He pushed the horn to his car all the way down with his hand to match his foot on the gas pedal. It erupted so loudly that people thought an explosion just took off behind them as he came whizzing by on the otherwise peaceful and law abiding paced street.
The tune of 'The Yellow Rose of Texas' blared down the road and on both sides they parted for it. The white of his car flashed like a star as he sped past the rest of what was once traffic. And if they just happen to get in the way, they got the horns. And not the one on the wheel.
He rotated the wheel hard to the left to cut ahead of one car and headed farther down the street. In the distance, at the end of the street was a one level, pine brown building. It was meshed comfortably between one large rounded cylinder which read vertically from top to bottom 'Propane'. And on the other side it read the same on the sign above both, only written horizontally so it could be read from left to right. And above that writing of propane was a name.
His.
Buck Strickland swerved into the parking lot of the business that bore his name, with screeching tires heard as he did. This was headquarters and the other ones labeled Strickland followed by a cardinal direction were all over Arlen. He passed the regular parking lot in the front to bring his car around the building. As he did, he saw the distinct red pick up truck of his assistant manager. But there was another vehicle there that he did not recognize.
An unfamiliar large white van was parked sideways to the parking spaces and blocking the rest of them in, though no one was there to protest it. The back doors were flung wide open with numerous boxes piled both inside and out of it. Some name or catchphrase was written along the side. He didn't bother himself too much on it.
He swerved his car into the parking lot, tucking it away in the side and away from some prodding eyes. He pulled himself up and out of it before slamming the door shut and jingling his keys into his pocket; throwing them into the air and catching them first. Buck paused and took in a breath of confidence overlooking his car before going to do the same at his business. Boy, did this beauty shine. What else are the bikini car washes for?
He chuckled to himself before walking tall and proud with a swagger to rival that of a younger stronger man.
He saw the same van still parked in front, but still he paid it no mind. Though there was a face to it now, or there would have been if it wasn't obstructed by boxes. An able youth was struggling to move those packages to and from the store. With one hand on the boxes piled so high in his arms he couldn't see well enough to reach around to open the front door. His fingers tracing down the flat surface till it found the door knob and tugged.
"Thanks Ol' Top." Buck said as he trudged past him, through the door closing it behind him, not bothering to hear or care about the chaos that erupted behind it.
Entering his establishment, he stopped his stroll in the middle of the room. Donna and Joe Jack sat dutifully at their desk. Enrique had just walked out of the bathroom. Buck was looking for one face in particular however, and he knew he wouldn't find it behind his closed office door, but headed there anyway.
That was until he heard a crash from behind him.
He and everyone else turned alarmed to see the door wide open, and a hail of boxes littered on the ground, some of them even opened in the process. And amongst all of it was an orange haired young man.
"What?!" Buck let out startled at the sight "What's this vandal doin' here?" he pointed accusatory down at the boy, not seeming to realize this was the boy he just cut off at the door. He made his way back over to the now open door and was going to continue to his interrogation. But a shadow cast itself over the boy and reached out into the room as a blue clad leg stepped forward.
"Mr. Strickland!" Hank greeted worriedly.
"Hank." Buck stopped "What's going on here? Why's this boy blocking any customers from coming in?" he said turning to interrogate his assistant manager. And if anyone knew an answer to this, or how to handle it he'd hoped it be someone he promoted 15 times.
"Uh Mr. Strickland," Hank readjusted his glasses his voice calming down as he did "This for the new delivery of accessories. Spatulas, tanks, tongs, hoses, nozzles and the like." Hank explained and Bucks demeanor cooled at that, though Hank could no doubt go on longer to name even more and more accessories. Buck had required more propane accessories and thus as manager delegated to his assistant manager to find someone to deliver such products. Hank through his own ingenuity found this.
"Ah, course" Buck said readjusting his tie, loosening it a bit to let in some air then tightening it back up.
"And Mr. Kurosawa here was part of the business you tasked me to find and that I picked to deliver them" Hank explained, but sounded more like reminded Buck before they looked down to the boy in question still lying amongst the boxes on the floor.
"It's Kurosaki." he corrected seriously "And just call me Ichigo." he groaned tiredly before calling up "And can I get up now?"
"Would havfta start chargin' ya rent if you didn't." Buck joked and Ichigo brought himself up before resting his left arm on his raised knee which Hank then used to yank him back up to his feet. "Alright then." Buck said looking down as Ichigo returned to his feet, and dusted himself off. Buck reached into his pocket pulled out his wallet and went even deeper to pull out some cash. "How much for tips son?" He asked with a smack of his lips.
"I don't work for tips." Ichigo stated, but more like grumbled.
"Alrighty then." Buck abruptly put the money and the wallet back to where they belong, doing so faster than it took to take them out. "Set em nicely in the corner." he pointed off to an empty space "An' we'll go from there." he said turning away and walking off with his back to them. Ichigo and Hank looked to each other and then down to the boxes before they both leaned down to pick them up. Buck's mind and body left that dilemma behind for Hank to handle once again and instead preoccupied himself to head to his office as he originally intended. But in doing so he had to pass the wide open window that showed the front parking lot. And as he passed it, he had to stop and do a double take and turn over even as his feet would've kept walking. "Well lookie here!" his eyes widened and an excited grin came over his face and kept growing "Whose this?" he asked getting close to the window.
Behind him with boxes in their arms and puzzled or blanks looks on their face Hank and Ichigo peered over Buck to look outside.
Out by the van with it's back doors still opened stood another figure now; one Buck did not see before as he certainly would have taken notice of it earlier.
A woman in jeans and a tight t- shirt with purple sleeves and white on her torso. 'Unagiya' was written on the shirt to match the van, but it was it's placement is what got Bucks attention for there was certainly enough room to fit those letters and more. A phone was in her right hand as she seemed to look in their direction, but likely didn't see them as she turned around aimlessly. A ponytail sprouted downwards from her ball cap, but even from behind Buck could still trace those curves with his eyes as his face was plastered against the window.
"My boss." Ichigo stated plainly.
"Is she now?" Buck asked rubbing his hands together, leaning away from the window. "Well, let me go sweeten this deal." he said with a smack of his lips. Buck sauntered off rolling his shoulders and hips as he walked to the door "Hank you sure know how to pick em!" he called reaching for the door. As he went to leave Ichigo turned to look at Hank who eyed his boss strangely as he walked out the door. Hank watched him go before realizing Ichigo was look up at him.
"Well," Hank let out a breath "These boxes aren't gonna stack themselves"
"Uh huh" Ichigo agreed dryly as the two began to walk off together.
"So it's just you and your boss huh?" Hank asked as they walked side by side with boxes in their arms.
"Yeah" Ichigo said.
"I guess that makes me an assistant manager" Ichigo cracked a smile. One that made Hank a bit uncomfortable
"Woah let's not get ahead of ourselves now." he chuckled as they set the boxes down in the corner and then turned back to grab even more.
"So is this your first time working in the propane business son?"
"I guess so." Ichigo replied.
"Well then you're in luck" Hank said enthusiastically.
Buck opened the door to return to the wide outside world, though his vision was much narrower than that. His head peered forward from his body as he eyed the woman who unsuspecting had her back to him.
He eyed her like a dog in heat, but realized that it often took a lighter approach to get things done. He loosened his tie a bit more and ran a hand through whatever hair was on his head and made his approach, and it got better with each step he took.
She continued to talk on the phone, unaware of his approach. Her left hand was propped on her hip as it bobbed out to one side, she lifted it briefly to pull her shirt down even tighter than it already was before returning to her hand to her hip. As he got closer, she put the phone away from her ear and now she heard him.
"That boy slouching on you again Mr. Hill?" she asked tiredly putting the phone down before her, and keeping her attention on it and away from him "Don't worry," she said shifting through her phone "I'll be on him soon enough."
"Oh you needn't worry your pretty little self over that." Bucks voice let out agreeably as his lips smacked. The woman flinched and stirred when he said that and darted around to see Buck's more than welcoming smile.
"You're not Mr. Hill." she stated.
"Na, Old Top's in there giving your boy a run for his money already." he said resting his hands on his belt "Thought I'd come out here and give you a congratulations on the fine job you've done. From one boss to another." he said complimentary.
"Oh" she let out dragging the o's "so your mister Strickland."
"The Big buck himself. And you my dear?" he asked suavely leaning forward.
"Ikumi Unagiya."
"Pleasure ma'am" Buck offered his hands for her to shake it, but when she did he instead brought hers in to kiss it, but felt his lips scrape against a cold leather glove instead of a soft feminine hand. He returned to standing upright, holding in some spit "Nice to see you putting your name to good use." he complimented nodding to the name on the van which bore the name, but keeping his eyes on the tight shirt that did the same thing.
"Nice to see someone who appreciates the worth of a family name." she agreed rather aggressively as she put her hands on her hips
"We gotta put it to use somehow. Tout it loud and strong!" Buck puffed his chest out, his scar poking up above his collar for a moment as he rocked on his feet. "Yer boy there might need to take a few pointers, though. Clumsy as an ox." he shook his head disapprovingly.
"Tch" she let out before dropping her eyes under her hat "Don't get me started on that kid." she said dismissively before turning back up to Buck "Sometimes you have no choice, but to tie him up and throw him on the couch and not let him leave until he does something." she declared with a clenched fist. Buck's eyes lingered on her with a strange blank expression when she said that, unsure of what to say or what would come next. "Wouldn't mind having a man like yours, though"
That was the second compliment she ran past Hank. Made him wonder if in her fiery disposition she made a pass at the Ol' Top and he didn't even realize it.
"We try to keep a tight shift here at Strickland." he said looking down at how tight her shirt was to her chest, the letters swaying as her chest bobbed with her breathing and movements. His eyes rolling over her Buck could hear his heart beating faster and faster. Hell, he might even have another heart attack. But if he got it over her, he wouldn't mind. "Starts from the top and goes down." he said as his eyes did the same. After a brief pause he continued "I believe this venture has done us some good. Both our products and persons." he paused and she blinked a few times "What would you say if we combined our assets in the future?"
"I ain't gonna be bought out." she said aggressively putting a thumb to her chest taking a stance against him.
"Wouldn't dream of it, my dear." Buck put his hands up before him "We need our principles after all." he lowered one down to his side while the other came up to ponder on his chin "I was thinking more of a joint business venture." Ikumi's standoffish stance changed now.
"Hm?" she mused somewhat agreeably "That might help get out name out there a bit more." she put her hand to her chin.
"The more the merrier." Buck said agreeably as he got closer to her, putting an arm around her shoulder "I've made several ventures in and out of this state." he explained in a lecherous voice "And I'm more than willing to help a fellow associate." he winked "If fact I-" he was cut off as a ringing erupted from Ikumi's pocket. Her eyes went down to her pocket and with surprising speed she quickly snatched up her phone to bring it to her ear. She turned away from Buck and his embrace to have another conversation.
"Thank you for calling! It's Fast, Safe, Cheap and Reliable! Unagiya!" she said in happy overly eager voice. But in a sudden flash anger and resentment came into her eyes and it poured into the phone. "JACKASS!" she screamed and Buck flinched taking a step back "We're not an eel takeout shop!" She clenched the phone so hard when she hung up that he though tit might've been crushed in her grip. "I'm sorry." he turned to him with a more genial tone- if only barley.
But it was so abrupt and he so shocked by it that he didn't have time to speak.
But someone else it. Not Ikumi, but another voice joining the conversation though it was far from welcome.
"Well, that's a fire if I ain't ever seen one." a voice spoke, and it was followed by a light crackle of a laugh that whisked through the air.
Both of their attention went to see a man approaching them. Buck couldn't see Ikumi's face, so he didn't know her reaction, but he knew his grimaced at the sight of the man approaching. In a grumbling gray suit and a ten gallon hat to match, his hellish red walrus mustache hovered over the ever present malicious grin he wore with it. His voice sounded like the cracking and final fizzle of a firework that turned into a dud. If ever there was a man who proved the saying 'All hat, no cattle' this was it.
"Thatherton!" Buck let out as he stopped before them, joining the two. But Thatherton didn't say anything to Buck. His hands tucked unto his belt he moved over to Ikumi.
"Now is this ol' Buckin' Bronco givin' you some trouble?" he asked giving all attention to Ikumi.
"This ain't no concern of yers ya hear." Buck said putting himself between the two, his stomach protruding up to Thathertons.
"No problems at all." Ikumi answered calmly over his shoulder and Buck turned back to her shocked. Buck said nothing, but Thatherton continued their conversation as if oblivious to him.
"Oh, but you seemed so distressed I thought he might've asked for the eels." Thatherton chuckled as he took a tone of mock interest in her. Ikumi scowled as she looked over Bucks shoulder. "But since you were in the neighborhood," he pointed back across the street where another propane business dwelled; one with his name on it "thought I'd save you the trip and pickup my goods now." he said taking a step around Buck.
"Hold it right there M.F" she pointed a finger stopping him dead in his tracks "When you call us we deliver! That's policy!" she proclaimed loudly and proudly.
"As you say." he put his hands up defensively and since they were up there already he tipped his hat in congenial defeat " I just hope Hank hasn't berated you with his 14 reasons yet." he chuckled darkly to himself. It was after that exchange that Buck interjected himself back in.
"Whassat-You in league with him?" Buck turned to her, but kept a meaty thumb pointed at Thatherton.
"We do all sorts of deliveries and jobs." she said crossing her arms and speaking casually "Been going to him for about three months now" she paused and looked to him with a blank face still trying to take all this in "The M.F. Stands for My Friend." she stated.
Buck looked to her in disbelief and did so when Thatherton spoke again.
"My new best employee you could say. She does delivery's and more." he said with a shrug that lifted his arms and belt buckle when he did "Sales up by double when she puts the apron on." he said before letting out a cackle in Bucks face, partially because of the look on his face. And while Buck would greatly have enjoyed the sight of that, the very thought that Thatherton had gotten to her before him had rocked him to his core. So much so he thought he could feel another heart attack coming on. Taking his victory in Buck's silence Thatherton looked to Ikumi again "See ya when I see ya ma'am." he tipped his hat politely, but sounded slimy and devious.
"We'll be right there!" she clapped her hands together happily. But that cheeriness was gone in a moment "ICHIGO!" she stamped her foot and shouted out so loud that Buck's ear began to ring and even Thatherton curled up as his head shook "PACK IT UP! WE GOT ANOTHER SHIPMENT!"
Her voice rang out so loudly and violent that it erupted through the air reaching all the way to the other side of Strickland Propane. On that other side Hank stood before Ichigo, a plain white tank of propane between them. To Hank it was more than plain though, and Ichigo was finding that out now.
"Now it's important to never put stress on the valve." he explained matter of factly, but to Ichigo it was dryly. He was not only instilling to Ichigo the value of propane, but a strong work ethic as well. But all of a sudden someone else spoke out over him.
"ICHIGO!" the voice echoed and reached them and made both shudder.
When the ringing stopped Ichigo slumped back up "Well, that's my que." he droned lazily with his hands in his pockets and his shoulder scrunched up.
"Dang." Hank let out disappointed as he put the tank down "We were getting to the best part too." he said as Ichigo turned to walk off and Hank followed to walk beside him. The two walked around the side of the building. But all of a sudden they heard more shouting coming from the front of the store. 'Was it a disgruntled customer?' Hank thought.
"You eel baiting bastard!" he heard Buck threaten to someone.
"I'm a slippery one you bet!" another man's voice replied in an evil laugh.
That voice! It alarmed Hank, putting him on edge. "Thatherton?!" he exclaimed. But the next voice was louder and even angrier than before.
"EELS?!" they heard Ikumi's voice so loud they shook in place. Hank even thought he heard the sound of glass breaking. When they steadied themselves, they saw Buck and Thatheron make a mad rush for their cars. At first Hank thought they were just fighting each other again. But when a he saw Ikumi take off after them hurling boxes and items in their directions, he was just as taken back.
"What the hell?!" Hank let out as Bucks tires screeched and Ikumi slammed her fists down onto Thatherons hood denting it.
"It happens." Ichigo shrugged, getting the chance to explain to him now. Only he was much more to the point about it.