The next morning, Allison had a little bit of a spring in her step as she headed to the Dino Bite cafe for work. It wasn't like she was especially ambitious, that much she had openly said herself...unless her skateboarding took of that was. No, she had even mocked those that were focused on their careers. She knew that some people did genuinely like their jobs and took real joy in them, to which her attitude had simply been. 'good for them'. However, there seemed to be an awful lot of people that cared way too much about jobs they clearly hated. They would work long hours, long weeks, complain endlessly about skipping days off or working extra hours for no pay...and then do it anyway! It just seemed somewhat nonsensical to her, she had been much happier to just do her shift, go home and collect her cheque at the end of the month.
Being asked to become a supervisor was something that she would never have seen happening, or even caring about. The extra responsibilities, the hassle of dealing with other employee complaints, dealing with customers who seemed unwilling to speak to the staff lower down the chain, doing rotas, keeping everyone happy with their time off, balancing the day's takings...it all sounded like a lot of hassle to her that she could live without. It definitely didn't seem like it was going to be worth it for an extra couple of dollars on her pay each month. Still, there was another factor in it. She'd never felt like what she did mattered. After all, who cared if someone got two or three onion rings on their burger?
She had, however, stepped up a lot in her job in the Dino Bite. Her last job, she would never argue her boss was right to fire her. Not only had she spent more time on her iPhone or flirting with hot guys than doing her job, she'd cost an entire dining room full of customers to walk out without paying without even noticing because she was too busy talking to Chase. Hell, even when she started at the Dino Bite, she had felt like it was just another crappy job that gave her the money she needed to keep up her skateboarding, which admittedly could get expensive, especially when some of her gear gave out just before a competition. However, since she had found out the truth about what her friends really did, what Chase really did, she had changed her opinion on it all completely.
For a while it was irritating. The number of times she had been left behind when everyone ran off at a moment's notice, but since stumbling on the Dino Lab, she had been included in the secret, and knew how important what they did was. It wasn't as though she could really help them much in battle. Even with powers, she had been in a total of one fight in her entire life with her little cousin who took exception to her playing his video game, and had been handed an embarrassing defeat. No eight year old wanted to admit being handed their ass by a five year old! However, she quickly realised the museum didn't simply stop running just because the most experienced staff members weren't there. Customers still wanted served in the cafe, people still needed to be directed to the exhibits, and most importantly...someone still had to ensure people paid and didn't just walk out when no one was looking!
The work was still tedious, and the customers could still be just as annoying, but now she wasn't just dealing with all that for a low wage, she was doing it to help the Rangers battle the forces of evil! Sure, it might not mean wearing the cool spandex or riding around in a massive robot dinosaur, but she was doing something to help. She actually found herself caring about the job, and before she knew it, she had indeed done extra hours and extra shifts. She was doing things that were outside of her areas of responsibility. She'd changed around rotas; she'd arranged additional help when needed. None of this had gone unnoticed, which was why Kendall had asked if she wouldn't mind lightening the load on her a little by taking on those responsibilities on a full time basis.
She had often mocked supervisors. Like any line employee who had found herself with a supervisor that rubbed her the wrong way or seemed to think what he was doing was life and death, she had found herself flipping them off or saying things behind their back. As she approached the door with her new supervisor's badge though, she found the morning shift waiting for her.
"Do you have Ms Morgan's number?" Brad, one of the part-timers asked her. "The doors are still locked."
"I can go one better, I have the key." She replied, pulling out her key and unlocking the door. The staff just looked a little surprised.
"Why do YOU have a key?" Erica, one of the others asked. Allison just looked to them.
"Ms Morgan gave it to me." She explained. "I'm your new supervisor!"
After staring at her blankly for a few moments, they burst out laughing. Brad approached her.
"No, seriously, why do you have a key?" He asked her. She just showed him her name badge.
"I'm serious!" She protested. They all inspected it, before Brad shrugged.
"Alright then, lead the way boss!" He told her. As Allison headed inside, Erica pulled in closer.
"She's now a supervisor?" She asked. "How the hell did that happen?"
"Who cares? Just look on the bright side!" He said in response. "We know her, it's not like she brought in some jackass with jack-boots and an ego. This could be the best thing that ever happened!"
Back in New Zealand, the Rangers had started working early in the morning to create an assault course. Having found Albert, they were keen to carry on with their quest, knowing that they would likely find his Zord close to where he had gained his Energem, however after a little discussion, a few concerns had been raised. While Tyler was all for the new Ranger, and wanted to get right back to the adventure, some of the others were having more than a little bit of a hard time taking him seriously. His amazing stories and questionable accounts of his exploits really didn't lend much credibility, while Ivan and Riley had also pointed out that in the only battle they had been a part of with him, none of them had seen him actually fight. There had been a bit of an argument about the matter, but eventually Tyler had relented, knowing that the others had to be able to rely on Albert. They might find their lives depending on him one day, and so he had agreed to let them 'audition' the new arrival.
"There, that should just about do it." Ivan said, tightening the last rope on a cargo net obstacle. They had figured that the safest and fairest way to check on Albert's suitability for the role was to ensure he could keep up with them on a simple training run. All of them had been fighting monsters for some time, and a lot of them had experience beyond that. Tyler had relented, knowing that the others had to be able to rely on Albert. They might find their lives depending on him one day, and so he had agreed to let them 'audition' the new arrival.
"You don't think this is a bit...you know...much?" Riley asked him. "I mean, the guy's not exactly a spring chicken. He's older than my grandpa...and he died ten years ago."
"Sir Riley, your charity is noble." Ivan said as he looked to his former squire. "However, you must consider that this man may well one day have our lives in his hands. If he cannot handle a mere assault course, do you really want to place your life in his hands?"
Riley just shrugged.
"I guess not." He sighed. "I already talked to Keeper. Apparently he can unbond someone from an Energem. It takes a lot out of him, but it can be done."
"I would rather that than risk the consequences of we don't." Ivan replied. Just then, Shelby arrived beside them.
"So, are you two ready?" She asked them.
"I'm sure this should be a suitable test." Ivan told her. As they headed for the start line, Tyler, Koda and Chase were already waiting with Albert. He was wearing a purple tracksuit that looked like it was older than some members of the team.
"I have to admit, it's been some time since I've worn this." He told them. "These things aren't too warm up the mountains."
"Well, we should be fine down here, and the flexibility should help." Tyler said as they lined up. "Don't worry if you can't keep up. Just do your best."
Albert didn't say anything, instead just standing on the start line. The Rangers all lined up alongside him.
"Alright, on your marks, get set...GO!" Chase said, at which all the Rangers took off, running towards the first obstacle, a high, a-shaped cargo net obstacle. They were all clambering up the net, heading towards the top. It was only as he got to the top, straddling it, that Riley looked back, noticing that Albert was standing, perfectly still, his arms crossed over his chest. He just sighed and shook his head.
"Figures." He muttered to himself. "ALBERT!"
"Albert?" Shelby asked as they turned to notice the same thing.
"Come on Albert." Tyler beckoned him. "Please, don't worry if you can't keep up. Just try to..."
"Keep up?" Albert chuckled. "I just wanted to give you a head start!"
With that, he rushed for the net, and launched himself up it, barrelling past the Rangers, before flicking himself nimbly over the apex and kind of rolling down the other side, before sprinting to the next obstacle, a balance beam that was made from a felled tree, rocketing across it without even breaking pace, negotiating it as easily as open ground! The others just blinked as they witnessed this.
"...finish the course." Tyler concluded, as the Rangers all started to climb over the net, already trailing him by a significant way.
"That's...quite impressive!" Chase stammered.
"Come on!" Riley said as he finally got to the bottom of the net and started running after the Purple Ranger.
In Amber Beach, Phillipe was in his gym, working on a heavy bag. He had been lucky so far; it seemed that Sledge wasn't pressing the advantage while most of the team was in New Zealand. That said, Phillipe was determined not to take any chances either. Just because Sledge HADN'T sent a monster to Amber Beach yet, didn't mean he wouldn't. Now that the Rangers had encountered Fury in New Zealand, it wouldn't take long for Sledge to hear that six out of the seven Rangers were on the opposite side of the planet. He was expecting him to take advantage any time now.
He found his attention caught as the door opened behind him and Margaret walked in, carrying a telephone. He took a second to catch his breath as she arrived.
"I didn't mean to interrupt, but its Mr Watkins on the phone." She said as he pulled off his gloves. "I was going to take a message, but he was quite insistent."
"Of course, thank you." Phillipe replied as he took the phone from her. "Mr Watkins, I'm pleased you responded so promptly..."
"Your Highness, I have to admit being more than a little surprised you responded to my E-mail." Mr Watkins began. "I was a little upset that the golf course was closed, so if I've caused offence..."
"No, nothing like that, not at all!" Phillipe assured him. "I'm sorry my meeting with the mayor inconvenienced your business proceedings. I was hoping I could make it up to you."
"Unfortunately I don't think..."
"Please, I insist." Phillipe interrupted him. "I'm well aware of the fact I'm the new kid in town, I'd rather get on with my neighbours. How would you like to invite your clients around here?"
"To the Embassy?" Mr Watkins asked.
"Yes, my chef here is really quite excellent." Phillipe assured him. "I'd really like to make this up to you if I can."
"My clients were kind enough to extend their stay in the city. I think I might be able to convince them to accept your hospitality." Mr Watkins replied. "I have to admit, I've never been to an Embassy before."
"Excellent. I can have a driver pick you and your guests up." Phillipe told him. "When would be convenient for you?"
"I can call my clients right away." Mr Watkins answered. "You know where my office is..."
"My driver will be around shortly." He stated. "I look forward to seeing you."
With that, he hung up the phone, handing it back to Margaret.
"Tell Antoinette we're expecting guests. Have the dining room set up." He told her, pulling off his T-shirt. "I need to go and get cleaned up."
As he left, Margaret watched him go, before having to snap herself back into reality, getting onto her radio to begin arrangements for their guests.
Back in New Zealand, Tyler and the other Rangers made their way around the assault course, barely keeping up with Albert. They could hardly believe how nimble and quick he was, blasting around the course like the obstacles weren't even there. He turned around as he got over the last high bar, landing on the open ground on the way back to camp, running backwards.
"Come on slow pokes, keep up!" He teased them, before turning back around. Riley landed and started to sprint, hoping to catch him, with the others not far behind him. As they all got to the finish line, Albert was waiting on them, already putting on the kettle.
"Sorry, I would have had the kettle boiled, but I had to slow down a little so you could keep up!" He teased them as they arrived, stopping to catch his breath. He pointed to Ivan and Riley. "I needed to be sure you could see me. I wouldn't want those two accusing me of taking any short cuts."
"Why would we...?"
"I'm old, I'm not deaf." He chuckled, beginning to prepare some mugs. "Nor am I stupid. I've seen you two whispering."
"We merely expressed..."
"I've been living out in these woods for over thirty years! I've been up those mountains more times than you two have likely been anywhere." Albert said as he started looking out tea bags. Tyler glared at them, before approaching Albert.
"Well, I think we can safely say you've proven your fitness." Tyler said, coming to the Purple Ranger's side. "You killed that course."
Just then, their communicators sounded. Chase answered his first.
"What is it Ms Morgan?" He asked.
"I've detected alien bio signatures in the city." Kendall told him. "I'm reading a lot of power."
"We're on it." Tyler told her. He looked to Albert. "Well, looks like you finally get to fight as part of the team."
"F...f...fight?" Albert asked, looking a little concerned. "Those things are back?"
"Hey, don't worry about it. You've got this!" Tyler said enthusiastically. "Besides, this time you have all of us on your side!"
"Believe me, that makes a LOT of difference." Chase agreed. Albert just nodded as the Rangers all ran off.
"Yes...of course." He said with a gulp, taking his Energem in his hand. "Of course."
Meanwhile, back in Amber Beach, Allison was struggling as the lunch time crowd came in. She was running around out the front, clearing up some tables as a customer started waving her over.
"I'm sorry; can I take your order?" She asked.
"The girl at the counter took my order...half an hour ago!" The mother said grumpily as she tried to keep her kids under control.
"Oh...I'll just check on that." Allison told her. "Very sorry about the inconvenience."
As she headed towards the counter, someone else stopped her.
"Excuse me, but I specifically asked for NO pickles on my burger." The man told her.
"Yes...well...sorry about that, would you like a replacement?" She asked.
"No, just...get me a refill on my soda will you?" He asked her. She took the cup and headed for the counter. She found it difficult to get there since there were so many people crowded up. It was only as she got to the other side she realised that there was no one behind the counter!
"Excuse me; I've been waiting for twenty minutes!" One woman complained. Allison just nodded.
"Thank you for your patience, I'll be right with you, I promise." She answered as she looked around the back. There was no one on the grill either.
"Erica?" She called out. "Erica!"
"I'm here, I'm here, keep your hair on!" Erica said as she came to the counter.
"Where the hell were you?" Allison asked her.
"I was in the bathroom!" She protested. "Do you want me to pee myself?"
"Where the hell is Brad?" Allison asked her.
"How would I know?" Erica asked her with a shrug.
"Table three wants a re-fill and table nine is still waiting on their order." Allison told her. "But take their orders first! Alright folks, sorry about the wait, you WILL get your food, we'll bring it out to the table. Erica, I'll see if we can get someone from the floor to help out. I'll be right back."
As she stepped out into the back, looking for someone to help out, she heard someone shuffling around. She was looking around for who was hanging around in the store room. She thought most would be in the museum. As she rounded a corner, she found Brad with his cell phone out, wandering around.
"YES!" He called out, turning to see her. "Oh, hey!"
"Brad? What the hell are you doing here?" She asked him. He showed her his cell phone, with a huge smile on my face.
"I just caught a Snorlax!" He told her. "I caught a Charmander over there earlier; seriously this place is like a gold mine!"
"Are you FREAKING KIDDING ME?" Allison yelled at him. "It's the lunch rush and you're out here playing POKEMON?"
"I was on a break." He said with a shrug. He walked past Allison, heading back to the restaurant, but with absolutely no sense of urgency in his pace. Allison just took a deep breath, before heading back to the cafe.
