Elevator

What Great Timing.

It was a relatively normal afternoon.

The sun was shining outside, a warm autumn breeze scattering the dry leaves that covered the sidewalk. A forest of buildings as far as the eye can see.

Juri Katire walked into an office building, approaching the front desk, and asking to see a friend of hers. It took a moment, but it went smoothly enough.

Hazen Burner, on the other hand, had just finished talking with some of the employees on a lower floor. One of those basement parking lots
A smile, nod, and wave away from going onto talking with the next group of people upstairs.

Katire entered the elevator first, pushing a button to go up. It happened that Hazen requested the elevator just a moment after. Going down to get Hazen on before they continued ascending to their respective floors.

Then an unexpected power outage occurred, trapping them both between floors.

"Oh for fucks sake."
Katire's first idea was to kick the doors, failing to dent them, or really even remotely damage it at all.
"This is going to mess up everything!"
She kicked it again, instead breaking off a part of her high heal.
"God fucking-"

Hazen sighed. "Breaking everything isn't going to fix anything."

"And?" Katire was rummaging around her pockets already.

"And maybe you should take a moment to calm down."
Hazen sighed, hoping that the anger wasn't going to be a theme while they waited. Coffee cup in hand, They continued.
"If you do succeed at breaking the door, wouldn't you rather spend that money on a new pair of shoes?"

"I can pay for both." Juri snapped back.

"Do you want to?"

...

Juri sighed. "No..
..but I still could, if I wanted."

Hazen laughed. "Yeah, please. I've paid for enough broken buildings to know it's not worth it. If you fuck something fundamental up that's gonna be the same as a hospital visit."

"Yeah.. right." Katire stopped, crossing her arms.

The two went silent, Hazen sipping thier coffee, and Juri glarimg holes into the door.

"So... If i may, what will this mess up, exactly? You have plans to go fuck someone for some extra cash? Is that why you're dressed so.. weirdly?"

"...I am not here to be someone's.. dammed whore. I can't believe that's the first thing you came up with!"

"Not my fault you're dressed for the occasion" Hazen snickered, hiding their smirk behind another sip of coffee.

"You're starting to look like a good practice target." Juri shot back, gritting her teeth.

"Aww, is that supposed to be a threat or an insult? You sound like you're twelve."

"You don't know who I am, and you'd shut up if you did, I promise."

"And you don't know who I am. I'm the luckiest person alive buddy, if you want a fight I can prove that to ya!"

"The luckiest? Is that a title you were given or something?"

"Yup! Name's Hazen."

"You're not even trying to keep it low?"

"Nah, too many people know me just by my face now days, I'm like a celebrity, but illegal!"

"Pathetic..."

"What, someone butthurt over a small little mafia boss? What are you gonna do, reveal your name dramatically, end up being some big shot from over in like, Japan or somethin?" Hazen laughed.

"You're much less respectful than anyone else I've worked with in similar fields." Katire pulled out a cigarette, and started fishing through her pockets again for a lighter.

"So you're familiar with it! Come on, tell me what your name is. Criminal to criminal." Hazen pointed back and forth between the two.

"Juri Katire. You should be familiar with my reputation, bla bla bla."

Hazen paused, carefree smile fading. "I am, Katire. So why is the second best assassin from there in my building?"

"Business."

"You won't be getting much done today, alright?"

Katire just stood there, shaking her head.

Hazen sighed. "Just know I have my eye on you.. stupid spider bitch.."

Katire visibly cringed. "Oh my god, don't bring up that.. weird sense of fashion I had at first."

"Not my fault every snakeskin was talking about it."

"It was years ago, Hazen. Please."

Hazen paused.
Thought for a moment.
And smiled.
"Not my fault you copied a fucking videogame character."

"That's it. I am going to strangle you." Juri attempted to grab Hazen's throat, the elevator dropping down a few feet as she did so. Just enough to throw her off.

Right, this was the luckiest son of a bitch out there. It was worth a shot, though.

Hazen ducked under the attack, tossing the hot coffee above themself, slightly burning some parts of Katire's arms and chest.

"How the hell do you drink that!?"
Katire kneed Hazen in the stomach, trying to get the now burning hot coat off at the same time.

"Uch- Practice." Hazen stumbled back a few steps, pulling a pistol from their belt and pointing it at Katire.
"It's an acquired temperature."

"Tsk, bullshit."

"I also got it from McDonald's, quick caffeine is never good.."

The two stared at each other, tension rising as both remained silent.

"Hazen."

"Yes?"

"How long do you suppose it would take for someone to fix the elevator?"

"To fix this, it'll take days, weeks, maybe even a month."

Katire sighed. "Oh god.."

"Getting us out will only be a few hours though."

Katire sighed, much more frustrated than disappointed this time.
"Why are you like this?"

"It's all I have to entertain little ol' me at the moment, and I have a gun and you don't." Hazen smiled.

"I swear kid, you have a death wish.."

"I'm not a kid just because I'm short."

Hazen paused.

"But yes, I do."

...

"Why are you telling me this, Mis.. Mr.."

"Don't bother with formalities like that, it's easier."

"Burner. Why tell me of all people?" Katire questioned.

"...Not sure, maybe I'm hoping you'll do it for me, who knows." Hazen shrugged, still aiming the gun at Katire. "Maybe you could help fake one so I can finally get a vacation."

"And now you're just vomiting nonsense." Katire sighed. "Look, do you plan on pointing that thing at me for the entire few hours we'll be stuck here?"

"It's an option." Hazen shrugged. "...But no, not really."

"Then could you put it down?"

"Will you not try to kill me again?"

"Depends." Katire slowly went to light the cigarette, having finally found a lighter that worked.

"...Fine. But I'm over here, and you're over there." Hazen shook the gun towards the other side of the elevator.

"That works." Juri sat down, keeping a eye on Hazen as they did so.

"Good. My arms were getting tired anyway." Hazen lowered the gun, putting it back and sitting on the opposite side.