Page 14 of The Wish

‘ A lex, long time no see!’ Steve calls out.

Dammit , Alex thinks. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself – it’s been days since he’s shown his face in the office as he’s been doing some deep diving into Jesse’s project. It’s turning out to be even more work than he thought it would be at first. Truth be told, he’s a bit daunted by it.

He strides across the office floor, acknowledging his colleagues with a nod or flick of his hand. At his desk, he gets down to business as quickly as possible, logging on before he even has his jacket off. He wants it to look as if he has been at work for a while.

Steve leans over the cubicle. ‘So, how are you getting on?’

‘Good, yourself?’ Alex answers, facing his monitors.

‘I’m good, considering we’ve all had to cop Ian’s bullshit every day you’re not here. What are you up to?’

Alex sighs and swivels his chair round to face Steve. ‘I think I can do it, but I’m going to need help.’

‘Anything, mate, you just have to ask. Have you talked to Ian about it?’

‘I was hoping to circumvent him, you know what he’s like. He’ll want to string me along before he says yes.’

‘That’s true,’ Steve scratches his head. ‘I’ve got a deadline coming up, but I could work on it after hours. Maybe back here after dinner?’

‘Or at my place, if you’re up for it? I’ve got a pretty good set-up.’

‘I’m sure you have.’ Steve leaves his cubicle and pulls up a chair. ‘How about you tell me about this game you’re designing, this wish.’

Alex winces. ‘Ian got that wrong. It’s not a game; it’s an interactive 3D video experience.’

‘Whoa.’ Steve whistles. ‘Tell me more.’

‘Jesse has shown me photos of her family at their favourite places. I’d like your help to go to these places and film them.

Then, with the other material she has given me – drawings by her brother, poems from her mum, family photographs – we create a film for them.

Next up, we bring them into the studio to recreate their special moments. What do you think?’

‘So, are you saying we’re going to be using the studio? We’d need permission from Frank for that.’

‘Permission shouldn’t be a problem – I’m doing what Frank asked me to do. I’ll ask Frank about the studio when we get to that stage of development.’ Alex thinks, but doesn’t say, if we get to that stage . . . He needs to stay positive about this. ‘Would it help if I show you what I’ve done so far?’

Steve nods, so Alex goes onto the server and navigates to a private folder.

Here he’s scanned in Sam’s drawings, the handwritten poetry.

He’s created mood boards and references, trying to establish the visual tone and atmosphere of the piece, something realistic, but also charming, like stepping into your very favourite day.

He’s put together some concept art and sketches, based on their conversations and used some 3D models to roughly block out shots and camera movements.

Steve whistles. ‘You’ve got this done in a few days when it takes weeks to put together a three-minute commercial? Are you sure you need me, mate?’

Alex laughs. ‘I absolutely need help. I’m having trouble with the coding between the life shots and the animated. I need a specialist effects artist to work with me.’ He grins at his friend. ‘You don’t happen to know someone, do you?’

‘I can do it. The issue is when I can do it. Ian’s constantly peering over our shoulders to see what we’re up to, he’ll never go for it.’

‘Well, in that case, you’re probably not going to like what I’m going to say next . . .’

Steve leans back in his chair and folds his arms. ‘OK. Hit me with it.’

Here goes nothing . . . Alex thinks to himself. He’s been building up to ask Steve this question. ‘So, like I said, at home I’ve got a lot of the equipment we need. I’m just missing the team that brings it together.’

‘The team. So more than just me?’

‘Yeah.’ Alex is feeling a bit sheepish now. ‘I was hoping you would have a word with Phil and Sarah, and maybe Charlie too, to see if they’re interested in helping us.’

‘We’re officially an us, huh?’

‘Steve.’ Alex sighs. ‘Look, eventually, I can get this all done on my own. But even with your help, I’m going to be pushed for time. And Jesse . . .’ Alex peters out. He’s not sure he can find the right words.

Steve’s expression turns serious. ‘it’s OK, man, I get it. I’m in. I’ll have a word with the others. If coding’s your problem, Sarah’s your answer.’

‘Thanks, mate. Appreciate it.’ The two men sit in silence for a moment. ‘There’s just one other small thing I’m worried about.’

‘Alex?’ Ian shouts out from the far end of the room.

‘Speak of the devil,’ Alex says wryly.

‘How’s it all coming along?’ Ian asks, slapping him on the shoulder with his usual half-aggressive fake friendliness. ‘With all that time you’re taking off, must be almost done by now.’

Alex shrugs off the hand. ‘It’s a big job, Ian. I’m actually on my way out.’

‘Out. Out where?’

‘I’m going back to the hospital. I need a bit more information for the, ah, game.’

‘That’s the attitude boy, good work. So, it’s looking good?’

‘Yeah, it’s good, Ian. I might need to borrow some camera equipment; I need to shoot some live scenes to help make it work. Wouldn’t mind if I could borrow Steve at some point too?’

‘Yeah, sure, take what you need, hope you’re not making a miniseries though,’ Ian says, laughing at his own joke.

‘Not a series Ian, just a feature,’ Alex laughs back at him before turning to Steve, who shakes his head, knowing now what Alex is planning.

As Alex walks away, Ian calls out to him.

‘Just let me know when you’re done, I’ve given your current assignment to Bronwyn to finish, she’ll probably do a better job than you would have anyway.’

‘See you, Ian,’ Alex calls out as he leaves, hearing the usual encouragement Ian gives to his colleagues yelled out:

‘Now get back to work the lot of you.’