Out of Business

When he was called into the office, Archie Mayes knew his job was done. He knew that he would have to eventually go home that night and tell Janet about it, and find a way to cover this month’s rent. Besides being late on the car payments, Archie would now have to find a job to last for a while until things improved. Janet would have to wait for that long awaited vacation in the Mediterranean. He would have to wait to buy those new ProSwing golf clubs to use in the family outing next spring. Thinking of all of this made his head spin, much like his first night out on the job. However, in spite of things, Archie expected this. In this recession, the tooth fairies should be happy for lasting as long as they did. More importantly, he now had to find a way to sneak his work wings out of the job place as there was no way those babies were leaving him.

“So…hunny, I have to tell you something. Too straight forward. Hey babe, want to eat out tonight. Too unexpected. Listen, we need to talk. That…just sounds awful. Janet, you know how you said you always wanted to spend more time together? That’s just bullshit.” Archie shook his head as he walked home.

“What are you going to do Archie?” He muttered to himself as he passed by an old lady walking the opposite way. His hands tightly gripped around the white convenience store bag. This was his out with a bang idea when he found out about the job cuts.

He found out from “Nickel Only” Nate, another veteran in the field. Apparently, one of the old cooks from one of the eastern Canadian sectors went on a rampage and flew up by the ceiling and started to pelt workers with teeth he had found. Archie found that funny until he realized that the story meant pay cuts, which were never good.

“Figures, we’ve been losing money for years ever since we went up to the dollar. Remember when it was just a nickel? Going up to the quarter seemed outrageous and almost started a war. I can’t believe this shit.” Nate said as he walked to corner bar by work where they used to hang out after the late shifts. They were half way in when they realized this might be the last time they walked in.

“I don’t think I can do it.”

“It will only be for one drink.”

“I mean, I can’t tell Janet about losing this. This is all I have.”

“Archie, sometimes there are things more to life than being the tooth fairy. We can always find another job.” Nate said reassuringly. Besides working with him for five years, Archie loved Nate for his laid back personality. He used to smoke on the job and said the experience made the job that much more exciting. Nate once said that it was almost like he was flying in mid air, and Archie responded with hitting him over the head with a half filled bag of baby teeth from his night of work.

“And do what? We fly into people’s houses, take something without them knowing and leave some change for their kids for crying out loud. What the hell can we do now?” Archie said as a couple of elderly women exited the bar, giving the two men dirty looks before leaving completely.

Nate paused.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” He gave a natural smirk as they went into the bar.

“What? –Nate, we’re not going to steal from people.” He whispered back. When they had signed the contract when they first got their job, all new hires were told you could not take items from the houses they would enter. Of course, rules were made to be broken and Archie had heard stories of what people took. Mostly small things, things that would go unnoticed until it was actually looked at. Things like picture frames, stuffed animals, food that was left out the night before. Personally, he never took a thing, as he was an honest man, a very honest tooth fairy. Besides, if Janet ever found out, she would kill him immediately.

“Why not? We’re good at it.” He was right. Being a tooth fairy wasn’t exactly an easy job, and if you ever got caught, you might as well just give up your wings because you would be fired the moment you stepped through the door. Suspense and mystery was part of the job after all.

“We just got laid off. I need some time to breathe.”

“Maybe there’s a way to get back at them.”

“How? I told you I’m not going to steal.” Archie complied. Being an honest man was one thing, but being an honest man with no money wasn’t going to win out at the end of the day. He knew Janet, and he knew that she would be with him regardless, but he wanted the best for her and he was going to stick to that promise.

“By stealing business of course.” Nate said, sipping down his now milk warm beer as they began to watch Monday night football. At least he would enjoy some entertainment before heading back to the real world. He didn’t care what teams were on, as long as he got through the night. He didn’t need much to get a smile on his face.

Archie sat there for a moment, now that he was unemployed; so many fun things came to mind. Employee of the Month twice in the last two years, he worked hard for his paycheck. He barely ever had time to really just hang out. He thought of all the things he could do with the free time and all the hours of sleeping in late, even until he finds another job. Finally, the idea hit him.

“I always wanted to build an actual castle of teeth before.”