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When she was in her early twenties, Victoria would watch the news every evening while her father slept in his half drunken stupor in the arm chair.
She had just graduated high school and found a job as a receptionist but it was temporary. As much as her mother pried her to settle down and start a family, the dark haired girl longed for something more than a simple life. Victoria didn’t want to be loved by a single man, she wanted to be adored by thousands.
Margaret Mitchell, the female talk show host was so glamorous with her perfectly curled red hair and stylish outfits. Her friends were all obsessed with Hollywood film stars, typical handsome guys with their slicked back hair but Victoria didn’t see the appeal.
The girl was a bit of cinephile herself and would sneak out to the movie theaters when she could but the younger actors chosen for their looks didn’t strike her fancy. Victoria appreciated talent and those ambitious enough to chase it.
The redhead host had risen to the top in a male dominated field by spending endless hours writing her own jokes and material. As Victoria would watch her entertain her late night guests behind the desk on the screen, she knew that she wanted to be her.
It isn’t until five years later that the dark haired girl finally lands a gig. She practices for her audition for weeks before the day of the role call. In front of a panel of sour faced older men she puts on her best winning smile and turns up the charm.
A weathergirl is unconventional at the time but they like her spirit and they’re looking for a new angle.
Victoria barely sleeps the night before her first day on air. She arrives at the studio almost three hours early out of fear of being late. It’s at the same studio that films Margaret’s show and she’s practically giddy with excitement.
Her first disappointment is that the wardrobe department doesn’t dress her like they do Margaret. No hourglass flattering dresses or smart suit jackets. They put in her in sweaters and plaid skirts like a fucking librarian would wear.
“Keep the glasses on they’re cute.” The producer tells her before she takes them off.
When she wears red lipstick they tell her to wipe it off and replace it with something more natural.
“Look sweetheart, you need to understand the niche you fill. The whole adorable nerdy girl next door that’s your appeal. You’re pretty but not a bombshell so the viewers feel like you’re attainable.” The man rattles off to her.
Despite feeling homely and unattractive, she still does her best for her first broadcast. The woman flashes her pearly whites with sharp canines and puts on her best fake bubbly personality. Victoria can be cute if that’s what’s needed to get ahead.
But when the cameras stop rolling the smile fades and the coldness returns to her eyes. It comes back whenever anyone on the set comes to congratulate her, to tell her just how absolutely adorable she is.
Because she is cute. Not beautiful, not inspirational.
As she’s wrapping up and about to leave the studio she sees Margaret talking with the producers. Victoria approaches clutching her bag, nervous but eager to talk to her after all these years of watching her show. The woman notices her coming up to them.
“This the new girl?” The red head asks the men not bothering to look at her.
“You said not to hire a broad that would outshine you.” Her producer says as he lights up a cigarette.
Margaret’s eyes roam over her up and down and she snorts.
“Yeah. She’ll do fine.” The woman says.
The next day Victoria learns that Margaret’s scripts are all ghost written by someone else. In an instant all her previous admiration turns to disdain. The dark haired woman continues to show every day for her broadcast with a smile on her face but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
On the night of the 17th right before the Christmas Special, Margaret dies live on air. Somehow ammonia had gotten into her coffee mug.
As soon as she can, Victoria ditches the glasses and switches to contacts.
Allie is everything Voxxy once thought Margaret was.
She’s a self made woman who fought against all the odds with pure talent and drive. The entertainer had managed to not only find success in life but take the afterlife by storm.
The television listens to the other woman talk as her heart speeds up. Just being near Allie was enough to make her happy.
Voxxy doesn’t like the sweaters and long skirts wears these days. A sharp contrast to the tight dresses and pencil skirts she was wearing before she died. She looks exactly like she did in her weathergirl days only with the exception of her glasses which wouldn’t fit on her head anymore.
But Allie likes when she’s cute and modest so she doesn’t mind.
“You’re adorable.” The deer would always tell her.
Voxxy practically beams when it’s coming from Allie. But only from her.
Any other sinner who refers to her in such a way is going to get electrocuted pretty quickly.
The television dreams of being by Allie’s side forever. The two of them working together and turning Hell upside down. The radio demon makes he let down some internal walls in a way she never thought she could.
Voxxy makes the mistake of thinking Allie felt the same one night.
“Oh- oh Voxxy darling, you’re not serious are you?” Allie asks her with a laugh.
Voxxy pauses in her euphoric state as the other woman’s words sink in.
“What do you mean?” The television demon asks in confusion.
“I’m afraid I’m going to hurt your feelings.” Allie drinks her gin.
“I don’t get emotional so easily.” Voxxy retorts unsure of what the other woman is going to say.
Allie stares her own for a second with her deep red eyes before continuing.
“I thought you had changed but here you are still desperate for the approval of others all these years later.” The deer shakes her head as she tuts.
Her words sting and cut into Voxxy’s very soul as she listens.
“I just thought we girls should look out for each other-” Voxxy starts.
“In Hell, you look out for yourself. So long as you’re still stuck in that silly mindset you’re at risk.” Allie tells her harshly.
Voxxy can’t bring herself to say in anything in her defense as the other woman goes on.
“What exactly do you offer me in a partnership anyway? Sure you’re a cute amusement but you’re impulsive, hot headed, and so damn insecure.” Allie sighs.
She knows that tears are starting to form in the corners of her eyes.
“Simply put my dear, we are not the same. That you ever thought we were is quite wishful thinking on your part. You continue to disappoint me over and over again despite the high hopes for you I once had.” Allie continues.
The radio demon looks her over and snorts a small laugh.
“See I told you it would hurt your feelings.” Allie says as if the whole thing is nothing to her.
As if she hasn’t just broken Voxxy in a way she’ll never recover from.