Weasel Skeet: Chapter CCCXX

Weasel Skeet

Chapter CCCXX: In Which Teeth Rot, Coins Embed, and There is Blood Behind the Eyes


The bank eventually reached a manageable amount of patrons and Mr Halle took advantage of those few who were left, and Vane’s persistence at doing his job despite the lunch hour, to take a short pause. He swept up a bit not wanting to sit back down straight away, nor wanting to be doing nothing. There was an invisible tension between them, both trying to outdo each other with a smile.

The tension in the cord was minute compared to the bursting vein behind Vane’s eye. The vessel popped and his eye dyed itself red. Physics was on Cord’s side and he remained calm as the pound-force exerted was of a relatively small scale.

At exactly noon, the bank was near empty. No one else was making withdrawals and those who were left were taking their time to sort their accounts. The colour in Vane’s eyes evened when Henry came down the stairs, took Glory aside, and conversed privately.

“I’m so sorry to have called you so early. I don’t know what I would have done had you been unable to come. Actually, I know exactly what would have happened. I would have had to do your work. Delay all my telephone calls just for these people, but it’ll be worth it come next week.”

“Will I be working?”

“You and Mr Lobby have been getting along swimmingly. I would love for you to take the position. Vane will be so pleased…No, Vane, go back to work! I wasn’t talking to you!”

“Yes, Henry.”

“Glory, I do think it would be most appropriate you start on Tuesday or Wednesday. There will be an adjustment period, of course, and after the tournament I think things will come a bit slowly. Have you planned on making any investments?”

“I have not.”

“It’s for a good cause.”

“What would a man so wealthy as you need with even more money?”

“I do like you. Vane, I think, likes you, too…No, Vane! I’m still not talking to you! Do your work!”

“Yes, Henry.”

“Would you like a drink, Glory?”

“Um, no, thank you, actually. I want to remain sober for the next few days.”

“Vane, would you like a drink?...Vane?! I’m talking to you, Vane!”

“Yes, Henry?”

“Would you like a drink? Dear me, what happened to your eyes? That looks ghastly, positively horrifying. You look angry.”

“You look possessed.”

“Quiet, Glory. Vane, do you need a doctor?”

“I would like a drink.”

“Best medicine, I say. Good choice, Mr Lobby. I will be right back…Good day, Glory. Goodbye.”

“Good day, Henry. Goodbye, I guess…Goodbye, Mr Lobby. It was a pleasure getting to work with you today. You are superb at your job. I hope to see you next week when I’m official.”

“You got the job, then?”

“More or less. Unless Henry’s giving me a runaround, I’ve got the job. It’s all back to Mr Halle now. ‘Mr Halle, would you like a drink?’ ‘Why no, sir, I’m trying to remain sober for the next few days.’ ‘Why’s that, Mr Halle?’ ‘Can’t tell you, sir.’ ‘Oh, come now, Mr Halle.’ ‘Oh, all right, sir.’”

“Why are you remaining sober?”

“Oh, I can’t tell you that, Mr Lobby.”

“Are you going to be at the tournament?”

“No. Uh, no.”

“Have you been invited to Henry’s?”

“Invited? To Henry’s? No. I’m not his friend. I’m his employee. That is, starting Tuesday or Wednesday. His employee, is it? Legal stuff’s all confusing to me. Mr Dafydd’ll sort it...Goodbye, then. Goodness, it looks like my hat’s fallen off the rack and been trampled.”