It's not just a paycheck. It's earning enough time to live.
[The words snap out with more bitterness than he really means, but only because there's a chord in him that's been firmly struck. Sure, as a timekeeper, he's hated no matter what he does. That's the first thing any timekeeper learns their first year on the beat: their only real reward for doing their jobs right is little more than a pile of vitriol. But someone has to do it.]
Where I come from, the rules are different. If you're born in the wrong time zone, that's it, tough shit. You work and work and work just to live from one day to the next, and you do that until the day you die, whether it's because you weren't paying attention or your loans caught up to you or some thug on the street stole whatever minutes you had left. That's the way it's always been, and that's the way it's always going to be.
[He stops himself then, realizes he's letting his grip on himself get a little too slack. He leans back a bit more, lets his shoulders relax, and sighs.]
The only way for a kid to escape from the wrong time zone - the only right way - is to fight for the system. That's what I did fifty years ago, and I'll keep doing it until I die.
[Whoa. So Raymond does feel emotion for some things. Who knew the guy had this kind of spirit in him. Orange is letting the information sink in too, trying to translate that way of life into something he might understand. Maybe Freddy's not supposed to understand and he ought to be glad he doesn't need to live paycheck to paycheck quite so literally.]
You sure don't fuck around.
[Freddy remarks, eyes fully on Raymond now. He is such a fucking P3 to Orange it's almost funny. He won't laugh though.] I guess you know a lot of guys cross the line cause they think they don't got any other options. Some guys cross that line because it's fuckin' fun and games.
[He'd go for a cigarette but he does have a dessert to order so Orange takes a break from all that hardass demeanor to wave someone over. With a snap of his fingers he's back to being Freddy.]
I want that.
[Check out this motherfucking triple sundae explosion parfait monstrosity.] Are you gonna have anything?
[Oh come on, Ray, it can't possibly cost more than a small meal. Cheap bastard. If the guy really is pressed for cash though Freddy's got spare change on him (and his other half just the next booth over). After hearing Raymond's piece on timekeeping it just makes a little more sense that he could be tight with money too.]
I'm not exaggerating, man.
[Orange continues after they're left alone.] You keepin' your tradition goin'? [More code for is the guy looking to work with the local police force.]
[He's done with even considering the menu now. But he'll keep entertaining the conversation at hand, if only because he remembers what Orange said about that man not liking cops.]
Haven't put in a formal application yet... But I don't see much else for me to do around here.
I'm not sayin' you gotta be scared shitless of that son of a bitch, he's human like the goddamn rest of us.
[There's a brief edge to the way he says this, like Orange knows from firsthand experience about that guy's mortality.]
Just take it seriously. He ain't a laughin' matter.
[Here comes his ice cream! Freddy puts on a grin like their conversation doesn't consist of death and destruction so as not to give the waiter any reason to quirk a brow. Of course two guys having dessert, well, one guy having dessert while the other watches is probably already very queer.]
[Raymond responds by rolling his eyes.] I'm just saying, I don't think it's really going to matter whether I lay low or not if he decides to actually pick that bone.
[Orange is looking at him again, trying to see the middle-aged something or other man behind those pretty eyes. Doesn't this make Raymond older than White? Sure does. A guy like that has to be able to take care of himself, right? Of course, Orange's line is just a dial away. Nevertheless, he reaches over far enough to give Raymond a heavy pat to the shoulder.]
Whatever happens, it was nice knowin' you.
[It's a joke and it's lacking sarcasm too. Freddy just seems to find humor a good crutch in most situations.]
[The words snap out with more bitterness than he really means, but only because there's a chord in him that's been firmly struck. Sure, as a timekeeper, he's hated no matter what he does. That's the first thing any timekeeper learns their first year on the beat: their only real reward for doing their jobs right is little more than a pile of vitriol. But someone has to do it.]
Where I come from, the rules are different. If you're born in the wrong time zone, that's it, tough shit. You work and work and work just to live from one day to the next, and you do that until the day you die, whether it's because you weren't paying attention or your loans caught up to you or some thug on the street stole whatever minutes you had left. That's the way it's always been, and that's the way it's always going to be.
[He stops himself then, realizes he's letting his grip on himself get a little too slack. He leans back a bit more, lets his shoulders relax, and sighs.]
The only way for a kid to escape from the wrong time zone - the only right way - is to fight for the system. That's what I did fifty years ago, and I'll keep doing it until I die.
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You sure don't fuck around.
[Freddy remarks, eyes fully on Raymond now. He is such a fucking P3 to Orange it's almost funny. He won't laugh though.] I guess you know a lot of guys cross the line cause they think they don't got any other options. Some guys cross that line because it's fuckin' fun and games.
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[But he thinks he's hammered that point in well enough by now. He sighs again, a shorter inhale this time, letting his expression turn neutral again.]
I've known enough guys like that.
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[He'd go for a cigarette but he does have a dessert to order so Orange takes a break from all that hardass demeanor to wave someone over. With a snap of his fingers he's back to being Freddy.]
I want that.
[Check out this motherfucking triple sundae explosion parfait monstrosity.] Are you gonna have anything?
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[One look at what he's ordering, though... How much is this going to cost him?] I think I'll pass.
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I'm not exaggerating, man.
[Orange continues after they're left alone.] You keepin' your tradition goin'? [More code for is the guy looking to work with the local police force.]
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[He's done with even considering the menu now. But he'll keep entertaining the conversation at hand, if only because he remembers what Orange said about that man not liking cops.]
Haven't put in a formal application yet... But I don't see much else for me to do around here.
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[Except Orange is pretty sure Raymond's already on Blonde's radar by now.]
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You think I'd be in that much trouble if I did?
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[He's using his hands to demonstrate while talking.]
Homicide, dismemberment, and fucking arson. [Well, almost arson.]
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[Well.]
Guess it might be better to lay low, after all.
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[There's a brief edge to the way he says this, like Orange knows from firsthand experience about that guy's mortality.]
Just take it seriously. He ain't a laughin' matter.
[Here comes his ice cream! Freddy puts on a grin like their conversation doesn't consist of death and destruction so as not to give the waiter any reason to quirk a brow. Of course two guys having dessert, well, one guy having dessert while the other watches is probably already very queer.]
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[And then comes the ice cream. That eyebrow rises even higher.]
Anyway... I've got a feeling he's already got a bone to pick with me.
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What gave you that idea.
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Whatever happens, it was nice knowin' you.
[It's a joke and it's lacking sarcasm too. Freddy just seems to find humor a good crutch in most situations.]
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