FINISHED: Squeaky voice from inside [Hal]

[Mini Maus]

All she was trying to do was find the book she needed for her homework. She knew it was in here somewhere. She had put it in before 3rd period but didn't remember where she had put. That was mostly because there had been this cute boy who had walked by and she had gotten distracted, and oh my god was he cute. She had followed him all the way to the language department where she'd lost him in a crowd of asians.

Which reminded her why were there so many asians. This was New Hampshire, not Tokyo or even New York City. She got up from her crouching position to look up to the top shelf of the locker which she was nowhere close to being able to see over. But it was worth a shot. Why were these lockers made for people who were not vertically challenged. It was just so unfair. They should make them for shorter people like her. She wondered if she could fit in here. This would be a..... just then she felt a push behind her shoving her into the locker and closing it behind her.

We that answered that question, she thought to herself. I can fit in the locker. Bad news is that I cannot get out. She managed to turn herself around so she was facing the vents feeling bad because she was squishing her books and tried the lock. No luck. It only opened from the outside. Guess they didn't think many high schoolers could fit in a locker. Shows what they knew. She started out knocking on the locker calling for help. Then she got tired of it and got some gum from her bag and began to chew it, knocking and calling for help. Then the gum began to lose flavor so she began to yell. It was now long after school, as she had been there after school anyway. But she was sure someone would come through. I mean how could they not? She couldn't stay here all night. She yelled for help. Why wouldn't anyone help her?

[Hal Fuoco]

Hal was walking down the hallway to his locker. He rarely went there but he needed to retrieve a book and some money before he could return to his dorm room. He had some business t finish up before he read a little bit. Now usually he would not be in the hallways this late but he had been in the computer lab working on an article for the newspaper. He looked tired despite the grin on his face. He had been having a great day (although the goodies may have helped) and nothing could ruin his mood.`

As he walked past a row of lockers, Ha heard an irritating squeaky voice coming from WITHIN one of the lockers. Hal chuckled a bit and thought about what he would do. This person annoyed him already and they were inside a locker, so he wondered what would happen if he let the person go. He than thought about how the kid would owe him if he DID let them go. But than again he was so amused right now he didn't want the amusement to end.

Hal took out his phone and recorded the ruckus coming from the locker so he could laugh later. Than he placed his knuckles against the thin metal and rapped out shave and a haircut on it. The sound reverberated off the metal in his direction and he guessed the sound was worse to the little person stuck inside. Only after he had had a good laugh did he speak. HELLO in there! was all he said before he broke down laughing. He wiggled the lock, giving false hope always added to amusing situations, and than let go and waited a moment before speaking once more. If you need help, it's gonna cost ya doll. Hope you don't mind that

Taking a step back, Hal fell silent and waited for the girl (or at least he hoped that high pitched squeak was a girl) to reply. What else was he going to do?! He couldn't open the locker without the combination and he wouldn't do anything unless the girl could repay him. He wasn't a charity service after all and that would never change.

[Mini Maus]

Mini was just starting to lose hope when she someone banged on the locker. "OW" She she said and curled up into a little ball on the floor. It hurt so much. "What was that for?" She kicked the door hoping it would hit whoever it was in the face if it miraculously opened. No such luck and it only lead to more noise. She really didn't like this whole locker thing. It had quite lost it's charm. Kind of like when she had to carry the suspended cymbal for band in elementary school and people would keep hitting it as she walked through the hallway. Just thinking about it made her head ring more. Ugh she needed some pain killers. And a throat lozenge. AND TO GET OUT OF HERE.

She heard his offer and looked around. She had no money. What else could she offer? She was not really big with money. "I don't have any money." She said sadly. Then she realized. "But I will do you a favor!" she said cheerfully. "I'll do anything you want, promise." She would do anything to not have to spend the night in here. She was hungry and had homework. And knew soon she'd probably have to pea. "What's your name savior?" she asked. She probably should know that. "I'm Mini, yes that actually is my name... it's kind of how I got in here. Stupid bullies taking advantage of short girls like me." she thought about starting to wear heels. They hurt and probably would make no difference. "Please let me out. I'll do anything."

[Hal Fuoco]

Hal had a hard time taking her seriously. She squeaked and wouldn't shut up. Her voice could make dogs cry. Hal, although irritated by her voice, was intrigued by her offer. She would do ANYTHING?! How could Hal as a good businessman say no to an offer like that.

Without a moment's hesitation, Hal opened the locker and looked at the munchkin within it. She was quite short. No wonder she had been shoved in there in the first place. Hal would have done the same thing. Especially if she had been talking. He couldn't blame the guy who had done it.

Hal held out a hand to Mini and said, "Hello. My name is Hal. You work for me now. That is, unless you want me to lock you back in there again, mouth glued shut this time. Nice to meet you squirt." He had never been one for polite introductions or beating around the bush and now was no time to be different. And so he waited for her to take his hand. If she did, the deal was sealed. If not, he'd glue her mouth shut and lock her in there once and for all. After all, he'd be doing the rest of the world a favor. He was grinning as he waited to see what this girl would do. Hopefully she would make a wise decision.

[Mini Maus]

Mini looked up at her savior. He was so tall. Well everyone was tall to her. His words struck her speechless though. He was so scary... yet inviting at the same time. One just wanted to say yes to him. His deal scared her now. She felt like she had just made a deal with the devil. Her family would not approve of that. They were good people and deals with the devil meant one was going to hell in a wheelbarrow (who fits in a handbasket?)Nevertheless he now scared her a little. She was grateful though. She didn't know how she would have gotten out otherwise. And she did give her word. She wouldn't go back on it. Her family had also said that. 'Mini you don't go back on your word. A mans word is his honor' so should she honor a deal with someone who seemed like the devil. She didn't see why not. Apparently the dark side had cookies.

Now she wanted a cookie. A nice big chocolate chip one. Maybe one with sprinkles on it. She wondered if those were going to be in the cafeteria tomorrow. They were so good especially with milk. They just melted in her mouth. MMMM Delicious.

She realized she hadn't said anything. Might as well act like nothing is wrong. It wasn't was it. She shook his hand and said. "Okey dokey. So what first boss?" She smiled a big smile then gave him a hug. He was nice and warm... too warm. Oh well. "THANK YOU THANK YOU AGAIN"

[Hal Fuoco]

Hal was happy with his decision. That is until the midget opened her mouth and that irritating squeak of a voice rang in his head once more. "You want to know what to do first? Zip your lips shut and get your tiny body off of me before I pull you off like the maggot you are." Hal pushed Mini off of himself and smoothed out his jacket before turning his attention back to his perky new slave.

"I'd recommend never hugging me again without asking and not squeaking unless asked to. You might live longer." Hal couldn't help but laugh. He amused himself. But he was amazing, why wouldn't he. He threw his bag at Mini's feet and than slammed shut the girl's locker behind her so she had nowhere to retreat to. She was pinned before him. "Your first job will be to carry my bag for me and walk with me. It is a simple start but I don't wanna wear my new worker out too easily. Oh and save time to meet whenever the newspaper meets. I run the newspaper and now you work for it under me. Understood?"

Hal always found a little too much joy out of breaking in a new worker and it never seemed to get old. Having control over a person's life and being their ruler and controller, it was so exciting. You could easily become power hungry as a result of it and Hal had passed power hungry long ago. This was more of a game AND a business by now and he wouldn't have it any different. Who would? Hal began walking knowing that Tiny would follow if she knew what was smart for her and he hoped she did.

[Mini Maus]

Mini fell back onto the floor when he pushed her off. She landed with an oof and crossed her arms. She nodded eagerly at his words. Though she was not eager about this new job she knew she should make the best of it and act eager. She was now not the lockers captive, she was his. But the good news was she got to join the newspaper. She had been wanting to do that.

His words did hurt her but people hurt her all the time. People were mean, it was just how things were. She tended to shrug it off. Besides she knew she was annoying, but why change yourself for someone else. She had never understood that.

She saluted and stood grabbing his bag. Standing up she nodded again and began to follow him. She kept silent thought she did twiddle her fingers. A lot. She had to keep busy somehow. Otherwise she would go nuts. She wanted gum.