Give a Little Pt. 2.5
#3 of Give a Little
2.5, just the update i made to part 2 to make it public.
Just a but of an update i made to the tail end of the last chapter to move the story in a better direction to how i want it to end. Here's just the update since it doesnt register publicly lol
Starting from when Tom leaves the cemetery for gas:
By the time he had gotten to the main road again, Tom saw it was already dark. "Nine already? Damn." He knew not many places would be open besides the Denny's downtown, but he needed some gas first. Making a turn at 2nd and Main, he pulled into a gas station not far down the road.
As with most small-town stations in the area, this one wasn't a self-serve. A little shack across the lot sat with a flickering neon sign that read "pump service" across the window. It was more of a small waiting room for the workers on rainy or cold days but no one seemed to come out when Tom pulled up to a pump. He waited a minute before honking his horn, hungry and ready for bed. No one.
Tom sighed and unbuckled himself. Sometimes these care-free towns frustrated him to no end. He had just stepped out of a world where if things were late, even if just by a minute or two, it could cost his company thousands in lost revenue, and into a world where time wasn't an issue. It was strange to the lion to wake up in the morning to his alarm, only to remember he had nowhere to go and nothing to do. He opened his car door and stepped out into the evening air, damp with the promise of rain.
Movement in the larger building that sold light grocery and vices appeared to be a worker in a blue uniform yelling animately into a phone set onto the wall. Tom walked over and entered.
"-and don't you darethink about coming in to work tomorrow night!" A scruffy looking badger with need of a comb slammed the phone onto the receiver, his poor comb-over sagging onto his forehead. Startled by the dling of the door as it opened, he composed himself and extended a hastened welcome. "W-welcome to Gas Stop! I'm sorry you had to hear that, one of our younger employees must have fallen asleep while on duty again. Hehe. I'm so sorry sir for the wait. I'll assist you with your gas today, how much would you like to put in?"
Tom held up his hands, trying to calm to disgruntled worker somewhat. "Oh no, not at all! I was just on my phone checking a few e-mails and didn't even notice there was a service pump here! I'm used to self-service machines, so really it isn't a big deal." Tom handed the clerk his company gas card and looked about the counter for nothing while he was rung up.
"Fill'er up, eh? Will do, sir!" He swiped the card, brushing the longer fur from his face back onto his head. The badger was somewhat overweight, his name tag was smudged, and vest smeared with something yellow. Tom looked up as he was given his card back.
"That was a little harsh, to fire an employee for the first time falling asleep on the job, don't you think? I mean, I've definitely been drained before and I'm sure you have too, right?"
The two of them walked out together and towards Tom's rental. He wasn't quite sure what made him speak up just then, but this town wasn't too busy and the badger just seemed to be someone taxing enough to talk to, let alone work for.
"Really? I don't think I was harsh enough! I've fired that rat more times than I can count and yet he comes back every night and pumps gas... And I still pay him! Bah!"
Throwing his hands into the air in frustration the badger stepped up to the pump and pulled out the nozzel. Tom leaned against his car, happy to hear someone didn't lose a job over him being here. He fiddled with his phone as the humming of the pump started up. A glance at the numbers showed the pump was doing its job: quickly filling his car with somewhat over-priced gas. As he looked back, though, he saw the sign above the shack go out and a young otter step out, vest in hand and head towards the ground.
"Hey kid! Get over here and finish filling this up for me! The least he can do for bein' a total moron, eh?" Grungey Shirt just laughed and walked back into the storefront, shutting the door firmly behind him with a last look of contempt at the boy walking closer.
"What a prick, eh kid?" Tom said, putting his phone back in his pocket.
"Haha, yeah, I guess he is an interesting guy. He means well in the end." Tom recognized the voice from the hotel. The otter stepped into the lighted pump station to finish the job and smiled at the lion. "How was the cemetary? Successful I hope."
Tom just smiled. "I found what I was looking for, and a little bit more. Say," he said, turning more directly to the boy, "how did you know about that cemetery? It doesn't seem like a well-visited part of town."
Returning the nuzzle to the socket and twisting the gas cap back onto Tom's vehicle, the otter just nodded. "It was an overflow lot for the other cemeteries when they found better locations for more Help / Problems / Suggestionswealthy clientele. My mom is burried there too, so I know it pretty well."
"Then it seems we have something in common. More than one thing, actually." The boy's ears perked up at this. "Why on Earth are you working this late? It's nearly 9 at night and I saw you this morning before I left at the hotel."
He just shooke his head and laughed, reaching up to rub his neck. "Well, rent is kind of a lot of money and I don't have much else to do around here but work, so I work when I can. I like it though!"
The smile was what got to Tom; it was a genuine smile. This kid, he couldnt be any older than 20, slaved away for what? Why did he enjoy it? Productive, but while Tom liked productivity he also needed sleep. "When do you ever take a break?"
"When things are slow here at night I take naps. Usually I hear cars pull up but im a little extra tired today I think and missed yours coming in. At the hotel I can normally find things to do in the gym or pool when I'm off duty."
"No, I mean when you do have a day off?"
Looking around, as if to catch a date in the air, the otter hmm'ed. "Well... I work at the hotel most of the week from mid-morning to evening and walk down here to work through most of the night. I work here every night though, so I guess I don't have any?" He gave a little laugh and shrugged his shoulders. "I like working. It gives me something to do."
"Well I've been there before. Why did you think I was here of all places?"
"To visit your mom?"
Tom shifted, words caught in his throat. Softly he nodded and said, "Yeah, I guess that's why." A short silence passed between the two, each looking at the other. Tom's stomach finally broke the silence.
"Well, to hell with being a lion if I can't roar louder than my belly! Haha. Since you're recently fired and al, would you like to grab a bit to eat with me ..." Tom waved his hand, trying to remember if he has learned the otter's name yet or not. He was sure it was on a name tag or something somewhere because something was on the tip of his tongue.
"Joey. Joey Penndle," The newly named hopper/pumper said with a smile, extending his hand. "It is nice to meet you, Mister!"