{Note: So sorry that I haven't updated in a long while! I'm currently balancing my Wattpad and Tumblr, keeping them synced. I'm working on updating on here as well and soon I'll have everything synced up. Thank you for your patience!}
"Where are we?" she asked as she looked around the room that had doors in all angles. "Well, my dear friend, this is the lobby. In my hat are doors to numerous other worlds. Behind one of these doors is where our client is." He explained as he glanced around and walked towards a plain brown door. "In here!" He assured her and opened the door. "Now look, the same amount of people that go in are the same amount of people that go out. Meaning, we go in together, we leave together. Got it, kid?" He explained and made sure she understood. "Got it! We stick together." She replied and walked in with him.
"I hate to sound rude but, are you sure this is the right place?" Natalie asked in concern as she took in the area they had just stepped into. It was rather dark and gloomy, the clouds were gray and it seemed everything was a deep depressing tone. The streets were empty, trash littered the sidewalks and alleyways, this certainly didn't seem like a business area. "Of course I'm sure. Just follow me. You'll be fine." Jefferson replied, picking up his hat and placing it on his head. "I don't trust anyone, but I guess I don't exactly have a choice since I was naive enough to listen to you." the younger girl frowned and followed Jefferson when he began walking down an alleyway. "It's always an alleyway." she mumbled. "You're not wrong. It's not like a bunch of mafia guys are going to have a big office and a fancy sign that says 'Mafia entrance here'." He joked with a chuckle. "That would be neat and useful." She chimed happily as they walked together.
After making a few turns, they arrived at a shiny metal door. Jefferson knocked on it and someone quickly opened the door. "About time you showed up! Boss has been waiting for you and you know how he hates to wait." A tall, burly man wearing a black suit spoke as he greeted them. "Who's the kid?" He asked. "Just a kid I'm training." Jefferson answered and was led inside by the tall man. "Alright, she better not break anything." The man warned. "I won't." Natalie stammered, playing with the sleeve of her shirt, following Jefferson who obviously knew what he was doing...so she thought. They were led down a winding hallway, which she thought was rather odd so she paid attention to her surroundings. "Well, this is lovely-" she began but screeched when they turned a corner and a giant frog-like creature was staring right at her and nearly bumped into her. "Calm down!" Jefferson whispered to her and grabbed her arm tightly, dragging her with him before the giant frog could eat her.
"What on earth was that?!" she half whispered to him. "Frog guy is the boss' bodyguard." He explained. It didn't soothe her at all, she had never seen such things before and clung to Jefferson's arm like a koala to a tree. Jefferson gave her a look, one that said 'If you don't let go, I will kick you.' but she still refused to let go. Finally, after a little ways more of walking, a giant chrome door opened and they were in a sort of lounge. Thankfully, she recognized her two favorite people in the universe and let go of his arm. "Boss, The Hatter is here." The bulky man spoke as they entered. The boss was nothing like you would imagine a boss to look like. He was a small frog that was sitting on a comfortable pillow that rested on a chair by a table. He was playing Go Fish with none other than Toma and Len. "Take a seat." The boss spoke in a squeaky voice. The two glanced at each other and sat by Toma and Len. Len, the blonde one, dealt them in the game, giving them five cards each. "Thanks." Natalie replied and took her cards, examining them carefully. "I assume you know how to play?" The boss asked. "Yes sir." Jefferson smirked as he looked up from his cards. "And you? You're new. What's your name?" He asked. "I'm Natalie, Jefferson's helper." She informed him and gave him an awkward smile. " "Oh, well then, welcome to the big leagues, Natalie. Do you know how to play? Aren't you a little young for this?" He inquired. "It's alright. I don't have parents." She lied with a grin. "I see." He sighed and glanced at his cards.
"Got any eights?" The small frog asked. "I win!" Toma smirked in triumph, setting his cards aside. "No way! I bet you cheated!" Len exclaimed and checked his twin's cards.
"Huh...He did win." Len frowned and handed the cards back.
"Why would you think I was cheating? You're the cheater. Not me." Toma bantered playfully.
"I am not!" Len slammed his fist on the table.
"We're playing for fun, stop fighting!" The frog slapped them both with his slimy, long, tongue.
Toma's eyebrows contorted in a look of disgust and he sat back in his seat.
"Sorry, Hopscotch." Len let out a frustrated sigh.
"Yeah, sorry." Toma wiped his cheek of the slimy residue.
"Don't do it again. Now, where's the mushroom?" Hopscotch, the boss, demanded.
"We have it right here." Jefferson replied and handed him the mushroom.
Hopscotch inspected it and nodded to his guard. "Go make me some Ruthenian Mushroom soup!" He ordered.
"Yes sir." A guard replied and took the mushroom.
"Likanaya, pay them." He added. "Here is the money." He hopped away. Leaving them with a pink haired lady who handed Jefferson the money.
"Pleasure doing business." He tipped his hat.
"Let's go." He commanded Natalie as he walked out, causing her to jog a bit to catch up with him. "As soon as we get back, I want my cut." She told him sternly.
"And you will." He assured her as he set his hat on the ground and they both went into the lobby of the hat.
"Now, Jefferson." She frowned and stuck her hand out.
"What? You don't trust me?" He looked hurt.
"Of course not." She replied.
"Fine. You win." He handed her a good few stacks of money.
She stood there and counted it.
"$25,000?! How much did they pay you for that toadstool???" She asked in shock.
"$31,000." He smirked proudly and leaned against the wall, a playful look in his eyes.
"Are you serious??" She smiled.
"Of course."
"Huh, maybe I was wrong about you." She put her money away.
"So uh, where are you going now?"
"Home, I guess."
"Mind if I come with you?"
"Uh yes. I'm fourteen, if I brought a boy home, my folks would go insane. Chanclas would fly and don't get me started on the infinity chancla." Natalie shivered.
"Infinity chancla?"
"Eeeyup. Maybe once I know you better, I'll invite you over."
"Well how do I get in touch with you for another job?" He asked curiously.
"Easy." She wrote her number on a sheet of paper from an art book she got out of her bag and handed it to him. "Just give me a call. In all the dimensions, there's bound to be a phone somewhere."
"Thanks." He winked at her.
She gave him a disgusted look and frowned. "Don't start that." She rolled her eyes and turned the dial on her necklace.
A portal opened and she jumped in. "See ya Hatter!~"
"See ya!" He chuckled and stared at the paper in his hand. "Hopefully soon.."
