alternatehistory.com

June, 1994, London, England

“He’ll have a glass of water, thank you,” Nigel said smoothly. “It’s a health thing.”

Burton looked surprised, and a little nervous.

“So,” he said with forced joviality, “anything in the wind. It’s been a while, and the rent’s coming due. I’d like to get working soon.”

“Nothing, I’m afraid,” Nigel replied.

“Well,” Burton paused. “I think that’s a sign we’ve been a little narrow in our outlook. True, I’ve starred in two series, but that doesn’t mean I have let it go to my head.” He forced a laugh. “No small parts, only small actors, that’s what I always so. I’ve always fancied myself more a character actor, making my fellow actors look good, that’s the thing...”

“David,” Nigel replied. “There’s nothing.”

“And by nothing, you mean?”

“Nothing. No television roles, no film roles, no large parts, no small parts, no walk on parts, no extras, body doubles, stage roles, community theatre, pantomimes, nothing. There’s no work for you. There’s no interest in you. I can’t find you anything, there’s nothing to be found.”

“Ahh,” said David leaning back. The waiter brought water. He thanked him and took a sip.

“Times are tough everywhere I guess. The whole industry’s in a slump. But mark my words, it will be roaring back and–“

“David, the industry is not in a slump.”

“I see,” David said. He looked concerned. “I think—“

“David, before you say anything, just forget it. No one is hiring you.”

“That’s a little harsh. The actor’s life has ups and downs. But I’m still quite popular. I was just at an appearance the other day, and I have offers to attend conventions in the United States.”

“David,” Nigel said, “your career now consists of selling signed photographs to anoraks bent on misusing their allowances. How long is that going to last? It’s been a year or two since the New Doctor closed, fans are fickle. How long before you’re the one paying to get them to accept your pictures? Another year or two? Everyone will have moved on, and you’ll be forgotten. They’re already forgetting.”

David was silent for a second.

“That’s more than a little harsh,” he said quietly.

“I find it best to be honest in these matters. “The truth is, David, that it went a step too far. Your first series as the New Doctor established your career, we saw some future in representing you. The second series has been unfortunate.”

“It’s still two series of the New Doctor,” David said, “we put out some good episodes, and on time. We did quite well, particularly for the resources.”

“Regardless,” Nigel replied, “the second series production was troubled.”

“We had some difficulties with some people,” David admitted.

“The phrases bandied about were ‘catastrophic,’ ‘shambolic,’ ‘inept,’ ‘a lurching disaster,’ a ‘quicksand of incompetence.’ Those are the nice things people are saying, David. The fact is that while you can be congratulated for getting anything done, the New Doctor’s production troubles have been the focus of quite a bit of attention.”

Nigel paused, “Everyone has to stop and watch a car crash.”

“At least we got it done,” David said sullenly. “I would expect that there’d be a little respect for that. Overcoming the odds and all.”

“I respect that,” Nigel said soothingly. “But the fact of the matter, David, is that the production has made you quite famous in the business, in the worst possible way, and now no one is going to touch you with a ten foot pole.”

“I’m still working. I’m doing a project with William Baggs.”

“Yes,” Nigel replied. “Bill and Ben’s Video vanity. That’s not helping your reputation, although I dare say, nothing could harm it further.”

“What about Hinchcliff or Maloney,” David said, “are they in the same boat? Levine?”

“David Maloney, Paul, Barry, Philip,” Nigel said, “are sufficiently well established that they aren’t going to be held accountable for this. They can put it behind them. As for Levine, he was never part of the industry, and he never will be. All this does is give him a few good stories for his friends in the music industry.”

“I’m sorry, David,” Nigel told him. “It all falls on you. It’s unfortunate. But sometimes, one person ends up being the goat, regardless of whether it’s fair.”

“So you’re saying it’s going to be slow, until this blows over,” David tried to smile. “I’ve weathered tough–“

“I’m saying it’s over, David. Finished. Kaput. Done. Ended. Dead. Cremated. Your career, over.”

“Oh,” David said, “well...”

“Anyway,” Nigel said, “I thought I should be polite and let you know we won’t be representing you.”

“You’re firing me?”

“Our professional relationship has ceased,” Nigel said.

“Oh,” David looked glum. “I guess, I’ll just find someone else then...”

“No one will touch you.”

“Then I’ll represent myself.”

“I did explain things to you?”

“I have to pay the rent,” David said. “I’ve got bills. I need to work. I’ll take anything.”

Nigel relented. “Listen, David, you had a good little run. Now it’s time to do something else. There are all sorts of ads, I’m sure you have many skills. Why bartender, or car wash attendant.”

David paused thoughtfully.

“Maybe I’ll move to the states,” he said, “I’m popular over there, I’m a hit at conventions.”

“To the anoraks,” Nigel said kindly. “But the New Doctor never aired there, and no one cares, outside of a few conventions.”

“Humm,” David felt thoroughly deflated.

Nigel felt a little bad.

“Cheer up, David,” Nigel said. “We all come to points like this. Take my advice, go to some of these conventions, make a little money, be a star for a little longer, and then when you have it out of your system, come back and get a regular job. You’ll be fine.”

Nigel watched Burton give the slightest nod.

“Now, if you’re finished with that glass of water, I have a lunchtime appointment coming up.”