This is a short preview/teaser. The real thing won't be done
for... a while, so don't hold your breath.
Caving in to the demands of people to know what the inspiration
for this character or that situation, I've started this...
*sigh*
The Success of Two Salarymen
by Lara
"Kozo, I think we have certifiably hit the big time."
"Don't get your hopes up. Do you know how much work this is going to mean
for us?"
"And you're the one that's always calling me lazy! This is our
chance! We can finally get the respect we deserve!"
"Jubilation doesn't suit you."
Gendo rolled his eyes. "Why are you so negative? Don't you see? No more
Kaji breathing down our necks, no more baby-sitting, no more scrubbing
toilets..." He took Kozo by the lapels of his rumpled suit. "We are on
easy street."
"Maybe. I just don't think we should get ahead of ourselves."
"Bah. You worry too much." Gendo turned his attention back to his
sandwich. The sun was out, the birds were singing, his paycheck was
rising... How Kozo could be such a party-pooper was beyond him.
"Hey, isn't that the woman you were seeing last year, Gendo?"
"Naoko?" He looked up. "Whe--" Then he saw her.
She was smiling and waving, jogging in their direction. She looked
exactly as he remembered her... except for the whole pregnant thing.
"She's as big as a whale, Gendo!"
"A... whale..." Gendo's eyes rolled back into his head, and he collapsed
in a dead faint.
***