Food And Fight
"What a strange person" B'eight thinks while getting a standard ration from the dispenser.
"Enjoy your meal B'eight" the machine says in a cheery monotone that can only be produced by a computer attempting to speak. It continues "Be safe while working"
"I always am" B'eight replies, knowing that the machine has no way of hearing. A quick scan of the room shows that almost all of the tables are free. B'eight heads to the one furthest from the dispenser and nearest the door that leads toward work. Sitting down B'eight reaches for a nearby Reader and scans the menus for the "News" option. It is always the last choice after heaps of entertainment options. Just as the Reader comes to life however, B'eight hears a commotion growing behind the current range of vision. Arguing voices can be heard getting louder. One of the voices is easy to make out, mostly due to the fact that this person is always involved in a dispute and quick to escalate it to a physical fight. B'eight turns to look and is not surprised to see Efften standing across the room, head forward, fists clenched, all hackles and veins, although it is a shock to see that standing opposite is a cowering, yet adamant, Tenjay.
"I don't need to listen to this crap from an engine-monkey scum-stain like you!" Effeten says, aware that all of the attention in the room, as limited as that is, now is all directed at them. This emboldens Efften somewhat and a smirk crosses the otherwise angry visage.
"You don't understand" a panicked Tenjay replies "Things are not right. We need to get out of here!"
"No one's standing in your way creep! Leave! Back to the engine where your type belong!" Efften laughs a little after saying this and scans the room for approval.
"You need to listen to what I am telling you!" Tenjay pleads and reaches up, putting both hands on Efftens shoulders.
"That was a mistake" B'eight thinks, knowing Efften's history, but is helpless to interfere with what comes next.
"No one touches me!" Efften yells. The fist, like a boulder, flies to the side of Tenjay's defenseless head and nearly twists it of. Grasping at it reactively and crumpling to the floor Tenyjay lets out a slight cough of pain and surprise. "And no one tells me what I need to do!" Despite looming heavily over Tenjay's helpless body Efften says this more to the room of scattered onlookers. After a brief moment staring around at everyone, silently daring anyone else to approach, Efften pushes Tenjay's crouching body over with a pushing kick, leans closer and in a barely audible tone says "Learn your place grease-rat." Then after another quick look around the room and an affirmative nod Efften storms out the door.
- B'eight rushes to aid Tenjay
- B'eight quickly gathers what is left of the rations and heads toward work
