G'Day USA Read Online Free PDF

father to me. A smelly, overweight father.’ I shuddered. ‘Gah. I think he was just trying to help out.’
    Charlie stepped out on the balcony. ‘Great view. Must have spectacular sunsets out here.’
    Kent bounced up. ‘Hey, where’s the loo?’
    I pointed down the hall. ‘Second on the left.’
    Charlie called from the balcony. ‘Ellie?’
    ‘ What? Everything okay?’ I joined him on the balcony. ‘What’s up?’
    ‘ Sorry if I came across like a dick. Wasn’t called for. You have done well. And it was kind, but unnecessary for you to say I was a good Director.’
    ‘ It wasn’t bullshit, Charlie. Bart has only ever succeeded when he’s had a strong AD with him, and you were the best. You should look around for some small stuff, make your name, and go for it. If I can help, I will. We Aussies need to stick together.’
    ‘ Thanks.’
    ‘ So where did this telecoms stuff come from?’
    ‘ Got a TAFE diploma way back. Information and Communications Technology. Finally putting it to good use.’
    ‘ What are you talking about?’ Kent pushed on to the small balcony. ‘What are we sticking together against?’
    Charlie turned away. ‘Nothing, mate. Don’t worry about it.’
    ‘ I was telling Charlie here he was the one who kept Bart from totally screwing the pooch in Beast. Don’t you think?’
    Kent shrugged. ‘Yeah, he was good. So were you. And despite the foot, so was I. Sweeney knows how to make good dreck. You’re not doing too bad. Was that the new MacBook Pro on your desk I passed?’
    I don’t generally like visitors for exactly this reason. They tend to be snoops. ‘Picked it up a few weeks ago.’
    ‘ And you’ve already got it swamped with Post-It notes. Some things never change.’ He rubbed his hands on his thighs and tucked a bit of the front of his shirt in, then pulled it out again. ‘So, Sweeney. You think he’s going to continue his love affair with C-Grade horror?’
    I chuckled. ‘Not anymore. I doubt he’ll be making anything now. I wouldn’t be surprised if I ran into him running a squeegee stand in Compton. If I ever went to Compton, that is.’
    ‘ I live in Compton.’
    ‘ Shit, Charlie. Didn’t mean anything by it.’
    ‘ Sure. Anyway, you’re wrong.’
    ‘ About Sweeney?’
    ‘ About him working, yeah. Kent and I are going to talk to him this afternoon about stuff. He might have something for us. Giving it some serious consideration.’
    ‘ No, no, no. Don’t give him any money. You can’t trust him.’
    Kent laughed. ‘Like I have money to give him. Not that at all. He’s been asked to direct an indie. Asked. He didn’t go looking for it, and he wasn’t asked to put any money in. They’ve got the financing. He thinks there’s work there for both of us, so I guess he isn’t dead. Yet.’
    That took my breath away. Karma certainly wasn’t pulling her weight. ‘How does a sack of shit like him manage to come out of this smelling like roses? Un-fucking believable.’ I dry-scrubbed my face. ‘What an asshole.’ I looked at my two guests. ‘Shit. Sorry. I know this is good for you two, but it really pisses me off. He killed my best friend. He shouldn’t be out of jail, and he sure as hell shouldn’t be working.’ I ushered them off the balcony. ‘Sorry, but you gotta go, guys. I’ve got a ton to do. Keep in touch, okay? You know where I live.’
    I closed the door behind them and dropped on the sofa. Took a deep breath. Tried to remind myself that my success didn’t depend on his failure.
    I was having a hard time convincing myself.

 
    Chapter Four
     
    Charlie stood on the sidewalk outside Ellie’s apartment and looked at his vibrating phone. ‘Shit.’
    ‘ What?’
    ‘ Boss is looking for me.’
    ‘ You told him you were sick, right?’
    ‘ Yeah. He’s a fucking wanker.’ He turned off the phone. ‘Fuck him. I’m sick.’ He rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Remind me to call him later or I’ll be out of work.’ Charlie