mini_dean | First day on the job...

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First day on the job...

Just because it was spring didn't mean it wasn't still cold in the morning. Ben had left early from the apartment, told that he had to be at Mitch's garage by 7am. A bagel and a cup of coffee later, he found the address on the paper he was carrying.

Looking around it was still pretty dead in the place, but there was a car parked outside and Ben could hear some music playing. He walked around the side until he found the back door and knocked.

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Ben looked around the place. So *this* is what a building with a doorman looked like on the inside. VERY nice. He had no chance in hell of ever living in a place like this, but still, he'd have no problem working with someone living here.

He gave the receptionist a smile as well, nodding his thanks and just staying close to Mitch and trying not to act nervous.

Mitch led the way over the elevators, leaning back against one of the walls as he spun the keys in his hand. "So -- Indiana. Drove through there on my way out here. Didn't seem like it really had a lot going on, though."

"No, it doesn't. But I worked down in Indianapolis and made money on the side working in pit crews during NASCAR season. When you're on Dale Earhart Jr.'s pit crew, you get a lot of new clients. Tried to get onto a different team every year. Of course that's how I lost my driver's license too."

Ben smirked to himself. Tide hadn't been laughing though when he decided to test run the engine out on Highway 25 in the middle of the night. To be fair, though, Kyle Pety the 3rd was in the car beside him keeping pace. Of course HE only got a warning...

Mitch laughed. "Okay, that's pretty fucking cool. I've always wanted to try something like that, but -- I value my license. That got me away from my parents and out here. Frankly it's the best thing that ever happened to me."

"It was pretty damn fun. Kyle wanted me to come down to Florida where they had the race car experience and really go head to head with him. Never got around to setting that up."

Ben realized he was jonesing for a cigarette again and reached into his pocket for a thing of tic tacs. Surprisingly he was able to deal with those, but he went through 3 a day. He took a few, then offered it to Mitch.

"I still have my motorcycle license. Took it on a whim a few years ago because my friends and I were joking about doing this Harley month long ride. Never got the Harley or on the tour either, but we all have the licenses in our wallets."

Mitch shook his head at the offer before crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Another friend of mine -- also named Ben, oddly enough, has a bike at his sister's place in LA. It's better weather for it out there -- in the city? There isn't really any room for it, and the weather's shit all the time."

"I've watched how the cars drive down here from walking. Maybe not a Harley, but a good Kawasaki would do fine on the streets. And with the traffic it's less likely for the cops..." Ben worked his jaw, laughing a bit.

"Probably not the best kind of conversation to have around a boss..."

Mitch laughed, "No, probably not. But don't underestimate the cops, dude. If they want you, they will get you."

With that, the elevator doors opened and a tall, dark haired man stepped off the elevator and started heading towards them.

"Mitchell!" his voice somewhat boomed through the lobby as he shook Mitch's hand. "What can I do for you?"

"Just wanted to drop by, bring you the mechanic I told you about," Mitch said with a nod. "Ben Braedan, this is Pete Stone, Pete -- Ben Braedan."

"Nice to meet you," Pete nodded, turning his hand towards Ben, and clapping him on the shoulder as he shook his hand.

Ben tried not to stumble forward with the shoulder swat. But he shook the man's hand nice and firm, but letting Pete be just that bit firmer.

"Nice meeting you too, sir."

"I'm tellin' ya, you're doin' me a huge favor here," Pete said with a grin. "I really loathed having to fire the last guy, because he did good work, but there are lines you just don't cross. You don't screw with a guy's Caddy."

"I don't believe in screwing with anyone's car, if that makes you feel any better. Classic cars are works of art."

And he actually wasn't bullshitting there.

"That's what a prospective employer wants to hear," he said with grin, before jerking his thumb back towards the elevator again. "Wanna come down and have a look?"

"I probably should. I mean, I have to see the cars to work on them." He gave Pete a small smirk. The guy seemed like he could enjoy a bit of gentle sarcasm.

Pete chuckled slightly, hitting the button for the elevator, as he pointed back at Ben. "I like this guy."

"I thought you would," Mitch nodded.

Ben let his grin grow a bit, relaxing. This wasn't so bad after all, and he felt he could get along with both Pete and Mitch nicely.

He stepped into the elevator and leaned against the wall. "So I'm told you have a nice collection of classics..."

"Not only that, but I'm a dork on top of it," Pete said with a grin. "The crown jewel, if you will? Fifty-six Cadillac El Dorado -- pink."

"Normally I would scoff at the pink coloring, but that car actually looked good in it," Ben laughed. "Very nice. Worked on one a few years ago. You still keep all the original insides, or have you tried to upgrade things?"

"I try to keep everything as original as possible," Pete sighed. "But eventually the parts wear out, and you have to replace them. The El Dorado doesn't get driven so much anymore, but I still take her out for a spin every once in a while."

It was a few minutes before the doors to the elevator opened and Pete moved out ahead of them, flicking on the lights and revealing the El Dorado, as well as a '65 Ford Mustang, a Thunderbird, and a Ford Falcon Futura.

Ben just stopped and a big smile spread over his face. "I've died and gone to heaven."

Pete grinned before making his way over to the Thunderbird, running his hand over the hood lightly. "They're my babies. My wife says I take better care of them than I do her, but her collection of little blue boxes tends to say otherwise."

"Miranda's laid claim to the Falcon," Mitch said with a smirk, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Not that she's actually going to get it anytime soon, but she likes to think it's hers."

"Speaking of, my niece may pop down here to bug you on occasion if she gets bored," Pete sighed. "Don't -- indulge -- her too much. And if you do -- keep it off the cars."

Ben happened to be looking at the detailing on Falcon when he said that and put a hand out to keep himself from falling over.

Did he just... he did, didn't he? "Well, I'll keep my eye for her, but I probably won't indulge her at all in that way. Contrary to my good looks and fabulous personality, I'm not that kind of guy."

Mitch laughed, and Pete just ran a hand over his face. "It's not that I thought you were. She has a thing for mechanics -- don't ask me why. I've learned that telling them to stay away from her completely is a complete waste of time, but telling them to keep it off the cars works a little better."

"Plus -- you haven't seen her yet," Mitch grinned.

"Is that how the other guy was fired?"

"No. You're allowed to fool around with whoever you want -- even my niece -- and I'm not going to hold it against you," Pete sighed. "I found out the last guy was switching out the parts on the T-Bird. I haven't driven her in a few months, and apparently he was planning on grabbing replacements to put them back, but he got caught before he did. I -- wasn't exactly pleased."

Ben walked over to the T-Bird and opened up the hood to take a look at what was there. "So I take it this is my first project?"

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