Big Damn Quests Round 1, Challenge #2 - Jayne's Answer

[rabid-x.livejournal.com]

Title: The Pay's the Thing
Author: rabid_x
Character: Jayne Cobb
Rating: PG
A/N: For big_damn_quests Challenge #2: What is the hardest decision you've ever had to make? What did you choose, and why? What influenced you to choose what you did? Jayne drinks, rambles around a bit and maybe answers the questions. 462 words.


What? You’ll hafta get me another ng-ka-pei r’three before I answer that.

Oh. That’s a whole bottle. Well, keep pourin’ an’ I’ll keep talkin’.

*****

The hardest huh? Ya make a lot of ‘em out here every gorram day. It ain’t nothin’ special. Turnin’ on Mal was pretty dumb, even I reckon t’that now. I did it for the money, pure an’ simple. Those two, they weren't nothin’ but trouble since we brought ‘em on. Things have settled down now but who knows how long that’ll last?

The thing that tears my ass is he knew I’d do it. I didn’t want t’get everyone else in th’ red but wasn't he all high ‘n mighty about it? He humped himself over Niska - damn near humped Wash too. Does he get dumped in an airlock? Hell no.

Yeah, I know, it’s his ship. He took me on here on account of my familiarity with guns an’ trackin’. Pay was more than I was makin’ and a touch of respect as a human being goes a long way. At least as long as the credits keep flowin’. They’ve been hard t’come by the past year ‘cause he keeps havin’ ideas. High ideas, all wrapped up from that damn war, him an’ Zoe both.

He’s hard though. Got a streak in him like metal. He likes it an’ hates it, thinks I’m too ruttin’ dumb t’see, but I do. One day he talks about family, how we’re all his, an’ the next he’s ready t’kick everyone out ‘cept Zoe. It’s like he can’t see th’ proper end of his tunnel. More than a bit crazy, I have t’say.

So we get crazy orders, do stupid things on cause of them bein’ noble an’ hardly get paid. Makes me wonder why I stick here. Th’ Doc and his crazy sister know what I did. Someday, I ken I’ll get a knife in my throat. Guess I’m getting’ as fong luh as Mal.

What was I sayin’? Oh yeah. Pour me another, will ya?

*****

Stickin’ on this ship’s probably it. Home’s a hellhole God forgot an’ I want somethin’ more than being a workhorse for someone else’s pocket. But, like I said, Mal’s as crazy as they come, so’s the rest of ‘em. Sometimes I think I’m th’ only sane man in th’ ‘verse.

Hard as time’s been though, I’ll get paid. I always get paid. Now, if’n ya don’t mind, I gotta get t’work. What? Nah, I ain't drunk. Takes more ‘n that t’set me off my feet.

Why don’t you just set your guns down here an’ get t’grabbin’ some floor? Ya know that metal streak I mentioned? Well, I get t’kill ya if ya act up. Got orders from a crazy man.

Comments

[browncoat2x2]

hahaha! That was great! Especially the lastest lines!! I love it!
Nice Jayne voice, very plausible!

[rabid-x.livejournal.com]

Thanks! He's moved up from ears to whole killin'. ;>

[bellehiver.livejournal.com]

heheheh I really like the bits with him asking for more drink. Very much Jayne right there ^__^ and then making a hostage of his "interviewer", ha! great stuff right there :3

[rabid-x.livejournal.com]

Thank you! No one is safe when Jayne's got work. ;>

[rabid-x.livejournal.com]

*slaps forehead* Oh... dang. Changed. Thank you for catching that one! Obviously I didn't even notice.

[rabid-x.livejournal.com]

Eep! Can I give you the butt for free? ^_^;

[calliopes_pen]

Loved it. Great job.

[rabid-x.livejournal.com]

Thanks a lot. I am really enjoying this!