POV: Jerry Jarvis
“Jerry!” Amanda whined as loudly as possible, “How much longer do we have to wait?”
“Hopefully not too much longer.” I said knowing my target was likely coming soon, “The future has been more unclear as of late, but the haze is clearing.”
“It better be,” Amanda pursed her lips in a pout, “I gave up boy-watching with Samantha for this.”
“You find swooning over the average boy better than helping me in my machinations?” I asked, already knowing the answer, but this flow kept the timeline smoothest.
“Of course not,” she ensured, “but I've been working up social credit with her, and I don't want to go bust with her. She's a good ace to have up your sleeve.”
“Agreed. Glad she's in our deck.” I smirked and straightened up my stance, “Form up. A mark is coming.”
Kevin Zapotec came out of the school's front door where Amanda and I were stalking. He was in his usual foul mood, but with an even deeper scowl.
“Kevin, how are you today?” I greeted as cheerfully as I could with a smile too big to see through.
He only tsked at me, “Ah, Jerkface Jerry, what can I do to get you to stop talking to me.”
“Oh come now, I'm not trying to harass you today.” I held my hands in surrender, “Tell me, how is Adrian doing? It’s awhile since I really got to speak to him.”
“Bite me,” Kevin spat on the ground and marched off.
“Was that what all this waiting was for?” Amanda asked.
“No, the target hasn't come yet.”
“Are you serious?” Amanda rolled her eyes as she whined, “But you said-”
“I said he was a mark. Kevin needs to be held close. Especially now with our alliance with team two.”
“Oh yeah. What a development.” Amanda cooed, “Carl is learning how to actually play his cards. I bet your proud.”
“I am.” I beamed a smile, “Carl is learning fast. As he always does.”
“You really do care about him.” Amanda said with a coy edge, “How did the prospect and the miscreant become from good friend, I wonder.”
“Wonder later. Another mark is coming.”
Just as Amanda straightened her poise again Mr Mirmen came out the door. He looked to one side and then to us, “You two. You seen Mr Zapotec?”
“I can’t say I have.” And I hadn’t. My smile was too big to keep my eyes open. “Did he do something?”
“Yeah, the brat left detention before being dismissed.” Mr Mirmen sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Whatever. Not worth the headache of giving him an extra detention.”
He huffed and then looked us over again.
“What are you two doing? It better not be anything nefarious, or else!”
I lifted my hands again in surrender, “Of course not, Mr Mirmen, sir. We’re just enjoying our afternoon.”
“Sure you are.” Mr Mirmen scoffed with an eye roll, “You teenagers never scheme teenage schemes”
He stamped his foot and pointed to us, “I'm on to you. I always am.”
“Mr Mirmen, why do you think so pessimistically of us?”
“Because I've been educating you brats for over three decades. I know your kind well, and you whippersnappers are never up to anything good.”
“Whippersnappers?” Amanda cocked an eyebrow at that while took a glimpse forward.
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“Oh come on, Mr. Mirmen. It’s can’t be that bad.” I said
“It can and it is.” He said back and pointed again, “So don’t let me catch you being up to something.”
With that he turned and marched off. I wouldn't gain anything from that, so I wouldn't go that way.
Set.
“Mr Mirmen, don't you like teaching kids?” I tried to ask sincerely.
“No. Putting up with you brats is the bane of my existence.” He almost spat at us, “You’re all nothing but pains in my ass and a migraine in my skull. And I swear if-”
I didn’t need to see more.
Set.
“Well we really appreciate all the time and effort you put into us.”
“Thanks. Glad someone does.” Mr Mirmen huffed and stared off into the distance. “All the work I’ve put into this place only that shining star to fly in and dazzle everyone.”
“Shining star?” I asked honestly curious. “Are you talking about Mr Galacto.”
He was.
“That’s two bit ultra mook just drops in thinks he can do I job some of us took years to learn!” He ranted before huffing, “Of course I guess I shouldn’t-”
This was another deadend timeline. I decided to give you.
Set
“Well we promise we’re not up to anything.” I held a hand up and made the cross, “Cross my heart, I swear.”
“Well you better.” Mr Mirmen said and turned to march off.
After a moment Amanda groaned, “Can we go now?”
“Mirmen wasn’t the target I said flatly.
“What?” Amanda whined, “Then who are we waiting for?”
“It won’t be much longer now.” I said and returned to my waiting stance.
Amanda pouted her hardest, “That's not an answer.”
So we waited for just another moment with Amanda sulking. When I sensed the target coming near I straightened up and signaled Amanda, “Showtime.”
At that moment the door opened and XK-88 strutted out.
“XK!” I greeted.
“Jerry-boy!” XK snapped poses with his sparkling smile. “How are you today? You look as grand as always. Truly a delight. And Andy-mandy, a glowing part of any day. You look lovely, fabulous, amazing! As always I must say. You two somehow seem to always make everything be the best it can be. Jerry, you're always just on point with your uniform. And Amanda! You make these uniforms look like top fashion! I would say I'm jealous, but that would be an understatement. I'll need to go to confession with all the envy I have for you two. Now tell me, just what on earth do you want me and what are you offering in exchange.”
“Oh come now XK.” I said on beat, “What makes you think we want something from you? Can't we just have a nice chat with a friend?”
“Well sure, but considering there's five faces between the two of you, I find the possibility unlikely. Forgive me.”
“XK, don't be like that.” Vlad said as he exited behind XK. His large alien body shaded us from the afternoon sun, “It's not right to be so suspicious of others.”
“Vladimir, please,” CK wagged a finger, “There’s a difference between suspicion and pattern acknowledgment. Now Jerry, what can I do for you with all my generosity?”
“Well if you're offering. The first round of that New Blood Tournament is starting this Saturday.”
“Yes. Me and Vlad are very excited about it. Ever since that quaint little sporting event was announced Adrian hasn't graced his presence at the arcade, and we've been capitalizing. Been getting my name on some scoreboards.”
“Oh say you haven't been working on the Battle Brawl.”
“Heavens no!” He shouted, “I'm arrogant and pretentious, Jerry boy. Not stupid.”
“Well, at least you know it.” Vlad sighed.
“Yep, that's called humility.” XK said with a wink and a snap. Vlad could only scowl uncertainty.
“Anyhow,” I said pressed on, “I wanted to ask if you were planning on watching the event?”
“And what if we are, Jerry-boy.” XK said with an engarde.
I smirked, “I understand you have the ability to sense energy signatures and a fantastic understanding of fighting styles.”
“I have a fantastic understanding of all styles. What are you offering in exchange?”
“I have many resources. Brick's strength. York's intelligence.”
“My luck.” Amanda chimed in helpfully. Which led into the point I had been dreading. XK's decision.
My powers were blocked by a combination of two things, randomness and ignorance. The more certain something was the narrower the possible future was. The more I knew the clearer the correct path was. XK being a being of free will and my knowing little about his wild nature made the exact next moment a kaleidoscope of probabilities. I had to know his next actions.
“Okay. You got it.” XK said and the timeline collapsed into the present. “I watch Adrian’s fight and report everything I think to note.”
“Thank you. And feel free to call in my favor whenever you want.”
“Oh I will.” XK said and we parted.
Amanda and I headed in the direction opposite of XK and Vlad. When we got off school grounds Amanda spoke up, “I don't understand. York could have easily built any device to record any data you wanted. Why put yourself in debt like that?”
“York would only provide a device with raw numbers. Analyzing it is a different beast. And besides, debt has a value of its own. If you know how to play the pieces right.” I explained, “If XK, or Vlad, ever need an extra favor after cash in the first, then they're more likely to think of me. Thus putting them into debt with me.”
Amanda pursed her lips, “Well I'm sure all this rigmarole was worth it. After all, you're the one with all the cards in this game.”
“But of course,” I lied through my winning smile.