Thursday morning 7:45 am
The sun has risen, and the crew gathers on the front porch of the green farmhouse ready to start their day. Yawning, sipping coffee, and eating donuts, they wait to hear today's assignments. All are present except Mordecai and Rigby.
"I must say these are quite delicious, these... uh... uh..." said Pops between bites, "oh drats, I forgot the word. What do you call these sugar-dusted toroidal cakes again?"
"They call 'em doughnuts Pops" deadpanned Skips.
Benson glances at his watch, "Late as usual" he sighs.
"I've waited long enough. Let's start the meeting without them."
"Muscleman, I want you to trim the hedges. Skips and Hi-Fives I need you to plant some bulbs and annuals around the front entrance. I moved the flats to where they need to go earlier this morning. I will be in meetings all day with Maellard talking with various caterers and event planners, but I will have my phone on me in case you need me..."
Meanwhile, loud arguing could be heard coming through an open window of the house
Hold on a second," said Benson as he placed his clipboard on the ground and starts walking to the house.
"Some friend you are. I am always there for you in a pinch. When you need a wingman to talk with some girl, when you needed some money for food; I've got your back. But that one time when I needed you most, you decided not to show up!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Senior year high school!"
"What about senior year?"
"The last day of class you were supposed to help me jump Ricky from behind and beat his ass!"
"And what? Get suspended?"
"Suspended? It was the last day of class. How can they suspend you when you no longer have to be there?"
"Dude, they could've made us miss graduation."
"Do you really think they would you hold back a whole year just for that?"
Conceding, Mordecai changed the subject.
"You know Rigby, revenge is not the answer."
"Whadya mean not the answer? Of course, it is! Having kicked his ass, my self-esteem would be renewed, and with it my work ethic. I would've been able to focus at summer school and remedial classes! Instead of becoming a 25 year old high school dropout working at a park, I might have gone to college like you."
"Hey, I work at the park. And I dropped out too, from art school. I'm no different than you."
"Well, at least you went. I haven't even been to community college!"
"Rigby, I know what's like to be bullied, alright. But you can't let it define you years later. At some point, you gotta move on."
"Easy for you to say when you are taller!"
Rigby got cut off by Benson, who was now standing next to them overhearing the conversation.
"WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU TWO SLACKERS DOING? TWO DAYS IN A ROW, YOU ARE LATE FOR THE MEETING. THE CREW AND I HAVE BEEN WAITING HERE PATIENTLY FOR THE PAST FIFTEEN MINUTES FOR YOU TO FINALLY SHOW UP! YOU MAY THINK IT'S FUNNY TO LET BENSON DOWN! BUT KNOW THIS, YOU'RE NOT LETTING ME DOWN, YOU ARE LETTING THE ENT-I-R-E CREW DOWN!"
"NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO WORK HERE AND WOULD RATHER STAY UP ALL NIGHT PLAYING VIDEO GAMES, FINE THEN! BUT NOT ON THE PARK'S DIME AND SURE AS HELL NOT ON THE PARK'S TIME! IT'S A RECESSION, AND I HAVE A STACK OF RESUMES SITTING ON MY DESK FULL OF PEOPLE WANTING YOUR DAMN JOBS! JUST DON'T GET UPSET, IF THREE WEEKS FROM NOW, IT IS THEIR ASSES, NOT YOURS AT THE GALA, WAITING TO BE HONORED!"
"Wow Benson sure sounds pissed," said Hi-Five Ghost, giggling nervously.
"When is he not?" replied Muscleman, chuckling.
Just then, Benson walks out with the two slackers, their heads hanging down, a look of dejection across their faces. The rest of the crew stared silently at the trio. Rigby and Mordecai take a seat at the back of the porch, while Benson returns to the front. Clearing his throat, he addresses his crew.
"I apologize for having you witness what happened earlier. Anyways, Pops, I am placing you in charge today. I need to help Maellard pick out a caterer. I am leaving the clipboard with you. Rigby and Mordecai, I need to speak with you privately. The rest of you can leave."
The crew dispersed leaving Mordecai and Rigby alone on the porch with their boss.
"If you boys need a little privacy, we can do this in the office."
"Sure Benson," they replied in unison.
Benson's Office
Benson is seated at his desk. Mordecai and Rigby are seated before him.
"I am placing you two on probation, understand? Do your duties and stay focused for these three weeks, then you can join us at Gala. But if you screw up even once, then I'll have to let you go. With all that's at stake, the park cannot afford mistakes."
"Yes Benson, we understand" they murmured.
"With that said, I have a very important assignment for you two. I need your help picking the band for the upcoming Gala. I want you to research local bands and see who is available. I need band names, rates, genres, setlists, and samples/MP3's if you got them. There can be one or two original songs, but the setlist should be mostly covers, predominantly classic rock, as there will be a lot of older people at the event. The music and lyrics should be clean too. It doesn't have to be kid songs, but it needs to be family-friendly. That means, unfortunately, none of Benson's guilty pleasures like gangster rap or death metal or anything of the like. [Rigby's eyes turned to the NWA CD sitting on Benson's desk, before gazing at the Cannibal Corpse CD on the bookshelf]. I figure since you like music, this should be an easy task."
Mordecai spoke on both his and Rigby's behalf: "We can do that Benson. And, we promise you no more screwups these next three weeks and afterward as well. We understand how we let you and the whole team down, and it's not fair for them." Having finished his statement, Mordecai's hand gently yet firmly covered Rigby's mouth lest any stray talk emerges that might jeopardize what little goodwill they have with Benson at the moment.
"Excellent, it's a shame I had to light a fire under your ass, but if it keeps you productive, then it is what it is. I appreciate the sincerity, Mordecai and I look forward to hearing your results. Good luck!"
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Not much to say here, just a fun-to-write chapter. Don't know why, but I love dialogue, especially when it involves Benson screaming at Mordecai and Rigby.
