Griffith cursed “Who would have known that he had a high card flush! I mean what are the chances?!”
He couldn’t remember the last time he had lost that bad since the weekly poker games with his co-workers started, nor could he remember the last time one had gone on nearly as long as it did last week. Sure it might have been his greed that insisted upon ‘just one more round’ but still.
“That doesn’t give Graham any kind of right to go all in like that, when I’m down so much, with a hand that good. And why did I not remember how much of a piece of junk his car was before I agreed to rebuild his transmission. I mean how poorly do you have to treat it to BLOW UP AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FOR GOD’S SAKE!”
Griffith pumped up the jack and set the fairly rusty, blue 1983 Cadillac Coupe De Ville onto the not so rusty jack stands. He deliberately took a step back and a deep breath as he stood up to grab his wrench set, trying to calm himself so he could think about the positives.
“At least I get to spend the day outside instead of inside the shop like usual. After four years, the smell of grease and oil starts to smell like my second home, and in the meantime I can enjoy the smell and feel of the cool autumn air, see some trees for once and take my time. Plus, I got my tetanus shot last year, so no worries there.”
Far above Griffith's head flew a murder of crows, suddenly spooked by something only they would notice.
…
Four and a half years ago
Griffith got into an accident leaving his only car totaled by insurance standards, but having a car since junior year of high school, rebuilding and upgrading it by yourself, really increases the value in your heart. When he took it to his mechanic shop, since he no longer had time to care for it himself anymore, he nearly cried at the price.
That is until he saw the small sign in the corner.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
NOW HIRING
Starting wage
$19/hr
When he saw that, he asked, “if I get hired, do I get a discount?”
“Not only do you not get a discount but you also get to work on it yourself. But only when there aren’t any other cars in the shop. Of course since your car isn’t exactly drivable right now, if you get the job, we’ll help get her running first.” The old gentleman with a large mustache that would give Tom Selleck a run for his money, some grease on his nose and forehead with slicked back dark brown hair that had sprinklings of gray hair, smiled innocently.
“Honestly that doesn’t sound that bad, how do I apply though?”
“Simple, play me in a game of Texas Hold ‘em” He pulled out a deck of cards from his back pocket.
“Seriously?”
“Why would I ever joke about a new deal. Unless I’m drawing dead of course.”
I stared back blankly, trying to understand what he meant by drawing dead.
“The stakes are simple, if you win, you can choose to work here or not, and for as long as you want.” A glint appeared in his eye, “if I win though, you work here until you draw dead. Of course you can also have access to our full benefit package from the start, including vision, dental, hearing and health benefits. Plus we have a deal for reduced car insurance prices too.”
Griffith paused to think, ‘a change of pace, an increase in pay, and I get to do what I used to love doing before I moved out and had to start paying bills.’
“Alright, but first I have to ask your name?”
“Of course, I’m Thomas Buckwell, what might be your name, young man?”
“My name is Griffith Pyrope, pleasure to meet you.” Griffith stuck his hand out for a formal hand shake.
…
“I never would have thought that a simple card game could have such an effect on my life, maybe that's why I started to get somewhat addicted, and even ended up doing this stupid job out here on the street.” Griffith crawled underneath the car with his wrench set in tow, as a truck roared past going at least 15 over the speed limit.
Griffith tensed up as the car passed him, holding his breath till he couldn’t hear the truck anymore, then let out a sigh of relief as he started disassembling the bottom of the engine to get to the transmission. One of the bolts was seized, he pulled on the wrench with all his strength only to pull himself closer, so then he tried repositioning the wrench to push instead. He braced his legs against the ground to avoid moving his whole body again, then pushed harder and harder.
Unfortunately as he pushed he started moving himself further from the bolt again, till his foot touched the jack stand. As his shoe touched the stand, the bolt broke free causing him to stretch his legs out, kicking the stands release lever.
CLICK
It was the loudest click Griffith had ever heard while working on a car that wasn’t a bolt snapping. He opened his eyes wide as he saw the car float towards him, slowly sinking, almost like a sheet when you toss it up. Panicking as he saw the car move closer, he tried to move, to crawl out, turn his head. Anything to even minimize the damage received and give him more time to survive.
No matter what he tried though, he just couldn’t move his body, and could only watch the car drift down in horror. It almost looked like a nice big metallic cloud the way the car drifted towards him.
He smiled bitterly inside as he realized what was happening. “I guess I’ve finally drawn dead.”