“Don’t see no signs.”
“Won’t see my fist flying at your chin, neither,” Gunner growled, his temper barely contained. These days, he was like a feral dog backed against a wall. He’d lash out at anything.
Donny fished a bent cigarette from his trousers despite it. He felt his blood thinning, retreating to his heart. His hands shook.
Gunner slapped the cigarette out of his hand. “I’ll box you till you’re deaf as well, Don!”
“That’ll be the fuckin’ day,” Donny said, fists clenching.
“You need a drink is all,” Otto said on a sigh. “We all could use a night off.”
“I need a fuck,” Donny countered. “Anyone will do.”
“Didn’t you lay with that lad last night?”
“Aye,” said Donny. “And it’s been too many fuckin’ hours since.”
Gunner was prowling, back and forth. Donny couldn’t help but count the minutes ticking by while they stood there, useless.Patrick would’ve come up with a solution by now, he thought.He wouldn’t just be standin’ here thinkin’ about his cock. But Donny had never been as cunning as Patrick, nor as quick, nor as decisive. Donny could be counted on for the sport of the business, not the strategy.
“Fuck the members!” Gunner was braying now. “Never once thanked us, have they? How many years’ve we spent breakin’ our backs for ’em? I say we keep the fuckin’ coal for ourselves.”
“Can’t feed the parish with coal though, can we?” Donny sneered. “A warm body ain’t any good if it’s starved, you dolt.”
“Call me doltagain.”
“Why does Gunner’s head look like it might burst?” came Scottie’s voice. His footsteps approached, muffled by the hiss of the boilers.
“Don’t worry none. It’s thick as a ram’s. Nothin’s busting through it,” Donny answered. “What news?”
Scottie sighed wearily. “The bad kind.”
“Have mercy.” Donny wondered if there was a bottom to the well, or if they’d drown reaching for it.
Scottie had been to Dorser for an arranged trade in the night. He was late to return.
“Dorser didn’t show,” Scottie said, and Donny heard the cracks of his bones as he stretched. “Waited there half the fuckin’ night.”
An incomprehensible silence ensued. Otto began to pace. There was the sound of a lighter striking.
“Oy!” Donny cried, “Thought you said no smokin’?”
“They’re sendin’ a message,” Otto intoned, voice distant. He exhaled heavily. Smoke infused the air.
“Left a note, too,” Scottie said. There was a crinkle of paper, the slap of it as it collided with someone’s hand.
Gunner read aloud.
“Alchemist and Earth Charmer Sworn into Governing Administration as Lord and Lady,” he said gruffly, voice darkening on the final words.
Donny’s chest concussed. Beyond the pounding in his ears, he heard the sound of paper tearing, flames thrilling as they were fed.
He turned his back on the others, closed his eyes, and tried to think.
“They think we’re colludin’ with the swanks,” Otto growled. “Donny? Did you hear—”
“Yeah, I fuckin’ heard,” he muttered.
“Donny… they won’t trade till we prove we’re on the right side of things. That’s what they’re tryin’ to tell us,” said Scottie.
