Will Smith and the Man in Black

Kristen R Anderson
Sep 2, 2018 · 3 min read

“Bienvenido a Miami!”

The doorbell echoed throughout the estate, interrupting Will Smith from his game of Parcheesi.

He got up from the game he was playing with Jada, Willow and Jayden, and on his way out of the living room he turned around, his face stonily serious. “Nobody touch my damn pawn. I’m looking at you, Jayden.” He broke with a laugh and grin, and headed to get the door. Although he was anxious to get back to his family, he was not annoyed at the interruption, knowing every moment was as blessing or a lesson.

He cut off the doorbell at “Bienve-” to see a small man wearing a dark suit and hat standing before him.

“Can I help you?” said Will Smith.

“Yes, I think you can. May I come in, Mr. Smith?”

Confused but warm as always, Will moved to the side. The man blanched.

“You have to invite me in.”

Will raised his eyebrows at this, but was happy to oblige. Everybody needs something different, emotionally, to feel safe. “Would you like to come in, sir?”

The man nodded at this and exhaled in relief as he stepped into the home. He looked around the foyer and up at the high ceilings approvingly as he walked into the side room as though he’d done it a hundred times before, and settled himself down on a chair. A little taken aback, Will followed him and asked, “What can I do for you?”

The man pulled a dazzling orb from his pocket, a blowing blue-green sphere that seemed less than solid, undulating with mist. “Have you ever seen one of these, Mr. Smith?”

“I haven’t. What is it?” said Will.

“It’s power, Mr. Smith. It’s the power to spread happiness. To bring joy to your family and friends. To bring love to millions. All you have to do is take it, Mr. Smith. All you have to do is take it, and all will be taken care of.” The man smiled as he held out the orb imploringly, displaying wide rows of blackened teeth.

“I’ve got to get me one of these,” said Will thickly, entranced. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the object in front of him, fascinated by the way it moved and changed with the light. But he was broken out of his reverie by a song suddenly filling the room. “Wicky wicky wild, wicky wild, wicky wicky wild wild west…” His cell phone was ringing. Jada.

“Will? Where are you, who was at the door? Willow is eyeing up your Parcheesi pawns something fierce, you better get back in here before she sets you back a move. I can’t hold them off forever!”

The reminder of his family in the other room brought Will to his senses. “Be right there, baby!” he said and clicked the phone off.

“Sir, I appreciate the offer, but I have all the love I need from those people a couple rooms over, and I share that joy the rest of the world through my social media presence as well as through film and song. But I do appreciate you coming over and spending this time with me.”

He held out his hand for the man to shake. The man just looked at it and smacked his lips disapprovingly.

“Very well, Mr. Smith. Very well. If you ever reconsider, all you’ll have to do is say my name, and I’ll be back. Mr. Black. That’s all you’ll have to do. ‘Mr. Black.’” said the man. And before he knew it, he was back outside. Will Smith was so smooth and polite, he’d barely noticed himself being ushered back out.

He should have known he’d chosen the wrong pitch. Of COURSE Will Smith wouldn’t be swayed by offers of love and happiness, he was already chock full of them. “Too late to change it now,” Mr. Black thought as he walked from the house, pulling an InTouch Weekly from his inside pocket. He scanned the faces he’d circled like jobs in the Want Ads. “But I’ll do better next time.”

(This is a ridiculous work of fiction. If you’d like to see others, please visit Celebrity Horror Stories.)

Celebrity Horror Stories

Celebrity Horror Stories is paranormal fan fiction about famous people.

Kristen R Anderson

Written by

Guide to the Unknown podcast host, Boho Berry assistant. I also love celebs and reality tv. How complex!

Celebrity Horror Stories

Celebrity Horror Stories is paranormal fan fiction about famous people.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade