Lutfi Gilang's

19. Novelist vs Comic

i

We just came out of Mas Beni's room and coincidentally met with Mas Dodit.

"Mas Radit" said Mas Dodit.

"Dodit," said Mas Radit.

"Mas Radit" Mas Dodit repeated.

"Dodit" Mas Radit repeated.

"Mas Radiiit.." cried Mas Dodit.

"Dodiiit.." cried Mas Radit.

The two shake hands long enough, like a lover who has not met for a long time, is now releasing longing and despair.

I heard that Mas Beni suddenly coughed, causing the two to release their handshakes.

"Dodit, what's going on here?" tanya Mas Radit.

"I work Mas," replied Mas Dodit with a timid expression.

"Oooh.... What work now?" Mas Radit.

"Work becomes the most important person in the company." Mas Dodit said as he puffed out his chest.

I saw Mas Radit looked surprised. Me and Beni laughed.

"Waaah... great! What important people?" ask Mas Radit.

"Well, doesn't Mas Radit know?" I follow connecting.

Mas Radit's face was shocked. His lips seemed to tremble, but it produced no sound. His eyes swirled around, unclear which direction.

"Mas Radit, what's the matter here?" asked Mas Dodit as if helping Mas Radit who I was being cornered.

He breathed. "Gue wants to take the contract to write again, here."

"Mas Radit is still the same" said Mas Dodit.

"How's it?" Radit asked for an explanation.

"Yes the same, his nose is long. He he he, 'Let go of me Radit! Release!'" said Mas Dodit mocking Mas Radit made me and Mas Beni surprised and laughed.

I saw Mas Radit trying to stuff his nose with his fingers. Then looked at Mas Dodit annoyed. "Ah, you're still the same, lo's mustache, you know, screamed. 'Release me Dodiiit!!! I want to work too!"

The reply from Mas Radit made me and of course Mas Beni tickled. They act like SD kids who are mocking each other.

"Mas Radit, even though marriage has not changed. Stay with RA. RA-DITYA, RADITYA.

Hearing the two teased each other, I suddenly remembered the video Mas Radit vs Mas Dodit on one or youtube channel. If it's not wrong, it happened during the Stand Up Comedy event. For those of you who have never seen it, check it now! Let's not be curious.

"Here, you're just here to call me doang?" ask Mas Radit later.

"Well, I don't, Mom. I'm here to find Mas Danu." replied Mas Dodit.

"What business is it?" go with Mas Beni.

"Mba Clara's waiting in the Director's room."

Hearing Mas Dodit's reply, I could immediately guess that the woman asked the Company Leader 0000 for help, because I did not visit her to discuss the novel issue that had been decided two days ago during the meeting, he said, where the deadline finally in early February next year.

Ah, you forgot again apparently. Read the Missing Persons Meeting chapter.

"He's waiting in the Director's room, yeah that's his business. It has nothing to do with Mas Danu, right?"

I was silent, not responding to Mas Radit's question just now. My brain was trying to find a solution to keep him away from me. I mean, I don't want to collaborate with him, because he's a woman, plus there's Mas Radit now. So, I think our script will be an amazing work.

Not that I hate that woman, of course not. I haven't even seen him yet. And, you must know how personal I am. Yeah, 'Anti with women except Mamahku and Lutfiku'.

Anti here does not mean allergies or the like, but more focused on closing yourself and the heart of other women besides their own family and partners. If you guys—womanreader—find a man like that, don't let it go! But be careful too, there's a chance he's gay. He's....

"There is Mas" Mas Beni spoke up. "Mba Clara is Mas Radit's successor."

"Okay, could be bad with gini. Yes, let's go Mas Banu we go." Mas Radit.

I'm nagging.

"Ready your ultimate weapon!" his orders.

"Ready Sir!" Mas Dodit exclaimed in a warrior style.

"Not lo" grumbled Mas Radit.

"He he he," Mas Dodit laughed.

"But Mas Banu," continued Mas Radit. "ayo!"

I nodded and stepped by his side. Now it was time to enter the battlefield. Against the will of the Director, the contract, and the surrogate woman.

🌹🌹🌹

ii

Arrive at the Director's office.

"Well, look who's coming?" said the voice of the woman I believe belonged to Clara.

"Mas Danu, apparently you brought important people here. Please sit down Mas Radit, Mas Danu."

Mas Radit sat down after greeting the Director and Clara, while I only went to the Director.

"What keeps super busy people like you from coming here?" ask the Director in a friendly tone.

"You didn't mean to take my place, did you?" ask Clara.

"That's my purpose in bringing Mas Radit here, sir." I answered.

"Hmmm...." he muttered. "so, you want to negotiate?"

I'm nagging. "According to the agreement, if I manage to persuade Mas Radit, I will collaborate with him as written in the initial contract." I'm trying to explain.

The Director's gaze turned to Mas Radit. "What makes you want to write with Mas Danu?"

"Hmmm.

"The new atmosphere, what does it mean?" My heart wonders for itself.

"Explain," the director asked.

"I'm used to romance-humor novels from the daily routine. So, with the nulis with Mas Danu, I am sure that I will get a new atmosphere. And I am also sure, we will certainly make a novel that is in demand by readers and buyers, later also our work will certainly penetrate the market price." explained Mas Radit argued.

"Hmmm...." murmured the Director. "where did that trust come from?"

Radit looked at me.

"Ha ha ha, it seems that this employee of mine has already troubled you, huh?" guess Director.

I agreed with a nod.

"Not at all" said Mas Radit. "I learned something new from Mas Danu."

"Explain" the Director asked.

"Siamang twins." replied Mas Radit.

"Siamang twins?" Clara connecting. "W-what's that?"

"A long-sleeved ape, generally black, but some white. Now, Siamang is becoming an endangered species due to rapid deforestation of its habitat." Mas Radit explains like an animal expert.

"Hmmm, come to think of it, Mas Radit did often make books with titles from animal names. Is it possible, Mas Radit does not have the ambition to be an animal handler?" my inner whisper.

"So, what's with these 'Siamang twins?" ask Director.

"They make a lifelong bond with each other. It's like the core story we're going to make. The woman was without a trace, but not because of a third person, not because of a relationship that was not approved. He left for a reason, he wanted to know how loyal the man who became his partner. And his partner who became the main character tried desperately to keep his love while continuing to nyari the woman."

I saw the Director grinning, a sign that he was interested in the story that Mas Radit had written just now. Indeed, I myself am too. Don't know about Clara, because I don't see her at all.

"So how's the Director? You allowed Mas Radit to take his contract with me, didn't you?"

He nodded, making me and Mas Radit happy. However, it didn't go on long. "Only if, you're half an hour faster."

"Well?!" We cried out simultaneously.

"What does the Director mean?" I preceded Mas Radit.

"Agreement, a fixed agreement" he added. "I gave you a warning two days ago."

"Letters?" I stammered.

"Don't tell me you didn't read it at all" Clara said.

"What letter?" Mas Radit.

"The letter reads: If you manage to find a replacement for Clara by Friday eleven o'clock, I will agree to the latest change. But if you don't, you'll still be collaborating with Clara.'"

I was downcast, feeling really stupid because I forgot not to check the contents of the letter that my next-door neighbor left me.

"I've asked Mas Dodit and Mas Beni to tell you to meet me, but." Clara scowls. "I even sent you the same message. But, you never answered at all."

I was surprised again. All this time, if there's a message from him, I'm deleting it, and if he calls, my smartphone instantly turns off the power.

"I-that's real, Mas Danu?" ask Mas Radit.

I'm nagging.

I heard him snort. "But I've come, you know, sir. Can't you consider it anymore?"

Director shakes.

"We're definitely going to make a great novel, sir! The director also definitely believes, right, that our novel will sell on the market?" Radit is still trying to persuade.

"My decision, it's been unanimous" said the Director firmly.

"But-but.... Director see for yourself—"

Mas Radit's sentence was cut because of the sound of the door being kicked. From there appeared the figure of a mustachioed, bearded man, with gobdrong head hair. Him, Mas Dodit.

"Mas Radit do not ngeyel like a child, later can be fired, you know, the same Mr. Boss Director" he said.

Me and Mas Radit were surprised to see Mas Dodit wearing a neat suit. Black pantofel shoes, black pants, white shirt, black tie, and black suit.

"Do-Dodit... Why do you wear such clothes? Do you want to get married? You have one wife. Don't tell me you want polygamy." Mas Radit.

"Ho ho ho, I told Mas Radit, I'm an important person in this company" he replied.

"Important person? What's max?" I wondered to myself.

Mas Dodit stepped through us, then greeted the Director and said: "Sorry sir, I want your permission."

Ouch....

"Kirain, what to do, come here wearing clothes soan." said Mas Radit annoyed.

Me either.

"Loh, I want to ask permission, exactly the same Mr. Boss Director. Not good for me, if you go to the room of Mr. Boss Director even wear coolie clothes. Ud smell wry, achem, spicy, sweet,—"

Coughing Clara stopped Mas Dodit's talk.

"He he he, how is Mr. Boss Director, what permission do I have, huh? If you can't, I'm just going straight."

His words made the entire room shocked. You guys too, right?

The director laughed, a very difficult thing for a leader to do. "For an enterprising and courteous employee like you, of course I give you permission." The Director's hand grabbed the inner pocket of the suit, then placed three hundred thousand pieces on the table, and pushed it towards Mas Dodit.

"Sir Boss Director gave me the transport money?" asked Mas Dodit with a happy face. "Waaah.Thank you for this, you, Mr. Boss Director. I became his spirit. Enjoy free eating there. He he he,"

"That's my name, guys,"

Mas Dodit craved his saliva myself and Mas Radit tried to hold back laughter.

"Boss Chief Director knows where I'm going?" asked Mas Dodit in a slightly irritated tone.

"The wedding of his son Mas Anton, right?" guess Director.

"God...so Mr. Boss Director knows everything, huh? I also want to be able to like Mr. Boss Director."

"Ha ha ha," Again the Director laughed.

The director was very happy because of Mas Dodit.

"Yes, if you'll excuse me, Mr. Boss Director." Mas Dodit saluted the Director, then me, then Mas Radit, and finally Clara. "Get everything together" he said, closing the door. Next came a voice: "Aaah..g ga given the transport money, Mr. Boss Director stingy!!!"

I was shocked to hear it. I looked towards the Director, and true to my guess, his face turned angry.

"So... How about Sir?" Radit asked again on the initial topic.

"No way!" He shouted loudly. Real loud. Forcing me and Mas Radit to quickly leave the room.

🌹🌹🌹

iii

"Ah, fuck! It's all because of Dodit!" gerutu Mas Radit in the elevator that was moving down. "Udah mocked me, made the Director angry anyway, got to me too! What kind of a fight, huh?"

"I'm sorry, I made Mas Radit angry, too." I said.

"Ga papa's. It's not your fault."

"Yes Mas. But our chance is abis. Sorry I can't persuade the Director.

"Yes.... What else? There is black on top of white" he explained. "That's really not to be bothered."

"Sorry, Mas. It's all because I'm late, I don't read the messages from Director and Clara."

"Ga papa," he said, patting me on the shoulder. "all the time, if you want to write with me, I will, really."

I smiled in response to his statement. "Thank you,"

"Together,"