Gary didn’t recognise the other man’s voice. From the sound of it, it seed like it was Tyler’s boss, or perhaps his manager. As he peeked around the corner, he saw a fat and sweaty man who he had never seen here before. Were it not for him wearing the uniform and talking down to Tyler the high schooler would have thought of him as just another custor.
“But, Sir, I was only handling the situation according to protocol since his card got declined! Should I have just given him the product?” Tyler argued, while his hands trembled from trying to stay polite. “How can you make apologise when he nearly assaulted and even spat in my hair?”
“I had cash on !” The rude custor insisted. “You youngsters are so rude that you wouldn't even give the ti of day! Don’t pretend that you were the victim in all of this! What about your friend, huh? He’s the one who ASSAULTED !!! Yet here you are refusing to give out information on him! If he can’t pay back, then you’re leaving no choice but to ask you to compensate ! As an employee of this shop, they’ll be the ones who will have to pay for it!”
Now that Gary looked closer, he could see the man had so covering on his nose. The teenager couldn’t recall if he had hit the man so hard that it would break it, but even if that was the case, the drunkard deserved everything that had happened to him that day.
“I’ve already told you, ‘Sir’, I don't know his na. And even if I did, company policy forbids from divulging our other custor’s personal data! I really don't agree to your actions that day.” Tyler was unwilling to bow down before the troublemaker.
“Fine, then, I guess you don't mind talking to my friends in the Underdogs about this. If you don’t want to compensate directly, I’m sure they can just do that after increasing your protection fees!” The drunken man pointed at him, before he turned around, with an evil smile.
To Gary, it was obvious that this man had no relations to the Underdogs whatsoever. Having worked as their Transporter for as long as he had, the green haired teenager knew how Damion’s group operated. They wouldn't ask, they would force.
If that drunk guy really knew soone from the Underdogs, they would have co to the shop on the very sa day, teaching Tyler and everyone else involved a lesson. There would be no need for him to make such a show in front of Tyler’s superiors. Unfortunately, the fat guy seed to fall completely for the little trick.
“Hang on! I’m sure we can co to an understanding. There’s no need to go that far. Our store will happily pay for your dical bills.” The manager stopped the man in a suit before he could leave. Then he turned around to his employee. “Naturally, all of it will be deducted from your wages, Tyler!”
“You can't do that! How am I ant to pay my rent? Or for my food? That has to be ille-“
In the middle of his sentence, the manager raised his hand and slapped Tyler across the face.
“You’ve already done enough. I will not allow you to put this shop into further jeopardy because of your actions. You will receive no pay this month.”
It was clear that Tyler was stunned by the manager's action, while the old man wasn’t even trying to hide his enjoynt about the university student’s treatnt. His shoulders moving up and down.
“Sir, I have co on ti every day! I have worked overti whenever you have asked , and this is how you repay ? You choose to trust this stranger’s word over ? You think just because I need this job, you can treat like a dog?” Tyler raised his hand, about to slap the manager back, only to hesitate at the last mont.
The university student was furious, but he was also aware of the harsh reality. If he were to hit his manager, he would never get his money and lose his job. It was hard for one to even get a job these days, and if the fatso spread rumours about him it might be impossible to find another one.
While thinking of a way out, Tyler suddenly heard a large whack sound. The slap sound vibrated throughout the whole shop as his manager flew head first into the cigarettes.
“How the f*ck can you hit your employees like that?” Gary asked, still shaking with anger.
‘Damn it… I let my anger take over again. I only put Tyler in an even worse situation.’ Gary realised, but when looking at Tyler he didn’t look sad, instead he looked happy.
“You… i-it’s you!” The old man pointed with his finger shaking.
Gary took a step forward, but the old man imdiately ran out of the shop, afraid for his life. By then, as well, it looked like the manager was coming too. Standing up, the side of his cheek looked like a giant balloon.
“Y-YOU! YOU’RE FIRED, TYLER! AS FOR YOU, YOU GREEN HAIRED PUNK, YOU’RE BANNED FROM THIS SHOP!!!!” The manager shouted in fury.
Leaving it there, the two decided to head out. A little down the street they sat on the edge of the pavent. Tyler had a couple of cans of pop in his bag and offered Gary one.
“I’m sorry about making you lose your job… and causing you so much trouble back there. You’re only in trouble because of .” Gary sighed, taking a sip of the drink.
“Nahh, it's not your fault. Honestly, I never liked that Fatso. He was a sh*tty manager, and only ca to bitch about everything. Besides, after what he did, I don’t think I could work there again. Also, the boss might fire him if I told him that he banned our most loyal custor. Without you, they’ll lose like half of their profits. It might go under without your help.”
The two of them laughed, but Gary still felt bad about what had happened, and he was wondering if there was a way he could fix things. When he saw a car drive by, an idea suddenly popped into his head.
“Say, Tyler, can you drive?”
“Yeah. I an, I don't have a car, but I got a licence.” Tyler replied, wondering why the teenager had asked him that out of nowhere.
Hearing this, Gary decided to make a quick call. The forr cashier was still confused about what was going one, but judging by the high schooler’s grin, it seed to be sothing good.
“How would you like to work as a driver?”
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