The October Music, Stanza 2 - Day 17

​Work Song

            Leo sat in his car, head leaned back against the rest, as he dreaded the work to come. He was bored. Bored of it, bored of what it took out of him. Bored of all the stupid little requirements to be successful. He could turn around and just go home. He knew that. The temptation was there. He could just bail. The problem was that he had a job to do and he was relied upon. He could just leave, but that wouldn’t be fair.

            His buddy Geoff had told him once that everything becomes mundane after long enough. Gourmet chefs want fast food. Billionaires want Matchbox cars instead of sports cars. Those banging supermodels want to bang non-supermodels…well, maybe different supermodels. Leo couldn’t conceive of a world where he’d get tired of that, but everything is relative, he supposed.

            He understood what Geoff was trying to say, though. Not everything can be exciting all the time. Not everything can stir up the tingle in the gut and the bumps on your skin every single day. People become inured to the spectacular until it becomes the standard. Leo supposed he was no different. It didn’t make the waiting any easier, but he wasn’t alone.

            He sipped from his steaming cup of coffee as he watched her leave her apartment. He knew that today was the day. He just had to follow his instincts. Wait until she went down the alley shortcut she always took, then park the car across the exit. She would have to double back and then he would be there. He finished the coffee as he mentally compiled his checklist. Car fully fueled? Yes. Tools in the backseat – not the trunk? Yes. Traffic was dying down so it should be easy.

            As she walked past the alley, Leo’s heart froze. She was deviating from the usual. The plan was falling apart. He was horrified but, in a strange way, a little excited. This wasn’t boring now. He had to think on his feet. Soon, she’d be out of reach and he’d have to start over. What to do?

            Suddenly inspired, he leapt from the car and ran across the street to her, calling out. She jumped and looked frightened but Leo smiled and held up his hands to show he was safe. He told her he had been finishing his coffee when he saw this random guy behind her pull something out of his coat. He pointed and, as she turned, he stuck the syringe in her neck. She didn’t collapse right away and he managed to walk her across the street and into the car. A few zip ties later and she was ready to go.

            His heart racing, his excitement renewed, Leo dialed his phone and waited. When the person on the other line picked up, Leo said he had the package and was on his way.

            “Did you have any trouble?” the voice asked.

            “Nothing I couldn’t handle,” he responded.
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            Leo loved his job.