He woke up to ringing in his ear , like someone was banging cymbals right next to his head. Then the memories came rushing back from the past couple of days events. So did the pain from the beat down he was subjected to from the betrayal of what he thought was a friend. It was a Saturday morning bright and sunny. 9:00 am he was up and out the house. He usually didn't get up this early , but today was a special day. You see he had come into the deal of a lifetime by accident. While out in the city on one of his random whind down drives to clear his head he had made a wrong turn down a street and stubbled upon a dog lying in the street which made him stop abruptly on his breaks. He jumped out and went to check to see what was wrong with the injured animal. Upon further investigation he noticed the the dogs hind left paw was twisted."Hey little buddy , got a little boo boo on your leg there huh! " he said. Rubbing the dogs head while picking him up to get him out the road. Just then a car hits the corner speeding and almost clips him and the dog causing him to jump backwards and almost sprain his own ankle. "Shit! he screamed out loud. "Slow down asshole"! He screams over his shoulder still holding the dog in his hands. Just then he turned back around to see the barrel of a shot gun sticking right in his face. "You better have a good reason why your holding my Rusty in your arms with a broken foot stranger "! The voice said." Woah , " Woah buddy calm down". " I found him , uh "Rusty" you say his name is ? I found Rusty in the middle of the street like this ! "Did you not just see the car pass that almost made him road kill right now " ?! "Is that what that was " ? The stranger ask lowering the shotgun to his side and putting his arm up to grab Rusty's paw. "You ok there trooper "? The stranger asked Petting Rusty's head. To Rusty's whimpering whine in pain. "Can you bring him into the shed ? The stranger asked. " I appreciate you stopping and helping him out". "Sorry about the mishap , he doesn't usually veer off the property."He said. Throwing the barrel of the gun on his shoulder leading the way back onto his property." I'm Rex." "You gotta name kid"? The stranger asked as he got to the big shed opening pulling back the thick plastic curtains. Oh I'm "U," "I mean Uriah" , my name's Uriah , but everybody calls me "U"! Rex shook his head ducking under the curtain going on in the shed. Okay " You". " What ever yooou say" Sarcastically putting the emphasis on the "U". As I said my name's Rex and I own this property and as you see , This business , hince the need for the protection. "Sit Rusty on that table there". Just then to " U's surprise he looked up and saw rows and rows of marijuana stems hanging from wires dangling in the air with massive weed buds. Up until that point he hadn't even noticed or smelled the field of flowers in his presence. "Damn Rex that's alotta trees you got there". Uriah said gently placing Rusty on the table. "Yep that's what I thought you were looking for which is why I brought the pistol". Rex said. Putting the big gun in the corner and grabbing some bandages to wrap Rusty's leg out of a cabinet in the corner. "What uh No way" ! Uriah said. Folding his arms over his chest still looking around in amazement. "I didn't even know this was here". "I don't even come out this way usually , " I kinda made a wrong turn while I was driving just kinda got distracted and came up on your dog lying in the road". " Hmm Rex said eyeing him suspiciously. "Sounds like a good story but still could be just a story nonetheless". " You sure you aren't with anyone else. Rex said as he wrapped up Rusty's paw in an ace bandage. Picked him up and placed him on the floor of the shed. To Rusty licking him in appreciation then slowly trying to walk over to Uriah to do the same. Uriah wasn't really into dogs. He didn't have one of his own. But he bent down and gave Rusty a kinda hug and petted him on the head. "Glad I could help ya there bud"." I better be getting on my way". Uriah said. Turning to head out. "Hold on now ," We've got some unfinished business here son". Rex said. Picking up the shot gun and walking towards Uriah. 'Hey bro"! " Hey , you don't have to worry about me , I'm not saying anything to anyone about your secret weed farm here. "If that's what your thinking"! Uriah said backing up slowly towards the opening of the shed. " I'm sure the thought never crossed your mind ". Rex said with a sinister looking grin. " I'm a good judge of character I can see the evils of men through their eye's kid". "You don't have a shady bone in your body , I can see that". "Phew"! Uriah exhaled. "Thanks , I think". " I thought you were gonna use that thing on me"! "Kid if I was you wouldn't have seen it coming". Rex said. " Oh that's comforting" Uriah said rolling his eyes. "Actually Im going to do you a big favor in return for helping out ole Rusty there"." If you have time to stay a minute". Rex said. " Uh sure I guess ". "I don't need anything though , I just was trying to help". " I did what I would have wanted some one to do for my dog , if I had one". " Nonetheless you still saved him and I'd like to show my appreciation,". "Now I have two options to give you and you can take either one , cause I trust you'll keep your word and keep this between us". Rex said. Yeah sure , You have my word". What'd you have in mind Rex". Uriah asked "Well I figure I owe you for helping out my Rusty". "So I can either give you a couple pounds of these here Christmas trees for a one time thanks". "Or you can come and work for me and make you some money and have all the plants you can fill your lungs with". "If you smoke that is". Rex said. Grabbing one of the wires filled with buds off the line that had dried , to hand to Uriah. "This is a one time offer and I don't change my mind so your call " ? "Uh well I don't smoke at all"! "But Id rather have the job then to take a one time winfall just to be broke again in the long run". Uriah said. Staring at the big bundle of buds hanging from the stem Rex was holding. "See I knew you were a smart kid". Rex said. " How old are you "? He asked Grabbing a big tub from under the table as he started carefully picking the buds from the stem. " 24 , I'm 24 " Uriah said. Intensely watching the technique Rex was using to take the buds off the line , then the stem without crushing the buds. "Hmm pretty smart for a youngin in this day and age". Rex said. Well since your going to take the job here's $500 dollars , call it an advancement and be here at 7am tomorrow if your serious about the job. Rex said putting down the bundle of plants reaching in his pocket and handing Uriah the money!

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