Jean-Marie Kaitlynn bobbed her head up in down on her black beanie chair with colorful Christmas lights overhead, illuminating the dark room with scented candles. Her room was full of eclectic paintings, some to vintage goth idols like Marilyn Manson and Emilie Autumn, others to obscure religious figures and risque, taboo depictions. Her black pigtails bounced up and down to the beat. A song with unmentionable lyrics filled the colorfully decorated room. Figurines of Tim Burton characters sat on the shelves. She held an Anne Rice novel in her hands and scanned leisurely each line. The smell of Incense filled the room. Her scenic little room had enchanted her into a comfort zone for which she was not prepared to leave, not until the door rang.
And a ring or two later, "Mary" had reached the door. Her pale face looked like it hadn't seen the sun in days, but her purple lipstick'd smile would indicate she was content with that. She fluttered her panda eyes back and forth, express shock filled her face. She scratched her forehead with ornamented black nails. A part of her was caught between the urge to laugh, and crack up with disgust.
"Joan, is that you? What happened to you, did you suddenly become a Mormon? Not that I have a problem with that, but you know I cannot-"
"Please. Cease yourself."
Jean-Marie looked at her like she'd be invaded by body snatchers. She wasn't especially close with her but even than knew this was odd.
"O-okay than."
"We've come to professionalize you Jean. I'm going to give you the chance to accept our lifestyle willingly."
The perplexed goth rubbed her toes together, encased in striped stockings quite cozy.
"Professi-alize-what me? Is this some new fad, like an exercise or life fad? I've tried a few of those but this is just weird."
Joan showed little emotion but droned on. "No, it is the process by which we will enhance your life with maximum effectiveness. Do you not wish to be a professional?"
The goth's look started to taint with fear. "N-no, not really? A professional what?"
"Everything." Joan replied monotone.
"Well I don't know how anyone can be a professional at everything. I'd like to be a professional goth but I think that'd take a few tattoos, lesbian encounters and overly-depicted satanic encounters before I become a stereotypical, well professional? I don't know, I don't really get it.
"Your lifestyle does not condone professionalism Jean. We shall take measures to correct that and fit professional standards."
Jean-Marie cocked an eyebrow. "My lifestyle, what do you have against my lifestyle?"
Joan started to march into Jean's house with authoritative intent.
"We don't mean to impose on your way of life, it's not your subculture we have a problem with. It's merely a conflict of interest that it has with ours. You see we find this sort of expression, unproductive. Don't get us wrong, creativity has it's place but it needs to be orderly. Organization takes creativity! Proficiency requires passion! To make you a young professional we have to modify your unsightly demeanor. Sacrifices will be made, Jean. Prepare for immediate Professionalization."
Jean leaped back. "Oh shit."
