ManBeast - Book 1: A Kingdom of Predators

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

Frankie was in utter shock to learn that Jules was present the next day at work. Let alone the fact that he had a valid employer-issued excusal from work (which is more than enough for many), the events of recent would be enough to require the staunchest man several days of rest and relaxation. But lo, Jules was in attendance, friendly, and driven. Frankie wasn't the only one; the office took immediate notice of his presence and this sent "the streets" into a storm of gossip. Everyone in the firm, from the highest partner to the lowest janitor had heard about the supposed "break-in", and heard that Jules had been present for part of it. This information, that started off halfway plausible in nature, became more abstract and eventually outright incredulous by the time Jules had returned a day later. By the time Jules had shown up, signed in, and greeted several office mates, he had humorously learned that many people believed him to have fought off and even killed one of the attackers! Jules did little to quell the rumors; to him, it actually was beneficial to have that "layer" of interpersonal protection. "Fuck it, it's not about this Brotherhood jazz, so I don't have to worry that Frankie or whoever will rip my head off for spilling beans. If secrecy is the name of the game, I'm "ten toes" down." Frankie wouldn't be so easy to fool, however. He had an uncanny ability to speak directly to the inner machinations of Jules, and would want to know the truth behind why he was there, and what he wanted moving forward. This, to Jules, was both appreciated and invasive. Nonetheless, after about an hour after signing in and shifting through emails, Frankie's extension rang through on Jules' desktop phone.

"Come to my office," spoke that now familiar gravelly voice. "Aw, shit." After a brief elevator ride to the penultimate floor, Jules arrived at the Partner's office suite; the "Penthouse" as referred to by everyone else. Nothing really "Pent" about it, it was just as modern and grand as the rest of the building. Still, the partners all had large offices on this floor, and most employees did their best to avoid coming here. Nothing good ever came from being invited to the "Penthouse", and Jules was well aware of this quip, thinking about it as he made his way. After short walk, a turn or two, and a moment later, Jules was knocking at Frankie's office door. This was his first time not only up on this floor, but also his first time being in Frankie's office. A faint beat of anxiety gripped him momentarily, but was interrupted by Frankie's voice: "Come in." Jules entered inside and immediately began dissecting the work-place "habitat" of Frankie.

The office was contemporary modern, but far less "homely" than the home office Jules had woken up in a day prior. It was bare in feel, but spoke evenly to the kind of person Jules had come to believe Frankie was. Pictures of the Mack family and past achievements were present on a large metallic bookcase, outlining an extensive collection of novels, manuals, textbooks, and treatises that Frankie had obtained over the years. The walls had non-descript generic artwork hanging from them, spaced evenly along the sides of the office. His desk was metallic as well; no front cover to the desk and a glass table top added to the ultra-industry ambience that the room exuded. A computer, several stacks of paper, and desk items sat atop of his proverbial workbench. His desk chair was large and fit the décor of the room, a brilliant but subtle shade of silver leather. Behind his desk was a large bay window, similar to the one present in his home; this similarity lead Jules to ponder as to if Frankie was a "thinking man", or that is to say, perhaps Frankie was a person of such complex personality that a view of the outside world during contemplation was both an "escape" and "inspiration" towards whatever endeavors Frankie sought to accomplish. Perhaps in general, there was more to Frankie than Jules realized.

Frankie was sitting at the desk and was turned towards the window when Jules had entered the room. "Have a seat, Julius," he said, without turning around. Jules obliged, and the two sat in momentary silence as Frankie kept his back towards his guest. Frankie turned around in his seat, revealing that he was busy occupied with a retro hand-held gaming device. Frowned and focused, Frankie subconsciously stuck his tongue out of the side of his mouth to the sounds of a monophonic soundtrack. Jules sucked his lips in, both taken aback and trying not to laugh at this unexpected sight. Suddenly, the game issued a conclusory sound, leading Frankie to scoff and toss aside the device in frustration. He rubbed his forehead for a moment, then turned his attention to Jules.