Hey everyone! I hope this next chapter is all right with you. It's sort of boring and short, so I apologize.
Now, on to the reviews:
doodlegirll: yeah, she is. Hope you don't mind. XD
AudacesFotunaJuvat; I'm glad you like it1 The Robinsons won't be back until around chapter 19, but I almost have it up to that point, so maybe you'll get a chance to see them this weekend.
On to the story! Enjoy!
-
Chapter 13
Deal and Discovery
-
"WHAT!?"
Ted was fuming like a teapot the next day when Mike told him about his plan.
"Aww, Ted," said Mike with a pleading look. "Have a heart! I'm sure she could use a better job and I thought you liked her!"
"Haven't you ever heard of 'faking it'?" he screamed. Mike tried to shush him, but he wouldn't stop. "We don't need any more people living here! I think you're fine with what you have! Don't ruin it by bringing a girl into the picture!"
"Ted," said Mike in a patronizing tone, "she's the only one I've ever met that knows how it feels to have someone abandoned you. I don't want her to go away! She could be my only chance at having a friend."
Ted sighed and patted Mike on the back. 'It's not that I don't like the girl, she's…okay I guess. Little too quirky for my tastes, but…my original designer gave up almost everything for a chick and she just left him out cold. He ended up shutting a few others and me to sell our parts. I don't want that to happen to you."
Mike smiled. "Aww, Ted...you care…"
Ted backed away from him. "Hey, I just don't want you to shut me down…that's all." He went over and gave Mike a friendly punch in the arm. "I just hope you know what you're doing."
-
Al awoke the next day, to a beautiful sunlit room. She immediately jumped out of bed to get ready to get out of there. She knew she had overstayed her welcome, and she didn't want Mike to have to worry about someone else.
She ran down the steps ready to leave, but not before she said goodbye to Mike first. She ran into the dining room and gasped.
Mike was sitting at the table as Ted served a pancake breakfast. He waved in a childlike matter, motioning for her to join him.
"Hey Al!" he said with a grin. "Saved you a seat!"
Al smiled nervously.
I'll leave after breakfast, she thought with a smile.
She took a seat next to Mike as Ted slid a plate of pancakes her way. The doorbell suddenly rang.
"I got it," he said grudgingly as he headed for the door.
As Al began to eat, Mike tried his best to strike up a conversation with her.
"So, how'd you sleep?" he asked with a grin.
"Pretty well actually," she said as she ate her pancake. "Thanks for letting me stay. I really enjoyed myself…it must be fun to live in a house like this."
"Yeah, it is," he said with a sigh. "But it can get awfully lonely…which is why I have a bit of a proposition for you…"
Al looked up at him with a cocked eyebrow. "Huh?"
"You see Al," he began, "I was thinking to myself… 'Hey, I have all these great inventions! But what would happen if someone stole them?' So! I thought I should start on making a security system for my lab downstairs. Unfortunately, that requires more help and Ted isn't willing enough to help me so…I was wondering if you'd like the job."
Al looked stunned. She paid even more attention when he gave more details.
"All you'd need to do is hand me tools, hold things while I fix them, hook up wires…you know…assistant business. I'll pay you double the amount you get at your current job and let you stay here with your own room and a room to develop your photos. So…what do you say? I would really like to have you here."
Al looked at him as if he were crazy. A job? A job as the assistant to Mike Yagoobian? What could she say?
She smiled as her mind answered that for her. She took Mike's hand and shook it firmly. He grew excited.
"I would love to work for you Mr. Yagoobian. When can I start?"
"Um…How about tomorrow? It'll give you the time to quit your old job and move in with me and Ted."
Al slapped herself on the forehead. "O my gosh! I got to turn in those newspaper stories!" She ran out of the dining room. "Mike, I'll be back…just a few things I need to take care of!"
And with that, she left. Ted came in with a binder tucked under his arm. He glared at Mike.
"So…" he started. "How'd it go? Is she staying with us?"
Mike nodded. "Yep! We have ourselves new roommate."
Mike couldn't help but notice Ted's cold stare. Sure, he almost always did that, but for some reason, it was especially cold today.
"Ted, what's wrong?"
"Gee Mike…' he began, "Nothing really! I was just wondering when you were going to tell me about…THIS!"
And with that, he slammed down the binder on the table. Mike gasped as he recognized it immediately.
The binder had a pretty unicorn with huge anime eyes and an angelic like smile that was almost demonic. He opened it and there was a checklist that was scribbled on, but still able to read. He continued to turn the pages to find a log of his evil plan and what he used to do when he was partners with Doris. He gulped and looked up at Ted who was still pretty angry.
"Gee Mike…I wish you could have told me you were once bent on destroying an orphan's life! I mean, by the looks of your plans, you weren't very good, but my gosh! An orphan boy! You're sick! And you were partnered with a mechanical bowler hat? Did you think you could hide it this long?"
"Ted please! He said with a begging tone. "That was a long time ago. My partner Doris…"
Ted threw his hands in the air. "Holy boltz! The hat has a name!"
"…tricked me and almost ruined the entire future!" he continued, ignoring Ted's comment. "I was so naive and desperate for some recognition that I was blinded! I didn't see Doris' true evil! Please Ted! You have to believe me!"
Ted looked at him for a brief second and sighed. "I guess I…sorta believe you…I mean…you're not all that bright…"
Mike glared daggers at him. "Gee thanks."
'But I wonder what Al will think of this?" he asked out loud. Mike gasped.
"No!" he yelled. "You can't tell her!"
"So you're just going to leave her in the dark?" he asked.
"I have to," continued Mike. "She'll leave if I tell her. Ted, promise me you won't say a word of this to Al! Promise!"
"Okay! Okay!" responded Ted.
"Do you really?" asked Mike. "no crossies?"
Ted rolled his eyes. "I pinky swear."
Ted held out his pinky. Mike wrapped his pinky around his and they shook on it.
"Thanks Ted."
"You owe me Yagoobian," he said pointing at him. And with that, he left for the kitchen. Mike went into the living room to watch some TV and wait for Al to return.
-
"Here you are Mr. Marling."
Al was at Mr. Marling's office. She handed him a folder, which was filled with paper. He looked up with concern.
"I'm quitting," she said. "You can find the document of my resignation in their. Also, the two interview with Cornelius Robinson and Mike Yagoobian are in there as well with photos."
Mr. Marling looked up at her. "Why are you leaving Allison?"
She blushed with embarrassment. "I got a job offer as Mike Yagoobian's assistant. Working for a newspaper just isn't for me sir…I love photography, but…not in this type of environment."
Mr. Marling nodded. "I understand…and a job offer like comes only once in a life-time. I just hope you're happy with your choice."
Al gave him a toothy grin. 'I sure am sure."
She shook his hand and walked out of his office. A few people, including her annoying co-worker Lyle waved as she left. Once out, she ran so that she could make it home.
Her new home.
-
Aww...Al has a home with Mike and Ted! Yay! Now their firendship can grow!
Thanks for reading!
-Kim