Chương 107: Chapter 106 – Me Boss…You Nothing

"So where are we on fixing your debacle?" Hardscrabble asked Elios as he walked into the lab. Elios didn't look up. The overhead lights buzzed faintly, casting a harsh white glare across the scattered papers on his desk. The room smelled faintly of metal and disinfectant, the usual scent of machinery and chemical cleaners.

"Still waiting for the piece." Elios replied before looking down at the scattered papers on his desk.

"Eyes, up here when I'm talking to you!" Hardscrabble said slamming his hand on top of the page Elios was trying to read. The impact rattled a few tools nearby, sending a metallic clink through the room. Elios' jaw clenched as he raised his eyes to meet Hardscrabble's. His temples throbbed with irritation.

"Did you need something… sir?" he replied, sarcasm dripping off the word sir.

"I have a lot of work to do, and if you wouldn't mind, I would like to get back to it… that is if it's alright with you… sir," he said through gritted teeth.

"You will get back to work when I say you can get back to work." Hardscrabble said as he plopped into the chair next to the desk. The chair groaned loudly in protest. Hardscrabble misjudged the clearance and knocked his knee hard on the desk, causing several loose screws and a calibration tool to roll forward. Elios leaned back in his chair and folded his arms, doing his best not to pick up the lead rod that was sitting on the desk and slamming this jerk in the face.

His fingers twitched toward it before he forced them still.

"What can I do for you sir? Shine your shoes, perhaps? Run and get your lunch?" He asked, through the fakest smile he could muster.

"No need for any of that," Hardscrabble began, "Mordak and I are going golfing this afternoon and I was really hoping to tell him that I had the teleport back up and running." He said, shaking his head before looking down at his fingernails, "but I'm afraid I am just going to have to tell him that you have disappointed him once again," he said, before staring Elios in the eye.

"Tisk, tisk, you really have fallen so very far, so very fast… haven't you Elios?" he asked, smirking.

"To think, not so long ago you were the one who had Mordak's ear. Reminds me of when you were the one with my fate in your hands, funny how things just seem to come full circle now isn't it?" Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings. Elios felt heat rising in his chest, a slow burn that tightened his throat.

"What's your point, Hardscrabble? Like I said, I have a lot to do, and I would really like to get it done," Elios said, sighing loudly.

"What was that? I don't recall hearing a Mister in front of my name. Now we have talked about this Elios. I would really hate to have to write you up again for insubordination, but you insist on not addressing a superior properly. It's either Mister Hardscrabble or Sir, there is no in between. I know even with your recent disability, you should be able to remember that. It is really rather simple," Hardscrabble said, looking at Elios with pity. Elios' stomach twisted at the condescending tone.

"I'm sorry, Sir," Elios said sharply.

"I don't know what I could have been thinking, sir. Please accept my sincerest apologies, sir. I am hoping that I did not cause you too much distress, sir, with my blatant omission of the word Mister while I was addressing your sir."

"That's better," Hardscrabble said as he stood up. His chair scraped loudly against the floor.

"Now, that wasn't so hard, was it Elios? We will get along so much better if you would just follow the rules, unless of course your brain injury limits your capacity for comprehending such things. You know, a complacent employee is a happy employee. If you need me to, I can make it simplified for you…" he said, breaking off and pointing to himself.

"I am Mister Hardscrabble," he said emphasizing the word Mister.

"You…" he said pointing to Elios, "are low man on totem pole," he said, laughing before turning to walk away. Elios rolled his eyes as he watched Hardscrabble walk away, before mimicking the gesture. His hand moved in a small, mocking arc, barely more than a twitch. Hardscrabble turned quickly, catching Elios by surprise. Elios' heart lurched, a quick spike of adrenaline.

"You got something to say Elios? Because it sure looks like you do."

"No Sir, I was just making sure I was clear on your point, sir. You big boss man, me little man on totem pole," he said, with obvious disdain.

"Considering your diminished capacity, I'm going to let that go," Hardscrabble said, flustered by Elios's mockery.

"Just as long as we're clear, I hold your future in my hands, not the other way around," he said, smiling smugly before leaving the room. Elios picked up the lead pipe and caressed it gently. The cold metal felt heavy and solid in his palm, grounding his anger. I wouldn't count on that boss man. He thought to himself. Pretty soon you may find this shoved up your…

"Elios!" a voice called from the other side of the room. The shout echoed off the metal walls, snapping the tension.

"Package for you, I think it's that part you have been waiting for."