Wow. It's been a while since i've written anything for you all.
Ok, without giving too much away about this story; it's got some mafia stuff in, some conspiracy stuff, and a boy on the run. Enjoy!

"Where's my money Eric?"

"I.... I.... I don't have it...."

"Don't play games with me boy! Where is my god damn money!?"

"Look I.... I can pay you back, i'm good for it, I just.... I don't have a job right now and...."

"It's been 3 months Eric, you're lucky you got a second chance out of me, but there's no way in hell you're getting a third!"

Ok. Let me set the scene for you here a little:
Eric is 18 and has recently left college (to all you Americans out there, you start college at 16 and finish at 18 here in sunny Britain).
He is part of the growing unemployed list, so has no income whatsoever, and has found himself avoiding paying his rent.

Oh and that dude asking for his money, yeah that's Fat Steve, he's sort of got the whole Mafia thing going on, got his own crew and everything, not a nice bunch to be honest with you.
So yeah, Eric owes these guys like a lot of money. He accidently fell onto Fat Steve's Stretched Limo whilst saving a cat stuck up a tree.
It really sucks to be him, and as he has repeated to himself several times — 'that's what you get for trying to save a widdle puddycat fwom falling'.

Ok, so are we good? Right then, let's get back to the action....

"Just give me a few more days Fat Steve, i'm begging you!"

"Hmmmm.... well, I did forget my favourite baseball bat, and i'm not really up for beating you with anything else soooo i'll tell you what; you have one day Eric. One day to get me my  £500."

Yes I know what you're thinking - ' £500? Well that's not very much?' - well guess what, Eric literally has no money whatsoever, no friends to lend him any money and the banks won't lend him anything either, the man eats scrapings from Bargain Buckets outside the back of KFC for heavens sake! Ok , right, yeah, back to the story....

"Thankyou Fat Steve, I.... I won't let you down!"

"You better not Eric. You, me, here, tomorrow at 7", Fat Steve spat on the ground before Steve before backing into his newly refurbished Limo.

"Right then" Eric muttered to himself, "How the hell am I gonna get my hands on  £500 inside 24 hours?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Ummmm.... I'd like a job, that pays upfront.... and starts today."

The man stared blankly at Eric; "Is this some kind of joke?"

"No sir" Eric looked at the man's name badge "No Mr. Wright sir!"

"Because The Job Centre is no joke young man."

"I know, I just.... I got into a bit of a trouble with...."

"Let me guess, Fat Steve?"

"Yes! How did you know?"

"He kind of owns the Job Centre."

"Wait a second. Fat Steve, the mafia guy, owns the Job Centre?"

"Yes, yes he does."

Having felt he had unearthed some sort of government conspiracy, Eric quickly got back to business.

"Look, buddy, I need  £500 by tomorrow, is there not any way of me getting my hands on that wonga?"

Mr. Wright sniggered.

Eric, confused though he was, joined in with the laughter; "W....w....what's so funny?"

"Oh there's a way" replied Mr. Wright, "but you're not gonna like it." Mr. Wright bursted into fits of maleficent laughter.
Cue the convenient roar of thunder.

"Oh this can't be good" pondered Eric "this can't be good at all."

"Fat Steve! ...... Hi yes it's me Andy! ....... Andy Wright ...... I work at the Job Centre ........ You know, the Job Centre that YOU OWN!"

"ANDY! How are you my good sir?" Replied Fat Steve.

"I'm, i'm good thanks. I have a young man here; Eric, I hear he owes you a 'considerable sum of money'"

"That he does, that he does." Fat Steve was grinning, the very mention of money brought to him a disturbing amount of pleasure.

Eric was sweating, what was in store for him?

"Excuse me a moment", Mr Wright said directly to Eric as he exited the room.

Eric was now nearing having a fit, not helped by the fact that he hadn't licked any Bargain Buckets in over 2 days.
He knew that he stood no chance of getting the money in time without doing some unlawful deeds for Fat Steve, so he decided he'd make a run for it.
He would disguise himself as he knew Fat Steve would track him down with ease, and he couldn't afford a train ticket out of the city without any cash.
Within seconds he was out of window and running off into the distance.

Mr Wright stumbled back into the office, "Alrighty then Eric we have come to a decision that, hey where'd he go?"

Fat Steve stepped out from shadows of the corner of the room, "The hunt is on Alan, the little bugger made a run for it."

"Hey how did you.... I was just on the phone to you...."

"Shhhh" Fat Steve placed a finger upon Mr Wright's lips, "Now find me that boy, or else you're BOTH toast!"

"Wait. How am I going to disguise myself without any money?" Eric had never denied that he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, and the thought had only just occurred to him. Bless him.

"I think that I can be of assistance", the voice came from apparently nowhere.

"Who said that!?" stuttered a startled Eric.

The man stepped out of the shadows from behind a parked van. (Yes, people seem to like hiding in shadows in this city, I guess it's sort of part of their culture or something I don't know.)

"You need a disguise, I need a favour, are you in?"

Eric looked around puzzled.

"OI! You!" - Eric turned to see Mr Wright frolicking down the street.

"Oh crumbs! If you can get me away from here right now, i'm in!"

"Then let's do this thing" the mysterious man ushered towards the van.

TO BE CONTINUED....