Chapter 2: One last job.


Alex- Good morning.- He came in sealed his file and heading to reception.- Darla?- Alex searched behind the desk, but his coworker wasn't there. Alex went straight to the warehouse, where his other coworker and friend were waiting for him.- Hello, Vince.- he greeted the red squirrel who was stacking some boxes in the company's truck.

Vince- Oh? Hey, Alex!- The squirrel came down and hit Alex 'friendly' on the shoulder.

Alex- Mmm... the pain. My favorite human? I'm the only one you know.

Vince- Yeah, hehehe. Anyway, how are you? Ready for today?

Alex- Yes, ready for today.- he said tired.


After stacking a few more boxes in the warehouse, Alex and Vince were ready to start their working day. They both went to reception, and they saw how Darla wasn't yet in her job.

Alex- Where's Darla?

Vince- On her smoking "break".- he replied exasperating.

Alex- At eight-thirty in the morning?- Alex said irritated, looking at the time on his cell phone.- Damn, if Darla reaches fifty, would be a miracle.

They both decided not to wait for Darla, and headed to their boss's office.

¿¿??- Yes, Mr. Lance. You'll have them before the midday, don't worry.- the grizzly bear, was talking to a client.- Sure.- the bear hung up the phone, and immediately his attention turned to the door.- Go ahead.- he allowed, and saw how his two best and only workers, entered his office.

Vince- Hey, boss. You told me you already had an assignment for us today.

Boss- That's right. Remember the pickup at Banner Elk last week?- he asked and they both nodded.- Well, he moves here to Blowing Rock. The client is already waiting in the house and wants everything ready today.

Alex- "Fuck yeah".- he thought knowing how good that was for later.

Boss- Let Darla give you the address, and tell her to bring me a coffee.- he said waving his hand towards the door, and they both came out.

Vince- Well, since the little dog is still at her break...- he said when he observed that Darla wasn't yet.- I'll look in the file for the address.- he sat in front of the computer.

Alex-"Shit, I didn't tell the boss about college."- Alex gave a little headbutt when he forgot about it.- Vince, I'll be right back. I'm going to tell the boss something.

Vince- Okay, but it ends fast to pack it all!- yelled the squirrel, watching his friend disappear down the corridor.

Alex knocked on the boss's door, and received permission from his boss to access.

Alex- So, boss?- he said once inside. -Can I talk to you about a little urgent assumption?- this caught the attention of the bear, who was reading his favorite magazine.

Boss- Sure, Alex. What is it?- the bear readjusted his chair.

Alex- Well, boss. I haven't told you before, but I wanted to present my resignation for own business. Three months ago, I enrolled at Amberville University, and the thing is, I was planning on moving today.- he ended.

Boss- Alex, you should have told me in advance.- the bear said, crossing his arms.

Alex- Around two days ago I called you, but you didn't pick up the call.

Boss- I'm sorry, last Friday I went camping with my kids and, my phone fell in a ravine when I was taking some pictures, but still, you should have told me before.- the bear said as Alex settled.- But, don't worry. Anyway, I was already looking for a replacement.

Alex- A replacement? For whom, for me?

Boss- No, for Vince.- that answer disturbed Alex.- Vince told me, about a month ago, that he was going to work with a cousin of his also in Amberville, so, I made sure to find a surrogate for him.- the bear finished, while Alex was being invaded by questions.

Alex- "That squirrel didn't tell me anything of this."- he thought.- So, there's no problem with me leaving?

Boss- No, none. I'll tell Vince about yours, and see if he does me a favor by staying another month or two, while I'm looking for another surrogate for you.

Alex- Okay, so..., will I have the pay ready today? Or in the next three days?- he asked timidly.

Boss- Yes, of course. Although, you'll have to wait until this afternoon to collect it.- said the bear cheerfully.

Alex- Thank you, boss!- he was pleased at how easy the bear usually grumpy took the matter. They both said goodbye and Alex rushed to fulfill his commission.

Arriving at the garage, Alex found Vince ordering things from the move.

Alex- Hey, dude! I've packed almost everything!- was screaming the irritated squirrel.

Alex- What's left to pack?

Vince- The big furniture is still in the warehouse, help me first with the boxes and then we take care of the rest.- Alex nodded and they both got to work.

Once the truck was loaded, they both got up. Vince as a driver and Alex as co-driver.

Alex- Where's the house?

Vince- It's on Cherry Street, you know,the one where the old photo booth is.

Alex- Oh, yes! Number?

Vince- Thirty-two.- Vince tore off the truck and headed to the designated place, which was on the other side of the town.

Only ten minutes was enough to get there, but to Vince's chagrin, he saw no parking that was near the house, nor in general.

Vince- There's never a fucking free parking in this fuckin' town! For god sake!!- shouted the squirrel, as Alex hid his laughter with his hand.

Alex- Right there, Vince.- he pointed out and Vince reluctantly agreed, cause they were at the opposite end of where the house was. They both got off and crossed the street until they got to the house, ringing the bell. The door opens and a squeamish fox comes out.

Vince- Mr. Lance? We're from the moving company, we've got your stuff in the truck.

Mr. Lance- Oh, yes, of course. You can start. I'll be in the kitchen in case you need me.- said the fox retiring.

Alex and Vince spent all morning unpacking and taking the furniture to the client's house, some of them, it was a real challenge to climb the narrow stairs of the house.

Alex- Phew, what left?- he said tired.

Vince- A bit, two night tables and, the armchair of the balls.- the squirrel touched his back painfully.

They both took the night tables, to Mr. Lance's room. Now the big thing, a double upholstered armchair, which Mr. Lance ordered to leave in his office, also on the second floor. But, before that, Mr. Lance told them that he was going to make an errand, and that he would be back in about fifteen minutes. Still, Alex and Vince went to move the armchair.

Vince- Come on, dude... a few more meters.

Alex-Fuuuck...- they both arrived to the house and, Mr. Lance, went out in the direction of the car in front of the house, his car.

Mr. Lance - Thank you, I'll be back in no time.- the fox got in the car, and left the place. As the two boys watched him walk away with his eyes wide open.

Alex- What a son of a bitch...- he said, staring at Vince.

Vince- We've been carrying his stuff all morning from across the street, and now, he decides to move his fucking car. Fuckin' fox.- The squirrel said very disgusted. They both waited, and the fox came back. They finished their work and headed back to the company.

Vince- Well, at least today there was a client...- the squirrel would settle as much as it could in the seat.

Alex- Yes, at least...- Vince noticed the tone.

Vince- At least?- he asked curiously.

Alex- Yeah, I'll tell you later.- he left Vince expectant.- Hey, the guys are free today?

Vince- I'll ask them, but I dunno if they can come today.

Alex- Okay.- with nothing more to say, they were both silent until they came back.