Part two

********** Paper will lay still, you can print anything on it.... - words of wisdom from Grandpa Leethy **********

"Hey Bill, what'cha got for me?" Kimmie asked while entering the plateroom.

The day platemaker pointed at a pile of negatives on the cabinet and then to the step and repeat machine. "Black is done, cyan is there on the misomex - both have been charged out. Magenta, yellow, fifth and varnish left to plate. It's that Galley job that goes on tonight. Check the schedule, I think it's a customer see."

"Got it." Kimmie answered while looking around the room. A scratching noise had distracted her for a moment. She picked up Bill's lunchbox and gave it a shake. Yup, it was coming from there. "You didn't finish your lunch." She noted as the box jerked around in her hand. "Leaving me a snack?"

"No."

"Aaaa come on...."

"No."

Kimmie put a whine in her voice. "You're always bringing Walt stuff. I knew you liked him best."

"I bring Walt bananas. That's it - black, limp, liquid bananas just the way he likes them."

"And this is news?"

Bill flashed a smile. "Last week I gave him one that was so bad that he cut the end off with a razor blade and drank it."

Kimmie gave the lunchbox another shake just to annoy the leftover and put it back down on the cabinet. "Well now I'm hungry. I'm going to hit the back snack machine and check the schedule before I punch in."

Bill nodded at her as she left the room then muttered. "Night shifters... they ain't right."

Kimmie stopped for a moment to flip through the production schedule on her way between the vending area and platemaking. "Oh great! Herron IS bringing someone through for a press check. Gonna have to keep my swearing to a minimum, damn it all to hell."

"Oh you poor dear!" Mary Ann chuckled from over by the time clock. "How will you ever survive?"

"It will be rough. Especially if it's anything like the last bunch he brought in. I thought Andy out on the 46 press was going to bite their heads off. Why don't you do us all a favor and hex Herron? Change him into something really nasty, smelly and small enough to step on."

Mary Ann let out an exaggerated sigh. "I would if I could. He's a bit stronger than me." Then with a nasty look she motioned to the layout planner. "If I nail anyone around here it will be Ken."

"Don’t have to call on the black arts for that Mary." Kimmie responded. There's about fifteen of us that would help you drag him back into the darkroom. Then we'll take a big-ass screwdriver and access the panel in his head and watch the sparks fly."

"That would be pretty. Just like the fourth of July."

Kimmie noticed two large pans beside Mary Ann. "Hey! What did you bring us?"

Mary peeled back the foil. " 'Mississippi Mud' chocolate brownies for some...." Then she exposed the other pan, full of small ziplock bags filled with a bright red liquid. "... and my special mix for those who can't partake of the former."

"Mary, adopt me. Please." Kimmie begged with hands over the heart. "I'm so tired of feeding out of the warehouse vending machines."

"No! She adopts me first!"

"Good Evening, Baron Gregory." Kimmie said with a bow. "So, are we having fun yet?"

"Good evening, Kimberly. Nothing amusing so far, but here comes Carlos. Let the games begin."

The day supervisor approached the group, job list in hand. "Mary, take over on the Vector job Sean has. Greg, catch & check film on the Guesman project back at the imagesetter. Kim, see what Bill has for you to take over on. Adam... Where's Adam? Where’s the kid?"

"He left at lunch last night, remember he took a half night's vacation? Wanted to close down the Bronze with his dirtbag friends." Kimmie answered. "But he called in late this morning, Gregory talked to him. Yeah.... and Bill's leaving me four plates on the Gallery job." With that she bailed for the plate area.

Carlos looked at Gregory waiting for an explanation. Greg grabbed a couple of the bags out of the tray before he said with a laugh. "Car trouble - again. He'll be in after sunset. But I am to assure you that he will stay at his table late into the morning and get his twelve hours in."

Carlos blinked a couple of times and the tip of his forked tongue appeared momentarily as he hissed.

Mary Ann cut a large slab of chocolate out of the pan and offered it to him on a paper plate. "Oh Carlos, have a brownie."