A Special Day [Evening Time Slot, Work]

Jackie was prepared for the day, honestly. As prepared as he always was when it was time to open up the shop. He flipped the sign around, and headed for his spot behind the counter, still marked with a black 'X' in tape on the ground. He adjusted his tie, and pushed his sunglasses up, leaning over onto the counter. Working in a gun store was...interesting. They got all sorts of types in there, looking for all sorts of things...though most of them were just looking, thankfully. Boss always needed to actually come out to finalize all purchases, and do the paperwork...and he always seemed a bit annoyed when he was disturbed. Even though more sales meant more money.

Jackie had no clue why Boss was always so snippy about actually selling things, but hey. Money was money, and Boss was lazy these days. Anything that got him out of his room would make Jackie 'happy', more than anything else. There weren't really many customers, lookers or buyers, early on, anyway. Today however, was a bit different. Boss actually came down, dressed far nicer than usual. "...Get ready. We're going out today. Need to pick up new stuff for the shop." Jackie considered questioning what they needed for a gun store that wasn't just available to be ordered...he really hoped it wasn't illegal. Still, he followed Boss quietly outside, locking the store up behind him. "...we're going to Vista Square first. Need to talk to an old friend about something. Then we're gonna go to East Eden for something. Don't say anything stupid, and don't question anything too much, alright? Everything'll go fine if you're just quiet." That...didn't sound shady at all! Jackie nodded, despite himself. This was going to be a long day, it wasn't already apparent.

"...if you say so, Boss. I'll try and stay quiet while you talk to all these weird guys..." Jackie nodded a little, playing his music...though it was only audible to himself. Boss sighed, and began walking, Jackie following at his heels. He knew this was probably going to go poorly anyway, but Jackie could hope that it wouldn't be his fault...this time. Tact wasn't included with his fake emotions, after all, and usually it led to trouble. The walk to Vista Square was mostly quiet, with Jackie briefly stopping to look at animals whenever he saw one pass by, only moving on when Boss gave him a harsh look.

When they finally reached Vista Square Jackie was confused when they entered a...pet store? Jackie stared at Boss for a while. "Why are we here, Boss?" Jackie asked, after a long moment.

"Just wait here for like, thirty minutes, okay? I don't exactly trust you not to screw this up, alright?" Boss left Jackie there. Jackie nodded dutifully, looking at a rabbit...and he continued looking at a rabbit for thirty minutes. He had been given orders, and had no intention to fail a mission as easy as that. Boss returned a bit late, and pulled Jackie away, and out of the store, now holding a small box. "Don't ask any questions, alright? It's way easier that way." The man grunted,

Jackie shrugged, He really didn't need to be told twice, but whatever. No questions would be asked...for now. He would have plenty when they got back to the shop. The trip to East Eden was far more awkward, and long, and but the end it was night...he really wished they would have taken transportation all the way there, instead of only after they had literally walked as far as was possible. "...East Eden is nicer at night..." Jackie mumbled, looking at the stars, though not bothering to adjust his glasses.

"Yeah I guess. It's fine. Just don't say anything about being a robot while we're here, alright? Don't need you freakin' them out..." Boss muttered. Jackie tilted his head at him, but said nothing. He was told not to ask any questions, and he was going to LISTEN...for now. If things got a little too weird he was going to HAVE to ask something early. He was naturally curious about a lot of things, and if it built up too much...well.

The walking continued, up to an old house. Boss stopped, gave Jackie another look, then knocked on the door... and then they were left standing there for a minute. Jackie was left wondering about all sorts of things. The quiet prompted thinking, and wondering, as he stared at the plain wooden door...before it swung open, and he barely stopped himself from jumping in surprise. An Old woman had opened the door. "...well. It's good to see you remembered." She commented, after a second.

"Yes Mother, I remembered." Boss grunted, giving Jackie another look. He didn't need a verbal warning to know he was being told to still stay quiet. Boss handed the package off. "Happy birthday, and all that." He sighed. Jackie tilted his head.

"...Birthday?" He didn't question anything else after getting elbowed by Boss, subtly. It had just...all built up too much, and he HAD to ask something. What even WAS a birthday? He thought there were only 7 days in a week...unless it was one of those weird holidays he had kept hearing about...those really confused him more than he'd like to admit. Boss and his Mother stared at each other for another minute, before the door was closed, and Boss turned around.

"...Come on. We're going home." Boss stated. Jackie followed. "You know, you were really close to not makin' a mess of that one. But you asked a stupid question...who doesn't know they're going out into the damn countryside to deliver a birthday present?...assuming that she doesn't think you don't know what a Birthday is. I really gotta teach you more shit so you don't keep messin' up like this." Boss sighed.

"Why'd you tell me we were going to buy things for the store, if we were just going to see 'Mother'?" Jackie asked, curiously.

"Because I didn't have two hours to spend explaining all the ins and outs of what a Birthday was...don't expect it to come up often, either. You don't got a real one, and I ain't telling you mine." Boss shook his head. "So don't waste time thinking about it. If I tell you anything, it's just because I need to take you out in public."

Jackie sighed a little. Well, maybe he'd just have to start teaching himself in his own time, if it was going to be this way. Still, he did have one more question, after the long day. "...Boss, can I get a bunny?"

3300 VC, fam.