The guard remain expressionless. "And why am I asking you?"
Taking my mail from him, I lazily collapsed back down on my bed, the springs giving a wail of pain from under my weight.
'Dear Max, Rio is everything you said it was and more. Ulla and I think of you every chance we get. In the morning, when we have breakfast on our terrace, many different herrings. And in the evening, when we samba together in the moonlight. Sorry, must run. Ulla's waiting, it's almost eleven.
- Wish you were here, Leo'
So many emotions took me over at that exact moment, I felt as if I'd gone mad. The bastard even pointed out on the postcard where he was currently staying.
My teeth grinded together tightly about to shatter any minute from the amount of pressure being forced down on them. It felt as if someone had literally ripped my heart out and spit on it. Every part of my body ached, my lungs burnt feeling as if I'd been screaming for over an hour. Still holding the parchment to bring such pain to me, I could not bring myself to tare the card apart.
I hate you.
"Yeah." cutting him off I lightly rested my chin on my fist in an attempt to get into a more comfortable position. The handcuffs prevented much leverage making it rather difficult.
"Max...I really am sorry. What happened in court, that song...I meant it."
Looking up at him I found a pair hazel eyes staring into my own. He looked deadpan, though through his eyes I could see his fear and sorrow. It was as if he was mourning me, like I was dead or something. A shiver went up my spine. Was I truly dead? A ghost of some sort?
No, of course not! Get a hold of yourself Max!
There was a heavy silence hovering over us from this point. We simply sat staring at one each other, waiting for one to say something. The silence between us felt so...wrong.
The man across from me, this man who had caused me so much pain, he hadn't given up on me when everyone else had. Though it certainly taken him some time to realize it as well as myself. Feeling ashamed, I buried my head in my hands.
"Leo," the name came out sounding like venom. Shit. "I don't think I can forgive you all that quickly."
He looked as if I'd smacked him squarely in the face with the back of my hand. I tried to put it as nicely as I could, honestly. Trusting him again would certainly take time, time we had a lot of now. Even now it felt as if he'd be pulling another disappearing act the moment the back doors would open.
Silence again.
My gaze went back to the floor as I searched for something, anything to say to lighten the load on Leo's shoulders.
"Hey Leo," the man looked up at me with owl eyes, afraid I'd be stabbing him again with my words. I offered my hand bearing a grin. "friends?" Taking my hand and giving it a surprisingly firm shake, he mirrored the grin.
"Friends."