2019-09-02 - So What's the Plan?

Erin comes in bright and early. First day at work and it's a Monday. She looks surprisingly chipper this morning but there had been a long debate on what to wear. Nothing professional, this wasn't the place for her high class dresses and heels. So she settled for a pair of black fitted pants, from the fitness department, a black sports bra beneath a black tank top, tennis shoes and a hoodie that was half zipped up. When she comes in she glances around like she had the past few times before going over to talk to the boss.

Joey is in early. The place opens at 5:30 in the morning for the large quantity of laborers and business owners who do use the gym to get something going before their day eats them. Has he asked Erin to be there at a particular time? Funny enough? No.

He rolls up, same sneakers (Black on black Converse), gym shorts, tank top, tape on his hands from working out with the last person he was coaching before she walked in. An eyebrow goes up, assessing, "Yooooou, look like you can use coffee. Some in the office." He pauses noting, "It's coffee flavored." In case. You know. He doesn't know, but now everyone's up to speed. "How's shit goin with your friend and that?"

Amused, Erin laughs softly. A laugh that actually meets her eyes and makes her squint just a little. "Coffee flavored coffee is best. I really don't like the cotton candy and bubble gum flavored coffee." Escaping into the office on that note, she uses a cup in there, making a mental note to bring her Yeti next time and leave it there. Once the coffee is poured and doctored, because she's not a black coffee kind of girl, she comes back in the room. "How do I go about getting a shirt for work with the logo on the front? Does T-Shirts Plus carry the design already? I can order some in my style if they do." The smile fades just a touch at the mention of Alexander. "He's recouping with his lady at his side, so I think things could be far worse than they are."

One of those figures, business owner before work maybe, or late opening on days he wants to be here is Jack. Amid the bags and speed balls is where he is, or was. Currently he's walking out. Sweats on his legs, t-shirt otherwise, with some dabble of moisture indicating he's worked out. Gloves off at present, but hands tapped up. He has a towel in one hand that he's batting at his brow. Those who watched or know him, know he's decent and that's about it, more the training perhaps, picked it up somewhere hasn't stopped but hasn't had some regularly training to imporve deficciencies either. A familiar face entered in Erin, he is headed near where she's being greeted and he gives pause. A head nod in that direction, he's second guessing a greeting but does so the same, "Hey ... Hello Erin. Got lost?" As in surprised to see her here even. He gives them some room, just a pause to greet it seems, but not to interrupt what business they may have going on.

Joey is one of those guys where people know always where they stand with him. If he doesn't like someone, then he's probably already hitting them and they are going to be very clear on why. As it sits all seems groovy with the world. Amusements noted, and for all the bad news he keeps shit casual, "Well if you're gonna heal up that's the way t'do it. See my brother for details next time he jumps off a roof at something." Shaking his head he mutters something about needing a new picnic table.

The question about shirts pulls a pause and he looks at the wall and contemplates that. Huh! Looking back to Jack there's a faint grin, "Be nice to our new receptionist, Jack." Looking around he murmurs, "It's been a fuckin week around here. But yeah, I mean see if they do, Erin. If they dont?" He considers this giving it some good thought. Marketing is not at all his forte. "Yeah come up with something and run it by me. It's a solid idea."

Poe isn't just coming to check the place out this time. He's dressed in a muscle-shirt and exercise shorts and has a battered backpack tossed over one shoulder that likely has any other supplies he might need inside of it. He navigates his way inside of the gym and has a bright smile for the several familiar faces that fill the room - though perhaps a tinge of concern when he swings his gaze past Erin.

"Good morning." He announces.

"I can do that. I'll come up with something." Already her mind is composing something there but when Jack approaches she smiles. "Hi," Erin knows him well and is on surprisingly good terms with him. A hug is given over even if its brief. "I didn't know you spent a lot of time here. We'll have to spar sometime. I'm brand new at it though, still learning. I've been practicing on my own at home. Making a few changes there. I think I'm going to move out of the apartments." She sips her coffee. "You opening the shop today?" The query directed to Jack. "I'd like to leave my car with you for a little while. Just a few days."

Hearing Poe, she recognizes him from the other day and offers a smile. "Good morning. Welcome to Kelly's." She's the door greeter now.

"Few people I'd be nice to," mumbles Jack at the be nice to the reception, but a nod, "Two of them are here, you win." Though if Joey's been around Jack enough, that's probbly common as relates to boxing, he still likes the workout. Even an arm goes up to accept the hug, returning it a little. "I spend enough time to keep in shape, but I'm rusty. Could do with more time." Taking in the words from both of them at present he nods as he reaches some conclusion, "Good, you need to start, prortect yourself. And your in good hands here. You'll get more than you pay for." That's a grumble, like new training, gyms, anything its about making the person feel good to keep giving, but something of quality out of this gym, in his mind at least. "Yeah, you can leave your car, its not trashed this time is it?"

Joey greets Poe with a wry grin and a hand out in a taped fistbump, "Suuuup, brother." He thumbs over to Erin, "Lookit her turning this into a fuckin respectable place." He ain't complaining though. He pulls the towel from his shoulder and dries his face again with a nod, "Boy Scout sent over a referral yesterday. Co-owns a bar. I told em I'd grabyou and go pay em a visit." Becuase Geoff needs to be happily harassed by their sorry asses right?

The answer is yes. Yes he does.

"Like I told the guy last night, ya gotta get a plan. It's a long drive, but if you know where you wanna go you're get there." He pauses boggling, "Also why I get a text about kiddie pools? I got three but I don't think one works right anymore. Gotta get one them vinyl kits and try patchin it."

"Let's just not go too wild on the class. I think Ms. Addington is a fine touch, but I wouldn't want to see this place climb many more rungs on the respectability ladder." Poe replies with a quick smile toward Erin while he makes the comment. "Good to see you again. I hope things are going ... better." Maybe it's hard to go any other direction at this point?

He turns his focus back to Joey, nodding along to what the other man says. "You know I'm always happy to go visiting. I'm a friendly guy like that. Always about meeting knew people. Building those relationships. Putting the time in."

Poe finds a place by the wall to drop his backpack for the time being, turning back and laughing at Joey's comment. "Shit. Didn't even know if the text landed. Just a little backyard party, but we had more people than pools. Bit of a bring your own pool type thing unless you can find a friend who is willing to stack in one of them with you."

"Nothing wrong with it this time, just maintenance. Change the oil and all, it's that time again. I've been putting miles on it going to Seattle and back pretty often." Erin flashes a grin to Joey for the compliment but while he engages Poe in conversation, she hits up Jack. "I didn't know you came here though. Did you want to set up to spar tomorrow? I can come in early if you'd like and meet you here before you open up for the day? We can throw a few and see how it works out?"

A genuine smile is offered to Poe, "Things are going a lot better. It's nice to see you again also. Could I get anyone some coffee? I've been told it's pretty good. I can doctor it up however.." Inc;uding them all in the offer.

A side look to Joey and Poe, most conversations seems about a topic that is beyond him. The party and fixing pools that is. "Yeah," he concurs to Erin, "Bring it buy when you can, you're good for it." Overstatement, but conversational at least. "If you like, yeah. I mean," he pauses then shrugs, "Sure, we could spar." THe hesitation there a moment like 'and, but' but nothing finished. "I'll be in when you all open here, plenty of time before I need to be in the shop then. I'll take some coffee." Since she offered that is, a look back to the guys, "It all sounds like convincing evidence of why I don't ever have a pool put up in the back." Vinyl patches, everyone coming by for a swim. Lots of work.

Joey retorts easily to Poe hands out like Whadda ya take me for? "She's here to answer the phone ad get shit organized, not gentrify the block. Ain't like you're gonna be required to wear a tie to training."

Itching his eyebrow with his thumb a chuckle follows musing, "Eeeeh was kinda in the ring with de la Vega tryin to crawl up my ass at the time. Was a lil busy. Sorry as hell I missed it."

Looking to Jack he arches an eyebrow, "She ain't hit the bags yet, man. Don't... kill er." Looking to Erin he points, "Practice gloves. Big bag, then lil bag. Ring is last. Hit the stationary target, then the one that moves like a sunnovabitch, then worry about live action. This ain't no 80's training montage. You want up all over the floor I'm a be a lil pissed. That sorta shit is avoidable." Looking back to Jack he slaps him on the shoulder. There's a short phrase above the blackboard: TRAIN SMART. it's there for a reason. That said he didn't say 'no'.

"Well this was like an army of kiddie pools, not a goddamn Six Flags over Gray Harbor. So it wasn't too intensive. Blow it up. Add water. Add beer. Voila."

"Yeah, no one has the money or wants the pain of putting in a real pool over on Elm. You get some inflatables and a hose and the party has pretty much begun." Poe says agreeably.

"I don't know who that is, Joey - but if you're throwing punches I don't expect you to answer the phone. It was a pretty casual thing and we just wanted to let everyone know that beer was flowing if they weren't doing anything else on a sunny afternoon. Had a bit of a cookout later on too."

Poe nods to Erin's question. "Coffee would be great. I just take it black, so don't have to do anything fancy. And I'm glad things are going a bit better - hope you'll enjoy yourself here too. Crowd always had some rough edges, but mostly good people."

He quietly hums 'Eye of the Tiger' under his breath after Joey's speech.

"I will bring it before the week is over." Erin nods when he agrees to the spar, "I will be here then, bright and early. If my alarm goes that early," she jokes to him. "I don't know if I know what morning looks like at that time. Unless I'm still awake from the night before." It's a self deprecating smile she gives with a hint of ruefulness.

Turning towards the office where the coffee is, Erin hesitates, "I went to that other gym before to hit the bags and did my cardio there. I just stopped going when I got semi-ok at it. I'll be careful." If he doesn't say no that is. Turrning again towards the office, she turns to walk backwads a few steps and nods to Poe with a smile. "Coffee, bkack and thank you. I'm sure I will. So far it's been great.. Everyone has made me feel welcome." Turning around she goes in to get the coffee.

There is a nod from Jack as Joey explains the training, like that could have been his pause. Either he didn't want to beat up on someone if they weren't trained, or the hitting a lady thing. Joey took care of him having to explain his hesitance. He nods though, "There you go, train up, maybe some sparring mitts first go?" It's left out there, and a rare smile hits his features, probably when Poe throws in some Eye of the Tiger (original version presumably). A nod to Joey, "I have no interest in killing anyone or making a mess, you rules are respected." That said though, he does say, "An army of kiddie pools is the closest I've got to Six Flags, still sounds like a nightmare to me. Then again, I'm not even good with a couple of visitors." That said, he leaves it there, seeming in a chatty mood today. "Its a good place, lots of guff."

Joey fills in all the blanks for Poe that should explain all the things. "Police Captain de la Vega, or as I call 'My Own Peronal Hemmeroid' because he's always harassin my punk ass." It is what it is. Erin's promise of being responsible and not winding up a lip gloss smear on the concrete wins her a hint of a smile. Takes little to make the cantankerous slugger happy some days. "'S why I like you Jack. Fuckin reasonable." Looking around there seems to be something he's adding up thoughtfully chewing on the side of his cheek. "Poe I need you to get back on yoru game man. Kinda itchin for a real good fight. Could be pretty damn worthwhile for ya." And then there's that aside question that comes back around, "Also, you still have all them 30 cats or whatever?"

"You're dropping that, Mr. Kelly, like I've ever been off of my game. Week before I came up here I earned myself a two thousand dollar purse and pissed a whole lot of people off who bet on the wrong fighter. Sometimes I think I like pissing off the gamblers more than I do putting the money in my own pocket. Sometimes." Poe gives a gesture around the gym. "Any time you want to take a few swings I'll give them back just as well. Promise not to break you too much, you still have a business to run."

"Not all thirty cats left. Got rid of some. But still more than a dozen. Why? You looking to get a few around here?" Poe asks, at the same time as he reaches out a hand to offer it to Jack. "Poe Little. Man, you look familiar - but I've been away for a decade and have done some drugs between then and now."

When Erin comes back he glances between her and Jack. "Even if the other side isn't swinging back it's nice to have a live target. So long as your form is good just using the stationary bag. Really different when the thing needed beating is trying not to get beaten."

The bit about punching on the police captain? Well, Poe doesn't ignore it, but he doesn't comment either.

Erin says, "Sure!" Calls Erin from the office, pouring the two cups of coffee, having left her own out where the others were. "I'd prefer mitts actually. After busting my nose on the table from my punch being deflected, I know to think things through first." Walking back out, she offers Jack his cup before moving over to Poe with his offered out to him. "There you go, black like you like, I hope."

Lifting her eyes to Joey, Erin looks a little puzzled. "So the spar between you two that I walked in on yesterday was a serious one? Are you both really enemies?"

Poe is given a nod as she thinks on that, she had a lot to learn and the pointers she gets she stores away for times she will use it. "Alright, I've got to get a few things done here, I'll get to work on that design after starting the towels in the washer. I'll be around if needed though." She meanders off to do as she said. "

"Yeah," he lifts a brow Joey's way, but nods, "S'why I don't mind all the chatter here, cuase its usually to the point." He puts the towel he was carrying down, at his side, no sweat to dab, the towel was lingering for a moment. He takes Poe's hand, with his good hand, not the towel dabbing hand. "Jack Wellington, we may have run into each other before. Good to have you back." A pause, "May not be a good thing, venus fly trap that this place seems some times." Can't escape Gray Harbour, but he doesn't dwell there either. "What year'd you graduate," to help gage age and such for familiarity. He takes the offered cup, "Yeah, quit slacking Erin, don't take after Joey here." Not really, but he gets in a little while there is an opening, even if created by the new help.

Joey snorts at Jack's jab with a wry grin and a murmur of absolute agreement, "Yeah, don't take after me that's for damn sure." Looking to Erin he arches an eyerow to a simple but complicated question. "Enemies are for movies. We're businessmen. It's just that we both seem to be trying to mind my own business." There's that smirk that makes him look a hell of a lot more like Jaime than himself.

Now he's got POe going. it's like the aggressive piece of shit (either of them really) makes a habit out of punching butons to start up that engine. "Heh, Yeah well maybe I might throw somethin together. We should. There's some people get really iterested in bankrollin somethin like that. You know we got a couple guys in town that are MMA, but I heard they ain't bad in a boxing ring. Just gotta tie their shoe laces together to remember not to kick anyone."

"Most of what I was doing in LA was more MMA than straight boxing. Less rules than actual MMA, though. Fuckers didn't much care for rules. No balls, no hair, no biting." Poe shrugs. "They mostly kept it under control, but could get messy. Some guys don't have two brain cells to rub together but they're big and mean. Not going to put me on the debate team, but I know well enough when to walk away and I stop kicking once the guy is down. Some of those freaks need to be kept on a leash to keep them from just swinging at anything that moves."

"All that to say, if something gets going here - be it boxing or more than that - I'm as far in as you can be. "

He chuckles at the comments about doing business, nodding mostly to himself before looking back to Jack. "You're not the first one to say that. Everyone comes back. I guess it was just a matter of time. Graduated? Right before I left. Ten years ago. 2009 I guess."

A little humph of air from Jack, that could be a chuckle at the shoe lace comment. "If you're not cheating, you're not trying." Not that he considers any cheating being done, but the comment comes out. "And a good reason I've stayed here," mostly about the freaks and the leashes of other cities (or LA in particular). He lifts his cup for a drink and looks more towards Poe as the puzzle sort of comes together. "Yeah, got you by about 10 years. Not sure if you paid much attention to sports then, I did alittle time on the ball team, and tried some fighgts. Wasn't for me so I stuck to engines." Shifting eyes back to Joey, "He helping out around here too?" Rhetoric sort of, with an 'or' replied, Joey did mention getting him on his feet so there is curiousity.

Joey nods slowly and murmurs, "Well there's good and then there's dumb." God he's allergic to fucking dumb. Calloused fingers shove his hair out of his face in that * I tire of people's bullshit* tone, "More than one dumbass I had to put some sense into." Shaking his head there's a wry grin, "Maybe that's why Cap is all over me. I got out and County's gone apeshit without someone to put some fuckin sense into it." Looking to Jack he snickers regarding Poe, "Fuck no man. Poe here's like my unofficial other brother or some shit. We used to get into all sorts of crazy ass shit growin up. What's weird is all the old guard seem to be showin back up over the last couple months. I mean some of us never left. Me, B, Jaim... but the rest aaaaaaall seem to be coming back like the city's got a plan or somethin."

"I'd say the plan had something to do with causing chaos, but from everything I've heard since I've gotten back here this town is up to its fucking ears in it already. Maybe this is Harbor bringing back the dream team to put things to right? Quite the redemption arc that would be. I've got some contacts in Hollywood and I'll get them up here if it all lands that way." Poe replies with a wide grin, shaking his head.

"Place is fucked if I'm supposed to save it though. Not looking to make it worse though. Just need to make some scratch and keep the cops looking in the other direction."

He nods to Jack. "Name is familiar, but only in the foggiest way. Regardless, good to meet you properly. I won't forget again unless Joey squares up a few blows when we get to sparring."

A slow nod from Jack as he listens between the two old friends, the situation explained. "Yeah, something like that. Don't know what's out there, but seems a little uglier on the horizon." He leaves it there, and offers towards Joey, "Maybe you were needed out, I can't say either way. My policy is avoid the crazy. If you two get mixed up in it, watch your backs. And that Erin, she might draw some of it like a magnet. Good ot know she's here, good hands and all that." He nods with a slight hint of grin again to Poe, "I'm here to remind then. Who knows, might unjar some of the forgotten stuff if it lands just right. Welcome back to town then. I should look to get going, need to open the garage and start letting folks in." He takes a couple steps back, ready to turn, but waits to make sure all is square with them/him at least.

Joey shifts his weight and squints hard at Poe. Joey Kelly might be a good looking guy but a lifetime of anger built that expression even if he has no war with these guys. "If we are the dream team heroes* then this town is seriously fucked or something seriously needs to be put down." There's agreement with that statement.

Fingers brush idly over the back of his taped knuckles. thoughtfully. The comment about Joey knocking memory out of his pal gets an echo of that grin back stressing "IF." If he lands it. He'll give him shit but there's credit where it's fucking due. He looks to the office where the new gal is on the phones inquiring about the print licensing. Distantly thoughtful he murmurs, "Yeah... seems it. She wants to draw it in we'll be happy to knock it out." He presents those taped knuckles to Jack. "Good work through today man. If you wind up able to take her car in call the gym. I'll have the kid follow her over and bring her back." Because he's just not in the habit of fucking around withthe well being of his fucking people while someone's hunting her god fearing family.

"Can't remember the last time I didn't find trouble in my path. That's just always the way it is. It's about how you deal with it. Managed so far and I don't think anything around here is going to change how I go about things." Poe says, raising a hand in a half wave, half salute toward Jack. "Hope to catch you around, Jack. If you see me here and you're looking for someone to throw punches at just give me a tap on the shoulder. Always better than hitting a bag."

He glances toward where Erin is working in the office, lowering his voice a bit, though she likely can't hear anyway. "Addingtons always had money, Joey. Did you get an explanation or just playing along? Not saying it isn't great to have her here, but seems like a strange choice?"

"Will do, I'll send word, or she'll just swing by. Mind of her own that one." Jack gives a chin nod to Poe as he starts to turn, "Will do, go easy on me, I'm getting old." Mid-30s jokingly old, but another year is another year. "Later folks, good luck with that." Whatever business it is, especially considering Erin and taking the work here. Best for them to fathom. He takes towel and himself, goes to clean up for work. A wave of his hand, or more arm lifted and a slight wave, as his back is to them and he heads on out.

Joey siiiiiighs deep into his chest with all the agreement that it's a truly terrible idea. He rolls a flat look to Poe as if to confirm it. That stare held long enough could melt brick, but right now? Nah. "She comes in here. Just lost her ma." And that'd be that one sticking point for Joey Kelly Shaking his head, hand held up to conceptualize something that he's bad at words with. "Both actually. Someone's hunting her fuckin family man. Crazy serial killer shit. So-" His words cut off turning so he can keep the office in view and Erin out of earshot while she makes some mad progress on her project or jsut taking the time to orient herself with that 70 years of mess that is the office. It's giving her something else to occupy her skull with in either case.

Looking back to the taller of them he squint, jaw set, "She shows up here not because it's a 'Hey, I need to pay you to fix a problem' think or 'Hey, Mr. Kelly, I need you to go collect on someone that didme wrong'. Nah." His head tilts a bit, chin up as he fishes his water bottle off the bench for a swig. "She came to me cause she wants to do somethin and save her own ass. She wnats to tell this damn city 'Yous gonna knock that shit off'. And that? That I'll back man. Say what we will about some of thos espoiled Bay St. brats out there, but she came to me cause she wants to take care of her own shit and frankly? I wanna see that fuckin happen." His hands go up in a vague shrug. "Also she paid her fees up front which is more than I can say about half these bastards come trough here, She jsut needs the tools and she wants to use em and I respect the hell outta that. So yeah... it's weird and there's gonna be some shit. I ain't puttin no yoga mats in here so just cool your titties." It's a lot of words for a question that wasn't even contested but clearly something that's bee mulling around int he What the fuck am I doing portion of his head.

With curious optimism he asks hopeful, "You really glove up and fight me? Cause that'd be the best damn birthday present of the year."

"So I guess you don't have much in the way of feelings about this at all." Poe says with a straight face after Joey goes on a bit of a tangent about the entire situation. He holds it for a couple seconds before a smile tugs at his lips.

"Look, Joey. I'm with you. Not saying you should have treated this any other way. Just wanted to know if there was more to this than I was seeing and I guess it sounds like it's pretty damn complicated. Respect for anyone that has that kind of car parked outside and still wants to come in here and put in eight hours. If she needs a place to belong and something to give some structure to her life or whatever the hell this is, good on her. And I know you're good to deal with whatever shit comes down the road because of it. I'm never too far away if you need another set of hands to help."

Whew. And breath. He takes the coffee he was gifted earlier and takes a long sip from it.

"You want to fight? Shit. Yeah. I'm better than that than I am talking." Poe replies.

Well Joey'd be a liar if he said the situation didn't bother him, but he's also really not one for a big show of feeligs and shit that aren't reason or rage. So. Yeah. Having some sort of personal code doesn't make anyone a good guy, it just makes him not a total dick and he seems to grasp that and accept that truth just fine.

"I was a lil fucked up after we lost ma too so. Ya know. Someitmes you gotta get that shit out. But focused. No sense in getting hurt and feeling pissed off and fuckin injured." At the agreement to go round and round that grin splits wide, "I dunno, Poe. You talk some shit pretty well."

"No one is going to say shit about being fucked up over something like that. I didn't see eye to eye with my folks, but if anything had happened ... " Poe shakes his head. Family is family. This is one of those times where less said is perhaps more and he finds a brief moment of eye contact with the other man to convey a bit more. Maybe he doesn't entirely understand - can you really if you haven't lived it? - but he gets that it's big.

"Alright, man. Let me get warmed up so I don't pull anything important. Then we'll go a couple rounds and see what kind of shape I'm really in."