Chapter 3: Tridents and Coin Collections
The phone started ringing. My eyes opened. I rubbed them, which didn't help because they remained bleary. I wiped the drool of my chin. Then, I realized the phone was still ringing. Some people are too persistent. I ran up the stairs that lead to the kitchen. I picked it up.
"Finally, I thought you were dead or something." Jared. He must want something. "Can you come down to Loungetech? We need your help down here."
"Do I have to like serve people?"
"No, we're having job interviews."
"Ok. I'll be there in half an hour." I hung up the phone and went back downstairs. I looked at the clock that hung from the wall. It was almost noon. Wow, I slept a while. I picked up all the garbage, and the empty Chinese food containers. There was a dumpling left. I was tempted to eat it, but I thought better, after all it had been laying there for hours. I put it all back in the plastic bag, and then into the trash in the kitchen. I cleaned yesterday's dishes, and tidied up the kitchen. My mom complains that the house is a mess, not exactly my fault. I checked the messages on the house phone. My mom called saying that she would come home today. My dad called to set up a time we could hang out, not my favorite activity.
I went upstairs, and took a shower. I got ready, blue shirt and all. I checked my cell phone. More messages from Gio. I picked up my keys, necklace, and bracelet. I went to the garage, and made my way to Loungetech.
When I got there the place had some people in it. I saw the guys all behind the counter. I made my way to them.
"So now that we're all here, I think we can start interviews." When it came to business, money, and games Jared was always serious, for everything else not so good. "Some people are already here, and probably others are on their way."
"How do these people know when things are happening? We've only been open once, and you yet people know it's happening." Lyla took a swig of soda.
"You should see my buddy list. And those people's buddy lists. It would explain a lot." Jared smiled. He picked up the pile of papers on the counter, and sifted through them. "We have four spots open, and so far ten applicants. First up is Giovanni Marino."
"Wait what?" I looked at the application. It wasn't a cruel joke thought up by Jared, Gio's name was on an application. I felt someone tap me on my shoulder, and I turned around. Gio was there. He smiled at me. I couldn't resist, so I smiled back. I'm dying inside.
"Okay. Break it up you two. We don't want any lewd acts in this public area." Jared pulled Gio into the back room. I grabbed a soda, so I could cool down after what just happened. Anna and Lyla smiled at each other.
Okay twenty minutes have passed, and I was almost pulling my hair out. What the heck was happening in there? It's not like they have any hard tasks here. Hell! Jared works here! It can't be that hard! I am going to go on a rampage if someone doesn't come out of that backroom. The door opened.
"Congratulations, you've got the job." Jared was shaking Gio's hand. Gio was wearing a fugly Loungetech shirt, but it was red totally his color. Of course I thought anything was his color. He smiled at me and walked towards me.
"Um, can we go for a walk." His thick Italian accent made my heart do back flips.
"I don't know." Play it cool. I looked at Lyla. Her eyes were motioning that I should take up the offer.
"Well, I think it's a good idea because your both on your break." Anna punched Jared on the shoulder. I almost burst out laughing, but I restrained myself because I would have ended up spitting all over Gio's face.
"Um. Yeah whatever." Jared's usual answer when he doesn't know what the hell is happening.
"Ok. I'll walk." Gio grinned a huge pearly grin. I melted inside. I was practically drooling as we made our way out the door. But I came to my senses, I had to play it cool.
"Did you like the rose?" He rubbed his unshaved chin.
"It was a nice touch." Keep it cool. Answer short and to the point.
"I'm sorry about Friday night. I just don't know how to tell…"
"It's okay I understand. You don't know how to tell people. And you wouldn't know what to do if someone found out. It's Coming Out 101."
"I don't think I can even do it." His black wild hair was blowing in the wind. He looked at me with his strong coffee eyes.
"It's something you have to work out on your own, but I have to say I was hurt by what you did on Friday. I won't pretend I wasn't." Ok, I officially lost cool at hello.
"I'm sorry. I will do anything to make it up to you." His olive skin glistened in the sunlight.
"Apology accepted. And to make it up to me it better be something huge!" He leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips. I was dazed for a few seconds. "Ok. You made up for it. We're good." He smiled the killer smile. He held my hand for a while.
"Good."
"I think we should go back inside before anybody sees us."
"I really don't care anymore."
"Well, I think we should go inside before my friends start thinking bad things, when frankly I'm not that kind of boy." We walked back to the café hand in hand. Before we went we reluctantly let go. These things take time. Damn time!
"Cliff get back to work! Show Gio how to man the cappuccino machine." Jared was busy looking through the applications, and calling people's names. Lyla and Anna were showing some guy Jared just hired how to man the computer section, and no doubt gossiping all the while about what was none of their business.
"Wait up! We have a cappuccino machine?" Jared waved me off as he went into the backroom with a busty blonde chick that was sure to get a job. I was left to fend for myself.
"You know it's not that hard to man those things right?" This Asian woman walked up to me. She had a huge smile on her face.
"It's pretty easy." She got behind the counter, and explained to Gio and me what to do.
"Thanks a ton. I'll tell you what I'll make you one, and it's on the house." I went through the motions that the woman showed us, and to my amazement the coffee came out pretty good. She smiled and thanked us. She started walking away, and then she turned around.
"Hey, do you mind if I put up a flyer or two? I opened up a kung fu place down the street. I need some exposure. Hey! Maybe you two would be interested in a free class. Tomorrow at 7:00 PM. You can bring friends. Heck bring as many as you want."
"I think I'm interested. I'll take the flyers an post one on the counter, and the other one on the window by the front doors. I'll be there, and I'll bring some friends." She was a nice lady. Plus, since "my destiny has revealed itself", I think I need some training. Also I hear that martial arts are killer cardio, the perfect workout.
"Um, I'm Cliff, and this is Gio." Gio waved to her. "It was a pleasure meeting you…."
"Ms. Kwan. Trini Kwan. I hope to see you both tomorrow night. Oh and by the way you two make a cute couple." She walked away happily with cappuccino in hand. Gio stood baffled.
"Is it obvious?" There was nervousness in his tone.
"No, but she is a kung fu master." I started jumping around like a monkey. I bumped into someone behind me, and I heard the audible splash meaning that there drink hand spilled.
"You loserface!" No not this guy again. I was having such a good day too. I turned around.
"I'm so sorry Dr. Santos." I'll clean that right up. I needed to brown nose just enough to get by so I won't have to punch this guy out.
"It's ok. I'll handle it." To my amazement Javier grabbed some napkins and actually cleaned up. Maybe this guy wasn't the pure spawn of Satan. At least he was decent enough to clean up. "Now, you have to pay for my tie."
"What? Why do I have to pay for you freakin tie?"
"Because you bumped into me like the total idiot you are."
"Why I ought to!" Gio held me back. Anna and Lyla came running. The café went quiet.
"Get out of here." Anna was again furious.
"My pleasure. I'll be by for my new tie tomorrow. Oh, yeah I got it at Barney's, or you could give me fifty dollars, cash, check, or bond." Like that meant anything. He walked out. Everything went back to normal.
By around five in the afternoon, we had enough staff to man the café. Gio was on cappuccino duty and the busty blonde was behind the counter with him. There was this bookish girl that I had interviewed, Jaclyn, manning the computers. She was polite and educated, that's why I hired her. Plus, she was a decent conversationalist. I seriously needed one of those around here. The closest thing we had gotten was Javier del Santos, and I really don't want to talk about that pain. With her was Keith, the guy that Anna and Lyla were helping out earlier.
The four of us stepped out. We felt a "destiny" tug. From behind a dumpster came the familiar black wolf. He strutted towards.
"Zordon needs to talk to you." He led us to a door. Alpha touched the door with his nose, and as before we went through to Zodiac Temple.
"Rangers, we are facing an evil more powerful than I had thought."
"It's probably nothing we can't face." Anna's confidence sometimes amazes me.
"Even so, you can not do it in the four Zords alone. Remember, you must be in harmony with each other in order to be victorious over foe. Yesterday's battle was neither a victory or a defeat. I was a setback for the enemy, but nothing more. A mere scratch in their armor, but it was a time for revelation for me. In order to achieve this balance you must come together, your Zords must come together, and become one. Be a team. Individuality is fantastic, it is what makes you all great, but through teamwork we can come on top."
"Bravo Zordon! Well said." Zordon shot a glare at Alpha. I poked Jared awake. He had completely missed the team work speech. In actuality, so had I. My head was not completely all there for that mind numbly great speech.
"You know I can read your thoughts." Zordon was staring at me. Great! He had just heard everything I went into a panic. He busted out laughing. "I'm kidding. Lighten up. A super sentient immortal being makes a joke and the whole universe falls apart."
We all stared at him for a while. Zordon straightened up, stuck out his chest, and cleared his throat. "Ok on to business." He waved his hand and the frozen water mirror thingy rose from the ground. On the surface of the lake appeared a Zord. But this wasn't just any Zord, it was huge, and looked pretty lethal.
"This is the Mega Zodiac Zord." Yeah, great name. "It is formed with all four of the element Zords that you four control. But in order to transform, you must have these." I felt my heart being almost ripped open as Zordon's hand issued a pulling motion. Out of my chest and the others as well came a small silver coin. Mine had little fishes on. I rubbed my chest, that hurt.
"We need change?" I laughed mockingly. No one else did do. Lyla was still wincing a bit.
"Alone your Zords do not have enough energy to combine, and call upon the full power of the Zodiac. You can not call down the Helm of Stella. Basically, the head of the Mega Zodiac Zord. For that you need these coins, the Star Coins. Each one has a special ability within. One you can used unmorphed and also morphed. The other use is even more powerful. Inside the cockpits of your Zords there is place that can hold these. When placed in the holder, you Zord gains a power up. So these coins are essential for Zord and non-Zord combat. You all got you your sign's coin. But there are eight missing coins. Two for each of you element. These will activate soon enough, and when they do we must retrieve them immediately. If we don't who knows what anyone would do with such power? Oh and also I think I should give you these." Zordon waved his hands. I ducked. Last time this man did something with his hands, I was in pain. There was a flash, and in front of me was a pitchfork. I looked around, Anna was holding a bow, Lyla was holding this huge cannon-like thing, and Jared had a big hammer.
"These are your weapons. You can summon them at will. They get a boost when you are morphed. Also they come together to form the Elemental Cannon. With it you blast most foes away. As long as they are of reasonable size of course."
"That's all good and dandy, but why do I get a blue pitchfork?" I was mildly ticked.
"It's not a pitchfork Cliff. It's a trident. You know Poseidon wields one." Zordon looked like I did a few seconds ago.
"Oh, like Ariel's dad had in the Little Mermaid." I picked up the weapon. It felt right in my hands, even though I had no idea how to "wield" it. The weapons shimmered for a moment, and then they disappeared.
"That wraps everything up for today. Other than that be safe, and be aware for the Star Coins might activate at any moment. Anywhere." Zordon walked off, and we made our way out to the real world.
We walked back into Loungetech where everything seemed to be running smoothly. Jared gave the keys to Jaclyn and promoted her to sub-manager. Or something he definitely made up. It was an excuse not to stay late and close up shop. Jared left. Anna and Lyla left when Anna's brother came to pick her up. So it was me, the busty blonde Becky, Gio, and Jaclyn. Becky left. It was me, Gio, and Jaclyn.
"Hey, you guys want a ride?" I was cleaning the counter with a wet towel.
"Yeah, sure." Gio smiled.
"Thank You! The buses don't pass at this time anymore." Jaclyn looked relieved. She shut off the power to the computers. Gio fixed everything up in the back room, and I killed the music. We got out, and locked the door and got into my car. I dropped Jaclyn off at her apartment complex, and watched her until she was safely inside. Gio and I then drove off. We didn't exactly go anywhere. I was just driving. He didn't seem to mind either.
"So Mr. Marino, tell me a little about yourself." In reality I barely knew anything about Gio, but there was just something inside me that needed to be near him. Maybe it was another phase of my "destiny or whatever.
"Well, I am from a small village near the Mediterranean, I was born and raised there. My family was full of fishers. I lived with my grandmother and grandfather by the sea. But, my grandmother passed away, so my Aunt moved me and my grandfather here." Touching story. "How about you Cliff, what is you history?"
"Well, I was born in Los Angeles. I lived there until I was about nine. My parents got a divorce at that time. Lawyer plus lawyer do not mix well. There was an ugly custody battle, and I ended up here with my mother. I never really see my parents much anyways so it doesn't matter." I parked in a park near our school. I looked at the lake and sighed.
"Well, I don't know which story is more tragic." He held my hand, and squeezed it.
"So Gio, what are you planning to do after next year, when you graduate?"
"I'm hoping to get a soccer scholarship somewhere. It's the only thing I can really do. And maybe I could take a shot at going pro." Not a dream. He was actually an amazing goalie. "What about you?"
"Well I wanna be a lawyer. Even after I've seen how destructive that is, but it's in my blood. Other than arguing the only thing I can do is write. I would love to be an author, but my mom always said I should be realistic. It's hard to become a big name, and it's a pretty unstable job."
"If you want. You can do it." He looked at me. He leaned in. I leaned in. We kissed for the second time, and it felt just as good if not better than the first. After a few minutes, we stopped. I looked at the lake again.
"Well I think we should be on our way." Reluctantly, I started the car. He explained to me how to get to his house. When we got there he unwillingly opened the door and said goodbye.
"Hey! What's your sign?" I shouted as he made his way to the front door of a cozy looking house.
"I'm a Cancer. How about you?"
"I'm a Pisces."
He waved as he stepped through the front door. I took a long way home. I was trying to collect all my thoughts and emotions. When I finally got home, I found dinner in the fridge. Looks like mom cooked some pasta. I reheated it, and I went to my computer. I went online. I Googled an astrology compatibility sight. I looked up relationships between Pisces and Cancer. They said it was a match made in Heaven. I giggled to myself. I checked my emails, and then I saw that no one fun was online. I turned off the machine. I finished my pasta in the kitchen and disposed of the plate. I went upstairs to check if mom was home. She wasn't. I took a shower, and then I watched some TV. I went to sleep while watching the news coverage on my big fight yesterday.
Outside in the dark was Trini. She was watching the house the young boy, Cliff, had entered. She sighed. "Zordon, are you sure about these guys?" she disappeared in a white flash
The darkness stirred. "Tomorrow we shall re-execute our plan. This time without fail Eksanda!"
"Yes, Master Shadow." The enchantress bowed before the darkness. The smiling man entered through the door.
"Felion here will make sure you die if you fail." The smiling man bowed as the darkness addressed him.
"I will honor you Great Shadow." He stood and left. He had much to do before dawn arrived on Hillbrook.