Harrison had been most of hte way home when he got the call from Gideon. Work to be done, a stop to make. Harrison ahd the thought of delaying long enough to drop off the thermos that Esther had given him, but quite frankly, telling Gideon to wait wasn't something that Harrison was interested in doing. it sounded like a fast way of losing what favour he'd managed to garner thus far. So he made the walk to one of the smaller projects, looking to make good on monies owed. He knew the people here, wasn't looking forward to dealing with them.
Harrison knocked ont he door, pounded on it really.
"Jimbo, open the door." There was no answer, but Harrison could hear some shuffling inside. "Look, just pay me what you owe Gideon, adn I'm gone. Let's not make a big thing out of this."
"Go away!" A thin, reedy voice wavered from inside.
"Last warning man. Door is coming down if you don't open it." Harrison mentally counted down from three before putting his boot into the door. The cheaply made wood splintered, and the door swung open. Harrison stormed in, seeing Jimbo. Or at least, what used to be Jimbo.
The man Harrison had known had been a big guy, two hundred pounds at least, and strong. Harrison had never actually fought him, but had always put it at dead level odds on who would win. This guy...he might have been a little over half of his weight before, skin hanging off his bones, thin, wasted, and shaking. Harrison could see the track marks on his arms. Thre was another man in the room, and Harrison sighed.
"Gary." He said in greeting.
"Harrison. My brother there owes you?" Gary asked, waving at Jimbo.
"Yeah. So...look, I know you're taking care of his money at this point, so just pay me, and I'll get gone." Gary nodded, pulling out a wad of cash, and counting off bills.
"How much?"
"Nine hundred. I'm supposed to rough him up, but I don't think there's much point." Gary nodded.
"Agreed." Gary handed over the money. Harrison pocketed it.
"Harrison...the fuck is that?" Gary asked, pointing at the thermos. Harrison rolled his eyes.
"A fucking thermos." He answered.
"Is that a...tinkerbell...thermos?"
"It's got some good uises you know."
"Like?"
"No one really suspects it. ANd it's pretty solid you know." As he spoke Harrison took the thermos in both hands, and drove the bottom of it right into Gary's face. There was a sickening snapping sound and Gary landed a few feet away on his back, staring up at the ceiling. Harrison wiped the blood off of the thermos, seeing a small dent in it. Gary had a harder head that expected. Still, Harrison could honestly say that his reputation was secure. He made his way for home.
Harrison found Jane waiting for him, smiling wider than he'd seen in a long time.
"What's got you in such a fine mood?" Harrison asked her with a smile of his own.
"Dad is gone for a few days. Fishing." She answered. Harrison nodded, and then thought of the thermos in his hands. Well, there was likely never going to be a better time.
"Got some weird stuff from someone at school. Fancy a drink?" He asked. Jane grinned at him.
"Sure!" Harrison followed her to the kitchen. A few minutes later, glasses were filled, and drinks were going down fast. It was going to be a good night.
The next day, harrison only looked a little tired. Hangovers didn't linger on him for long, adn he could shake them off quickly. Jane, on the other hand, was laid up for the day, Harrison making the call to her school. his making the call wasn't unusual for them, if they were notified at all it was from him. She had tried to keep pace with his drinking, but she had a lot less experience, adn a lot less mass to soak the booze. Her night ended with drunken unconsciousness, which could have been worse. Still Harrison was at the front of the class, at his desk, finishing up some marking as the students filed in. It was going to be a long day.