First day on the job...

[mini_dean]

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.

Comments

[med-graysheep.livejournal.com]

"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."

[mini_dean]

"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.

[med-graysheep.livejournal.com]

"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?"

[mini_dean]

"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.

[med-graysheep.livejournal.com]

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.

[mini_dean]

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..."

[med-graysheep.livejournal.com]

"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."

[mini_dean]

"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?"

[med-graysheep.livejournal.com]

"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.

[mini_dean]

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

[med-graysheep.livejournal.com]

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."

[mini_dean]

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."

[med-graysheep.livejournal.com]

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.

[mini_dean]

"Is that how the other guy was fired?"

[med-graysheep.livejournal.com]

"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."

[mini_dean]

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?"

[med-graysheep.livejournal.com]

"Yup," Pete sighed. "Money's no object when it comes to the parts, just let me know what you need to order and I'll make sure you get them."

[mini_dean]

"I'll start making a list. Almost all of this is easy. Just one or two things that might not be as easy to get my hands on."

He had a few parts dealers that he had dealt with in Indiana, and was sure Mitch had his contacts. Plus he could always check with Dean and see who he got the Impala parts from. That car still looked brand new, and he wondered how many engines it had to have gone through by now.

[med-graysheep.livejournal.com]

"Good," Pete nodded, before nodding back towards the elevator. "Well, I have to get back to work, so I will leave you to this, and give me a call if you have any problems." He pointed back over to the landline hanging on the wall. "I'm extension two-oh-one."

[mini_dean]

"Two oh one. Got it." He nodded to Pete, then turned to Mitch. "So, I got the job I take it."

[med-graysheep.livejournal.com]

"Yup," Mitch said with a sigh as Pete headed back towards the elevator. "How does it feel to be getting back to normal?"

[mini_dean]

"I've never been normal," Ben gave him a small smirk. "But this? This I can definitely live with."

[med-graysheep.livejournal.com]

"Good to know," Mitch nodded. "And hey, if you ever want to grab a beer sometime and try for normal? Lemme know."

[mini_dean]

Ben thought for a moment, then nodded a bit. "I'll keep that in mind."

[med-graysheep.livejournal.com]

"Great," Mitch said with a sigh. "Well, I should probably let you work. But the main number for the garage is over by the phone, so if you need me, just give me a call. I'll probably be at my desk for the rest of the day."