Drinking Away The Truth

Episode 1 - Wet Dog, Anyone?

Episode 1 - Wet Dog, Anyone?

Joey tiptoed out of the apartment, avoiding empty beer bottles and his father, passed out on the floor. He ran down the stairs and outside, pulling up his collar as the only protection against the feral rain. He walked on a ways before a limo sped by, soaking him worse than the rain was.

"Why, that lousy, no good, big shot," Joey grumbled, wondering who it was that had so little consideration "I ought to go teach that guy a lesson in manners."

"I knew you were low class, Wheeler," someone behind him said "But I'm surprised to even find a mutt like you here." Joey didn't even have to turn around to know who it was talking to him.

"What are you doing in this part of town, Kaiba?" Joey demanded. Seto was wearing a black suit and holding a black umbrella. His black, leather shoes were the only drenched thing on him.

"You look like a wet dog, Wheeler," he stated.

"I'll show you 'wet dog', Moneybags," Joey countered.

"I'm trying to let you come under here if you'd stop insulting me long enough to listen," Seto grumbled. Joey looked at him strange for a minute before stepping under the umbrella.

"Thanks, Kaiba," he muttered.

"Don't let it get to your head, Wheeler," Seto commanded "I just don't want to be by myself in this run down part of town."

"Which brings us back to the question, What are you doing here, Kaiba?" Joey steered.

"I'm here on some business matters," Seto explained "A CEO of another company is meeting me here to give me some information. What about you, Mutt?"

"I live around here," Joey informed "I was on my way out. I need to get away from my house for a while."

"What is a national duelist finalist like yourself doing, living in this heap?" Seto questioned "Don't your parents show you any respect, at all?"

"I only live with my father," Joey admitted "It's to late to go over to anyone's place so I'll probably just wander the streets for a while until I figure my dad is... Better."

"You can't wander the streets in this weather, Wheeler," Seto pointed out "I thought you were stupid, but not that stupid. You'll catch pneumonia or something. Don't be an idiot."

"You wouldn't undestand, Kaiba," Joey said "I would rather suffer through the pouring rain than stay in that house. It's for my own safety. Mom used to always tell me to 'go where ever I like' as long as I was away from home. Then she left, and took Serenity with her. I don't even know why I'm telling you this. You probably are sick of me. I should go before I exceed my welcome."

"No...wait, Wheeler," Seto stopped "I despise you, but I'm still human and I wouldn't be acting like it if I just let you walk away."

"I'll be fine, Kaiba," Joey insisted, turning to go.

"You're coming with me and that's final, Wheeler," Seto ordered "Don't argue with me."

"Yes, Sir," Joey gulped, cowering at his temper.

"Much better," Seto announced "Now come on. How often does a puppy like you get in on Kaiba Corp. important information... Hmm?"

"Haha," Joey grumbled "I'm laughing my socks off."

"Watch it," Seto warned "Now get a move on. I'm worried about somebody recognising me, especially if they see me with a third rank duelist like you." Seto and Joey huddled under the umbrella and headed in the direction both had been going before they met up.