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The makers of the treadmill had never intended it for fitful starts and stops, so the motor took some time to kick into high gear, by which point the signal was telling it to run backwards. The net effect was that the track smoothly accelerated, then began to slow.

Hayes, who wasn't really paying attention, kept up with the changes, humming to himself as the treadmill slowed nearly to a crawl. That was a little odd, but he was expecting it to speed up again.

It didn't.

"What-" The Rocket's legs went out from under him.

Switch was sitting back on his haunches, considering a pair of vending machines. He wasn't much interested in the one on the right, which was full of bottles of water and FeraligatrAde, but the left.. the left held treasure, behind a metal coil in slot C4.

His ears twitched when he heard Gizmo. "Pika pika," he called back, not looking away from the glass-fronted case.

Hayes didn't go tumbling head over heels, though his expression was surprised; he was quick-thinking enough to grab the side rails before falling flat on his face. The Rocket hoisted himself up and and got a foot off to the side, the other following as he ducked under the rail.

He straightened up as Kofuku returned and gave her a little grin. "You know this place is monitored, right?" the blond asked as he pulled out his earbuds.

Oh-ho! The little squirt was useful. Opting not to squeeze himself up inside since Gizmo was already there, Switch knocked on the glass to get his attention and pointed a stubby paw toward the bags of chips at the top. "Pipika pi."

"Ah.. I'm pretty sure you're busted already," Hayes grinned. He leaned back, hands in his pockets. "Seth keeps a pretty close watch on things."

Switch had learned that stealing everything all in one go, while profitable in the short term, didn't go unnoticed. Hayes came to the gym often enough anyway that he had a steady supply. The Pikachu held up one stubby digit. "Pi."

"Nah, he wouldn't." Hayes waved the idea away. His hand paused in midair. "..well maybe. Hm." His gaze became distant; the Rocket looked like he was giving the idea some serious consideration - if not the possibility of it, then the method. The elite didn't seem like the type to get his hands dirty. Maybe he'd do it by Force choke?

After a few moments, he looked back to Kofuku. "There's always another option, you know," he grinned mildly at her. "You take your override device out and get off for good behavior. You've got a witness. Anyway, those motors don't have the torque for the acceleration I bet you want."

Switch had enough experience with this - it was a heavy spring, but if you headbutted it- click. The panel swung up. "Pi pi," the Pikachu urged - hurry up, my head is squishing.

"So you're into mechanics?" Hayes adjusted his glasses and looked at Kofuku with more interest.

With a little effort, Switch wriggled backward, letting the door snap down behind him. The Pikachu looked left, right, left, ears and eyes alert for any who might notice, but this area of the gym was quiet today. "'kachu!" He gave Gizmo an approving thumbs-up, then scampered around to the side of the machine and motioned his accomplice over. "Pika pika." It was less conspicuous here. They would feast! And not get discovered; that was important.

"Sure, I get you," Hayes confirmed as Kofuku explained herself. A pulsing beat was still coming faintly from his earbuds; he absently switched off his MP3 player. At her last question, he shrugged with a mild smile. "Hope not. Though it might help to know what makes you hate a person."

Switch certainly seemed to be settling into that role. When Gizmo displayed the bag, the Pikachu held up a paw in ceremonial silence. "Chuu. Pi pika, pikachu," he intoned. For what we are about to receive, we thank ourselves. He took the bag carefully from Gizmo, then ripped through the foil to display a bounty of cheddar cheese potato chips within.

Hayes laughed lightly. "Nah, it's fine." He waved it away, eyes on the device. Having the question turned back on him seemed to surprise the sandy blond, who paused and looked thoughtful. "Not sure," he confessed with a shrug and a vaguely apologetic smile. "People who don't know anything about computers and want me to fix them, I guess."

Switch's nose twitched at the intense odor of cheese and salt, and his cheeks crackled with a little loose electricity in anticipation. With a crinkle of foil, he reached in and drew out two chips from the top - whole, ruffled, and covered with a bright orange dusting of cheese that stuck to the 'chu's paws. Like a priest giving a communion wafer, he offered one chip to Gizmo while taking a bite of the other in solemn silence.

"He does that," Hayes absently started to reply, but his brain parsed the question a second time he a) realized it was plural and b) noticed the grunt's Pichu was nowhere to be found as well. "Oh, huh. Yours too." He nudged his glasses into position and scanned across the gym for any telltale signs of their Pokemon for a moment, then snapped his fingers. "Bet I know where he is. C'mon." He strode off for the snack machines.