Chapter 04: Disasters and Jobs.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not even Helga, as she is based off a real girl I knew in high school. Despite the name change, "Helga" owns herself. I DO NOT own the Country Song "Living on Love", Alan Jackson does.
" " = Talking
# # = Thinking
* * = Sound or a Special/Notable Action
Last Time:
Fred nodded and grinned. #She's NOT gonna kick me out! I can keep dating my beautiful, wonderful Helga!# Fred took Helga's hand and said, I am so glad that your Mom is nice, just like you, Helga."
Fred was in a lovestruck daze as he walked home. This time he didn't get too lost. only for a minute. Too bad he was being followed...
The first thing that alerted Fred to the fact that he wasn't alone, was when a robed figure suddenly blocked his path. It took only a moment to recognize Magneto's old Telepath, Mastermind! "Now, Blob, you will be my sla-" *WHAM* *thud* #Wow! Good thing he wanted to gloat and try to scare me before using his Power! Hmmm. His face is MUCH softer to punch than Wolverine's. I'm glad that's over!# Fred picked up the unconscious Telepath, and carried him down the street. Opening the manhole cover, Fred dropped Mastermind into Bayville's sewers, and closed it up again.
Roughly half way to the Brotherhood House, Fred was again confronted by Mastermind! Jumping out of the bushes, the Telepath yelled "Ah ha! I have you n-" *GRABBED FACE* *TOSS* "Aaaahhhhhhhh!* *Splash!* Fred thought to himself #Hmmm. I don't know why he is bugging me, but if he doesn't turn around and walk away, he'll regret it. After all, those are skunks in front of him, and they don't look hap-.# *spray* "Uuuuuunnnnnnnggghh! No! Faugh! Blasted fat boy!" #Nevermind…# Mastermind ran up to Fred and said "You will STOP this ins-" *GRABBED ROBE* *TOSS* *crash into hornets nest* *STINGITY* *STINGITY* "Aaaaarrrrrrggghhh! Not the face! Not the face!" #I guess being the bad guy really does mean bad endings. I wonder if there is a group of good guy around, besides those stuck up X-Men?# Fred then used his smartphone to play the musical number called 'Yackety Sax' Mastermind could be seen staggering in pain, looking for help. Entering the first unlocked door, Mastermind enters. Once the door is closed, Fred can read the sign on it "Teen Lingerie Contest, Miss Teen Bayville-No men allowed!" #Five. Four. Three. Two. O- Whoops, off by one.# Mastermind ran out, covered in hornet stings, skunk spray, and bruises, while pursued by the angry Moms from the pageant! Fred watched Mastermind blindly run into the nearest place that looked open. #Hmmmm. I don't think THAT"S going to help him# Fred mused to himself, as he knew that Bar was a Lesbian Bar. Worse, The sign read "Whips & Chains Nite" The screams were almost inhuman, as Mastermind, covered in skunk spray, hornet stings, bruises and now alcohol (which makes the hornet stings TEN TIMES WORSE!), being chased by enraged Moms and whip carrying Lesbians, all of whom believe that Mastermind is some kind of pervert. Fred used his smartphone to record it all, still playing 'Yakety Sax'. Mastermind ran into another group, a bunch of passing Nuns and a Priest. Having accidentally torn the ecclesiastical garments from several Nuns, Mastermind was really in for it. Fred took a moment to look upwards "Nice touch." and went back to watching Mastermind's life become a train wreck. Now chased by ruler-wielding Nuns, as well, Mastermind dashed into a nearby cop car "Please arrest me! Save MEEEEEEE!" Fred walked away saying, out loud "Sheesh! And people think I'm dumb…"
When Fred got home, dinner was ready. afterward, Fred offered to do the dishes, which was great for Pietro, as it let the speedster off the hook for tonight. as the whole group was sitting down and trying to find something to watch, Fred asked Mystique "Um, Boss lady? How do I get video from my smartphone into the tv? I have dirt on Mastermind." Mystique was intrigued, and after ten minutes the entire Brotherhood was seated in front of the TV set, laughing their heads off at Mastermind! They replayed it at least three more times. Mystique said "Oh, Fred, you have done very, very well." Fred wasted no time asking "So, Helga making me civilized, is a good thing?" Mystique answered "Yes. In fact I want you to listen to her, and do as she says. Be good to her, Blob." Fred's plan to give Helga credit for anything good he does has worked! "OK, Mystique. I will." *GRIN* Meanwhile, Wanda and Mystique were quietly discussing the idea of maybe getting some other girl to civilize Toad…
THE NEXT MORNING
As it was a Saturday, Fred got himself up, showered, brushed his teeth, and dressed in decent clothes. At breakfast, the Brotherhood boys were staring at Fred, but Wanda nodded as she commented "Good morning, Fred. You're cleaned up nicely. Going out?" Fred smiled and said "Yep, I sure am. Nice day, too. I got somethin' to do. If anyone needs me, I've got my phone, OK?" Lance asked, still in his boxers and socks "Where are you goin', Fred? Got a date?" Fred shook his head "Nope. I'm gonna try to find a job for after school and on weekends. I need money to take care of Helga, and I don't wanna be a bum." Lance actually stood up, and offered Fred his hand "Good luck, Fred! I'll let Mystique know, OK?" Fred nodded "Thanks, Lance." Wanda smiled and said "I hope it all works out for you, Fred. Good luck." Pietro and Todd were still asleep, so they missed this exchange. "Thank you, both. It's mighty nice of you to wish me well." With that Fred had breakfast, cleaned up, and went out the door singing a song by Alan Jackson 'Livin on Love'
Two young people without a thing
Say some vows and spread their wings
Settle down with just what they need
Livin' on love
She don't care 'bout what's in style
She just likes the way he smiles
It takes more than marble and tile
Livin' on love
Livin' on love, buyin' on time
Without somebody nothing ain't worth a dime
Just like an old fashion story book rhyme
Livin' on love
It sounds simple, that's what you're thinkin'
But love can walk through fire without blinkin'
It doesn't take much when you get enough
Livin' on love
Two old people without a thing
Children gone but still they sing
Side by side in that front porch swing
Livin' on love
He can't see anymore
She can barely sweep the floor
Hand in hand they'll walk through that door
Just livin' on love
Livin' on love, buyin' on time
Without somebody nothing ain't worth a dime
Just like an old fashion story book rhyme
Livin' on love
It sounds simple that's what you're thinkin'
But love can walk through fire without blinkin'
It doesn't take much when you get enough
Livin' on love
No it doesn't take much when you get enough
Livin' on love
Fred sang that song all morning long, with his whole heart believing it. Every word of it.
LATER AT GARY"S CONSTRUCTION LLC
Fred walked up to the trailer that served as an office. #I hope these folks are hiring. Man, six places, and nothin' !# The office door opened as Fred was about to knock. The little man there looked up at Fred and asked "Can I help you?" Fred smiled at the man "Yes, Sir. My name is Frederick Dukes, Sir, and I am looking for a job. See, I got a girl, and I need the job to take good care of her." The man stood there a moment. "Well, you are a big guy, but are you strong?" Fred beamed at the man "I can throw a pickup truck about thirty, maybe thirty five feet, Sir." The man just stared. "Did you say 'throw a pickup truck'?" Fred nodded. The man said "Well come on in, sonny, and well get to the paperwork, and see if we can't make it work. Have you been convicted of a Felony, son?" Fred answered honestly "No, Sir. A bit of kid stuff, but nothin to do with drugs, and nobody was ever hurt." The man held out his hand and introduced himself "Son. I am John Gary, Junior of Gary's Construction Company. If the background check is clean, and you are at least seventeen, then I can hire you. I'll take a chance, and start you today, if you want. Assuming the paperwork checks out, I'll hire you on regular. I can only offer you eight dollars and seventy five cents per hour to start. This is a Union Shop, so you need to join the Union, and I can have Jackie, my secretary help you with that. She's the Union Coordinator, here. How does that sound to you?" Fred nodded and smiled saying "Thank you, Sir!"
LATER AT THE SOUTH CONSTRUCTION SITE
"Mr. Gary said to try you out, kid, and to show you the ropes. That means you've gotta pay attention, and do as your told. Got it?" Said Mr. Sanderson. Fred nodded and said "Yes, Sir." Mr. Sanderson patted the huge boy on the shoulder and said "OK, let's get you started. Take those pallets of concrete, and stack them, neatly, into the back of the red pickup truck. Understand?" Fred nodded with all seriousness "Yes, Sir."
TEN MINUTES LATER
Mr. Sanderson was amazed. It looked like the whole entire pallet had been moved into the back of the red pickup truck! Mike Sanderson was only gone for a few minutes, and he expected the kid to take each bag, lay it down in the back, and then ask about the wooden pallet, itself. Nope. The pallet looked like it was just picked up, and put in the back, as if by a forklift. The company forklift was out of commission, for repairs. Fred was there humming some Country song. "Hey, Fred! Did you get that done?" Fred was proud of his work. "Yes, sir, Mr. Sanderson. See?"
Fred spent the rest of his shift carrying things, holding parts in place, as he watched the more experienced guys as they worked. The crew was diverse and interesting to Fred. He was eager to learn a trade. School work was boring, but this was anything but, to the huge mutant boy. No one said a thing about him being a mutant, and nobody told fat jokes. He did learn several dirty jokes that made him *blush*, even as he laughed. He got along fairly well with the guys. Fred shared his own ideas of wisdom "Might as well share, might as well smile, life goes on for a little bitty while." This was taken, by the other workers with variations of "Amen to that." Soon, the shift was over, and Fred walked back to the Brotherhood House.
Fred was tired. An very, very, very, very hungry! Mystique, Wanda and Helga were all there, having a girl-talk. Fred was surprised, but happy to see Helga. Helga walked up to him and gave him a warm hug "I'm glad you're back, safe and sound, Freddy. Did you find work?" Fred *grinned* and said "Oh yeah, Helga. I am now a Union Man at Gary's Construction. It's only on weekends, because I'm still in school, but I get almost nine dollars an hour! I even get paid every week, so next Saturday, I'll get paid for the half-day i worked today,and the eight hours I'll put in tomorrow. That will make twelve hours!" Helga hugged her boyfriend, as Mystique smiled encouragingly at the very big boy. Wanda said "Congratulations, Fred!" Mystique invited him to sit "Fred, we have supper ready for you. Helga made it for you, so eat up." Fred was very, very, very, very grateful, hungry and tired.
LATER
Fred was fed, and somewhat rested, as he escorted Helga home. Lance was kind enough to give them a ride to Helga's house, then waited as Fred got a good night *kiss* from Helga. On the way home, Fred asked Lance "Lance? How do you know if it's real love?" Lance answered "Darned if I know, pal. You can't know, i think. It's something that you have to believe, rather than know. Y'know?" Fred answered back "Yeah." Fred spent the rest of the ride back thinking about love. As the two boys were getting settled in for the night, Fred said "Thanks, Lance. You're a good friend."