DATE: August 10, 2001 CAST: Basil, Enzo, Gresham, Sienna and Walter Scroungers' Warehouse A texture of powerful odors threatens to overwhelm the senses of those who are unused to them. You can see crevices containing food of some sort--old cheese puffs, coffee beans, dried Spam, and more--a revolting sight for all but the most starved or steeled. But that's not all: there are also oddities like tin foil, paper, string, sequins, and even an occasional human trinket. This must be some kind of warehouse. There are several tough-looking bugs hired to guard these valuables, keeping an eye on all that transpires. Quite a contrast to that scrawny little leafhopper over there, who studiously shuffles through papers on his matchbox desk. It's one of those quiet days, apparently. Not much going on. The guards are as stiff as boards, standing around without seeing much action, while the main paperwork person is, well, filling out paperwork. And then finally something enters: a small reddish ant, bounding towards the matchbox desk. "Hi, Gresham," he pipes up. "Terry sent me over to get one of the latest list thingies." The boy looks at the leafhopper expectantly. Looking around the room, Basil can't help but notice the almost dizzying array of articles and smells of the warehouse he is now located in. "This sure *looks* like the place." He turns and eyes Walter to obtain a hopefully expression to the affirmative. Not quite the thing a colony ant would expect. He watches the young red ant address the leafhopper, waiting to discuss the 'help wanted' notification. p> It's hard for Walter not to notice all the various stuff lining the walls himself. The ant grimaces as the more unpleasant smells begin to torment his senses. "Ew... I wonder who wants all this junk?" is his only response. He turns slightly, gaping at a pile of green, flaky stuff with an odd yet strong aroma--catnip. But then his attention is quickly grabbed by the site of the ant and the leafhopper. The ant, mostly. He raises an eyeridge. This is probably the first time that he's actually *seen* an ant in the city, other than himself and Basil of course. Hurrying quickly to work, is Enzo. Late again. 'I hope the boss doesn't notice' He laments a little and suddenly stops so as to not be noticed, or at least not to take on too much attention. He saunters his way into the warehouse, and silently waits for his list of articles to obtain. Enzo notices Sienna and rolls his eyes. "What is that little brat going on about?" he derides. He as of yet hasn't noticed the other two ants , keeping and eye on his boss. "Eh? What?" Gresham glances up from the document, wide eyes blinking at the distraction. "Oh!" Immediately he fumbles through his odd assortment of leaves and papers. "Yes, I know it's here... there." He hands a couple of papers over to the small ant. "Why does she want them now? I didn't think she was going to scrounge today." He notices Enzo, but apparently doesn't seem to care that he's late... the leafhopper often loses track of time himself. Knowing what the mosquito's after, Gresham wordly offers the insect a list identical to the one just given to the ant. Sienna shrugs at the leafhopper. "She said she was going to later this evening. I dunno." Curiously he skims the list, intent to see what the hottest items are these days. Catching Enzo's comment, the boy rudely sticks his tongue out. Normally not a smart thing for an ant to do, but he has the confidence of knowing that he is a grasshopper's ward. And as such, creaming him would be most unwise. Basil watches the motions of the Leafhopper, and upon handing the note to Enzo, a feeling of absolute horror fills him. He knows very well the same insect who pummeled he and Walter and now has a real intent to exit the premises posthaste. However, this may be the only opportunity to get any kind of employment. Upon watching the young red ant's response to the Mosquito's comment make his eyes go wider than even he would think possible. 'Crazy kid!' He thinks to himself. Walter's reaction to the sight of the mosquito is little different. His eyes widen, dread seeping around his demeanor and impelling him to backpedal towards the door. Before he gets far, his jaw drops at the sight of the small ant sticking his tongue out at the mosquito. Either the kid doesn't know what that guy can do, or he's just plain stupid, he's sure. "I'll be in the trailer if you have no farther need of me." Is muttered upon noticing the juvenile response made by the youth. 'Sooner the better if not at all', would be his motto, as far as getting work done. It is at this point he hears and then finally notices the two frightened ants whom he recognizes at the idividuals he encountered back in the city. Oddly enough, his only expression is one of surprise, and then derision. "You're not thinking of hiring these two, are ya? He calls out to the boss in a rather stupefied expression. "Hm? What what?" Gresham once again glances up from the papers, peering at the mosquito quizzically. "Two what?" His normally wide eyes slide over to the direction Enzo indicates, and alight on the two ants. "I hardly know," he informs the mosquito airily. "They haven't applied. Could be here to make an order for all you know." Attention is now fixed on Basil and Walter. "Yes, can I help you?" Sienna smirks at the mosquito as he begins to wander off. Yes. It's nice to be privileged, really. Then, brown eyes blink in surprise as Enzo points out the two ants in the warehouse, and the kid regards them with open curiosity. Not often he gets to see other ants. "Uh, well, um... " It takes all of the efforts he can to say the words on his mind. 'Oh, swell, he works here!' It would now seem hopeless as to finding work, again. "Well," stammers the beige ant rather dramatically. " , we, we, we were going to ask a, a, a , about this notice of work, but I, um I get the feeling that ants might not be accepted, so I guess we'll just be going..." The fact that the youngster is receiving a list hasn't entered his mind. Basil can hardly believe their luck. Now they've lost another job prospect. Great. Just great. Walter swallows hard as Enzo finally notices them, and takes an involuntary step backwards, sweat beading on his forehead. "Y-yeah," he adds in support of Basil's words, "Uh, so... so long." He starts edging towards the door, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. A sneer is given at the two, and a nod is given at the idea of them leaving. Enzo would hate more than anything to be strapped with a couple of ants at work, knowing very well he could do nothing about it. "Humph." Is muttered while he holds his arms folded, unable to do more than this. He knows that trying to persuade his boss on whom he hires is the act of purest futility. "What gave you that idea?" The leafhopper asks, genuinely perplexed. Apparently he doesn't get out much, or he would know the general attitude ants received in the city. "You're certainly not above consideration, so long as you can do the job." Gresham absently picks up a few scattered papers and straightens them up before laying them back down on the matchbox, or his desk. "Yeah," Sienna interjects. "Someday *I'll* be doing this stuff." His chest puffs out slightly as he tries to stand as tall as possible. "I'd be a scrounger now, but Terry says I'm not old enough." A faintly annoyed look crosses his expression, but this is quickly replaced with an amiable grin. Basil gives a blank stare for several seconds, then a slight expression of relief in made. "Oh, well, we are in need of work..." Then more feelings of apprehension are made. How could they possibly work with an individual who means and has done them harm so far. "...but I, I, um..." Basil has to stop to collect his thoughts. "How do we know we'll be protected from individuals who don't like ants?" The statement comes to a dead stop, fearing the worst at angering the mosquito. Walter blinks several times, eyeing the leafhopper as if he just grew another head. He stops making for the exit, though, cringing at Basil's last question. He doesn't dare look directly at Enzo, and pretends to look fascinated by a half-eaten cheese puff. Annoyance, nothing more. Well, a rhythmic drumming of his fingers on his left shoulder is made, but nothing more. "Oh, I wouldn't hire them if I were you, Gresham, they look awfully puny, and have been through alot." Sneering at the comment, knowing /he/ was part of the reason they look so beaten up. "Besides, I don't think they'd survive a trip inside anyway." A mildly sinister smile is given, hoping it will discourage his boss as well as the ants. Enzo would just assume put this whole sorted deal behind him, but it probably won't take just that to discourage his naive boss on the nature of the lowliness of ants. Gresham rubs the bridge of his nose momentarily, diving at the paperwork again -- one could wonder when his desk has ever really been cleared off and if he really has all the lists straight -- then pauses. It's hard for the leafhopper to look irritated, since his expression is always wont to be blank or timid through no fault of his own, but somehow he manages it. "I don't recall asking for your opinion," he informs Enzo a little peevishly. The small red ant eyes the other two ants with more attention whilst tucking the list under one arm, eyes widening slightly as he finally takes note of their battered appearance. "Hyeah," he says, actually agreeing with Enzo on one point, anyway. "What happened to you? Did you get in a fight or something?" Basil pauses, wanting to give a nasty glare at the mosquito. 'Yeah, and he did it to us!' would give him no greater pleasure, but a cooler head prevails. "Let's just say that we've been through more than we'd like to remember. And are hoping to get some work to support ourselves." Basil stops short of saying anything else, hoping that will pacify the youth. "We, /are/ in a desperate situation." Another pause is made, then Basil decides to make a bold gesture. "We are willing to do about anything for work. What kind of labor are you in need of." It would seem that the lack of food has now become stronger than most levels of common sense. He doesn't care anymore, he's just hungry. Walter folds his arms and stares at the ground. Otherwise he offers no visible reaction to Enzo's callous observations, part of which are the mosquito's fault to begin with. Whatever anger is there is kept in a tight clamp, for at least this situation. He does glance up, however, as Basil addresses Gresham, and points an expectant gaze on the leafhopper. "Not that it's any of my business." He answers Gresham cooly as he looks back at the ants comments and observations. "Why don't I go ahead and get the stuff on the list. Obviously you don't have any more need for me at this time." Is offered as Enzo becomes bored with this whole scenario, and would just assume get back to his life, away from work. "I'd just recommend not hiring them," A look is given to the two, in hopes that it will scare them off. "It would be a shame if something /terrible/ happened." A beam is made, one tinted with sarcasm. "Yes, why don't you." Gresham doesn't offer any further comment, at least any intended for Enzo's antennae. He turns to the two ants again, apparently ignoring Enzo's advice; perhaps the mosquito rattled what little bit of pride the leafhopper has. If he hires someone, by golly he'll be the one to do it without being dictated by petulant mosquitoes thankyouverymuch. "Where were we..." pause. "Oh yes. The job. Well, it would require going into the trailer, picking up some items on a list, and bring it back here." "Without getting caught," Sienna puts in with a sly expression. "Well. We could use the income." He takes a look toward Walter, and asks for him to be excused for a second. "I would like to talk to my friend for a second." Basil would just assume to take the job, but he wants to get the other ants input. Walter the other ant, that is. "What do you think?" Is asked in a soft tone, not wanting the inquiry to be overheard by the others, especially the menacing insect in the room. Then the statement made by Sienna is made cognizant. "Without getting caught?" Before Walter can think of a reply, his antennae pick up Sienna's supplementary remark. Blinking, he pulls away from Basil. "Getting caught? Hang on... getting caught by what?" he asks the small red ant, trying to hide his renewed suspicion. A sudden snicker is hidden within Enzo's countenance "He's referring to Muffin." Then a sudden change of heart follows. Better than doing it himself, he suddenly sees the advantage of leading the two ants into such a dangerous situation. "Ya know, boss." A slow but more invigorated statement is made. "Perhaps hiring these two /would/ be a good idea, I mean, with their diminutive size, they would be perfect for getting into the many tight spaces." A hand is held out to the young adult ants in a presenting manner. Gresham regards the mosquito with an almost, but not quite, harsh expression. Finally he shakes his head and lets it go. "I must admit that this is the kind of occupation where you need to be quick on your feet at times. If you want to start working, you'll be wise to go with someone with more experience at first, who can show you how to avoid the various dangers." Sienna grins suddenly. "Which means anyone but Enzo," he says, giggling. He accidentally loses his grip on the list, which flutters to the ground, and he bends over to reclaim it. "Well, I'd say considering what we've been through, we'd probably be more or less ready for the job." Then a glance is given to Sienna, then to Walter. "But I can't speak for my Walter here. But I'm ready to give it a try." Followed by a question to Gresham. "Who do you recommend we go with?" Walter was, in fact, about to retort something to the effect of 'speak for yourself,' but Basil beats him to the punchline. His mouth snaps shut abruptly. He rubs the back of his neck absently, spacing out as he considers the reality of their situation: they are both on the brink of starvation and no one else has been willing to hire them. This kind of opportunity may never turn up again. "Yeah... I'll give a whirl, I guess." He stifles a sigh, and regards Gresham resignedly. "Well, boss I'd better get to work." A snicker is made at the decision for the ants to work as scroungers. "I'd give them the royal treatment, but it would seem that /young/ Mr Sienna has everything under control." The term 'young' given with a great deal of sarcasm. "Just let me know if you need any help with 'em." Enzo awaits any final decision or direction made to him from Gresham. Pausing at the ready with the list held in his hands, lips moving to the words written down. "Well... seeing as how Enzo was supposed to have been in the trailer quite some time ago, you might as well go with him," Gresham suggests, conveniently forgetting all about the tensions displayed between the mosquito and two ants. Perhaps it even went unobserved. Sienna's eyes widen at this. Oh, man, Gresham must be nuts to suggest sending a couple of ants along with a guy like Enzo. He shakes his head abruptly. "Uhmmm... Gresham, sir, you know, I don't know about that," he tells the leafhopper. "Enzo doesn't like ants." Yeah... he thought *everybody* knew that. But then Gresham doesn't always catch on to things like that. Basil's pupils shrink to a significant size as the mention of going with Enzo is made. A lightheadedness prevails. "Um..." Is barely squeaked out. But soon enough the powers of articulation seem to return to him. "I'm not one to pick and choose, but if what Sienna says it true, would someone else be better, that way we can get more work done with less, er, um tension?" Basil having worked in areas that require work done by a set schedule hopes to persuade the new employer with words of productivity. Walter feels his stomach lurch at the prospect of working with someone who just assaulted them the day earlier. He certainly doesn't need Sienna's input to know that being alone with this mosquito for any length of time is a really, really, REALLY bad idea. He nods vigorously as Basil replies. "Yeah, s... someone else, maybe?" Eyes widen at the prospect of being suspect of anything done maliciously, but then he really can't blame them. "Oh, you know what, why don't you let Terry take them. I'm still pretty new at this, and the last thing I need is two tag alongs with me, keeping me from earning my pay." Enzo's hands drop to his sides, and a expression of frustration is plainly shown on his face. "I've got, contacts, er um I mean financial obligations to perform, and they don't like to be kept waiting... "Is muttered on with little end in site. Well, with all this negative response coming from everyone, Gresham has little choice but to acquiesce. "Very well," he says, with just a hint of a sigh. "You can go along with Terry. Let me just check something." His eyes drop down on the desk, and for once, the paper he wants is right there, no additional scurrying around necessary. He picks it up. "Oh, yes, Sienna was right. She'll be around a little bit later this evening." Sienna nods suddenly, the worried expression immediately wiped off as Gresham changes his mind. But then the expression returns as he remembers something. "Ack! I should be heading back, then. Er, the list thing and all," he says, waving the list of items to get absently as he heads for the entrance himself. "Okay, well, thanks very much." A sigh of relief not much greater is released from Basil as he begins to head out from the warehouse. "Oh what time do we need to be back here?" Is expressed as he remembers that one important detail, not wanting to be late for the first day of work. "Hate to be late, ya know." A soft giggle, one that a person usually makes when a stressful situation abates itself, makes itself known. Walter watches the small ant curiously, mostly eyeing the list he holds. He scratches his head this time, wondering what could possibly be on it... probably whatever's already in this warehouse. He, too, starts heading outside, until he hears Basil's query. He stops in order to hear the answer. Without another word, Enzo turns the way of the entrance, and gives one final look at his new co-workers. A little laugh of derision is made, then he makes a look at the list, trying to memorize the items thereon. Enzo has been known to leave the list in certain places, coming back with few items than planned. He leaves for the trailer, not looking forward to another day of labor he'd just assume not get into in the first place, but since the alternative is, well... He'd rather not think about it. "Six." the leafhopper replies, his head bowing down to regard the various loose leaflets on his desk. "See you then." A pen is grasped, and he resumes writing whatever it was before the bugs came in. Sienna, meanwhile, begins to trot away, presumably towards home, his eyes skimming across the list occasionally as if fascinated by what he sees. "Okay, we'll be here," confirms Basil as he too makes his way for the exit. He then walks up to and awaits for Walter to join him. "Well, at least we have some source of income, now all we need is a little food to keep us from wasting away." A little sarcasm is mixed with intent concern for their wellbeing. "But I am glad we got out of working with that mosquito." Is whispered hopefully soft enough not to be heard by their new boss. "You mean a lot of food," Walter points out. "What we do get already is a little... but at this rate, I could almost eat a--" the ant pauses, grimacing. "No, I couldn't, never mind." He commences walking, to where, who knows, but generally away from the vicinity. "But yeah, there's at least that much." "Oh, yeah." Then as Basil hear's Walters comments on what he could almost eat, a wry smile is barely detectable as he can only guess what he was about ready to eat, then changed his mind on. No farther comment is made on that particular issue. "But what ever we can get, hopefully will be supplemented by our work here. I'm ready to eat whatever I trip over, if it's edible at this point." A grimace is made, but a lot less doubtful in from the beginning of the couple to a few weeks they've been in the city. [END LOG] Next Log: First Night: Part I Return to: Muted Identity logs.

Home / Updates / Writings /Logs / Characters / About Me / Email / Links / Stuff

All references made are copyright of each of their respective owners. All other's are copyright me! 2001-2003 This page created for entertainment purposes only.