The Villain Just Wanted to Talk

"Your villain needs sympathetic motivation."

Fine. He doesn't want power. Doesn't want revenge.

He just wants someone to listen.

Really listen.

Rewrote his monologue. Editor loved it. "So human."

Now he calls me. Tuesdays. Thursdays. Sometimes weekends.

"The protagonist never appreciates me," he says.

"I know," I say.

"Chapter 7, I had a point."

"You did."

My phone bill is concerning. His arc is beautiful.