Chapter 8 Part 2 – Call for Obstruction

So far, Barry collided with a courier van, and the accident turned into a job opportunity to drive for their service. After signing an employment contract he has second thoughts about working for his new boss, Margery. Only Barry’s contract gives Margery control over him to the point she’ll do whatever it takes to get him to do what she wants. When Margery sends Barry on his first delivery to Trinidad, he’s attacked by large white birds with human faces. A murder of thrushes come to his rescue. At the Trinidad warehouse, Barry uneasily guesses that he’s sold his soul to the devil.

It’s been an hour since Margery had left me alone in the break room. The place is more like an all-you-can-eat buffet, only it had already been picked over by the other driver before I got here. Waiting for me—and I don’t think it’s a coincidence—were a half dozen mini-boxes of fruity cereal, enough to hold me over for the rest of the day.

I pour the remainder of my fifth box into my mouth, and while chewing, think how tired I am of bosses pushing me around. I sit up fast, slam my fist on the table, then stand with a force that causes my chair to topple backward. It hits the ground with a loud crash. I turn and kick it further across the room. I’m done. I’ll find Margery, convince her to let me out of my contract, and find my own way home.

On the way back to the garage, the lights are off in the hallway and everywhere else, as if everyone’s gone home and forgot about me. The garage is barely lit and quiet. Neither Margery nor Oscar are anywhere to be found. My van is still parked where I left it, but the back door is cracked open.

Margery’s warning to stay out of the back of the vans replays in my head. I creep over to it, check for onlookers, and give in to my curiosity, but the cargo area is empty.

“For someone who wants to quit, you’re awfully interested in our business,” Margery whispers into my ear.

I jump and turn completely around, only to find no one beside me. Margery is across the room, laughing where she stands with Oscar at the entryway into the garage.

“Did you think we’d leave the load alone for just anyone to get at?” Oscar says.

“That’s the problem with you new drivers,” she says, her arms crossed over her chest. “None of you follow directions very well.”

I hang my head to hide my blush face under my long bangs as I approach where Margery and Oscar stand. “You’re right, you’re right.” I grin nervously as I lift my head. “I’m really not cut out for this job. You should probably fire me, let me out of my contract.”

“Again with the ‘let me out of my contract,’” Margery mocks me.

Oscar shakes his head and laughs. “You new guys are all alike.”

“Shut up, Oscar,” Margery says. “You forget you were new once.”

“Forty-five years ago, but I was never that bad.” He points his thumb at me and shakes his head some more.

“Sure you were, especially when you figured out what you lost by signing the contract.” Margery cackles, lifts her leg and slapped her knee. “That’s my favorite part.”

“Lost?” My eyes widen. “What did I lose?” They don’t answer me though. It’s like I’m invisible.

“Can you blame a guy?” Oscar says. “It was a dark day when I found out I was working for the man down under.”

I want to believe Oscar means we work for an Australian, but considering all that has happened in the last twenty-four hours . . . . It’s time I wise up and admit to myself that Oscar is talking about our true boss being from a much darker place. So I have to say, half laughing, “I suppose you’re going to tell me I sold my soul to the devil.”

Toge,ther their heads turn my direction.

“Just tell him,” Oscar says.

Margery smirked. “He might have another heart attack.”

“You can’t hide it from him anymore,” Oscar adds.

“Honey, back to the break room.” She points at the door and guides my shoulder. “This time we’ll chat.”

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