Headaches & Hazbins: Book 1: New Kind of Life, New Kind of Hell

Chapter 9: Crow Collectors

Asher: What's on the schedule today?

Jerry: Why did you say that twice?

[Asher rubs his head with his free hand.]

Asher: I don't know, I think I just had a stroke of some sort... Eh...

[He flips the knife up into the air and catches it by the handle.]

Asher: So... What is on the agenda for today?

Jerry: Well according to my carefully and masterfully crafted schedule...

[Jerry walks over to a workbench and picks up a clipboard resting on it.]

Jerry: We have to go collect the other half of a payment from some gang on the Southwestern side of the city.

Asher: Is that it?

[Jerry flips through the other pages on the clipboard.]

Jerry: Yea, that looks like everything for today.

Asher: Well you have fun with that.

[Asher pockets the knife he was holding and walks over to where he was sitting before.]

Jerry: What do you mean "have fun"? You're coming with me.

[Asher turns off his radio which just had Bradley and Bentley talking about the news. He looks over towards Jerry.]

Asher: What?! No way in literal hell and I heading back into the city, not with those fucking crows flying around looking for me!

Jerry: Bud, it's been almost two weeks... You have to head back into the city at some point. Ya can't just stay hiding in my workshop for the rest of your life.

Asher: Yes I can.

Jerry: No, you can't.

Asher: What makes you say that?

Jerry: Because if you're not working for me anymore I can just kick you out whenever I want.

[The two awkwardly stare at each other. Jerry doesn't seem fazed but Asher gives him a blank stare. Then Asher smiles, and lets out an annoyed sigh.]

Asher: *Annoyed Sigh* Touché.

Jerry: Mmm... So get your shit ready, we're leaving now.

Asher: Didn't you just get back from the city?

Jerry: Yea, why?

Asher: That's an hour's walk Jerry, don't you want to sit down for a bit and relax?

Jerry: Nah, I'd rather get this shit over with.

[Jerry tosses the clipboard back onto the workbench and starts walking towards the exit.]

Asher: I know you take bigger steps than me and all but carrying a full bag all the way back from the city has gotta put a strain on your legs, or at least your back.

[Jerry stops walking away and looks back towards Asher.]

Jerry: Mmm... Ehh, a little. But I'm pretty much used to it.

Asher: You look exhausted Jerry. It honestly looks like you only got three hours of sleep last night.

Jerry: Well I kinda did...

[Asher shrugs and lets out a sigh. He walks over to Jerry.]

Asher: *Sigh* Just sit down for a bit and relax your legs, and your back. I've seen the amount of shit you carry around all day and it's gotta be completely exhausting. I'm no doctor but I know carrying a lot of heavy shit around can be exhausting and bad for you if you do too much.