�Hey Junior!� A professional looking man hollered from inside a black sedan, �Jump in.�
The young fur climbed into the luxury car and took a deep breath. He quietly tried to clear his mind from the sinister thoughts of just a few moments ago. The inside of Ralph�s car would be a bad place to have a sudden growth spurt.
�So Junior no one has seen you for a week. The boss was starting to get a little concerned.�
�Yeah�� Theodore replied, carefully choosing his words, �I had to discuss some things with my folks.�
Ralph looked straight at him and asked in a straightforward tone, �Did they believe your story?�
At that moment two things became quite clear to Theodore. First, Ralph was apparently privy to what Melanie told him last week. And second, if this mobster did anything to harm his parents someone would have to use a pooper-scooper to clean him up.
�No.� Theodore replied plainly with a look that expressed his intentions, �They didn�t push the matter.�
The young wolf knew that the second part of his statement was a total lie. In actuality, his parents had spent the better part of the week trying to get the truth out of him. Thankfully they gave up before he spilled the beans. Unfortunately the price he paid for his silence was trust and the look his Mom and Dad now gave him whenever the subject comes up in any way. His folks may never take anything he says at face value anymore. That price was high enough and the stressed out titan wasn�t about to let this gangster add to it!
�Good.� Ralph said in a non-convincing tone.
�Does Melanie know I�m coming?� Theodore asked desperately trying to change the subject.
�Yes, I told her after you called.� Ralph replied professionally, �As a matter of a fact, the boss wants to see you as soon as we get to the warehouse. She is quite eager to discus your future.�
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As Ralph pulled the sedan into the warehouse parking lot all Theodore could think of was how happy he was the man dropped the subject of his parents. The young macro had no desire to find out what Melanie�s reaction would be to find out he just killed one of her men.
�Do you remember where the boss�s office is?� Ralph asked as they climbed out of his car.
Theodore thought for a moment and replied, �Last door on the left?�
�You got it Junior.� The man replied and unlocked the main entrance to the warehouse, �I got some other business to take care of downtown. Just go right on in.�
The young fur did as instructed and entered the warehouse. As the door behind him shut, he could hear it automatically lock. Considering what goes on inside the building it was a very wise precaution.
It only took a few moments to reach Melanie�s office. Theodore gave the closed door a firm knock. A voice from inside hollered, �Come in.�
Inside Melanie was sitting behind her desk talking to someone on the phone, �Yes thank you. Good bye.�
�Ralph said you wanted to see me as soon as I got here.� Theodore announced.
�Well of course.� The she wolf replied with a smile, �You were coming here to see me after all.�
�Ah� Well� Yeah.� Theodore replied feeling kind of stupid.
Melanie chuckled softly and said, �Sit down Sweetie.�
He did as instructed and, realizing lying to Melanie would probably be a mistake, announced, �My folks didn�t believe my story.�
�I know Sweetie.�
�What? But how did you� I mean�� The wolf tried to say but could only stutter dumbfounded.
�Your parents and I have been discussing the matter all week. I�m the one that encouraged them to push you.�
�WHY!?� Theodore asked feeling a little betrayed.
�I had to know if I could trust you with a secret Sweetie.� She replied firmly.
�And what would have happened if I told?�
�Well other than some extra turbulence between you and your parents, nothing.� Melanie replied openly, �No one from my organization will ever harm your family, period. Families are strictly off limits.�
Theodore let out a sigh of relief. Something strong inside told him that she was being totally honest. It was a welcome release of a small portion of the stress that had built up over the last week.
�So should I just tell them the truth and��
�That won�t be necessary Sweetie.� The dominant fur interrupted, �Your folks are under the impression that you went out drinking with some friends and I�m covering for you. They�re not particularly happy with it but that story is still a lot better than the truth. And at least they can write that off as a youthful indiscretion.�
�I suppose you�re right.� Theodore replied still feeling a little guilty for keeping the truth from his folks.
�Oh yeah while we�re on the subject of stomping, you are not to harm any of my people without my permission.� Melanie said taking a moment to give him a shrewd look.
It was now pretty obvious whom his mentor was talking to on the phone. Realize trying to justify his actions would only confirm his intentions, and potentially anger her, the young wolf replied only with a simple nod.
Melanie smiled and said, �Well now that we have that out of the way let�s talk about your future.�
�My future?�
�Yes sweetie. Since you�ve proven your trustworthiness I�m ready to offer you a position in my organization.�
�You want me to be a mobster?� Theodore replied dumbfounded.
�Yes.� The she-wolf replied straightforwardly.
�But what if I don�t want to be a��
�It�s a choice Theodore, not a requirement.� The powerful fur interjected, �Fact is you can be anything you want. I�m simply giving you an opportunity.�
�Not all of our people are mobsters?� The young wolf inquired.
�No. Macros work in almost every part of society. Some of us are even in law enforcement and the military.
�So I could be a cop if I wanted to then?�
�Yes, if you wanted to. However macro predators have strong urges to hunt that most other macros don�t. If we don�t provide ourselves a way to satisfy those urges� Well you know how strong they are.�
Theodore nodded in acknowledgement of the cold reality she just laid out. It was a cruel yet logical truth that her organization would provide him with the most productive way to satisfy his wild side. He could tell from the way Melanie�s people looked at her that she wasn�t afraid to get her paws bloody. Yet the whole thing still made him feel like a� Monster.
Melanie got up, started to stroke the fur on his head, and said, �Theodore you�re really being too hard on yourself. I know the demons you�re fighting inside, I�ve got the same ones. But if you have to harm others to satisfy them, our organization is your best choice.�
�But the urges are so strong. They scare me.�
�Shhh� This is for the best.� Melanie replied in a comforting tone. �Besides the urges will diminish somewhat once you get older and more mature.�
What she said gave the young fur some comfort. Yet he still felt somewhat uncomfortable with her offer.
�What kind of position?� Theodore asked finally deciding to bury the hatchet.
�An Enforcer.� She replied in a calm professional tone, �You see our organization often makes contracts��
�Contracts?�
�Yeah, contracts.� Melanie continued choosing her words carefully, �Some need to be loaned money while others want to hire us for our services. The problem is that some choose not to live up to their end of the deal. That�s where you would come in.�
�So you want me to stomp em?� Theodore said while making a stomping motion with his foot.
�Well only as a last resort sweetie.� Melanie replied stroking his head again, �However in most cases fear is a far better weapon than death. I�ll teach you how to use fear and some PHYSICAL persuasion to do your job. And I think you�ll find that this will help you satisfy your wilder urges without racking up a body count.�
Theodore seen enough mob movies to get a pretty good idea of what she meant. Although he still wasn�t completely comfortable with her offer, it did seem to be in his best interest. And he wasn�t sure if these scare tactics would help him with his dark temptations.
�If I say no.�
�They I�ll respect your wishes.� Melanie replied softly, �However you�ll have to find another way of dealing with your wild side. And remember that harming innocents is prohibited by our laws.�
The young wolf took a moment to give his options some thought. A life of crime verses loosing control and harming innocents. Neither option seemed particularly appealing. Yet Melanie is a way more experienced macro and probably knows best in this matter. So it was time for a leap of faith.
�Alright, I�m in.�