Chapter Text
Stanley was bored.
He woke up from a very nice nap, he was dreaming about sliding or something? Now, he has been sitting in the lounge for what felt like hours, waiting for The Narrator to return from... somewhere. What could the british voice even be doing for so long? He was given a break, a somewhat recent occurrence for him. But he rested plenty and now he was just bored.
Trying to not fall asleep again, Stanley started to think about what his next run should be. He kind of wanted to repay The Narrator for all the nice things he has been doing for the office worker. The brit started giving him these breaks if Stanley asked. Physical exhaustion wasn’t really a thing in The Parable, yet the mental exhaustion was pretty much there. The man still cringes at his own behavior from before he could get consistent sleep. He was like a spoiled child, very impatient and prone to do anything in his power to get on the brit's nerves. It was somewhat justified, The Narrator was no saint either, still though, Stanley was glad that they managed to stop fighting each other every turn of the way.
Resting did him good and The Narrator noticed it pretty quickly. It did them both good, really.
The being also made the vending and coffee machines functional. Even though Stanley didn't need to eat or drink, it was still nice to have some coffee again, and by god he would be lying if he said he didn't miss sugar. Sue him, but his sweet tooth has been aching for the longest time.
And The Narrator was actually listening to him now, instead of hurrying him up to "get on with the story". It was a nice change. Stanley really felt like he wasn't a fancy toy to the man anymore, but more like a friend.
Freedom ending it is then. He decided. As much as it bored Stanley to listen to the same monologue for the umpteenth time, it always brought a smile to The Narrator's fa- well... He imagined a smile on his face because he could clearly hear it in the brit's voice. Every time The Narrator caught on to the protagonist's plan of going through with the game's true ending he sounded softer and more upbeat.
The office worker wouldn't admit it, but he finds it quite cute how exited The Narrator becomes. Stanley would still be able to hear the soft smile in his voice even after the theoretical credits rolled.
And with these fluttering thoughts floating in Stanley's head he really didn't feel like acting out right now... Acting out... Acting.. THERE IT IS! A way to make the run a little more entertaining for himself, while also playing along with the story to show his appreciation for The Narrator's work!
Yes, what if Stanley really, truly immersed himself with the role The Narrator gave him? Really embraced it? Acted just the way a person whose coworkers suddenly disappeared would? Yes! This is genius!
He knew the story by heart by now. And he may not have thought hard about what his actual emotions as the protagonist would be in a situation like this, being too disoriented by the british voice ringing all around him his first few times through the script. But surely after hearing it so many times, you have got to take something out of it, whether you wanted or not. He can easily play the role of a confused office worker, as if the story is actually happening to him right there right no-
- Oh, Stanley, I’m terribly sorry for making you wait! I wasn't absent for that long, was I?
Stanley almost didn't hear the rushed footsteps getting louder and snapped out of his thoughts at The Narrator's apologetic tone. Finally!
- [I waited for quite a while actually. What took you so long?]
Stanley was still somewhat annoyed with The Narrator for his long disappearance. He crossed his arms and looked pointedly at the ceiling. At that The Narrator hummed.
- Just got distracted with some minor inconvenience, nothing to fret about Stanley. Shall we continue on with the story?
Stanley heard the creaking of a chair and rustling of papers. The Narrator did sound apologetic, but also there was this... this. Smugness? No, more like anticipation almost? Huh. Looks like whatever the problem was The Narrator fixed it, and was very proud of himself.
The office worker WAS curious about this minor inconvenience, and knew perfectly well The Narrator was not telling him something, but decided to let it slide for now. He was a man on a mission after all.
- [Sure]
Another good thing that The Narrator has been doing, or more like not doing, is listening in to each and every thought the office worker had. Stanley didn't really understand it, but The Narrator explained that he made it so he would only be able to hear thoughts Stanley directed at him willingly.
To be honest, Stanley didn't believe him at first. Maybe the voice just didn't react to his thoughts anymore, but still heard them, and wanted to lure him into a false sense of security or something!? But it was so out of character for The Narrator to just outright lie to him. And don't tell The Narrator, but Stanley was pretty sure the man was completely unable to keep his snarky comments to himself especially at some of Stanley's more vulgar thoughts. He sure as hell couldn't before.
Standing up and stretching his limbs Stanley shot a cheeky grin at the ceiling.
[I’m feeling like Freedom Ending next run. Sounds good?]
The brit let out a surprised hearty laugh.
- Oh hahahahah you know me Stanley, of course it sounds good to me. Shall I restart?
The Narrator sure sounded eager. Cute. But Stanley didn't want to go just yet. He has been sitting in the lounge for god knows how long and he needed to move a little before even attempting to go with his plan. Fun as it sounded, Stanley would still need all his concentration to not break character midway.
[Nah, i want to run to the nearest ending. I've been waiting forever, I swear if I’m going to have to sit for another minute more I’m going to break something.]
He wasn't really going to do this, but he has the right to be a bit of a drama queen every once in a while. As a treat.
- Please refrain from vandalizing my office Stanley. Why do i even put up with you?
He huffed theatrically, it was clear he was amused and not actually annoyed at his antics. Ooohhh it was time for some teasing then!
[Clearly it's because you actually looooovvve meeeee~~~]
- I-I do not! L-Let's get a move on already!
Stanley could easily imagine the man getting all red in embarrassment. He let out a silent breathy laugh at the mental image. He did however "got a move on" and completed the Apartment ending in record times, making Narrator grumble for "rushing the narrative" and "not even letting me finish the line!". Hey, he did say he wanted to run to the nearest ending didn't he? Whatever, Stanley had a way to make it up for a few interrupted lines.
As reset hit, Stanley was giddy with excitement and ready to put on his best performance. Oh, if he doesn't get roaring ovations at the end of this all he is going straight for the broom closet and sorting everything there is in backwards alphabetical order. And he may be only half-joking. The Narrator is so going to regret giving him more stuff to look at in there.