Free Minions by Garrett Addison Page A

raised.  “My plan for the day just
didn’t extend to the need to find a home.”
    “Glen?” Ikel questioned.
    “I couldn’t let my latest employee sleep in a park or
something, not that you would with cash in your pocket,” Glen said.  “The hotel
is just around the corner.”
    “I’m capable of sorting myself out.  I’ll be OK.”
    “Yes, you are capable, but it’s part of the deal.  Lori or
Ikel will show you the way.”
    Devlin didn’t put up much of a fight.  “But I can find my
own way there I’m sure.”
    “Suit yourself,” said Glen, turning to Ikel and Lori.  “Make
sure you let Devlin here find his own way to the same hotel that you stay at.” 
    Devlin rolled his eyes for his arrogance.
    “Anyway.  I’m out of here,” Glen announced.  “Get some
rest, clear your head.  Work starts tomorrow.  Ikel and Lori will fill you in. 
You good?”
    “You bet I’m good!” Devlin replied, a little deflated when
he saw Glen shrug, turn and head for the door.  He followed not out of
obligation, but out of appreciation, desperate to convey his sincerest thanks
away from the others.  Judging by the effort he was making to leave, it seemed
that Glen was equally keen to shun the appreciation.  “Thank you.  For
everything,” he said after almost needing to hold the door closed to prevent
Glen’s escape.
    Glen looked at Devlin with some annoyance.  “When, or if,
I do something for you, then, and only then, will I accept, but not expect, a thank-you. 
So far, I’ve done nothing.”
    “But …”
    “So far, I’ve done nothing.  Trust me,” Glen continued.  “ When you learn about yourself and your life, that will be something.  And you
will.”
    Devlin felt like a child.  “Thanks for the beer then.”
    “Go and have another, but not too many and I’ll see you
tomorrow.”  Glen left without waiting for any acknowledgment.
    “Care for another?” asked Ikel on Devlin’s return,
pointing to an unopened bottle of beer in his hand.
    “Ikel!  I want to go,” complained Lori as she put on a
jacket in preparation to leave.
    “I’m just being social.  One more won’t take long,”
replied Ikel.  “You could always go yourself.”
    “You know I hate being on the street on my own,” Lori
whinged like a child.  “One more then,” she huffed, walking off.  “Men!”
    Ikel and Devlin shared a jovial drink, but they both felt
a certain obligation to finish quickly.  Theirs was a pyrrhic victory.  Lori
returned soon after and started hinting heavily to leave. 
    “Let’s go,” said Ikel.
    “Finally!” said Lori, marching for the front door
expecting the others to follow.  Devlin and Ikel obliged.  “Bye David!  Wave
guys!” she said, directing Devlin’s attention to a camera above the door.
    “Dave’s got the night shift!” said Ikel.  “You’ll get to
enjoy the night-shift too, once you’re settled in.”  Ikel ushered Devlin
outside to join Lori before securing the door shut.
    “Nobody said anything about shift-work!” said Devlin. 
“What other nasties are involved in this job?  And why is a night shift necessary?”
he asked as they walked along the street.
    “It’s not a big deal,” replied Ikel.  “We all take turns,
even Glen.  Actually, it’s pretty cool with the place to yourself.  You should
hear that sound system when it’s arc’d up!”
    “But why?”
    “Most of the time you’ll just end up watching TV or
movies,” Ikel replied.
    “Actually, it’s mainly for security,” Lori corrected. 
“Glen insists that the building is almost permanently occupied.”
    “More security!” laughed Devlin mockingly.  “I just don’t
see the big deal.  If he’s, sorry, you’re all that fanatical about
security surely a lone person won’t do much.  I couldn’t offer that much to
secure the premises and a little old building between a few brothels doesn’t
seem to provide that much security anyway!”
    Lori sighed.  “The