Straight to buisness

"So, you got something for me?"

"Ah. Yeah." Charlie fishes around in her hoodie pocket, then produces an envelope. "Your money."

Ethan takes the envelope, giving it a curious look. He'd never received an envelope of cash before, and the feeling was foreign. Opening it up, he notes it's loaded with fifty dollar bills. "Thank you."

"Nah, thank you." Charlie shrugs. "I worked you harder than I expected. Sorry about that."

"It's okay," Ethan plops the envelope on the end table, putting it out of mind, before taking a seat next to Charlie on the couch. "I didn't kill myself too much."

Charlie laughs at that. "Well, next time I'll be sure to work you harder." She tilts her head slightly. "Are you looking for work?"

Ethan cringes slightly, fearing he's being offered a job. The occasional stint outside was one thing, but what Charlie did was a bit too far. "Not really," he answers honestly, considering he' hadn't been looking at all. "Not yet at least."

Charlie smirks slightly, catching the cringe. "Well when you're ready to look, you should talk to Sam. She'll hook you up."

A subtle creak from upstairs catches Ethan's ear. Ethan does his best not to react, but Charlie seems to notice it. She glances upward, her lips pursing slightly. While the noise got her attention, it didn't seem to completely capture her curiosity.

Thinking fast, Ethan tries to distract her by staying on topic, as if the noise didn't happen. "I don't think I've met Sam before."

Charlie turns her attention back to Ethan, giving him a skeptical look. "You serious? Sam?"

Ethan shrugs. The name doesn't ring a bell, but to be fair he isn't really trying. His main concern is the half-naked woman hiding from her hit-happy sister.

Snorting, Charlie starts to chuckle. "Wow, really?" Shaking her head, she seems to fight the urge to turn her chuckle into outright laughter. "How the fuck do you forget somebody like her?"

"I don't know," Ethan sighs, "She that memorable?"

Taking a second, Charlie considers the question. "Hm. Well..."