Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ WALK LIKE A MAN ❯ Prologue

It as the beginning of the workday and he still couldn't find the yellow folder with the adjusted numbers for this mornings meeting. It was only 8:35 and it was already a bad day. The piles of papers on his desk seemed to have gotten larger since yesterday. He was tempted to buzz the font desk, but he remembered Debbie wasn’t there. His latest assistant had up and fell in love then got married in a matter of months. She was supposed to be retuning from her honeymoon this morning. But, love had a hold on her. She had called the after hours service and left a message. She wouldn't be returning.

Trunks was at his wits end. The frustrated executive was slowly coming undone. He removed his jacket, which always seemed to get too tight when things got rough. He rolled up his sleeves and dove in, searching through the waves of papers until he hit pay dirt. The yellow folder. He slipped back into his jacket and looked at his watched. 8:45, he was late. Pushing open the double doors of his office he was merely a blur to the other employees as he rushed passed them. Sometimes, he could hear the whispering voices of his staff as they passed along the rumors of his office affair his overbearing demands and his inability keep an assistant. Most of the time it would had made him stop in his tracks and defend his right not to defend himself but today he could have cared less. His steps could be heard pounding the immaculately polished marble floors. He walked so hard he to put cracks in their perfect designs. Creeping in, he was happy the lights were still dimly lit and the presentation was still going on. He took his seat next to his mother who gave him her usual look.

“Late again son?” She leaned over whispering to him in a flat voice.

“Debbie isn’t coming back” he said letting out a long sigh and reclining in his seat.

Trunks had a reputation. He was the sweetest most kindhearted person you could ever encounter. But as the professional, he was considered a slave driver. Basically, He couldn’t keep an assistant. Debbie was assistant number 5. In the 3 years since taking over as president of Capsule Corp. the executive had a bevy of qualified workers, yet it always seem he got the emotional rejects. Debbie a hopeless romantic, met a guy on a weekend getaway. Then announced she was engaged, then set a date. Total time of her employment: 6 months.

Before her there was Simone......ah Simone. Her above the thigh skirts and tight sweaters, one word: office affair. Total time of employment and relationship: 4 months. There were others whom had either expressed their discontent with his emotional outbreaks the others were just not into their job.

Regardless, his position relied on a reliable assistant one who knew his every move before he made it. Someone with business savvy and whom could hold a conversation among her superiors. He knew he was asking for a lot and he demanded a lot. You don’t become a successful company by half stepping and he was looking for perfection. An assistant with a backbone who didn’t crack under pressure. After the meeting the he found a nice corner by the window and admired the early morning skies. Sometimes the rigors of the fast paced business world drained him; his heart yearned for the opened skies.

“Daydreaming again son?”

“Just admiring the beauty of it all” he touched his lips to his glass of ice water.

“Having a bit of troubles again I see”

“I’ll eventually find what I'm looking for. Out there”

Bulma often wonder when he made that statement if he was referring to a worthy assistant or talking about his personal life. It had been a long time since she had seen her son gush over the prospect of being involved with someone. He wasn’t the social bloomer she had hoped he’d be considering his high profile job. There were women who came and went, as the seasons changed never being around long enough to be considered a genuine partnership. Her heart sometimes ached for her son’s loneliness. But that was something he’d have to fix himself. Weary was she of fixing him up with perspective candidates.

“Mr. Crager gave me this”

She held a pure white card between her perfectly manicured fingers. Trunks unenthusiastically took it and glanced it over.

“Temporary Yours Staffing” if we can’t supply you with it ...it just doesn't exist” the word were cheesy to him but it did catch his eye.

“A temp agency?”

“He swears by them. He used them for his Parsley Town site and boy are they working out just great. Give it a try, what do you have to loose?”

Bulma was right he didn’t have anything to loose.

Josie flipped thought her Rolodex; her small business was become quite popular. Since she started it a year ago her employees have worked in some of the most prestigious companies and she was getting callbacks and referrals. It was more than she had hoped for. She went form being her own sanctuary to having one work for her.

“Ms. Piper, line two. It’s Mr. Briefs” the voice on the other end of the intercoms said with a zealous tone

The Rolodex continued to spin as she picked up the line.

“Hello this is Josie Piper”

His voice was as smooth as she had imagined. He was direct in what he wanted. Nothing less than perfection, a reliable employee and the pay was great. He told her he needed one immediately, and they needed to be able to jump right in with hardly any training. It was a learn as you go, but you should already know deal. As soon as their conversation was over Josie knew exactly who to call.

*****************************************************************

Mai could hear the phone ringing under the booming sound of her music. She was under her car doing the last repairs on it when she heard the answering machine kick in

“Mai’s tied up right now......really. Don’t be upset just leave a message at the beep”

“Mai .......sweetie I know your home. Turn off that dammed music and pick up. I’ve got a chance of a lifetime for you”

Hearing her friends words she slid from up under the chassis and picked u the phone, leaving the receiver greasy.

“What chance of a lifetime are you talking about? It he tall dark and handsome?” She said with a chuckle

“No it’s better, I've go an opening at Capsule Corp.”

It was all she needed to hear before shrieking into the phone.

“Who , what, and where to I need to be?”

“I need you to be there tomorrow eight sharp.”

“Is this my blue power suit assignment?”

“Surely dear”

“Ok I got to go finish up my car and get myself together.”

“Hey” Josie said “ this might be your ticket. No more underpaying jobs. This is the one you were looking for”

“I’m glad you thought of me...I really need the money right now” her voice trailed off with the thought of her mother and her young sister barely making it on what her father left them to live on.

“I know honey your one of the good ones. It’s always everybody else first then you. So knock him dead”

She hung up the phone and slid back under her car. Mai was a tomboy true and true. She remembers sitting with her father each time he worked on something mechanical and watched his every move. In the days before the androids he worked at Capsule Corp. so she knew about their reputation. She was born three years after the androids arrived. He still worked on whatever he could get his hands on, he said he wanted to be ready to go back to work when all of destruction was over, too bad he didn’t live to see the end of the androids and the reopening of the company. His heart would have jumped for joy at the notion of his offspring working there. Finished with her repairs. she hit the shower washing away the grit and grime of the days chores. She lived alone in a tiny apartment. Most of the times she kept a clean house, but being a temp she had a few week between jobs and she had time to finish project and destroy her place. After straightening up she laid out her best suit. She and Josie called it her “seal the deal” suit. Each time she wore it, it gave her good luck. Hopefully tomorrow it’s streak would continue.

************************************************************** ***

Her alarm clock blared in her sleeping ear and the bright red letters said ten after six. She jumped up and ate a small piece of fruit. She didn’t want to over eat and be sluggish for the interview. Time passed quickly as she hit the road to the domed office in the middle of New Hope City. The hustle and bustle of the early morning city, ahh.....to be employed again. She had learned her secretarial skills from her mother, mechanics from her father and her business sense from her brother Jamie. She was well rounded and usually in demand.

She’d come in and fix office problems, redo files and update computer programs. It was apparent why Josie highly recommended her for this position. She stepped into the lobby and checked in at the front desk. Her temporary pass was given to her and she was escorted to the elevator, which led to the executives suits high atop the building. The semi-glass car gave her a good view of what she was being thrown into. It was if she were one of a hundred worker ants in an ant farm going off to do an assigned chore to pleas it’s leader.

She hoped her face and talent wouldn’t be lost in the crowd. Top floor and the doors opened the early morning light filtered in naturally through the skylights and made the shiny polished metal and chrome shine, but not too brightly. Everyone had a serious look on their face as she passed holding her briefcase and stepping at a rapid pace. Her heels clicking along with the other on the marble floors which were being repaired. Down the hall the big doors at the end. She stood in front of them waiting for her stomach to settle, double-checking in her mind what she would say and do. She gave a hearty tap and was ordered to come in.

Pushing one of them opened she peeked in.

“I don’t care if you can’t find the order. I know what was ordered. I’m telling you what was ordered. I need it yesterday” Trunks voiced vibrated off the steel and smoked glass desk of his minor office. He was irate and coming undone. Trunks signaled her to come closer never uttering a word as he shifter through the piles of papers. He held out his hand and snapped his fingers

“Resume” her barked still fixated on his work

Mai handed it over and stood very still. He went over it but halfway through he stopped and finally raised his eyes.

“You’re a woman?” He said as if he had never seen one up close.

“Yes I am” she added with a bit of confusion.

“I wanted......oh great” she slumped down in his chair and began rubbing his temples.

“I’ve come highly recommended as you see I am qualified. You seen to have a bit of a filing problem sir if you want I can start right now” her hand went towards the desk and the papers.

Trunks gave her a slight smile and knotted his brows. She backed up a bit noticing his discontent. His eyes trailed her from head to toe then back, pausing at certain areas. Mai sensed his eyes scanning her, which made her blush.

“I’m sorry they didn’t tell you I was looking for a male assistant” he said finally opening up “I’m sure you're a great employee, but I'm not looking for.........um.... someone one as yourself” he stuttered glancing at her legs. Mai was very distracting when she was not dressed confined to her overalls. Her jacket flattered the curve of her breast and the skirt snug accentuating the roundness of her hips. Trunks was afraid of this.

“I’m not understanding sir. You did want the best?” Mai said forcefully shifting her weight to one side.

“Yes I did but I haven’t had much luck with the fairer sex....er..as an employee.” He coughed back " please don’t be upset. But I prefer a man for this job”

Mai shook her head in disbelief. Turning down a perfect employee because he can’t handle it?

“I’ll make sure you are compensated for your time here.” He said as if that would make it any better “I’ll call Josie back and have her send me over another prospect.... I’m so sorry”

Mai picked up her briefcase and turned on her heels. She didn’t want him to see how hurt and angry she was. As fast as she entered she began to leave. Her heals smoking back to the elevator. Trunks felt so bad that they hand not made it clear about the preference. He stood up form his desk and tried to catch her before she hade it to the elevator.

“Wait....Wait Ms. Davenport” he yelled as she stepped in the car and pushed the down button

Trunks’ hand slipped in-between the door right before they closed causing them to pop back opened.

“I’m sorry.....I wish under other circumstance we could have....” He cleared his throat sound as if he was hitting on her.

“No problem sir. You want what you want. I hope you find what you’re looking for” Mai side giving him a genuine smile.

“I’ll keep looking “ he said giving her a slight bow

“It was nice to meet you Mr. Briefs”

“Same here Mai”

He said her name as the doors closed the car descended. She looked up to find him standing at the railing watching her. She waved and he waved back. It was the second time he made her blush today. But with all the good feelings.........she had no job. The first place she called was the agency.

**************************************************************** *

“He what?” Josie shouted making Mai pull the receiver from her ear

“He didn’t want me. I was a woman” she said sarcastically rolling her eyes at the thought.

“He didn't say he wanted a man. I guess he wanted me to read his mind. Come on back, no point in wasting a good suit for today, we’ll do lunch ....my treat”

At a small Bistro the two friends sat and discussed another client. Mai was still upset about not getting the position.

“He wanted a man. A man.....I can’t believe it.” Mai tapped her spoon on the tabletop continuously and unconsciously.

“Look honey, I’m sorry but I can’t make him want you. He’s determined to find a man for this job and I haven’t got any one on my list who is as qualified, as you. Dam.....Too bad you weren't a guy.

Mai stopped tapping her spoon a devilish grin formed on her face.

“Why don’t you call Mr. Briefs back and tell him tomorrow, he’ll have his man” she said wickedly.

Seldom did Josie see this type of smile on Mai’s face. The last time she did it involved a few cases of beer and an hotwired car.

“Mai I know your up to something but I don’t want to know”

“Just make the call...I've got to go see Jamie”

“Your brother? Now I know you're up to something”

Mai left and Josie placed the call, half-heartedly.

“Mai I hope you know what you're doing”

Jamie was a few minutes for downtown. He owned a little tailor shop in the busy part of town. If she was to make her plan work she need the help of a pro. She stepped into the tasteful shop and rang the bell at the counter.

“Hey you working or slacking off?” She shouted noticing her brother behind a rack of suits.

“Sis” his head popped from between the solid colored garments “What are you dong here?”

“Slumming “ she said jokingly awakening herself comfortable in one of the plush chairs. Jamie was if nothing a magnicificant specimen of muscle and handsomeness. Mai’s friends would all swoon when he would come to her jobs all wanting a personal hook up with him. But unfortunately he played for the other team. He was very macho which confused a lot of people. In his youth he dated girls and even lost his virginity to one, but as much as he tried to fight it ......he was gay.

“So sis. What brings you out? ........and might I add , so well dressed” his deep voice rumbled from his throat.

“Had a prospective job except he wanted something more on the line of a man”

“His loss”

Mai bit her bottom lip “I need a favor” she rushed in asking.

“What?” He said suspiciously

“I need a make over. Something different...something manly” she tried to sneak the last part in.

Jamie dropped one of his suits and stumbled back.

“Make me a man” she said proudly.

First the chuckle then an all out belly roll of laughter began to fill the shop. Jamie actually began to tear up.

“Whew........... that’s a good one sis. I have to admit you had me going”

But her expression never changed; not did she yell “surprise” after he stopped laughing. She was totally serious.

“It’s not what you think Jamie. I just need to be a man for a little while and it’s just for a job”

Mai explained the details of her request. It was simple she wanted to be a man temporarily, for a job, a good one. One that would get her out of debt and she would be able to help Jamie with their mother’s expenses.

Jamie scratched his head and leaned up against the counter. Staring at her he shook his head.

“Well if you are serious about this...........mmmm. Were going to have to get another opinion. Meet me at my house in an hour. We got some planning to do”

************************************************************** ***

She sat on a chair in the middle of the room, doe eyed. Her nervous foot tapping was driving her brother crazy.

“What do you think Ty ?” Jamie circled her

“Can be done I guess”

Ty was just like Jamie, athletic, smart and very gay. They met while Jamie was picking out fabric since then they have been joined at the hip.

“We’ll have to cut her hair” Ty announced as he undid her up done hair “Shame it’s so pretty and silky. If I could grow hair like this” his finger began to massage Mai’s scalp. He could tell she was a nervous wreck. She was stepping into water she was unfamiliar with. It was one thing dressing the part, but she had to act it out.

“Now what do we do with theses?” Ty stepped behind her and cupped her breast.

“Hey.......my brothers watching” she said wickedly “after he sleeps, ok?’ she gave Ty a wink

Jamie rolled his eyes and sifted through his collection of men’s clothing.

“Now these should fit. I may have to hem the pants, but will fit you” his careful eyes sifted through more clothing.

“I’ll do the hair. Are you really ready to do this baby doll?” He asked before draping her with the cape.

“Yea......do it”

“My little sister...........She’s coming out”.