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"I intend ta," he replied with a wink. Lemme jus' clock out an' I'll show ya around. By the way, Name's Clayton." He hurried toward the office, looking at his friend. "Ya owe me ten bucks."

Clayton freshened up with some deodorant and cologne, making sure he at least looked presentable and didn't smell like a sweaty dock loader. He didn't want Lizz to have to wait for long. Clayton was pretty excited actually; he knew he still had it. Now he just couldn't blow it. "Okay Clayton, ya can do this." Clayton jogged back toward Lizz, then offered his arm. "Ma'am," he said with a half grin.

"Hmph," Clayton furrowed his eyebrow in confusion, but proceeded to lead Lizz to his brand spanking new truck! It was a gift from his dad and mom, and boy was it great. It was red with soft seats, three in the front and three in the back with two doors and a great cargo space for moving things around. The tires were already muddy with specks of hay from helping his dad out on their farm. The best thing about it was that it had a CD player. Clayton only had about five CDs to his collection so far, but was eager to save up money for more. Hanging from the rear view mirror was a tiny year of the tiger plush hanging from his neck and a pair of brass knuckles hanging on a leather string. There was a pistol and bullets in the glove compartment, but it wasn't about to be opened anytime soon. On the middle seat sat his CD case. Bon Jovi, two Pink Floyd CDs, AC/DC, a mix CD that was labeled 'Dad's mix,' and an unlabeled CD were the five in the case.

Clayton went and opened Lizz's door for her, like his dad taught him, and then he hoisted himself up on the driver's side. "What'll it be first, Lizz? Food 'er sightseein'?"

((For those wondering, this is Bev on Lizz's account. So yeah...))

"Hotel, gotcha," Clayton replied with a nod. He started the car, and the engine roared to life. Oh yeah, Clayton loved his car.

The streets were filled with cars, but Clayton wasn't confused by the roads at all. He drove around like a king in his territory. "Wanna listen to some music? G'head, pick yer poison."

Clayton was quiet for a minute or two, then after a while he said, "Why, she a friend a' yours?"

"Pass something on?" Clayton asked, then replied, "Yeah, I s'pose I know her. She's my best friend's sister. We can swing by their place on the way to the hotel if you want, to give her the message. Man, what a little world we live in."

"Cool, alright, gotta take this exit, then." Clayton drove expertly. Of course he did, he didn't want his new truck to get totaled. It took almost fifteen minutes to get there, but Clayton parked behind an old, under construction warehouse. The place looked worse for wear and, frankly, it was unsightly. Only part of the place looked even liveable. "Edwin's prolly with the kid inside. Nice old coot, you'll like him."

"Cool, come on with me." Clayton led Lizz to the entrance and he opened the door wide. "'Ey everyone! Who's runnin' this joint!"

There was a young boy, perhaps about seven or eight, with blue hair at a table. He swung his legs under the chair as a man with a face wrinkled with laughter and kind, gentle eyes looked over blueprints. The man was rugged, calloused, and worn out. He seemed like the man who worked hard since the day he was born. The elderly man looked up at Clayton and Lizz, and he smiled. "OH, Clayton. Back already? The boys are upstairs, Max here and I just laid the floor work. Irene's still at school of course... Oh, I'm sorry young lady, Clayton, introduce your friend to me."

"Wuh-oh right, well this is Lizz, Pops. Lizz, this is Ed. He's also known as 'Pops' and 'Mr. Barnes.'"

"Hi I'm Max!" The young boy shouted, waving with enthusiasm at the woman. "I'm building a place for us to live! Papa Ed is helping me!"

"Oh and 'Papa Ed.'" Clayton added, gesturing to the young boy.