A Week in Paradise

Shooting His Shot

(Fluff)

Paradise, AZ really sucked as a town, with the heat and the run-down state being the two things that bothered you the most. Luckily, you intended on saving the money you've made from your new job at RWS Studio to relocate to a new city with more opportunity. The only thing that could stop you now were those ridiculous protestors ranting outside. You sigh and take a break from your computer, and turn your head toward your boss Vince's office.

"Vince, think we should call the cops about these guys?" you shouted around the corner. "I'm getting a little paranoid."
"Nah, not yet. They'll wear themselves out eventually and fuck off," he replied. You shrugged and swiveled back to your desk. At that moment, the new hire came through the door. You didn't get a good look at him yesterday, so you took a close look at him. He was super tall, and hovered over you, with a black leather coat with boots to match and casual clothes underneath. He had short auburn hair and a goatee that came to a point with sunglasses to accessorize. You couldn't help but stare. The aura around him screamed "psycho."

"Hey, peepers," he said, "do I have something on my face or what?" You snapped out of it.
"Oh, no. I just tend to zone out after I've been on my desktop long enough," you responded. "I never got to introduce myself to you yesterday, my name is (Y/N), I take care of customer service."
"I know. Vince told me. I don't forget pretty faces anyways," he said. You smiled and blushed at his compliment. You never thought he'd be the kind of person to offer any kind of positive feedback.
"You can just call me 'Dude,'" he continued.
"That's sort of broad for a nickname, isn't it?" you asked.
"It's all I've got," Dude said. You nodded and crossed your legs, pulling your skirt back over your knees.
"Well Dude, I think Vince wanted to talk to you today. Also, it's payday, so he should have you a nice check too," you chimed. He went back toward his office. You sighed and leaned on your hand.
"Pretty face, huh," you whispered to yourself. "He's not too bad himself."

Your daydreaming was interrupted with the door being kicked open and the protestors storming the entrance with weapons, but for some reason, you didn't scream. You didn't run. You put your hands up and stayed calm.
"Wow, you shitheads really have nothing better to do with your time?" you taunted.
"Shut up or we shoot!" screamed the leader. You rolled your eyes, and began to reach for the pistol in your drawer.
"I wouldn't talk shit," you threatened. Then, shots rang out. But not from them. It was from Dude.
"You probably thought you weren't going to die today," he laughed. "Surprise!"
He had bought you enough time to grab your handgun and load it, and you fired a few shots in their direction.
"Come on, out the back way," he said, and he grabbed your arm and took you with him. You looked back to see Vince and a few other workers finishing them off. Dude kicked the back door open and brought you outside. He sat you down on the steps.

"You alright?" he asked.
"Yeah," you panted. "I knew those assholes would try to do something, but Vince didn't wanna call the law until things got out of hand."
"I think they got more than out of hand," he chuckled, "more like batshit crazy." He sat down with you.
"So what's a proper lady doing with a big girl gun like that?" he inquired, pointing at your pistol.
"Oh, well you know how things are here. Wackos, crackheads, and who knows what else. Plus I live by myself, so this is to protect myself if I have to."
"Wait, you live alone?" he asked. "I thought you were married." You gave him a perplexed look.
"What? Married? I don't even have a boyfriend," you laughed. He stifled a laugh and shook his head.
"My mistake. Me, I'm divorced. Good thing I got out when I did," he said.
"Oh no, was she abusive?" you asked.
"Nah, she was just a huge bitch," he answered. The two of you started cackling at that. He stood up and held his hand out to you to help you up.
"You know, I saw how you acted when those guys busted in," he said. "You didn't freak out or nothing, you acted kind of..." He was searching for the right word.
"Crazy," you added.
"Yeah, crazy. Tell me, have you ever thought of killing anyone?" he questioned.
"Well, I'm not sure," you said. "Sometimes I say I will if I'm pissed off, but I never thought I actually would."
"I think you have what it takes," he said. "At least, you've got looks that kill. Almost gave me a heart attack when I saw you yesterday." You looked down flustered again. He took your hand in his, and you made eye contact.

"Hey, you're single, I'm single, how about I take you for a drink or some shit?" Dude said. You noticed a slight pink on his cheeks.
"After today? Absolutely," you grinned. "Maybe a cocktail would help me forget about this bullshit."
"Ha, we've got so much in common already," he said. You followed him toward Paradise's only bar.

"By the way, what did Vince want?" you asked him.
"Oh, he fired me," Dude muttered.

(A/N)
Everyone has their questionable "hear-me-outs." Postal Dude is my hear-me-out. He's actually so fucking fine I don't care what anyone says. Got  me barking n shit. Scrum diddly yum yum purr purr puurrrrr

Xx StrawberryPerc