Task Orientated

Part 2.2

Audax is usually, what's the word? Prompt.

Waiting in my car isn't an issue because I'm fine sitting here listening to the radio, it's just kind of boring. The pre-job rush just fizzes up from my gut, so I start shaking a little bit, it makes me shift about in my seat a lot.

Least there was plenty to look at. I'm in that interior fringe of the suburbs, on the other side of the industrial zoning from the apartment blocks I live in. No high-rises past that mess of vacant factories and processing plants, no crowded roadsides either and even this far out only maybe a third of the houses are occupied. Better days had past, and the abandoned buildings had been battered by Candide's weather. They weren't exactly ruin however, most of them still had intact windows with drawn curtains behind the panes. One of those things about Candideans, they still tried to be neighbourly even if the house's owners ditched the place.

Nobody really had the funds to afford upkeep on two places, but either side of a home the two empty houses were spared whatever they could. 

I didn't get the hopeful disposition, although I was er, "born" and raised on Candide, I lived in the Capital Region for a good few years. But yet, I don't have it in me to call their efforts a waste though.

Knock Knock!

Holy fuck.

Forget what Audax looked like under the mask for a second there, he had snuck up on me and gave the driver side window a gentle rap with the back of his knuckle. He was definitely different from that wreck that fell out of Audax's mask, no restless fatigue in his eyes or sickly grimace, Phil really had cleaned himself up nicely. Trimmed that ratty beard into a neat but goofy looking moustache and chin strip, and a warm and eager closed mouth smile to go with it.

I wound down my window, "you're looking so alot better, I hardly recognized you for a second there."

Hardly flinched when I stuck my hand under his chin and twirled a finger around his chin hairs, "but what's with this?"

"You not a fan of a van dyke?" Phil remarked.

"I've seen worse," I explained, "seems impractical though, does it fit under the mask?"

Phil nervously smiled for an instant, "I haven't even had the chance to even fix it yet."

"Oh," I said, "so, that's why you asked to borrow mine?"

"Mmhmm," Phil said nodding, "could you get the back door for me please?"

"Unlocked."

Audax slid in behind me and cleared his throat as he closed the door.

"What's up?" I asked.

"We're in a rush, here right?"

"Yep."

"You don't mind me getting changed back here Nessie?"

"You gonna be right to?"

"I should be," Phil said, unzipping the bag, "just take it easy for me, I don't want to write off any more of my gear."

I smirked, "Okay – only mildly high speeds then."

Phil shook his head, grinning briefly. Phil ducked out the rear-view mirror. I started the car and got to driving back though Intersection, back through the cape straight towards the sun. Great. Remembered to leave my sunglasses in the car at least.

"How's things been for you lately, Nessie?" He asked, prying at his collar.

I sighed, "pretty average Birdie, I took the fortnight off as well. Glad to be working again, never have any idea what to do with myself when I get down time, so I end up sitting at home staring at my fish."