Torn

"He's right about the new job," Mei said, popping another dumpling into her mouth. "It sounds like Boqin has gotten worse. Any reason why?"

"I think it's because of me. He hasn't been at work for two days and the other managers rely on me to make sure that everything is going right," Po said. The steaming heat from the kettle whistled, and he poured the hot water into a cup with tea. He gave it to Mei.

"Thanks," She smiled, "But I've actually been looking into some jobs for you, and they're still in Feng Shui, so you don't have to worry about-"

"Don't worry about the place. I want to get out of there as fast a possible now."

"Huh? Why?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well... you've never really wanted to get out until now. You always seemed comfortable there."

Po sighed, "I guess I'm so tired of the familiar mess that I want something better, even if it's not familiar, you know?" He looked at his sister. "I'm not afraid this time." Mei unconsciously gulped. "What?"

"Nothing, I've just... never seen such a fire inside of you. What changed?"

"I got mugged in Old Italy."

"Po."

"I'm serious," He dropped his chopsticks. "Yeah, I'm scared as heck right now, and there are a hundred things that could go wrong. But anything is better than this."

The female panda, with her mouth slightly ajar, spread her lips into a wide grin. "I'm proud of you, Po. I know it's hard, but I also know you'll get through this."

"Thanks, sis," Po smiled.

"And I've got to say," Mei continued eating the hot dumplings, "This Tai-Lung seems to like you a lot. A guy like that doesn't give his number out to just anyone."

"He hasn't given me his number yet, but yeah. I think you would like him."

"Me? No," Mei shook her head.

"Why not?"

"Please, someone like that isn't really my kind of guy."

"Have you seen him in real life?"

"No, but I don't think we would get along."

"Why not?"

"He seems to like intimidating people. I don't get scared easily," Mei said.

Po's face fell. "Clowns."

"They're always smiling!" Po shook his head.

The next day, Po had the curious feeling that he had to sneak his way into the store. He clocked in, shuffled to the back, and quickly got to work when Monkey stormed in. "Whoa, whoa, what's wrong, Monkey?"

Monkey shook his head. "It's Boqin. He's more pissed off than ever."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Someone said his date stood him up," Monkey said. There was something so satisfying about hearing. It that made the panda feel like everything was right with the universe. He grinned from ear to ear. "Po, stop smiling like that. You're scaring me."

"Sorry," Po returned to his cheery self. The two of them snuck onto the floor. The shop was just opening, and Po just finished up helping a senior citizen get their food. Then he heard rage echo his name.

Or rather his species.

"Panda!"

"Oh sh-"

"Panda! What are you doing?!" Boqin growled out. The short scrawny snow leopard marched right up to Po's personal space, pressing a finger to his chest. "Didn't I tell you to lock up last night!"

Po narrowed his eyes. "You told me to lock up two days ago, sir," He said slowly.

"Then you knew that my office light was on?!"

"O-Office light, sir?"

"YES!" Boqin shouted. Po blinked. Boqin always left his light on. Why was he upset about this? The snow leopard's eyes were wide and flaring with a deep-seated demon bent on tearing down anyone in his way.

"I'm sorry sir. Next time, I'll-"

"No. There won't be a 'next time', panda," Boqin snarled. "I'm sick and tired of you ruining everything here."

"Ruining everything?" Po rose his voice slightly as he reached into his pocket where his phone was. "I did everything you told me to do. The only time I ever didn't do it all was when it wasn't in the store policy."

"I don't care what the store policy is! This is my store, my rules!"

Po's jaw clenched but said, "I'm sorry that you feel that way, Mr. Boqin, but-"

"I don't feel that way. It IS that way! You've been circumventing my authority for too long and I'm sick and tired of your incompetence, your idiocy, and your stupid stories!"

"I've never told you my stories," Po remarked.

"But I keep hearing about them from all the stupid employees around me!" Boqin growled. Po kept his journal in the front pocket of his apron. The snow leopard snatched it.

"No! Wait!"

"You're nothing, panda. You're just a big dumb bear trying to hide behind a big persona."

"Please, Mr. Boqin, give that back."

"Oh, you want this?" Boqin grabbed the pages and tore them to shreds right in front of him. Po watched each and every piece drop to the floor like snow. Po felt each rip to the heart as Boqin tossed the hardcover onto the little pile. "You're worth nothing, panda. You're fired!" As Boqin stormed away, Po's jade eyes glared into the back of his skull. He didn't care if the cameras were watching. He didn't care if the employees or customers would call the police. He didn't care if the blood would stain his hands for all eternity! Po reached for Boqin's tiny little neck, but something stopped him. Po looked back, and Monkey rested his hand on his shoulder.

"He needs to pay," Po growled with tears blinding his vision.

"But not like this. He's not worth it, Po." Monkey sighed. The panda's mouth breathed fire. "I know it's unforgivable."

"I'm sick of this, Monkey! This has to stop!"

"Calm down, panda! Or else you'll be like him," Monkey shouted. Neither of them had ever shouted. Po's rage slowly cooled. He remembered what Tai-Lung told him. He couldn't lose his cool. Po looked at the ripped pieces of paper on the floor. He slowly picked up each and every piece. Monkey helped of course. "Did you... did you at least put some in your computer?"

"Yeah, pretty much all of it. But... it was a gift to me from my teacher and... It's ruined."

"I'm so sorry, Po," Monkey sighed, "Hey, maybe I should quit with you so-"

"No, no," He said slid his hand into his pocket, taking out his phone. "If you quit then he's just going to find other people to abuse. It's okay. I'll manage."

"Hey, if there's anything that opens up. I'll let you know, okay?"

Po wearily smiled, "Thanks, Monkey." The two hugged each other. Would they ever see each other again? All the co-workers had been so kind to him. Now his family was breaking all because of this evil little cretin. The panda released his friend, gave him his dark green apron, and smiled sadly. "Take care, Monkey. Stay in touch."

"I will," Monkey smiled back. Po walked down the aisle. The exits for the grocery store were at the produce section and the medicine section which were at opposite sides of the store. Po went over to the produce section to leave. The panda felt like he was in a pit with the darkness crushing his lungs. Where would he go? What would he do? He looked at his phone, and a little smile came to his lips. At least he got the audio. Now how would he use it?

Po sighed again. It didn't matter in the end because it's not like the founder would allow his son to be fired, but he saved the audio to the cloud anyway. The panda slowly walked through the grocery store. The cashiers waved him goodbye. Some hugged him while others saluted him. Somehow, Po thought they were being serious with their salute. He had managed to survive Boqin's brutality the longest. He was technically a veteran. Though his heart slid along the ground, his shoulders felt lighter as if they had wings. When Po made it to the produce section, someone tapped his shoulder. "Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry, I don't work... here... any... more," Po turned and his mouth dropped open. There in front of him was Tigress Fang herself, business suit and all. "Uhhhhhh."

"Are you okay?" She asked, her voice a sweet alto symphony. Po shook his head awake.

"Y-Yes yes! I'm fine. Uh... well, I guess I'm not since I just lost my job."

"Yes, I saw. I'm sorry," she replied.

"Y... you saw?"

"I was going down the aisle when I saw it. I decided to go the other way."

"Oh... yeah."

"So what will you do now?" Po shrugged. He still clutched the hardcover of the black journal. "Was it important to you?" Tigress asked.

"Yeah," Po sighed, "I just can't believe that someone like this exists. I mean, I know there are bad bosses, but still."

"If you want," Mrs. Fang said, taking out a card, "We do have a possible intern position in our administration section."

"R-Really?" Tigress nodded with a gentle smile. Po's eyes narrowed. "Why are you doing this, Ms. Tigress?"

Tigress tilted her head. "How do you know my name?"

"I...Uh... Boqin said you stood him up at your date," Po sighed.

"Ha! That's what he told everyone?" Tigress smirked. "No, he assumed that he had a date in the first place."

"O-Oh," was all Po could say. Monkey was right. Stupidity was confused for confidence, but not by all. "Uh... well, thank you, Mrs. Fang."

"Just Tigress will be fine," The tiger smiled. "Our HR is Mrs. Viper. She'll help you."

"But... I just have a General Studies degree."

"We'll think of something Mr. Po."

Po squinted his eyes. "Now how do you know my name?"

"I asked the cashier. I was wondering who Boqin was yelling at... and who was staring at me from the corner."

"Oh my gosh! I am so sorry. We were honestly just watching Boqin get shot down."

Tigress's emotionless stare slowly curled into a devilishly cheeky smile. "Apology accepted."

"And my name is just Po," The panda awkwardly stuck out his hand. Tigress smiled and shook it. "Sorry for being awkward and quirky."

"It's okay. It's the awkward and quirky that are usually fascinating," Tigress replied. They strolled out of the store together.

"Thank you so much for the opportunity," Po grinned, "I can't thank you enough."

"You're welcome. I hope to see you around," Tigress smiled and walked off to her car. Watching her leave, Po noticed the worry and fear in his heart all left. Then he remembered what Tai-Lung said about cats.

Curiosity is in our nature.

Po went to his car and just sat there. He looked at the ripped-out papers and bindings in the journal. It had some of his earliest and rawest kind of ideas.

But he finally got one part of his dream figured out. He knew what he needed to do to catch the tiger in his dream. To get a cat to chase you, you have to sit down and be interesting. In other words, be yourself.

The panda chuckled slightly. "It's amazing how much conflict will help you solve things." He rested his back against the car seat and sighed. "One part of the 'dream' puzzle down."

Po sighed as he started the car, gazing into oblivion. "That's not enough," He muttered, and he was right. He still didn't know what the tiger represented nor why he was chasing her in the first place. Also, why did it matter? It was just a dream. Either way, he needed to get a new journal, so Po drove to the nearest book store and got one.

To be continued.