Collapse In A Day

Waking up to the sound of his alarm buzzing, Leon opens his eyes, rolls onto his back and reaches up to his earlobe. Giving it a gentle squeeze to shut off the noise vibrating through his skull. He then hauls himself out of bed and crosses straight to the bathroom where he splashes water on his face and take his meds... Two shiny little caplets, one side of each white, the other green... Plop, into the mouth they go, followed by the usual gulp of water to wash them down with.

Now stepping into the kitchen, sporting jogging bottoms and dressing gown, Leon puts the coffee machine on, almost but not quite gracefully emptying the used grounds into the bin before replacing them and placing a cup under the spout. Just as he turns to grab a couple slices of bread to throw in the toaster, the phone rings, sending a repetitive buzz to Leons earpiece. Glancing at the holoscreen on his wrist he see's it's Becca, his better half and answers with a quick tap at his ear.

"Morning babe. . . yeah, yeah I'm just getting ready now. what's up?" There's a moments pause as she tries to update him on the needs of the day, but by spilling coffee on his toes as he tries to pick up the mug, he inturupts with a yelp of pain.

"Ouch! fuck it! Hang on, hang on sweet. Look, just fill me in properly when I get to the office alright. I'll be running late as it is darlin'." Visibly frustrated Leon hangs up, puts the mug down and clears the spillage from his feet and the floor with a tea towel pulled from the oven door. Once the mess is wiped up he throws the towel vaguely towards the washing machine and makes his way back to the bedroom, where he swaps joggers and dressing gown for simple suit and tie, ready for the day ahead. Looking in the mirror Leon straightens out his collar before stepping into the hallway to slip his shoes on and put keys in pocket. As he goes to leave the apartment he picks up a black briefcase from right by the front door, then double checks he has his keys before stepping out and closing it behind him.

In a rush and a hurry along the hall then down the stairs, Leon makes his way out onto the street. A quick look left and he turns right. People, shop windows and vehicles streaming by as he storms passed, ignoring them all. Hiccups at the office and troubles with the side hustle being the only thoughts filling his mind, Leon carves a path through to the park, taking a seat on one of the few benches situated along one of the side paths instead of the main walkway placing briefcase at his feet. A moment later Tony arrives, sits next to Leon and places an identical briefcase right by his.

"Plug and play like before right?" Tony asks with a lit cigarette bouncing between his lips. Leon simply nods before asking;

"all there this time, no need to count like before right?"

"fuck you Leon, I always make sure we square."

Leon just chuckles for a moment, before suddenly standing up and grabbing the briefcase Tony had brought along instead of his own.

"yeah, yeah true enough. look, it's high time for me to sort shit out at the office. Let me know how things go later on okay?."

"Wait, Leon. I've had a guy causing hold ups with customers, won't ease up 'til he's had a word with you. Done what I can, but he won't budge."

Pausing mid-step, Leon looks back at Tony, making and keeping eye contact.

"Give him my number. Guess I can add that to my list of bullshit to deal with... I don't like how the day has started Tony and sure as shit don't like the way it's heading." Leon leans back into his step and continues his journey along the path out of the park, leaving Tony to step up, gather himself together and then head off in the opposite direction.