Put In Traction - (Truten) //slow updates//

-Chapter One-

The worst time of year had finally hit. The hottest day of the season had arrived. The heat of the sun came down onto the Earth so hard that day, there wasn't a single living thing that could withstand it without something to help cool them, even if it was only barely.

The people of West City were so exhausted from the overpowering rays that there was barely anyone walking outside. They were either inside blasting an AC or swimming in a fresh lake, having the time of their lives with loved ones.

But not the workers of Capsule Corp. No, they had to put in more time for work because it's always around this time of year that sales increase for cooling systems. Usually, this annual event leaves them in a state of chaos as they try and get everything done.

However, this year, that's not their greatest concern...

"M-Mr. President! Mr. President! We only have a week, a week to get all this paperwork in for the meeting with Mr. Korudamon! There's no time to waste!"

"We have to get the green light from the CEO in order to go forward with our demos and prototypes! We must showcase them or no deal! "

"That golf session he scheduled is also coming up! Do you still have your lucky putter? We'll need it!"

The young president was bombarded nonstop with questions as he walked to the elevator leading to his office, passing several frantic employees as he went. Despite how anxious everyone was, the lavender-haired man simply went along, doing his best to maintain his professionalism.

Finally, after what felt like ages of endless interrogation, he reached the doors of the elevator.  The president was just about to step in when one of his employees grabbed him by the arm, pulling him back.

"Mr. Briefs," he said ruggedly, "how on Earth can you be so calm at a time like this? If this goes wrong, Capsule Corp will be ruined, and we'll all lose our jobs! Aren't you the slightest bit concerned?"

The president turned to face him, and the man was shocked at his expression. Or, more accurately, his lack of expression.

"I assure you I have everything under control, Rossi." he said nonchalantly. "There's no need for you to lose your head over this. It's just a simple meeting. We'll show him our prototypes, discuss any future ideas, and everything will be over with!" He pulled his arm away sharply. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to make an urgent phone call. I will be in my office..." he stepped into the elevator and turned to the employees, "...alone."

"B-but, sir—!"

Before he could finish, the elevator shut and began ascending.

Trunks let out a heavy sigh and leaned against the transparent wall of the elevator. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting all the information the others had provided him with sink in.  He thought about all the things he still had to do...and how little time there was to do them...

Perhaps it sank in a little too harshly.

Once the elevator was at a point where he wouldn't be heard, Trunks covered his face with his hands and let out a loud shriek. Of course this wasn't "just a meeting"! This was so much more! It was worth so much more!

Capsule Corp is having it's first ever collaboration with another company and it just so happens to be one of the biggest corporations in the world: Bolus Brand. Mr. Korudamon had gotten in touch with Trunks over the phone and the two organized and scheduled a meeting to see if Capsule Corp would be the right match. So everything, EVERYTHING has to run as smooth as butter if they wanted to seal the deal. But if there's even one slip up, Mr. Korudamon threatened, then the entirety of the company and it's reputation would be down the drain. No more products, no more employees, no more Capsule Corp. In order to try and prevent this from happening, Trunks took it upon himself to try and take care of everything on his own. But looking back, he started wondering if that was even a good idea to begin with...

Holding his head in his hands, exasperated, Trunks waited until the elevator finally reached the top floor of the humongous building. He stepped out quickly, hurried into his office, and shut the door behind him. He walked to his desk, nervously eyeing the giant stacks of paperwork laid out all over.

Slumping into his chair, he slammed his head on the desk repeatedly, saying over and over, "I have time...I have time...I have time..." with each bang.

Suddenly, he heard the door creak open.

"Uh...M-Mr...Briefs..?" a voice called out.

Trunks sluggishly lifted his head to look at whoever called him. Of course, it was his assistant. She was here to tell him about the day's schedule and what he had to do. Not that he needed to hear it anymore, though. The schedule for the entire next two weeks had been unwillingly engraved in his head by his nervous employees.

"Alright, I'm sure you know how this'll go. But, this is my job. I'm getting paid for this. So bear with me." She said. The assistant began reading off her clipboard. "Okay, so at 9:45 we have to get you to the labs to check in on the testing of the prototypes. Then at 11:15, you have a scheduled conference with the head of the design team. Then--"

"Excuse me. Look, I'm sorry, but I have to make an important phone call right now. If you could just...step outside for a moment...?" Trunks pointed to the door.

The assistant sighed. "Fine. But I'm coming back in here as soon as you're done, understood?"

The president nodded and shoo'd her off. She exited the room without another word. Trunks waited a few seconds before hastily grabbing the phone and dialing a number.

He waited, and waited, and waited until finally they picked up.

"Hello? " A man's voice could be heard on the other end.

Trunks exclaimed into the phone, "Goten?! Thank goodness you picked up! I need a break from work, I'm coming over right now!"

"Wh-what? Right now?! But Trunks, don't you have that--"

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know! But I don't think I can last another minute here without going off on someone at some point! I just need to talk to you for a bit. In person. Please?" Trunks begged.

Goten sighed over the phone. "Alright, you can come over."

"Thanks, dude!" With that, he quickly hung up.

Trunks waited a moment to see if his assistant would re-enter the office before making his move. When he saw she wasn't coming back, at least not for a while, he ran to his window and opened it. The breeze that rushed in made the stacks of papers fly all around the room. He put one foot on the window frame, looking back once more to see if anyone would come in. When the coast was clear, he made a run for it.

Or, well, a...fly.

A few moments later, the assistant came back in.

"Well, sir, have you finished your phone ca--" She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the mess of the room. Paperwork was littered everywhere. The strong winds from outside made her hair fly into her face. Fighting against the force, she walked over to the window. Once again, the young president had fled the scene.

"Graghhh...YOU CAN'T FIX YOUR PROBLEMS BY RUNNING AWAAAAY!!!" She screeched out the window, her voice echoing through the city as people looked up from the sidewalks below.

She panted heavily, knowing her cries would never reach his ears anyways, both figuratively and literally. Frustrated, she turned back and exited the office, slamming the door with almost enough force to have made the entire room shake.

Why do I even still have this job?  She thought, aggravated, as she walked down the hallway to continue with other important matters.