Employment

'Hey, Tony. Welcome home.'

'Hey. How's it going?'

'Not bad. Just got off the phone with Isai. There's nothing new on that end.'

'Ah. Well, maybe in this case, no news is good news.'

'I guess it means that prick isn't doing anything dodgy right now. Or rather, we don't know about it yet. How was work for you anyway?'

'It was okay. Saw something interesting today, though... it looks like Hazel and Wednesday are together now.'

'Oh wow, that's awkward. I bet Indigo's super thrilled over that.'

'Yeah. I haven't seen her yet, but I can imagine how she feels.'

'I wouldn't be happy about it, that's for certain. Hey, what's that look for?'

'...I just don't want to see anything bad happen to Hazel, you know, when things finally do escalate. I've come to like her. She apologised to Edward, you know. I think she's really making the effort to be a better person.'

'Yeah, well, I still think you should keep your distance.'

'I'm not gonna neglect my duties as a teacher.'

'Then just teach, and let that be it. You don't need to do any more than that.'

'There's more to it than just teaching. If she needs support and advice, I'm giving it. Maybe I shouldn't get emotionally invested, but it's hard not to. I can't just switch that off.'

'Because you're a good person. Better than me. But you know the risks when it comes to Hazel. You need to be careful about what you say around her, because for both our safeties, I'd really rather Miles didn't know who I am.'

'How's she going to find that out?'

'If you've been talking about me at all, very easily.'

'Who says I've been talking about you? Bit narcissistic, that.'

'Heh, you can't help but talk about me. I'm on your mind often enough.'

'Is that so.'

'Yeah, it is.'

'But in all seriousness, be careful?'

'I will. Don't worry, I'm not gonna go running my mouth.'

'Good. Sorry to go all serious on you.'

'No, I get it. You're right.'

'Uh, hey... Can I have a word with you?'

'What, in private?'

'Yeah, it's a bit loud in here.'

'Is it important? 'Cause to be honest, it's the end of a long week and I just wanna enjoy a pint.'

'Please? I won't take up too much of your time.'

'Go on, Seth. Go talk to her. I'll still be here when you get back.'

'Oh, alright. Could use a fag anyway.'

'Heh, you don't need to leave for that.'

'Yeah, yeah.'

'What you want?'

'You're the one who does the fights, right?'

'Yeah, I am. What about it?'

'I want in. I'm pretty hard up right now and I need a way to make some money.'

'How old are you?'

'18.'

'...You sure?'

'Yeah, I am! Honest.'

'So what, are you 18 turning 19 soon, or 18 and still in school?'

'Still in school. I need to get through the rest of this year so I can hopefully go to uni next year. But I need money to live on, and I don't really have any other options, outside of selling my body, and that's a path I'd really rather avoid going down.'

'Fucking hell. I'm guessing your parents are out of the picture.'

'Yeah... definitely burned my bridges there. Even if I hadn't, I'm not going back to that.'

'Alright... you got any experience fighting?'

'I've done some martial arts and wrestling training. I can hold my own.'

'Fine. I'll give you a trial. You've gotta prove yourself to me before I'll let you sign up properly. I ain't gonna hang anyone out to dry in front of an audience, alright? If you get the shit beat outta you, I can't take you on.'

'Okay, understood. Thanks for this. I really appreciate it.'

'Don't mention it. What's your name?'

'Jude. Jude Landry.'

'So what, are you Susannah Landry's kid?'

'Yeah.'

'Makes sense. You look like her and all. This ain't gonna step on her toes, is it?'

'Nah, safe to say she doesn't give a shit any more.'

'Alright then. I'm Seth Masters, but I'm guessing you already knew that. It's Boss to you from now on. Tell you what, I'll meet you here same time tomorrow, and I'll find you an opponent.'

'Sure thing, Boss. Anyway, I'll let you get back to your friend now.'

Final warning

'Hey, I'm back!'

'Hi, El... Can I talk to you in private? Something happened today.'

'Oh, okay...'

'Charon, will you watch Nix so I can talk to your dad?'

'Sure, no problem.'

'Cheers.'

'What's the matter?'

'...Mum came over today.'

'Your mum? Wow... that's unexpected.'

'Tell me about it.'

'How did it go...?'

'Shit. She just wanted drug money.'

'Oh God...'

'What else? I shouldn't have expected any different. For a second I thought maybe, just maybe she'd had a change of heart and wanted to put things right... but no, she's just the same as before.'

'I'm sorry, Heath.'

'So when I said no, she started calling me tight, and a shithead. Then a big old fuck you and a middle finger. Just what you want to hear from your own mother, isn't it?'

'That's a horrible thing for her to say.'

'I mean sure, I wasn't exactly nice to her, but can you blame me? She was rude about Nix too. I'm so fucking fed up of it, El. People can just fuck off with their unwanted opinions.'

'It says a lot more about her than it does you or Nix.'

'Just... what the hell did I do to deserve her?'

'Nothing. You didn't do anything. Sometimes good people get lumbered with awful parents. It's not fair.'

'...Sorry. I know, you've had it worse with parents than me.'

'Yeah, well, I'm just about rock bottom with it. Not many people can claim their parents are worse than bloody Tate. So you have every right to complain about your mum. It's not a competition.'

'I guess...'

'You're so much better that, Heath. She's a disgusting person and didn't deserve you. She should've been proud to have you as a son, instead of treating you the way she has.'

'I can't compete with the number one love in her life. The drugs always come first. Even without them, I'm not what she wanted. Never have been.'

'The best thing you can do is just... be you. Do parenting right. You're everything she isn't. In spite of what she is, you turned out to be a wonderful person.'

'Thanks. God, I don't know what I'd do without you. Y'know, I still worry about not being good enough for you...'

'Well, you are. Without question.'

'Even though I come from that?'

'Of course! Look, your background isn't your fault. You are more than good enough for me, I promise. We make such a nice family. Nix thinks the world of you and I do too. So does Charon. You belong here with us.'

'Good... because you lot are the best family I've ever had.'

Later...

'...Oh, it's you. Guess you'd better come in, considering you'd just push your way in anyway.'

'I'll make this quick. Stop interfering in my business.'

'You're going to have to be more specific than that.'

'You know exactly what I'm talking about. You, going to my house, where you know you're not welcome, and trying to poison Brianne against me by making me look terrible.'

'Considering the way you behave, you don't need me to do that for you.'

'Do you think this is a joke?'

'No, but I'm not going to be intimidated by you, especially in my own home. I spent far too long doing that as a kid.'

'I mean it. If you're intent on causing problems for me, there will be consequences.'

'Look, I know you're a narcissist and all, but this isn't about getting back at you. The less time I spend having to think about you, the better. It's about protecting those girls. They don't deserve having to put up with you. Neither does Brianne, despite what she's done.'

'Oh, well aren't you noble?'

'Just because you have no soul doesn't mean the rest of us can't be compassionate towards a couple of innocent kids in a shitty situation.'

'Once you've got down from your high horse, how about you face facts? I don't give a shit about the reasoning behind your involvement. But by sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, into my family, you're causing trouble for me, and I won't tolerate it. Back off, or you'll regret it.'

'Making threats to your daughter? Nice, Tate. You're a real winner.'

'I don't care... what the fuck is that?'

'That is a baby. Your grandchild, to be exact.'

'...It's blue.'

'Well done, Sherlock.'

'Anything else, before you have the chance to start spouting racism?'

'Well, repulsive as that... thing is, it's probably a good job you didn't have a biological child, considering how ugly it'd turn out.'

'Okay, another attack on my looks. I wondered when that was coming.'

'Just get out. You've said what you want to, now let us actually enjoy the rest of our evening in peace.'

'Fine, fine. But you remember what I've said, Saraya. This will be your final warning.'

'...Ugh.'

'Fucking prick. So Brianne blabbed about you going over, huh?'

'I was expecting her to, as well as him throwing a tantrum. Sadly, I'm all too used to it.'

'Well, you shouldn't be. You okay?'

'Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks.'