2 Months Later
"It's over. We're done."
Two sets of words he had never thought he could be so conflicted about. On one hand, he was pissed. His only source of income, gone. On the other hand, he was glad he would be able to start again, hopefully with equipment that only broke down twice a week. If even. But he had no chance at a job that didn't look like it came from the dump. If you worked in trash once, forever shall you work in trash. I should write that one down, oh right . I don't have paper. I have this cardboard box and a sign. The sign read;
GARAGE WORKER
FOR HIRE
SKILLED REPAIRMAN
He had been sitting at the corner of this alley for 3 days now. His ability to eat dwindled rapidly along with the weight in his pocket. Soon he would have to resort to true beggaring, or just crawl into a corner and wait for nature to take its course. Beggars weren't uncommon in a place like this, he had passed at least 4 every day on his way to the garage. He looked up and noticed two people walking down the sidewalk towards him, more purposefully than the average commuter. Well, if they want to rob me, it's not like they'll find much. Unless they're into cardboard. If they want to hire me, however…
He let the thought trail off, as the two men had just stopped in front of him. He needed to focus, 3 days on rations didn't constitute a focused mind.
Well damn. If this is going to be it, I wish I had gotten that pie from the sto- damn it! Focus, Max!
The men were wearing what seemed to be one of the old flight suits from a jet. Each held no visible weapons, but he saw a slight bulge in the slightly taller man's right pocket. Not noticeable if you weren't looking for it, but of course, he was. The size indicated some sort of small knife or brass knuckles.
"What do you want?"
"For you to come with us."
"And if I don't?"
The shorter of the two looked him over, and probably figured they'd be in more danger fighting a feather. "I'm thinking you're in no condition to refuse, Max."
Max started in surprise. "Wa- how do you know my name?"
"Your history on Earth proceeds you, Hawk One."