HowtoLaughOutLoud

Chapter Two

Upon entering the mansion, the entrance hall was split by the center grand staircase; one side for women, the other for men, but most of the chairs on the women side seemed to be having taken from the men's. Probably the most Joey's seen more women were at the mall. The men that filled the remaining twenty percent of the seats made a large circle in the right corner, separating themselves from the opposite sex completely. Walking slowly across the shiny tile towards the male side, Joey pulled up an empty chair and sat a good distance from the male circle. Joey looked around the grand hall, amazed how big it was; he'd never been in a mansion before.

The floor was almost like mirrors with not a scuff mark on them, and the walls were ivory marble, large plants on onyx marble stands wrapped the room until it reached in front of the staircase where instead of a red carpet leading up, it was a sapphire blue. A large chandelier huge about twenty feet above them, bouncing off the mirror tiles and making the grand hall brighter. The first and second floor were built awkwardly, Joey noticed, only two doors on each side of the marble staircase. Only two rooms on the first floor. He figured that one of them had to be the kitchen, the other an office where the interviews were being held. Joey tilted his head; unless they were to go upstairs...?

What really got annoying quickly was the low buzzing echoing in the practically bare hall; everyone was mumbling, glancing around mainly at the men's side of the room as though searching for someone. A few people glanced over him, seeing a new face, and then finally Joey watched an elderly man wandered from the other males to come to him. Had he done something wrong? Up close, however, when the 'elderly man' stood before him, he saw that it was not an old man, but some guy around his age with a long white mane.

"Are you Wheeler?" He asked lazily, almost nastily, hands on hips in irritation. Joey became defensive for his tone.

"Yeah, what of it?" Joey retorted lamely.

"They're calling people in backwards, Blondie," the white haired man glared, "You were the second one called. Now high tail it in there!" He threw his arm to the right hand door. By the way he was moving made the stranger's hair bounce in a peculiar way, the two fringes swaying on top like rabbit ears. Joey almost chuckled if he hadn't been saved by an impatient voice.

"This is the last warning for Wheeler, Joseph," an intercom system from somewhere above him announced above him from speakers. Amber eyes widen behind glasses and he rushed out of his seat, cheeks heated with embarrassment.

"Hey, uh, thanks man!" Joey called over his shoulder before racing to the door, watching where the stranger lead to. The man shrugged and went back to the circle, sitting next to another white-haired person who was lightly scolding him before turning to two spiky red heads whom seemed to be in a deep discussion. Seeing as he was no longer paid attention to, Joey pushed open the large door and stepped in, closing it behind him. He counted back from three, took a deep breath, and turned around to face his hopefully-future-employer. He was met with big gray eyes studying him intently.

"Tardiness is not accepted, Mr. Wheeler, especially when working with the Kaibas. When arriving for work, be at least twenty minutes early."

The blonde could only stand there a moment, staring at the...teenager behind the office desk. Taking a step forward, he cleared his throat, re-adjusting his glasses, "Um, are we suppose to wait for your father...?" He really did not appear older than fifteen. The kid's long black hair was tied up high and he was holding a manila folder. Joey took a quick sweep around what appeared to be a small library. Bookcases wrapped around the room, each shelf stuffed. He was trying to find some hidden door that might revile an adult.

The boy grinned, having a hard time withholding a snigger. "My step father's dead, Mr. Wheeler."

Heat flared on his cheeks again, "Oh, er, sorry. Mother then?" Geez, if he was to screw up with the boss's kid, he could already kiss this job goodbye. He had to at least try not to be stupid; he had to do this for Serenity. The younger coughed and immediately Joey had a feeling he had said the wrong thing again. He mentally groaned, but Mokuba went on as nothing had happened, nodding to the seat in front of his desk. Joey took it.

"I'm Mokuba Kaiba, Mr. Wheeler. I am to be one of your employers if I see that you are fit to take this position."

Joey blanched, "You're going to interview me? You're just a kid, though! Aren't you supposed to be in school on Mondays?"

The teen, Mokuba, right out laughed, "The judge agreed with me that if I'm able to be the Vice President of the largest company in America, then I shouldn't have to be enrolled in school." The blonde's jaw came loose.

"No way... You're a VP?" Well, how could he have known? The squirt wasn't even wearing a business suit; jeans, yellow vest, and blue shirt. Mokuba nodded curtly once, and cleared his throat.

"Please try to overlook my age, Mr. Wheeler." Mokuba said business like, "I'm sure I could out smart you any day." Joey almost snorted; kid genius? No doubt he could! Mokuba opened the folder, scanning it briefly before closing it again. "The most concerning matter I wish to converse with you before I hand you over is the reason why you were fired from your last job, at the commercial construction." Joey stiffened.

"Kaiba Corporation is in league with the Build'em Company, we're good partners in fact. When ever we need to build a new Kaiba Tower or theme park, that company is right on speed dial. They give great pay to their employees; having read your file you made twelve thousand dollars in a year with them and you happened to be one of their best workers; could you tell me why you were let go?" Mokuba asked, hands folded over the folder

Joey leaned back in the seat, rubbing his palms over his forehead. Of course he had to explain why he was dropped off at his last job. He closed his eyes tightly together, mumbling out incoherently.

"What was that, Mr. Wheeler?"

"Sexual harassment..." Joey said louder, treading his fingers through his hair nervously. He opened his eyes to the teen and was suprised that he didn't look at all shocked, but...understanding? Mokuba even nodded in an understanding way!

"Court record said that you pleaded innocent, that you never laid a hand on your boss, and that she had tried to coax you into sleeping with her. In defense, she told the court that it was you who her coaxed her, even saying that you would except a lower wage if she agreed." Mokuba said. The blonde man gave a sound of acknowledgement, like a grunt, before leaning forward and placing his elbows on his knees, hands still in hair.

"That's right." There went his chance. His employer would be worried or not if he could work around the female staff.

There was a moment's silence when Mokuba spoke up again, a smile on his face, "Well, I see no problem in your background that won't allow you to work here." He opened a draw and put Joey's file in there. Joey's head snapped up - what the...

"Excuse me?" Mokuba stared at him quizzically.

"I like your background, that's all. I think you could work here quite well."

Joey sputtered, "But... What about t-the sexual harassment charges?"

The teenager tilted his head, "Do you think I was wrong in my decision? Or did you actually come on to your previous boss?"

"N-No! I didn't! I just want to know why you're overlooking that..."

"Because I know your story is true."

Joey tilted his head now. "How do you know?"

Mokuba grinned, "As I said before, Kaiba Corp and Build'em are good partners. As good partners, we should know the president personally, and we do. Believe me when I say Kisara has men following her everywhere, and if she finds one she likes she'll pluck him. If he doesn't show interest in her request, she'll charge against them wrongly. That's what she does when she feels insulted. Please try not to take it offensively, Mr. Wheeler."

Joey raised a brow, "Well, that puts me in a kind of awkward place..." He shook his head and gave a low chuckle; it was all kind of funny once the real reason was reviled. He blinked, "So, just wondering, how do you go about checking if the people are the right staff?"

Mokuba grinned almost wickedly and stood, nodding to Joey in a way to tell him to follow him, leading him to the left where a door was. Mokuba opened the door for the blonde, "See that door?" Joey peered down the very short and narrow hall (probably as long as the staircase outside the room) to a loan oak door. "Just head on down there."

Joey didn't like the looks of that hall, or the tone to the kid's voice, "What's in there?" Joey asked skeptically, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at the cat grinning kid.

"I told you I was going to hand you over once I was finished talking with you."

He glanced back down the hall, and asked slowly, "Over to what, exactly...?"

Mokuba dodged the question and gave one of his own, "May I ask, if not too personal, Mr. Wheeler, why you backed down from Ms Kisara's offer?" Joey stared at the kid with uneasy honey eyes, brain working quick. He didn't like how that cattish grin was mixed with knowing, the gray eyes full of hope and mischief.

Joey breathed deep, "She wasn't my type." There: Simple. Easy. Quick. Avoidant. Mokuba nodded, that particular glint still there, and gave a small shove on Joey's back into the hall.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine; just please, please remember to knock first." Mokuba sounded encouraging, "And if you survive, I'll be happy to be the first to say welcome to the Kaiba Mansion, Mr. Wheeler." He shut the door in on him, leaving Joey in the dimly lit narrow corridor silently thanking that he wasn't claustrophobic. About seven steps in front of him, a knock, and he'll know exactly what he'd have to survive...

"I'm not an animal person, mutt; why don't you go off and find a new master."

Joey doesn't know what to make of his new employer.