Small beginning (Ryan)

Drug busts always put a dampener on business. Why didn’t the police go mind their own business, it wasn’t like their little side branch was much of threat, Ryan could think of at least a dozen names who were more interesting to go after than little small time drug dealers such as himself. But that was how things went, the big people had enough power to hold off anyone who came after them, be it by setting an ‘example’ or by paying their problems away. Soon though, Ryan was getting there. He had just quit his jobs to dedicate himself fully to his group a few months ago, he would be climbing up their ranks in no time, and then he could have everything he deserved and he could change this city for the better.

For now he had a destroyed car to take care off. The tires were… not looking good, it made strange noises it wasn’t supposed to, and there were quite a few bullets holes scattered around. He was of the opinion the thing should be trashed and they should buy a better car, but unfortunately, Ryan wasn’t the one calling the shots, and the person who did was a stingy bastard who didn’t want to spend money in a car if they could fix it for less. It was left to Ryan as the youngest to do the car delivery. He couldn’t wait for people start respecting him more.

He had never heard of Crossbone Tyres before, but he was emphatically told they were good and did special prices for them. Do not go anywhere else, Ryan, those guys are one we can trust for now. He could understand caution, especially after this spectacular failure, but geez, why the drama? If he had to guess, Ryan would bet there was some kind of partnership going on here, but he wasn’t trusted enough to know any details. What did a guy had to do to get a little information going? He was loyal, shouldn’t that be enough?

He arrived at the garage later than he’d liked, have to drive carefully with the busted car and it was raining to booth, his week couldn’t have started better. He parked the car slowly and climbed out to the dry safety of the garage, his eyes quickly scanning the place trying to find the mechanic, but the only person he saw was a little girl, seemed engrossed with something or another that looked too complicated for Ryan to understand. “Uhhh… Hello? I have car and it’s dying… can someone help?” He said a bit uncertain, not expecting to see a girl in such place, he was 90% sure this was not a very legal business, why was there a child here?

The little girl was so concentrated she basically jumped when she heard Ryan’s voice. But then again, that might have been because he had a naturally loud voice, it wasn’t the first time people got startled as soon as Ryan opened his mouth. The girl was so tiny too, all bony and squeaky, trying to look tough. It was so adorable it brought a smile to Ryan’s face. He was still wondering what a child was doing in an illegal garage though. “You can fix cars?” He was genuinely impressed if that was true, and it also would explain why a girl would be working here, no respectable and legal place would hire children. “I’ll be dammed, way to make me feel underqualified.” He crossed his arms, looking at the girl curiously. He didn’t know anything about paperwork though, he would think no questions would be asked, but then again, he could always lie when filling those.

He let the girl approach the car, it was a pathetic sight with all the bullet holes and destroyed tires. “Be my guest…” She took one look at the useless thing and stopped, Ryan didn’t like the expression that crossed her face, it mean trouble for him, probably because stingy ass leader doesn’t like to take no as an answer. “Is it a total loss? I knew we should’ve trashed this thing, it’s older than I am.” He huffed annoyed, his mind already trying to come up with the best way to tell the news to his group, at any case, he was sure they wouldn’t be happy with him, and somehow blame him for not being magic and fix the car.

Letting out a sigh, Ryan leaned against the wall, waiting for the girl’s final assessment, just because it was probably hard to fix it, it didn’t mean it was actually impossible, right? “Hill sent me here” he didn’t know if the girl would recognize the name, but he had been told these people were trustful, they should know who Hill was. “Can you guys at least try? I don’t know, just so I call tell him how impossible it is.” He shrugged with a hopeful expression. Even if it would cost them more, Ryan didn’t care, at least it would prove him right and he could show everything how smart it was to listen to his suggestions.

So she wasn’t exactly an expert mechanic, and honestly, Ryan didn’t expect her to be, a trainee, more like. But even then, learning things just by watching others do it, Ryan could respect that. “Fair enough, who knows, maybe if you keep like that you can take the garage for yourself” He said playfully, imagining the little girl kicking all the owners out and declaring herself queen of the garage. He noted how she still made an effort to look bigger and meaner than him, it was kinda hard though, considering she was less than half his size, it was more like a tiny kitten, hissing at a perceived threat uselessly. Maybe once she grew up, she’d make a fine criminal, all tough and mean, but for now, she couldn’t scare a rat.

She further analyzed the damage on the car, and Ryan lifted an eyebrow when she denied it was unsalvageable. “Oh?” She was right, the frame and the tires were the parts that suffered the most abuse, also the poor guy who was on the passengers’ seat, but that’s another story, it was his own fault, anyway, a police car chase is not the time to bet who can shoot more cops, that makes you reckless. “It won’t be cheap, yeah, but is it even worth it? Isn’t it easier to just scrap this one and buy another?” He said with sad look towards the car, Hill won’t be happy either way, probably will demand these guys make it cheap just for him, but Ryan doubted the mechanics would accept that, people have to make money.

Oh, but she did know Hill, she didn’t say as much, but there was a look of vague recognition on her face. Ryan was told to name drop in case they proved to be difficult to deal with, he didn’t know exactly what was the history between Hill and Crossbones, but if it made his life easier, he wouldn’t start complaining. There wasn’t much of a reaction from the girl beyond the vague recognition though, but maybe he would be more lucky with one of the mechanics. “Well, thank you anyway. How long until they can start working on it? Are they too busy? I’m supposed to take an estimative of price, at the very least.” And he would have to wait until that’s done or don’t bother to come back, Ryan.

Ambition, that was a trait many people had, some would argue way too much humanity had too much of the stuff. Ryan was no different, and neither was the girl before him. To strive to be better and get out of a life of misery and poorness, it was like Ryan was looking at himself at that moment, he once was small and full of hope, hope for a better life, hope for having a honest work that payed him well, being a productive member of society. He didn’t get exactly what he wanted, but he was finding himself now, carving a place in the midst of the powerful, slowly but surely. “If you really want it, then do it.” He said with a smile, conviction on his loud voice, it would be no wonder if the so called mechanics on the back heard him. “And if someone tells you can’t or try to drag you down, kick them on the dick and do it anyway” He couldn’t stand snob who looked down on people like this girl and Ryan, thinking just because someone was one of the small people they would never achieve anything, if his pep talk and crude advice would fuel the girl’s ambition, Ryan was ready to give it.

But she still had time, she was what? Ten? Awfully young, she probably would still make a bunch of mistakes and take all kinds of bullshit from life. For now, she had Ryan’s car to take care of. “An estimate would be nice, but I really do have to hear at least something from the mechanic” a sigh, he could already see the name calling it would be coming for Ryan if he told Hill the words of a little girl, as much as he believed she knew enough. He chuckled at the math joke. “I sure hope so, wouldn’t want to leave this piece junk in your hands otherwise. Math, very important for mechanics, especially ones who will kick life in the nuts if it doesn’t give them what they want.” He nodded sagely, a playful smirk on his face.

Apparently, Ryan would have to play the waiting game, figures, not even illegal business were devoid of lines. He made an annoyed sound on the back of his throat that could almost be called a whine. “Why things can’t ever be easy, quick and painless.” He leaned against a nearby table, since he would have to wait, might as well get comfortable. He was curious to why the girl started frowning all of sudden, and thankfully an explanation soon followed. “AN HOUR?! Fuck me!” he let out a groan of frustration, so many things that could be done in an hour, and for what? For the benefit of some rich bastard, if the girl’s explanation was anything to go by.

Figures, entitled pricks were always everywhere to make Ryan’s life difficult, he scowled, not at the girl in particular, but at the situation. “Of course! As if I don’t have to deal with enough snobs on a daily basis, now they are also taking up the time of an entire garage, don’t they have their own particular mechanic who came all the way from France to lick their booths?.” His voice was more of an angry grumble as Ryan ranted to himself, not particularly loud, but the girl would still be able to hear clearly. “Can’t the two of us kick this guy to the curb? I bet that would very satisfying, I can help you.” He wasn’t being serious, but he thought the girl wasn’t this person’s biggest fan, Ryan always thought the best way to get back at annoying rich people if he couldn’t directly attack them, was to make fun of them and of everything the stood for and make threats he would never be able to follow through.