Reincarnated In ToonTown Chapter 188: Striking up A Deal (Patreon)

“I’m busy!” 

A feminine but gruff voice shot back from what I assumed was the garage, with the distant sound of power tools echoing off a high ceiling, “I get paid to put shit back together, not make conversation with the customers.” 

“Audrey!” Nena snapped and spun on her heel, forging a warpath as she stormed into the garage, muttering a series of curses in Spanish that Audrey replied to in kind, “You will get out here and act like a normal person for once! This is a big deal that could bring us a lot of business in the future.” 

“Not my problem! Now leave me alone!” 

“God, I can’t believe you’re still acting like this at your age.” 

“And I can’t believe you’re still trying to boss me around when I’m this old.” 

“I’m asking you to just care about the business besides hammering shit together.” 

“I thought the agreement was that if we were to continue the family business, then I wouldn’t have to talk with anyone and I could just focus on repairs!” 

“I know, but this is a special order, so you need to talk with the customer about the repair to do your job!” 

I couldn’t help but smile, overhearing the sibling banter, and I glanced over at Manuel, who seemed both disappointed and proud at his daughter’s antics, “Let me guess, this happens at least once a week?” 

“Try every day,” Manuel grumbled as he crossed his arms, “I’m worried that if I retire, the two of them will tear each other apart.” 

“It can’t be that bad, can it?” I asked hopefully, and Manuel started to reply only for the sisters’ voices to drown him out.”

“And this is why you’re still single, because you’d rather play with gears and transmissions than talk to anyone. Now, for one, act like a normal person and hold a conversation.” 

“Alright fine, just let me climb out of this engine bay and wipe off my hands before you  start yelling at me again for getting oil all over the front of the shop.” 

I sent an apologetic glance Manuel's way right before Nena walked back around the corner with Audrey in tow, letting me put a face to the name. 

She was short, noticeably so, 5’2 at most, with dark tanned skin, large front teeth, and dark thick hair cut short in the front and long in the back, tucked under a dark blue cap. Additionally, her outfit consisted of a pair of dark denim overalls atop a plain tank top.

“Sorry about that,” Nena apologized as she smiled at me, “Now, as I was saying, this is Audrey, my sister, and the best damn mechanic in town.” 

“More like the whole East Coast,” Audrey corrected as she regarded me with a leveled but slightly uninterested gaze, “I heard that you’re looking to get a couple of vintage tractors fixed up. You wouldn’t happen to know their make and model, would you?” 

“Umm, no, I do not,” I replied somewhat regretfully, realizing that it was something I should have found out before leaving the farm. “I can make a call and find out for you if it matters.” 

“Just a bit after all, there are some older models that no mechanic in their right mind would ever think about working on. ” Audrey explained with a bit of impatience, though it didn’t feel personal. 

“Oh really, even the best mechanic on the East Coast?” I asked with a grin and a raised eyebrow, throwing Audrey’s words back at her. 

For a moment, the mechanic froze as she stared at me before grinning, surprisingly, as she crossed her arms, “You know I have been needing a challenge recently, and it wouldn’t hurt to have some forgetful guy with jokes pay me while I’m doing it.” 

“Audrey!” Nema hissed, “What have I told you about insulting the customers?!” 

“I can’t remember, but probably something about not making fun of them,” Audrey replied with a shrug, “Yet another reason why you shouldn’t bring me out to talk in the first place and just leave me to my work.” 

“You’re impossible,” Audrey grumbled before letting out a sigh as she glanced at me apologetically,  “Please forgive my sister and her lack of social skills and awareness.” 

“Why? I think she’s hilarious,” I said with a grin. “Besides, I technically started it, so no hard feelings. All I care about at this point is if the job can be done or not.” 

“Oh, I can do it,” Audrey spoke up with a confident grin, before holding up her fingers and rubbing them together, “But I’m gonna need some serious compensation since you’re gonna have me drive all the way out there.” 

“Is that just to get the tractors  inspected or are we negotiating the whole service right now?” 

Audrey smirked, “Can’t negotiate the service without knowing what’s wrong with them. Might be as simple as a few burnt-out spark plugs, or you might need a whole new transmission. Final cost will depend on the part expense and the time I’ll actually spend completing the job ” 

“Alright, so how much is the inspection then?” 

“Five hundred bucks for me to drive out there and take a look under the hood,” Audrey quoted with a confident grin as she crossed her arms. 

“300,” I countered impassively. 

“450.” 

“350.” 

“400.”

“350 and I promise that when it comes time to buy the parts I won’t haggle as long as you don’t try to rob me blind..” 

“Deal,” Audrey accepted and held out her gloved hand that I grasped firmly and shook once, “Pleasure doing business with you. When are you free to make your way up to the farm?” 

“I can head down later today and most likely be done by lunch if that’s what you’d like,” Audrey offered, and I quickly held up a finger as I pulled out my phone, “One second, need to make a call.” 

Finding Ashe’s number, I gave it a call, and after a quick ring, she answered the phone, “You got bad news or good news, Tiger?” 

“Good news, the inspection can be done as soon as lunch if you’re open to having the mechanic come up in a couple of minutes,” I answered with a grin.

“Beautiful, send ‘em on out, I’ll be waiting.” 

“Sounds good. I’ll give her your number just in case she needs to contact you.” I followed up with a nod.

“Oh, it’s a her?”Ashe commented, with a twinge in her voice that I couldn’t decide was good or bad for my future, “I already know what that means.” 

“Do you really think so little of me?” I asked with a sigh only to hear Ashe’s laughter, “I don’t know, that depends.  Is she cute, and if so, have you already started flirting with her?” 

I paused for a second. “I plead the fifth.” 

Ashe laughed, “Hmm, I guess I’ll have to see for myself then when she gets out here herself.”

“Darling, please don’t do anything heavy-handed. I’ve got a feeling you can be pretty territorial, but let me assure you that there’s no reason for that kind of treatment in this scenario.”  I warned. 

“You said that she was cute,” Ashe retorted, “And with your track record, that means we’ve got about a month before this mechanic of yours finds her way into your bed.” 

“I doubt she’s-” 

“Oh, not because of her. It’s all you, Tiger,” Ashe interrupted with a laugh, “You really don’t know how irresistible you are to anyone with even the slightest bit of attraction to you. It’s almost as frustrating as it is appealing. But don’t worry, I’m not gonna do anything brash, just might strike up a little conversation and test the waters.” 

“I almost feel bad about sending her up there now, but I’ll trust you. Hanging up now,” I gave Ashe one last farewell before turning back to face Audrey, who was looking at me expectantly. “Feel free to head over anytime, text this number when you get there, and Ashe will show you where you keep the tractors and probably be able to answer any questions you might have about the equipment.” 

“Good, then I’m all set to head off now,” Audrey replied, only for Nena to react, “You’re leaving now? What about the rest of the work you have?” 

“Not interested in that stuff anymore,” Audrey replied with a helpless shrug, “You know this is how I operate. I work on whatever stimulates me the most. And this is far more interesting than a couple of strut adjustments.” 

“She does have a point, Nena,” Manuel commented, “She’s always been like this.” 

Nena sighed, “Yeah, this one is on me.”