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Beau pulled his tiny blue pickup truck outside the shop. It was a cold fall day, but the sun was still providing some warmth. He got out, his feet crunching into the ground. He looked at a few of the shops in front of him. A clothing store, a pawn shop. There was some kind of shop specializing in pedal bikes. But his eyes were set on one thing, the herbal supplement and exercise shop. It was the one his family owned, or the building at least. The one he was tasked with visiting today.
He stepped up to the shop, making his way through the glass door. The bell dinged and he stepped through. No customers, typical. He doubt the small shop got much attention in a town of hicks and rednekcs. Not their cup of tea. Might as well have a book store, would get the same amount of attention. These were low class people. But as long as the rent came on time, his mother wouldn't complain. So he wouldn't either.
"I'm here for the rent. Is Archer around. He can't get off easy this time either. In full, on time," Beau said, trying his best to control the room as he walked forward and leaned against the counter. "Busy today," he said flicking the containers of vitamins on the counter.
"If he's not here, I can come back. Or you can tell me where he is."
Post by Dixie Amhearst on Aug 18, 2016 10:42:15 GMT -5
Dixie was in the front with her clipboard counting the suppliments that were on display and taking some inventory this day. Summer had been pretty decent for them, but she knew when the holidays came around, that's when the decline in business would happen and when business was slow, Archer got worse. People thought about their weight around the holidays, but most didn't do shit about it. At least business at the gym was good and her personal fitness clients were keeping up. That was extra money for rent.
She looked out the front window and saw the familiar blue pickup truck roll up and come to a stop in front of the store, rattling as the old pistons did their best to keep the car running until he finally turned it off. It was one of the older Crowe boys and she could see him clearly as he stepped out. A wry smile came across her face as she noticed Beau. She always noticed Beau when he came to get rent. Secretly, he hoped he would come every month and most of the time she wasn't disappointed.
She wondered why he drove that beat up truck though. The Crowe family had money and everyone knew it. Why didn't he want a big, flashy truck? Why didn't he want something newer that was more reliable? Maybe that wasn't any of her business. If Archer knew she had these thoughts in her head about Beau she knew what trouble there would be.
She stood meekly near the display as she watched him saunter in and go straight to the front counter and mess with a few bottles she had just stacked up as if he were playing a game of Jenga waiting for them to just topple over.
With the clipboard in hand she let her eyes wander south for a second before biting her lip and snapping out of it. What the hell was she thinking? She liked how the brothers didn't take shit from Archer...not like she did. She knew she put up with too much from him, but there was always an excuse...including one for the obvious bruise on her arm.
She cleared her throat and came up behind him, diverting to the other side of the display counter, gently pushing one of the bottles he flicked back into place with the tip of the pen she was holding.
She was trying to play coy, but she probably sounded ridiculous as she toyed with his name. "Brad..no..Beau, right?" She knew damn well who he was. "Archer isn't here. He said he had to run an errand and won't be back for a few hours."
She kept the clipboard tight against her chest as she raised a brow watching him. She knew he wasn't about to leave without that rent check. They were already late. "He said something about going to the bank though so maybe he'll be back with rent for you. I'm not sure."
Hearing someone clear their throat Beau glanced behind him. He saw it was Dixie and simply smiled. He didn't know why she put up with Archer. Guy was an asshole. He was like Bryce, if Bryce was gay as hell and had to compensate for a tiny dick. So yeah, Bryce. But Dixie at least seemed alright, way better than Archer.
"Beau," he said when she couldn't remember his name. Didn't blame her, all the B names, easy to get confused. Could thank his dad for that, OCD pussy. She explained where Archer was and he sighed. He didn't like it. He was hoping they could collect the money and just leave. It never worked out that way. This one was supposed to be the easy one.
"Listen, I got a poker game in a few hours. So I was hoping he would have been here. It's the same day every month, not hard to miss it," he said with a sigh. "I was hoping this would be easy. Can't you just give me the money. Open the till, hand over the ammount. I can't leave until I got a cheque or cash in my hands. Can't go home with out it, and I want to go home."
He smirked at her. "Or I can wait. Wait till he gets back. A few hours, not long." He flicked the bottle again, the tower and stack of them wobbling. "What do you do here? When you don't have any sales, and spend the day here. How do you keep busy." He looked at the bottle in his hands. "This crap even work? I can't imagine you sell it at all. Who the hell is buying this shit out here."
Beau laughed a little. "Listen Archer better have the rent. He can't skip out on it, there's certain measures we go to, when they skip out on it. Sire one time we let it slip, maybe a second. But not a third. If he can't pay, there's other ways we can get payment. If he doesn't like those ways, then worse comes to worse you loos the shop. Now I doubt you want that. So it's best he has the cash."
Post by Dixie Amhearst on Aug 19, 2016 18:55:14 GMT -5
Dixie stood behind the counter as she tapped her pen against the back of the clipboard, finally releasing it away from her chest and laying it down on the counter. She was wearing a visible, colorful sports bra underneath a black shirt she wore for her evening workouts. She only had one woman at the gym she was seeing today, but the extra cash was needed, no matter if it were just one person or dozens. She wore tight workout pants that hugged against her curves and her usual workout sneakers.
Archer didn't like her wearing such tight clothing but she convinced him that if they saw her and her figure while she wore her workout clothes, they would be more convinced to buy the supplements.
"I know, I try to remind him that rent is due, but he always seems to disappear just before you get here." She knew Archer was dodging the Crowe boys and if things escalated and he got agitated that usually meant trouble for her. "He says I badger him about it but I know we just have to pay rent. Your mom has been really nice about it all."
She tried to change the subject knowing Beau would just get more pissed off the longer he had to wait for the money. The guy had a life. She missed that freedom sometimes. She watched him as he looked down at the bottles, tapping at the little stack again as if to agitate her. It was kind of working.
"Yes, it works. I take some of the vitamins and protein shakes right before a workout."
She stepped back a little and held out her hands. She was proud of her figure and how she took care of herself.
"It's hard to get people in though. I guess a lot of people see it as a break in tradition. Not many people are as into fitness around here. I've tried to tell Archer we should take it to Baton Rouge or New Orleans, but he seems to like it here. I just, you know, do inventory, order supplies if we need them, marketing, that sort of thing. We get busy at the start of the year when people make their resolutions."
Even though they had no money and his temper was far too short because of it. He juiced their profits away.
"I know your mom though. She used to come to the gym where I do training. I haven't seen here there in a while though. Is she doing okay?"
She saw his eyes looking at the cash register asking for rent and she knew there wasn't nearly enough to cover what they needed to pay. They had to have cash in the register to make change and most people paid with card these days anyways. A dirty thought quickly passed through her mind on how other payments could be made and that brought a blush to her cheeks.
"No, the register won't cover it. What other ways are you talking about?" She knew the Crowe boys had their reputation but she figured it was just intimidation. Archer wouldn't let her into the back when they were late on rent and 'conversations' were had.
Last Edit: Aug 20, 2016 4:02:40 GMT -5 by Dixie Amhearst
"Yeah well you're not dealing with my mom anymore," Beau said, taking a moment to admire her figure. His eyes went over her curves, her tight clothing. It seemed to hug just the right places, he couldn't help but stare. He finally looked up at her face. "You're dealing with me, and my brother now. Not the old lady. That's how it is. She suck you in with her nice sob story and gets you trapped. Then we shake you down when you can't meet ends meat. And we know you can't meet ends meat."
He looked back at her. "Archer needs to pay up. Or he'll owe double next week. We aren't bad guys, this is just business. How we operate. It's not that much, but we can't cut you guys any more slack." He looked at the bottles as she explained what they were for. "But as I said. There other ways of payment. Ones we, the boys take. We'll cover the tab. For a favour. How it works."
Beau smirked. "So protein shakes? Don't work out much, but I'm sure they're good for you. Bet half these people don't even know the word Protien, or think it only comes from beef and fish." He laughed a little. Setting the bottle down he leaned further agaisnt the counter. "Yeah, you'd probably make a killed in New Orleans, selling to all the tourists and rich people. But the property is double the price. I know why Archer wants to stay here."
Their busy season was now, at least they'd have the money with them. "So your busy season is now then. People making all those resolutions not to be fat, to get to the gym. So you got your rent covered then? Ironically enough, I think my Mom might be one of your biggest customers. She used to be in here all the time, always the latest thing right."
He paused. "Moms been going through a lot. Sally, my sister. She ran away from home. Tenn rebelling bullshit. We all did, rebel against my mom. But not usually like this. She left a note saying she was with friends, won't come home. Mom's been worried sick. Spends most days in bed with a box of tissues. We got all of us running double duty, while she recovers. Guess working out is the last thing in her mind."
She asked about other ways and he smiled. "Now not me, but Brad, or Bubba, he'll even Buck. They like to have some over our other customers pay for rent another way, with their body. You know fucking. But I was more thinking some of these pills. Got to go for s pretty price. How much they worth online?"
Post by Dixie Amhearst on Aug 22, 2016 10:12:12 GMT -5
Dixie stepped forward and leaned a bit on the counter looking up at Beau as he spoke about her not dealing with Francine anymore. She wasn't sure if dealing with the Crowe boys was such a bad thing, but she was certain that it wasn't a good thing. Certainly not for Asher at least. "So, this is a shake down?"
She raised a slender brow as she pushed her hair back with one hand. He wanted Archer to pay now and if he didn't pay up, it would double next week. That didn't bode well for either of them. Their finances were tight enough as it were and taking more would only put them deeper in the hole they were already in. Inventory wasn't cheap. But he was offering up alternatives and doing them a favor was one way. She looked towards the door and didn't see the other brothers with him. Maybe they were spreading out across the plaza to other businesses to collect rent today and he happened to come in here. She didn't mind really. She kind of liked it when Beau came. If anything, at least he was easy on the eyes.
"Yea, there's lots of ways to get protein that don't involve eating meat." She was suggestive as she said that, offering up a grin with a blush. She would just leave it at that. Of course she was talking about beans and nuts, but he could think whatever he wanted.
She stayed at the counter as he was asking her about rent and their busy season. "Busy season doesn't start until the new year and the start of summer. It's slow...really slow." She was surprised though when he opened up about his family and Francine. She was almost positive this was something she shouldn't know but maybe he just needed an impartial ear to bend about it. Or maybe he was opening up to her for a reason. A sympathy pang resonated with her. She wished she could be like Sally and run away. She had no money, no friends and only Archer.
"I'm sorry about your sister. Hopefully she'll show up soon and be okay. I mean, really, she probably didn't go far." She stepped from around the counter to stand next to Beau where the customers stood. She listened to him say how his brothers sometimes collected rent from people who didn't have the money and as she looked at him she realized she could get them out of this. It was up to her now and she would have to step up. A secret she would have to keep until her dying days. "Not you?" She took a step closer and leaned a little more over the counter, positioning herself so he could get a good long look at her body. "I mean, anything can change, right?" She shifted her hips and looked up at him with pouted lips that suggested she could cave to that demand. She wondered, for a second, how it would feel. But just as she was starting to give in to that remedy to the situation, she felt herself stiffen, like a deer in headlights and straighten up.
"Yea, the pills." Her voice changed. It went from more seductive to professional as if she was willing to wheel and deal the pills. "Yea, you ..you can sell these online. I mean, you have to slash the retail price I think for people to buy but if that's worth the rent, I'll let you take some."
"No, this is fare, what you own. You don't pay, it might come to that. But I think Buck or Brad would do that. I'm just here to collect rent," Beau said calmly. He watched her, looked her up and down. As she raised a brow and brushed her hair back he just watched. He offered a smile and leaned against the counter.
"Yeah, I know all about the Protien I'm sure there's plenty of way," he grinned back. "And it looks like you've gotten lots of protein." He smirked again at her. She was in good shape, fit he could admire that. Not like anything would come of it. If she wanted to flirt to pass the time, let her. he just needed the rent and to get out.
"After new year, like this month," Beau asked, "a few weeks ago. This should be a problem then. But I can see it being slow. Been slow all over. Lots of people coming up short. Least it's keeping the hospitals busy." He gave her another smirk. She knew what would happen to archer if he didn't pay. Everyone who did business with the crowes did. "I just want to get the money, and get out. Simple as that."
Beau looked at her. "Yeah if you see Sally, or anyone does get back to us. Or tell her to come home. Mom's worried sick. Bryce is close to getting the station involved. The only one who's hesrd from her is Boyd, and he won't say much on it. We know she's safe, better off. She has Money, but she needs to come home. So if you see her." He looked away,
She leaned on the counter, and he took a second to admire her body yet again. It was like she was showing it off, wanting him to see. "Yeah not me." His eyes went up and down her legs. "Things can change, but right now, not me." It was hard to resist her lips as she pouted, but he had to. They were both with other people. He wasn't thinking of that anyway.
But she took interest in the pills. "How much of these would cover the rent? Has to be most your stock if I'm slashing prices down wouldn't it?" He was curious right now, place was easy to get in to, no cameras. If the pills were a good score. Lots of junkies thst would take anything cheap. Sure they wouldn't know the difference between this and what anyone else was slinging.
"I mean we don't want to put you under here. We still need you around," he grinned, "what do you say, how much of these would cover your rent for the month?"
Post by Dixie Amhearst on Aug 26, 2016 18:15:55 GMT -5
"Yea, alright. You're just here to collect rent, I get that. Rent I don't have." She stood back upright as she looked over the stack of pills on the counter before turning towards a few boxes of protein powder. She knew what would get him the money he wanted and it wasn't anything that was in the front. It was Asher's little 'stash.'
Turning back to him she grinned, showing a little dimple in her cheeks as looked into his eyes. She watched him as he looked her over and although his eyes wandered with appreciation he still seemed to keep to himself and stick to the issues at hand..getting the money.
"If I send your sister back home, will you give us a break on the rent?" Maybe she could negotiate a little with him. Doubtful, but work a shot. He didn't seem to be going for it and the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like blackmail.
"Look, if I'm giving you supplies, you don't have to bring the price down at all. I mean, maybe sell it for a little less then retail market price, but not by much. Maybe a buck or two."
She took a step closer, closing the gap and erasing the line between business and pleasure as she reached a finger to his shirt, touching ever so gently against the soft material as she looked into those loyal eyes of his.
"You want something good? I'll get you what you want and you'll not only be able to take in our rent, but make a profit for yourself too."
Maybe she could just take a few vials. Asher wouldn't know and even if he did find out, which he would anyways, she could tell him it had to be used to pay for the storefront. He had to understand that. He was getting more and more agitated dealing with the Crowe boys coming around every month looking for rent and he was starting to take it out more and more on her. Last time, he accused her of having an affair with one of them, Bubba. He said that's why they kept coming around, but his judgement was clouded with the drugs.
"Come on. Come in back. I'll show you what you need." She was flirting again, dammit. Why was she flirting? It felt good to do it behind Asher's back but the guilt would stick around. Thankfully there weren't any surveillance cameras in the store. They couldn't afford them.
Pulling back away she moved behind the counter and motioned for him to follow. There wasn't a rush of customers filing in so she was confident she could get him in and out of the back room quickly and quietly before anyone, especially Asher, came back. She grabbed a set of keys that were laying on a table behind the counter and moved past a little bathroom and to the back office.
"A break on the rent for sending Sally home? She's fourteen man. Consider it a good deed. But if you help us out, maybe we can do something. Just keep an eye out for her. All we ask," Beau said calmly. "If you don't find her, I'm sure the Plice will. It hasn't been fourty eight hours yet. So we can't do anything legally."
He shook his head. "Profit? That sounds more like it. What we talking about, what do you have?" He watched her, "I want soemthing good. got that right." He would most likely cover the funds on his own, take whatever she was gong to give him and use it for himself. The boys could cover a rent for a month, and have before. The allowance Francine left for them could cover it, plus whatever extra they had helped.
"You'll give me what I need huh," he said with a smirk. He followed her in to the back and smiled. He looked her up and down, watching her move. He followed her into the back office. He leaned on the desk and crossed his arms. Randi flashed in his mind. He could easily chest on her right now, but he wouldn't. He couldn't.
Beau wouldn't be tempted by her. "What do you have? What do you have to give me, to cover your rent."
Post by Dixie Amhearst on Aug 30, 2016 9:48:42 GMT -5
Dixie trifled through a few drawers first, looking for what she was about to give him in exchange for paying rent. She listened to him about his sister and thought about it. If she had run away, it's likely she would never step foot inside of her shop for any reason. "I'll keep an eye out. Email me with her picture." She found a business card with her personal email on it and handed it over to him as he stood behind her.
"Oh you're gonna like what I have to give you." She grinned as she looked over her shoulder to him, moving to a file cabinet and using the keys she plucked off a table on her way back. She knew this was going to be trouble for her. She knew how Asher was going to react and she knew it wasn't going to fare well for her. Maybe, just maybe, she could pay for a little protection with an extra vial. She doubted it though. These guys had things to do.
From a small box she pulled out one of the boxes that held the liquid gold. The glass bottles tinkled quietly as she lifted the box off the top of another box that Asher had. There were eight bottles total with rubber tops where hypodermic needles could puncture and suck up the liquids. She closed the file, locked it up and set it on top of the desk, on top of some papers that said 'PAST DUE' in big red letters. Bills were piling up and things were tense. She opened the top of the box showing him the eight bottles and allowing him to inspect the contents if he wanted.
"That. That will get you at least a gran. Probably more. Steroids. You can sell them for $150 a bottle and will cover rent, and then some. Hell, you may be able to get $200 a bottle. People pay big for these. Anabolic steroids. You wouldn't believe how quick they work and really, you don't have to worry about the reprocussions of what they do to people." Even though she did. Asher wasn't the man he used to be. He shed that persona long ago. Now he was the monster from these drugs he took.
"I'll take care of Asher and explain why you took it. I mean, it's rent, right? That's more important to me. I just hope he understands."
But she also knew Asher was coming back soon and if her and Beau got caught, in the back, together and alone, making this transaction, Asher would likely kill the both of them.
"Just take them and go. Asher will be back soon and I don't want him to catch us back here. I promise, you'll make that money in a day, maybe two."
Beau took the card, tucking it into the pocket of his jeans. "Yeah, for sure, I'll send a recent pic of her. Thanks for the help. I know Bubba and Brad were asking around, and Boyd sent out a few emails. We hope she comes home, at least she's safe wherever she is. Just can't go to the cops yet." He smiled at her as he followed her in to the back.
Dixie dug through the drawers and pulled out vials, and syringes. "What more pills. I thought you said this shit doesn't sell worth shit?" He told note of the other bills scattered around. All past due. If only these agencies were half as ruthless as the Crowes. They didn't send letters, they sent threats. Made sense why Asher didn't have the money though. Guy had his head so far up his ass with debt he was shoulder deep in shit.
Beau felt bad for Dixie. Having to put up with him. Put up with the stress. It was taxing on all of them, he knew it. Beau was privileged though, he couldn't relate not fully. Sure they fucked up and Francine cut the boys off, but it was never permanent, never long. They just kept doing the work, kept getting allowance. How it had always been, since they were kids.
"Shit steroids," Beau asked after she explained, "this that shit that makes you like Governator but makes your dick smaller. This shit acutlsly sells for that crap? A grand, maybe more. Shit that would cover rent for sure." It would probably cover rent for a few months. "I'll take half and cover the rent. That should be good right? Can cover up that some are missing."
He bit his lip as he ran his thumb over the glass bottle, "I don't want you in trouble or anything, with Archer. But as long as you are safe, and can handle it. This will cover the rent." He took out four bottles and closed the case, "shit got a back or something, I can carry this shit in?" He didn't need the needles. Assumed what ever pussy was shooting them up that they had their own.
"I'll get back to you when your rent is payed. Check up." He took the bag from her, grabbing a thing of vitamins as he walked out, "for mom." He smiled and shook the bottle. As he walked out the door the bell dinged. He was going to make mad cash, could feel it. Reaching into his wallet he pulled out some bills. Adding it to the rent envelope he started hus truck and pulled out of the lot, heading home.
Shauna Kelly: That helped, thank you
Oct 4, 2021 14:40:44 GMT -5
Ayita Hunt: dang, January was my last post.. Jeez it's been a hot minute. o7 guys, sorry for the complete disappearance, life got.. a little interesting this year.
Oct 18, 2021 22:34:19 GMT -5