>>5133846You nearly fail to respond. Sputtering a quick ‘<span class="mu-i">yep</span>’, you utter a quiet ‘<span class="mu-i">d’oh</span>’ under your breath as the wheelchair-bound figure fills the room with a raspy, but amused laugh!
“I know, I know… not quite the strapping, young capitalist you imagined, am I?”
You hate to say it, but <span class="mu-i">yea</span>... wrapped in an admittedly-trendy white trench coat, <span class="mu-g">SONNY</span>--or <span class="mu-g">SUNNY,</span> resembles someone you’d see in a retirement home… or a sick ward! With pale skin rivaling Art’s, long, slicked-back blonde hair with bangs covering the telltale straps of an eyepatch, and an androgenous face, you’d be hard-pressed to connect the jovial, energetic voice you talked to over the phone with this frail thing!
“A thousand apologies, Stanley–if I had known exactly when you were coming I’d have finished, well, <span class="mu-i">preparing</span> myself for you! You wouldn’t believe how hard it is preening and prepping for guests these days…”
Accidentally staring at how one of your boss’ coat sleeves droops limply at their side, you quickly turn your attention elsewhere… and accidentally notice the same thing on Sonny’s legs. D’oh!
“No need to be skittish, Stanley–I’ve been stared at my whole life… not that yours is unwelcome, of course!” Laughing softly at their joke, the yard fills with the sound of a rush of air coursing through a tube connected to the base of Sunny’s mask. Breathing the gas out again with an exultant sigh of relief, your host’s remaining yellow eye glows green with pulsating energy!
“There we are,” they chirp, “nice and perky… much better than COFFEE, that’s for sure! Now then,” your boss continues, gesturing to the table, “I believe I promised you some lobster, didn’t I?”
Your brain takes a few minutes to catch up as you wordlessly pull out a chair and take a seat. Taking a place on the opposite end, Sonny leans forward with interest and cocks their head your way.
“Well <span class="mu-i">Stanley</span>--I’d be lying if I said I haven’t looked forward to this day! Cinnamon is one of my favorite scents, you know!”
You blink. Wha? Oh, that. Yea, you shrug, some demon idol sneezed that onto you back when you were fighting the pirates. It’s pretty neat.
“Just another day in the life, hm?” Your boss laughs! “And to think only a few days ago you were mopping up bone dust! I always did have an eye for talent…” Drumming the fingers of their remaining hand on the glass, Sunny raises an eyebrow your way. “Which reminds me–I’ve been listening to your reports, Stanley–well, yours <span class="mu-i">and</span> Boris’, among others…”
<span class="mu-r">BORIS,</span> you shout, shaking your fist in the artificial air! Here’s the thing, you begin, Boris is a dirty rat-
“One moment, if you please–I think I hear brunch arriving!”
Pausing for the moment, you follow the scent of melted butter as the culprit arrives on a squeaky-wheeled metal cart…
>CONTD. 