there's just a meanness in this world.

Oh? Eyebrows raise above her glasses, but beyond that she makes no comment of surprise. Dolores simply nods, hikes her poor, beat-up briefcase higher on her shoulder, and fishes a mirror ball keychain out of her pocket. "It's a few hours worth of arraignments if you want to sit in the gallery or hang out in the cafeteria." She informs him, motioning for Mutt to follow her outside. "I'll cover dinner during the break." Jingle goes her keys, lock goes her front door in all its faded glory, and the CLOSED sign in the window hums its neon song. "There's a place not far from the courthouse that's constantly changing. Was Greek last week, 'Mexican' before that."

"jee-sus christ," comes the repairman from above, much like the name he took in vain, only more north jersey than nazareth, "you're a real piece'a work, aren't you? kid's just trying to help."

mutt gives what's his name—dante, he reads, stitched in blue on his chest—a look. it isn't much different from his perpetual indifferent scowl, but still leaves the recipient feeling judged. he's the one down here with him, and there's no good that can come from raising to the bait. he can see it in dante's eyes, the acquiescence, then the confused realization that a pipsqueak made him feel so, well, small, right on its heels.

"okay," mutt repeats not through clenched teeth. the terse patterning in harold's speech might injure another, but he remains unfazed. he wants to get out, needs to. and if harold pitches a royal fit at the first fucking suggestion, he's seen enough in the roughly ten minutes they've been stuck to draw some conclusions about his character. it's not like he feels very comfortable about all this either, asshole.

He talks too much like a grown man, but at this point it doesn't bother her anymore. That's just Mutt. "Sometimes." She answers and a small shrug follows. "Sometimes life's a bitch and you keep living." Another file gets tucked away in her briefcase along with a transcript and a couple more bits of miscellaneous, boring paperwork. "Need anything while I'm out?" Dolores doesn't know why she bothers. It's the same answer every time, but she'll ask it again and again on the off chance he ever says yes.

he's the embodiment of dolores's rejoinder, but he doesn't give her the satisfaction of a philosophical or personal conversation.

he stands beside mutt at the edge of the bridge as he raises an eyebrow down at the meandering stream. threading line into one of the fishing rods.

maybe he's intentionally being contrary for contrariness sake, but there's a kernal of truth in there somewhere. he's so used to urban jungles. cold freshwater gives him the same feeling bare earth beneath and between his toes does. wakes him up. makes everything else seem like bullshit, dwarfed by nature's indifference.

i think it needs a band-aid.

you don’t give a damn about me.

is that what a dumb-ass looks like when it grows up?

because i love you.

did that cranky old woman really call the cops?

now go wash up for breakfast. you’re still in pajamas.

a thousand days are melted into one conversation, one glance, one hurt, and one hurt can be shattered and sprinkled over a thousand days.

i promise. i will hate you.

i think i’ll take some aspirin and lay down.

my god, child, what happened to you?

other than that, i got nothing to say to you.

and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay in that tub.

where’s your revolution now?

it kinda gives you a funny feeling when you think about it that way, though.

aw, hush your fussing.

but i’ll never be a republican.

son-of-a-bitch! son-of-a-fucking-bitch!

i never knew till then why they called it angel food. took one bite and thought i had died and gone to heaven.

honey, we still got time, don’t you want to sit and talk?

it’s just like a miracle, to think it stopped raining today of all days.

i’m just chickenshit around here, huh?

if i can’t walk out of this house without you tonight, there’ll be nothing left in me to love you. and i’m trying, i’m trying so hard to hold on to that.

what a way to talk.

can’t there be just one morning of peace and quiet in this house.

i need a band-aid, you got a band-aid?

it’s really nice of you to come by. you should do it more often.

don’t put words into my mouth. i’m perfectly capable of saying what i mean.

and your face is dirty. i got a great mind to wash your face for you.

you might run that comb through your hair so you will look presentable.

you could of asked me.

i’m very sorry, i’m sorry.

i was going to make cocoa out of this canned milk i got here.

then, you go to that sink and wash your face.

eat some more, son.

then it will get washed this evening.

if i turn you loose, will you run?

that will be fine.

let the water run until it gets warm. here’s a clean towel.

then we’ll eat.

you gonna take me to jail?

but i wish you would behave yourself, son, from here on in.

do you need somebody to go to the store, maybe to get some milk or something?

there’s nobody home at my house.

behave yourself, boy!

what is your name?

now, here, take this ten dollars and buy yourself some ___.

you a lie!

i were young once and i wanted things i could not get.

now ain’t you ashamed of yourself?

you ought to be my son. i would teach you right from wrong. least i can do right now is to wash your face.

what did you want to do it for?

i have done things, too, which i would not tell you, son – neither tell god, if he didn’t already know.

was i bothering you when i turned that corner?

but you put yourself in contact with me. if you think that that contact is not going to last awhile, you got another thought coming.

i got to get my rest now.

⚖️You’ve Reached Durán Law: @guttersniper liked this post for a starter.

"No, I get it. You have to do what you need to survive."