Lethal Logic 2: The New Publifications

By Nathi Tleane

Moeletsi and his friends are back and are enjoying the new Publifications. But the sabotage and the lies aren't over...

The Publifications talent showcase is coming up and Moletsi is under tremendous pressure to deliver the best show he possible can. But when a mysterious member of the Publifications begins to sabotage everything he had planned for the showcase, he has reason to believe that Ratang isn't done trying to ruin his career...

With the pressure of preparing the showcase and him trying to impress the girl he loves, Moeletsi must find out who did it before the sabotager ruins to biggest opportunity of everyone in the Publifications' lives. Will he get the bad guy before it's too late...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nathi Tleane
• Release date: Aug 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463615911

Nathi Tleane

Nathi Tleane is an author, songwriter and aspiring screenwriter who writes books for a living...

Book preview

Lethal Logic 2:

The New Publifications

By

Nathi Tleane

Lethal Logic 2: The New Publifications Copyright © 2020 by Nathi Tleane. All Rights Reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review. 

Cover designed by Nathi Tleane

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. 

Printed in the United States of America 

Publisher: Smashwords

IF WE JUDGE A FISH BY ITS ABILITY TO CLIMB A TREE, IT WILL LIVE ITS WHOLE LIFE THINKING IT IS STUPID

-ALBERT EINSTEIN

This book is dedicated to my favourite author, Derek Landy

Derek, you are probably never going to see this and me saying this is a direct cliché to movies where I say you might never see it and you end up seeing it anyway and I guess that that is not how things actually turn out in real life. But what can we do, this is not exactly a small world…is it?

Your books, sense of writing and Skulduggery Pleasant series inspired me to be a writer and to write my first books, the Wensworth series. I could not explain exactly how it happened because recalling it, I just decided to sit down and one day come up with a bunch of stories. I guess the fact that your writing had that effect on me shows how iconic you really are…

As for you seeing this and reading my book, I would probably assume that some God-sent reader somehow got this dedication to you, and I would assume this right after the usual thought of OMG! My favourite author is reading my book!!! In which I am truly grateful to you dear reader…

I would also like to dedicate it to me

Because without my underwhelming number of friends, underwhelming sense of life accomplishment, freakish amounts of free time, a point to prove to people and the world and an imagination that refuses to stop creating stories, this would not be possible.

I also credit my love of writing.

CHAPTER 1

THE NEW PUBLIFICATIONS

As Moletsi walked through the halls of the Publifications again for the first time in months, he was filled with a warm homey feeling. He felt the warm embrace of a workplace waiting to help him strive. He felt the pillars of potential that would support his endeavours and future work. He felt the love, respect, and acceptance of all the different literary artists proudly working together and supporting each other’s crafts but most of all he could sense the overwhelming potential. This building was designed for artists like him. Writers, poets, song makers, story portrayers and screenplay writers. The place buzzed with artistic talent from the many children who were here to give their imaginative input and produce and artistic output. As he walked through the halls, he felt an overwhelming happiness that enveloped him as he walked through the familiar rows of offices with their immaculate multi-coloured walls, decorated with murals, quotes and poems that resonated with the division, such as books and pens for the authors and microphones and musical notes for the singer-songwriters. This was the kind of place to breathe art and produce it, to turn it into something beautiful, creative, and unique, where everyone creative got together and put in everything to their work while making new friends and life-long forming connections in the process. This was a wonderful place with kids who were shunned for being introverted, undermined, and unspoken to incorporate themselves in the multiple outlets that were available to them in the freest form of expression while also being an extrovert-friendly place.

This was the Publifications.

And Moletsi was proud to be here, was proud to be a member of this imaginative wonderland. And he was proud to be the S.A champion, an honour bestowed to the best of all writers, poets, singers-songwriters, actors, and screenwriters. This place more than made up for what schools lacked. This place had intellectual liberty, freedom of expression, love, valued creativity, and a place to be encouraged by fellow authors, by media. Encouraged by friends.

And speaking of friends, Moletsi was going to see his today. He got to his office to find his best friend sitting in her office chair. Judging by the several sheets of paper with ideas written on them and others that were crumpled up into balls, he could tell that she had already begun with her work. She looked up at Moletsi as he stood there watching her.

Are you OK?

Yep he replied. I’ve just been wondering how long you’ve been here.

Uhm…an hour, maybe. How could you just stand there and not greet me? She asked laughing, It’s been four months since we’ve seen each other. She gave him a hug as he came around her desk.

You know me, I’m weird…

I haven’t noticed she said waving her hands sarcastically, shaking her head in amusement.

He hadn’t seen Rebecca for four months and it already it felt like longer due to how close they were despite the fact that he’d known her for only a few months. She was nicer, her laughter was gentle, and kind and her personality was actually bubbly. When Moletsi had met her last year in December, she had looked like one of those emo teens that were always depressed and complained about life and love. But now she had been released from that cold state of mind and she was now a better person. He figured it was probably because of what she had gone through prior to him meeting her. She had loved a bad boy, joined his entourage of jerks and losers, and propelled his career only to be dumped and fired by him. That probably was a lot for someone their age to go through, but she pulled through and continued on. Truthfully, and this was something he was probably never going to admit to her, he didn’t understand what it was that she had seen in the former S.A champion Ratang Monareng in the first place. Because considering how smart she was and the amount of trust issues that she had, that seemed like an incompetent mistake to make, even despite love.

The two of them stood up, walked out the office and closed the door, heading for the meeting room. Every time holidays began, and everyone was back at the Publifications, there was this meeting that had to be held. And they didn’t want to be late for it.

How was school? he asked her.

It was hectic. So far, I’ve had to deal with some insane teachers, a lot of homework and a lot of people at that school are really…loud.

Loud right? That’s quite possibly in every school in South Africa.

Yeah, but the school I’m in…I’m thinking of moving to a new school.

After moving to your current one just two years ago?

I don’t care. Schools are just as good as the students, and I don’t think you want to hear that conclusion.

OK, OK Moletsi said raising his hands into the air, That’s something to worry about during school time, can we just take this time to at least be grateful that we’re back here at the Publifications? She smiled and stroked a streak of her purple-tinted hair back.

Yeah, I’ve loved coming back to this place for the holidays ever since I first joined.

Except last year in December.

OK, that was different. But that was before you came and dethroned Ratang to become S.A champion.

It’s not that big a deal Moletsi said genuinely.

It is this place was gloomy and miserable until you took over and now the Publifications is what it was supposed to be in the first place: an artistic institution. I know you know this already, but you changed this place for the better. Moletsi tried not to smile too hard.

Last year Moletsi had made it to the prestigious Contenders competition and had to face nine other kids in a competition of artistic skill. And his biggest opponent was the company bully, Ratang. Before he had arrived, no one dared to take on Ratang due to his under-handed tactics and the way he ended careers. Looking back on it, Moletsi was glad he’d come despite almost having his career ended.

Must have been lucky timing.

Rebecca laughed and patted Moletsi’s shoulder. So, anything planned for this holiday?

Well, uhm…coming to the Publifications, working here with my friends…being the S.A champion, working on my debut album...

Big month for you, I get it. Well, you are the S.A champion, your reign should be a good one. If you manage to defend the title at the end of the year, then that will be great. But again, you could lose the S.A championship the next time there’s Contenders to an even better literary artist than you, or you could lose it via contractual termination, a unanimous vote out by everyone, suspension-

I get it! he interjected, then smiled. I get it.

I’m sorry she said, side hugging him.

It’s fine, you were just being you…

She smiled and they continued to walk on. As they were reaching the meeting room, Themba came from behind them and put his arm around the both of them, leaning and squeezing between them.

What up guys! he said energetically. Been good?

Yeah, we’re good Rebecca said, beaming in response to his buzz. Watch it! You’re pulling on my hair. Themba released his arm and together the three of them walked.

What’s the energy about? That excited to be back?

You know it! he said and ran to Moletsi’s side. Since Moletsi had brought life back to the Publifications, I have found a different kind of Themba in me, and I actually want to be here now.

Do you say that because you really mean it or are you saying it because you get to see Bontle again?

Both! I get to do what I love with the girl that I love.

But does she love you back… Moletsi whispered conspicuously.

As a matter of fact, she does. He beamed proudly.

So, you and she are dating now?

Isn’t it obvious?

Yeah, but are you?

You don’t see it?

You’re dating?

Do pigs fly?

That depends. What I want to know is are you two dating?

"Does the Earth turn pink?’

That doesn’t even make any sense.

Come on, you know the answer!

Moletsi and Rebecca frowned as Themba ran ahead of them and into the meeting room.

I really don’t Rebecca said, still looking at the room Themba ran into, He would do anything as long as it’s with a girl.

Moletsi chuckled. Well wouldn’t you do anything for a guy? Moletsi saw her face change and realized that he had asked a question on a sore subject. I’m sorry, I didn’t think it would-

Its fine she said holding up her hand. I get your point. You think they’re dating though?

"They probably are, I wouldn’t know considering that Themba doesn’t give straight answers.

Well how long do you think they can go without telling us?

I’m not sure…I never even thought that relationship would happen. I guess things happen. Moletsi laughed.

Come, let us go inside now.

Rebecca laced her arm around Moletsi’s, and they walked in. As soon as they entered, Moletsi saw the long table that stretched across this long room and remembered the previous year when he would sit here on the front side of the room because the other side was full of Ratang’s jerks and losers. Now they were all free to sit anywhere they wanted to.

Moletsi chose to sit at the front head of the table where he always sat. That was where his friends were sitting. He sat down in the vacant seat and Rebecca sat next to him, Themba and Bontle across from them and Kea next to Bontle. This had grown to be known as their spot. They were known as the Lethal Logic. That was what people called them because that was Moletsi’s most successful book and seeing as how they are good friends with him, they were nicknamed that.

He studied Themba and Bontle talking to each other, obviously catching up. Moletsi could see that they were dating but they weren’t touching explicitly like most teen couples would.

They were simply being them. Moletsi really admired them, admired the fact that his best friend had gotten himself a girlfriend…or not yet a girlfriend…who respected him and admired him.

If there was one thing he could ask from a girl, it would be that.

Speaking of girls, Moletsi noticed that Kea who was sitting right next to them, was looking at him. Usually this would have made him uncomfortable in a school situation, especially since he had started high school. She broke the eye contact and tried to look away, but he kept his stare and eventually they were staring into each other’s eyes. All the sound and visual background faded away into nothing and all he could see was Kea. Her sparkling eyes and beautiful face. He knew that he liked her and honestly looking at her face was enjoyable. He just didn’t know if he could have her. The girls at his school were very critical on what kind of guy is attractive and he often wasn’t included into that. Often time he would just get a rejection straight away or after a series of months, but he wasn’t at school. This was his second home.

But that didn’t mean that Kea wouldn’t reject him.

Realistically, his chances made him want to kill himself.

He broke off the stare and looked next to him, not realizing that Mr Radebe had just walked in and was laying out his folder on the table. Moletsi noticed that Mr Radebe had somehow become leaner over the school day, and he looked much more scattered. In the previous few months, Moletsi knew him to be a baseline leader, as in what a leader was supposed to be.

Of course, he still had a taste for finely tailored suits and strong coffee, the scent of which made Moletsi aware of his presence. It was minutes before he got the meeting going.

Morning everyone.

Morning sir. Everyone in the room replied to his half-greeting.

It’s great to see you are all back to the Publifications and well. I hope that the school year has been good on you so far.

There was an uneven wave of murmurs, some people positively responding to Mr Radebe’s statement and others shaking their heads in disappointment.

So, this is a New Year at the Publifications. We would have had a New Year’s Eve party but because of the addition of people to the Publifications last year we needed to cancel it. Besides I’m sure you were all celebrating Moletsi’s Contenders win anyways.

More murmurs, this time all in support of Moletsi. Moletsi tried not to do a blushing smile as he got a pat on the back from Rebecca and some echoes of his name from the crowd.

Look I just wanted to tell you guys that you shouldn’t be afraid to tell me anything, my door is always open. When I heard about all the things Ratang had done, I was shocked that you had kept quiet. No matter what a bully may say, never choose to listen as demonstrated by our S.A champion. This boy’s bravery and determination is what makes him a great leader and I know he’s going to improve things around here. Although Moletsi agreed, he knew that Mr Radebe had no clue how difficult it was snitching on someone everyone else fears to snitch on.

Even more so, it was difficult to snitch when you’re the new guy.

"Anyways, moving on to our main business of the day. This year is going to be a good year for us, a fairly eventful one two. Since Moletsi is the new champion, he gets to implement changes that you guys want to see around the Publifications. Of course, there are limitation as to what and what you cannot have but we’ll see when we get there.

That is not why I called the meeting, neither did I call it to tell you things you already knew. But here is something you already know

You know it’s the Easter holidays and during that time of the year we have our annual Publifications showcase!

Everyone cheered excitedly and hands were clapping for this announcement. Moletsi looked around and noticed that this seemed to be a big deal for everyone. He looked at Rebecca, who pointed at Mr Radebe and mouthed the words I’ll explain later.

"Now for those of you who are new to the Publifications, the showcase is a talent event where chosen writers and performers will be showing some of their work to producers, agents and other big names. This is a good time to gain valuable recognition for your talents and important connections in South African media.

Getting recognized will launch you into instant stardom and you will be working with even bigger companies than this one. Don’t waste this opportunity, utilize it and make sure you give it your best because you might just earn yourself a bigger opportunity than you dreamed of…

Moletsi couldn’t hear anything after that. He was already buzzing with excitement. Now he understood why everyone was so eager for this thing. It was going to be a huge thing to be recognized by the record labels that helped S. A’s biggest rappers enter the game or to be recognized by huge TV production companies that could produce screenplays. His couldn’t stop smiling.

And this is all to be planned by our S.A champion, Moletsi.

Moletsi’s face began to burn as he realized that everyone was looking at him. His heart beat increased. Mr Radebe seemed to notice this and held up his hands.

Obviously with the help of his chosen leaders, Publifications officials and me. Any ideas you may have, run them by your leaders and Moletsi will decide if they will be implemented. On Monday, Moletsi and the leaders will be holding the auditions for those of you who are participating in the showcase. Any questions?

Someone in the mid-section of the table raised their hand.

Yes Thabo? Mr Radebe asked.

When is this event going to be exactly because I want to know what to perform? Mr Radebe tilted his head a bit.

"I don’t understand what the date of the thing has to do with your performance but for your information the dates haven’t been fully disclosed. More information will be given out next week. Anymore questions?

Thabo raised his hand again. Everyone groaned.

Yes Thabo? Mr Radebe asked.

Sir I just wanted to say it’s good to be back at the Publifications.

Yes, it is, glad that you’re excited about it. I think that is all the questions…Yep, meeting adjourned. They all rose to leave, and they walked out, heading back to their offices.

***

After three hours of spending their time in the office joking around and writing down ideas for their future works, it was lunch time. Moletsi and his friends headed for the cafeteria, having to take the stairs down all five floors. Moletsi wondered why they weren’t allowed to use the elevator. That would make everything so much easier. He was thinking of implementing such a change during his reign. Because taking the stairs up and down all day was not on.

He passed by, thinking of the many facilities this place had. There were recording studios and a Proscenium Theatre stage, offices, and a Grand Hall. This was an ideal place to produce the works which they were required to produce. Every song, book, play or production, every poem and screenplay was created here in this very building.

There was even a cafeteria, a large space full of tables and chairs in the centre and booths against the walls. This looked like a restaurant but much smaller. When Moletsi and his friends got in, he was hit by the smell of good food and his hunger urged him to quickly get in line and get some. When he and his friends got their trays and their food, they approached their table in the very centre, where Ratang and his goonies used to sit by. This was where they sat at lunch.

As per some sort of unwritten social contract, the table in the middle of the entire cafeteria belonged to the S.A champion and his friends.

Ratang’s friends had scattered, many of which hid from plain view because they were afraid that they would suffer the same fate as Ratang had. They had after all done a lot of bad things to people.

The cafeteria was relatively quieter, and it was more spacious, less annoying to sit in and since Moletsi and his friends weren’t very noisy people it was easy for conversation to flow without having to shout at the top of their lungs. Moletsi, Rebecca and Themba sat in their usual spots next to the two girls, Bontle and Kea who were already there. As far as songwriters and poets came, they relatively didn’t have that much work. Even so it was unusual that they were here so early. But given that it was the first day back, Moletsi decided not to think much of it. When they sat down, greeting were exchanged, and they sat to eat. Within seconds, conversation was on.

So, guys are you all ready for the showcase? Themba asked.

Yeah Bontle said, Since you and I have been collaborating on that poet book, and it’s coming together really nicely. The only problem is that Themba writes slowly.

I do not! he said defensively. The rest of them laughed as the two of them joked about Themba’s un-progressive writing skills.

Well, I am planning to perform a song Kea said, But I need a singer to collaborate with me to bring the song together. She looked at Rebecca. Would you like to do it?

Sure Rebecca said casually, I didn’t know what to do for the showcase anyway. And plus, it would be a perfect comeback for my music career. The two girls smiled and carried on eating.

What about you Moletsi? Themba asked.

Oh me? he asked. "Well, I’m going to have to plan the showcase that you guys are so excited about and after making sure that I don’t mess up the most important opportunity of all of your lives then I will think of something to do."

Rebecca patted his shoulder sympathetically. "Don’t worry about that, organizing the event is very easy. All you have to do is