Five years passed and in those few years, Randall had lightened up some and he recognized he had wasted his life for so long. Everything he had been taught in college by the fraternity had been the first influence of his life to officially start him down that path. And even though the machine could have been something good if it had succeeded, it was deemed too dangerous and he knew he could have harmed a kid and other monsters too. And he had nearly crossed that line that would have deemed him a murderer in his world.
Randall's family had gone to his trial five years ago, but they had never visited him in jail.
As he was being released from prison on parole, Randall knew that he had so much to catch up on. He had to start over entirely, but as a former criminal, who would hire him now?
As he had cooperated with the guards, he was happy to be free again. The only thing he left the prison with was a pair of glasses and two hundred dollars in monster money. He needed a place to stay and a place to work.
Randall wandered around town and many of the landlords turned him down, just for being a former criminal or just for being reptilian. Not even his old place would take him back. He was homeless.
His first night free was spent in an alley. But with the money that he did have, he could at least afford to buy food.
Stan had been following him without him knowing. He wanted to know where he was going. Then he went home and was up early to come back here. He had known for a long time about Randall's parole.
Then he thought of doing the lizard a favor. He went back to Monsters, Inc and he talked to Sullivan.
Sulley hadn't heard from Randall in over five years and to hear his name just put him on edge again.
"I know you give all sorts of monsters a chance at jobs. Even if he's not a scarer here anymore, could you find a job for him here? He's not the same monster he was when you knew him last. I saw him frequently while he was there." Stan said. "He's learned some good manners and he's fine as long as no one pushes his buttons. But he's a hard, determined worker who just needs a job."
"Alright. I'll see what I find out. But if he messes up again, he's in trouble." Sulley reluctantly agreed.
"Agreed."
Stan tracked Randall down on the streets again. He hesitantly approached the lizard.
"Hey, Randall." He greeted.
Randall was having some breakfast when he heard a familiar voice. He had known Stan from seeing him in Monsters, Inc and at the prison. What did he want now? He was free. He had done nothing wrong.
Stan sat down.
"What?" Randall asked. "I didn't do anything."
"I came here to tell you that there might be a job waiting for you at where you used to work. They have some openings." Stan said.
"I doubt I could work there again. Everyone would know who I am and think I'm the same arrogant lizard I was five years ago." Randall said.
"You got to give this a try. It's better than nothing."
"I'll have to think about it. Now can you go, please?" Randall urged.
"Sure." Stan said. He left, but didn't go far.
Randall had every right to be worried and nervous. He still had nightmares about his banishment. He was sure his old rivals would still be there. And he knew that laughter was the new energy. He thought it was dumb, but he knew there were other things he could do for a job.
A few days later, he did go there and talked to the CEO, aka. Sulley. Sulley saw that Randall seemed more nervous around him and not as confident. He seemed shyer, and he did mind his manners. Something seemed different about him.
Sulley hired him for maintenance crew for now. Handyman type work.
Randall wasn't crazy for that job, but he would take anything at this point, and he would be able to work on things. He would also work on the Laugh cans and see if they needed improvements or repairs. That was the best that could be done for him.
Sulley had asked for Randall's new address and he said he didn't have one.
"What about your family?" Sulley asked.
"They wouldn't let me stay with them. We cut ties years ago."
"I know of a place close to here. I'll take care of the deposit, while you pay the rest of your expenses." Sulley said.
"I can do that." Randall agreed. He didn't always like help, but he did need a down payment on an apartment if he was to have a place to live.
Sullivan knew he was taking a big chance hiring Randall after what he had done. And there were some workers there who had known Randall from before and were wary of him. And later, Mike found out and he wasn't too happy about it.
"Are you crazy? We can't trust Lizard Boy." Mike said.
"I'll be watching him, Mike. I don't fully trust him, but he just needs a place to live and a job. It's part of his parole agreement." Sulley said. "And there seems to be something different about him."
"I guarantee it's just an act, Sul. He'll get you when your guard is down." Mike said. He didn't want harm to come to his friend.
"I'm going to give him a chance, Mike. If he does something, he'll be back behind bars." Sulley said.
"Sure, if you can catch him. You know what he's capable of."
"Mike, he needs a chance first. We'll worry about it later."
"Fine, but don't come whining to me if he gets you when your guard is down." Mike said. He went back to his job, while watching cautiously for the lizard too. He was sure he was on Randall's hit list too.
Randall had not heard them talking about him. He had gone to the maintenance boss to get started on his new job.
The boss told Randall what to do and how to do it. He was not the kindest to Randall, as he knew who he had been before. Randall made sure to keep his temper in check.
In jail, though Randall had been tough at times, but there had been some monster criminals that hated reptilians and had beaten him up a few times. The beatings had softened him down the most. This new boss reminded him of one of those monsters.
Randall made sure to do what he was told. He had experience doing some of these jobs. He had done janitorial work too.
It felt so weird to be back at the old factory that had seemed like a second home at times. But he was doing a job that was not his favorite, but if it meant he was seeing less of others and getting a paycheck, than it might do him a favor. He did want to mostly avoid all the eyes that would have been watching him warily.
Randall wondered if his old scream extractor was still in the secret lab or basement, but he wasn't about to try anything. He knew there were security cameras around here. And he didn't want to blow his parole. He didn't want to go back to jail.
He avoided talking to other monsters unless he had to. He had a good enough first day on the job. But he knew not all days were going to be like this.
A guard had watched Randall's duties carefully and so had Sulley when he popped in a couple times just to see what the lizard was doing. And so far, he was just doing his new job.
"Watch him carefully, Rob." Sulley said.
"Yes, Mr. Sullivan." Rob, a medium size red monster said.
Randall went to Sulley's office at the end of the day to discuss the place that he had told him about. He did need a new home.
He didn't see the new CEO in there, so he just waited. He paced a bit impatiently. He would cross his arms and place his hands on his sides. Patience was not always his strong point.
Fifteen minutes after other monsters would be presumed gone, Sulley finally came in.
"Finally here." Randall said.
"Randall?" Sulley was a little surprised to see him here. He better not be here to pull anything. "What can I do for you?" He asked nervously.
"You had mentioned this morning about a place you knew of where I could live. I need a place to live. Right now, I have nothing and nowhere to stay or go." Randall said.
"Okay. Yes, I did. It's just a few streets away from here." Sulley said. "But what about any family that could help you?"
"They want nothing to do with me."
"Are you sure? I can call them for you."
"NO! They want nothing to do with me, I mean it."
"Alright. I won't. I'll also have to see about getting you some furniture too."
"I really don't need any further help than the deposit from you."
"Randall, if you don't have any furniture, it won't be much of a home." Sulley said. "You need a few things."
"I could wait to get paid and buy my own things."
Sulley knew Randall didn't like help, but with him being fresh out of jail, he did need help to at least get started in a new life.
"Randall, stop being so stubborn. At least let me help you get started with the basic stuff you need, then I'll leave you alone." Sulley said.
Randall growled. To Sulley, that sounded more like the old Randall that he knew was still in there.
"Fine! But just the deposit and the most important items to get me started." Randall said.
"We'll go in the morning." Sulley said. "For now, you can stay with me, if you like."
"No thanks." The thought of staying with his old enemy was anything but inviting. Just the site of Sullivan still brought back bad memories of just being tossed through a door where he was almost killed by a human mother with a shovel.
"Mike is married to Celia now and I live alone. I have a spare bedroom you can use just until you're ready to get settled in the new apartment." Sulley offered.
"I said no, Sullivan. Just letting you help me get the new place is hard enough for me."
"What is it that you have against me? That you always did?" Sulley demanded.
"How you always thought you were better than me! I had feelings too! When you threw me through that door, you had no idea what I went through! I was nearly killed because of you! I was beaten nearly to death by a human with a shovel!" Randall screamed at him. "I had my own responsibilities too!"
Sulley's eyes widened. Now he could see why Randall had scars on his face that he hadn't seen on him before he had been banished.
"I'm sorry, Randall. I didn't know. But you were a threat to us at the time. But I would have never meant to get you killed." Sulley said.
"You nearly did!"
"Again, I'm sorry. But I'll try to make it up to you if you let me." Sulley said.
Randall was still angry at him for what he had done so long ago, but he kept his actions in control.
"Just do what you're going to do and nothing more." Randall said angrily. "I'll find a place to stay tonight on my own."
"Alright, but my offer still stands."
"No thanks." Then Randall left the office. He headed out of the factory and just wanted to get as far away from Sulley as possible. But, once again, he had no place to go.
Sulley walked to his apartment, feeling guilty about what he had heard. He had never meant for Randall to be harmed, but he had needed to be taught a lesson. But what he had heard in Randall's voice when he had yelled at him was anger and sadness.
Randall walked until he found a restaurant and he got himself some dinner, ate and then found a place to sleep in an abandoned building. He was glad he had given Sullivan a piece of his mind of what happened to him. He had needed to hear it.
Stan had followed Randall, but he still wasn't ready for his plan to be set yet. It would still need to be a few months yet. Though he did want to strike at the lizard now.
The next day, Randall went to the factory entrance, waiting on his rival to show up so they could go see this apartment. He was impatient waiting for him. As CEO, Sulley had to show up earlier than many other employees and Randall knew that.
Randall saw him coming.
"Randall, you're here early." Sulley said.
"Remember? The apartment you said to show me?"
"Yes. Let's do that now. The landlord is a friend of mine. He's always willing to help me out for friends."
"I'm not your friend."
"But you are someone who needs my help to land a place. And you won't do anything to break the rules?" Sulley demanded.
"I know how to live in an apartment. I pay my rent on time and I usually keep to myself."
"Good. Let's go. The landlord is expecting us. I called him last night."
"Good."
They set off. The apartment was three blocks away from the factory. It had five stories to it.
They climbed the stairs and went to the office. There, the landlord got the keys and went to show them the apartment. It was the number 2B.
When they got inside, Randall was amazed at how big it seemed. It was beautiful. It was a two bedroom apartment.
"So, what do you think of it, Mr. Boggs?" The landlord said.
"Huh? Oh, it's really great, Sir. What do you want for rent on it?" Randall asked. "I would love to have it."
"I need a down payment and the first month's rent. Three hundred for a down deposit and 250 for the rent." Landlord said.
"Okay." Randall said, though he knew he didn't have that kind of money at the moment.
"I'll take care of it." Sulley said. "I'm just helping Randall get on his feet."
"That's fine, James. Can I expect payment by next Friday?"
"Yes. I'll get it to you before then." Sulley said.
"Well then, the apartment will be all yours then." The landlord said.
"Thank you." Randall said.
Randall had a more thorough look around the apartment. It was a good size. Even for someone else to live with him, if he had anyone else in his life anytime soon.
"This weekend, Randall, we'll go shopping for the things you need." Sulley said.
"Fine."
They went back to the factory for the day to do their jobs.
…
Mike was still nervous that his best friend was helping out their old rival. Sulley admitted that Randall had yelled at him, but was grateful that he was helping him to get a new home.
Randall just did his job in the following days and paid little attention to others, but he did track down his former assistant, Fungus, who was still nervous of him. He asked if he could stay with him at his home until this weekend when he would get his own place.
Fungus couldn't say no. He had been a happier, carefree monster without Randall around for the last five years. Now he was finding himself to be afraid again.
Randall's demeanor had softened some, but he still had it in him to still be that same grumpy monster as before.
When Randall did notice how the little three eyed one was looking at him, he saw he was shaking.
"Fungus, relax. I'm not going to do anything as what I did before. I learned my lesson." Randall gave a friendly smile. And it didn't seem dangerous, but Fungus still knew the lizard's dangerous history.
"Alright." He nervously said.
Fungus let him stay with him that night and the next few nights, until the weekend. And in that time, Randall had stayed more on the friendly side. He was still mad at Sullivan for things of the past, but he was still trying to move past it now that he was seeing him almost on a daily basis.
That weekend, Sulley contacted Randall and he and Fungus met Sulley at the furniture store. Sulley had paid the deposit and the first month's rent on Thursday, so the new apartment was now officially Randall's.
Fungus had a car and Sulley had called in another favor for with a trailer to get the furniture to the apartment.
Randall picked out his own furniture that was to his liking. Sure, everyone knew that guys hated to do shopping, but when they lived on their own, they had to shop for themselves and if possible, friends helping out when moving in or out of a place.
For now, just the basics were bought. A bed, table, some chairs, a desk, bedding covers. Randall would take care of his food and maybe later get a new TV, if his home life opened up for it.
Luckily, there was an elevator in the building in case of elders or handicapped monsters. They used that to bring Randall's furniture up. He was lucky he wasn't living in such a crappy part of town and his new landlord didn't seem to have a problem with reptiles.
Sulley carried the heavier stuff, but Randall had to be forced to help carry the mattress and desk too. Sulley carried in the table. Fungus had the bedding and Randall also carried in the chairs. He had only two to start out with. Not that he would have guests.
When it was all set up, it still looked empty.
"You still need a resting chair and a couch." Sulley said.
"It can wait till tomorrow or another day, Sullivan. That's all I can deal with right now." Randall said.
Randall was still staying with Fungus yet at least another night, but he did get his covers on the bed before leaving.
But the next day, Sulley was back with another monster his size, a brother, to help get a couch and big resting armchair.
When the last basic items were bought, Sulley and his brother carried them up to the apartment. Once placed, the apartment had the basics of what it needed.
"Let us know if you need anything else." Sulley said.
"Thanks." Randall mumbled. He was glad to have a home again.
"No prob." Sulley said. "Enjoy the new apartment." He and his brother left.
"So what now, Randall?" Fungus asked.
"I wish I knew, Fungus. I'm still trying to get my life together again."
Fungus had felt more slightly confident around Randall, but was still watching him warily. The lizard could always go back to his old ways possibly.
Stan had been watching curiously where Randall had been moving to. He knew of the building now, but not the number just yet. But it was all thanks to him now that Randall had a home at all.
From all the beatings that he had gotten, he had suffered PTSD sometimes.
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