Bluegill nodded and watched Manna bow respectively before leaving the room. It was sudden, but Manna had been polite and said what he needed. It was a good move for him to get out the door before he got dragged into something. “Smart guy,” Bluegill commented to himself after Manna was gone.
Leaning back into his chair, Bluegill thought for a moment about what was happening. He knew that Guy had left to attempt a deal of some kind. He also knew that Manna was the only real friend he had. If anything happened or was retrieved, Manna would know about it before anyone else.
After a few minutes, he called for Reubin Chai, the leader of the thugs he used before. They all were deeper in debt to Bluegill now. Medical fees were expensive. They got even more expensive when surgeries had to be kept off the books. Thanks to their reckless run in with Manna, the Green Tea Boys now pretty much belonged to Bluegill.
Before long, Reubin walked in. He was slightly below average height at five and a half centimeters tall. His bright orange skin and red orange spots seemed brighter against his black suit. His eyes were daggers of serious unhappiness due to his gang’s new role as Bluegill’s servants.
His jaw muscles were still in great pain due to the rushed operation. The procedure without anesthetics provided a constant reminder of his debt. It would do no good for him to hold his mouth. His new metal mouth defined discomfort as the nerves and muscles adjusted to their new home. Tucked under his skin, the metal mouth was unnoticeable unless he opened it. It remained closed. The slightest movement would cause great unnecessary pain. Unable to speak, he had no choice but to listen.
Standing before Bluegill in silence, Reubin bowed low. Bluegill knew that Reubin wouldn’t speak yet so he started, “I want you and you boys to watch Manna.” Though Reubin remained low, Bluegill noticed his unsettling shift when he mentioned Manna. “Just watch him,” Bluegill emphasized, “Stay out of sight. Call me when you see Guy.”
At the end of these instructions, Reubin stood strait. In silence he exited the room.