The youngest son, Leo, had been with Aegis Security since leaving high-school in 2073. He wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps and work for Aegis Security. Aegis was a private security firm now primarily contracted by the large corporations to keep the status-quo and to protect high-value areas. But, its origins began with Arthur, one of many ex-militia and military veterans left without a purpose after the Second British Civil War. They founded Aegis Security with the mission of protecting the population. They were pivotal in suppressing the riots of 2086, although many called their tactics oppressive, even terroristic. That's when the corporations moved in to turn them from a home-grown militia with a uniform into a corporate entity that had policies, a hierarchy, and ultimately, a revenue stream.
Up until 6 months ago, Leo had been one of the best employees Aegis ever had. He was smart, he was loyal, and he lived up to the Arthur Ashworth legacy. Leo was a mountain of a man, standing six foot five inches tall, weighing 240 pounds. He wore the Aegis uniform with pride and certainly imposed his presence wherever he went.
Leo was at home, in the lower east-side of Alderbourne - the oldest part of the city, as it was the first printed following the war - asleep still, after staying up too late drinking. The entire block of flats was built in sections and then stacked and bolted together. It's how they built the first-gen buildings, and although the design stayed pretty consistent, the older ones had more defined layer lines and were crumbling quicker than the later versions of the tech. It was nearly mid-day, and he'd been woken several times by his phone vibrating but each time he cancelled the call and went back to sleep.
Carol knocked on the door loud enough to wake up everyone in the building. Inside, she heard Leo roar. His huge mass made the building shake as he threw himself out of bed, bombastically strode across the apartment and then almost pulled the door out of its frame.
"What..." Leo snapped.
"Oh sorry, if you're asleep I'll leave ya to it," Leo rolled his eyes at his mum's reply.
"No, I'm awake now. What?!" He stared ominously at his mother.
"Well are you going to invite me in or what?" Carol pointed past Leo and into his apartment behind him.
"No."
"No?! Ohhh I get it. God's good. Just you wait until you need me." Carol turned on the spot and stormed off towards the exit.
"MUUUM. Pack it in." Carol stopped, Leo could see her take a deep breath in before she turned round with a smile on her face.
"Never bite the hand that feeds ya, that's what your Grandad always said, Leo." Carol didn't even wait for Leo to fully move out of the way, walking straight through the door and headed for the kitchenette to make a cup of tea.
"Come on in....make yourself at home." Leo rolled his eyes. No one saw but him.
"Jesus christ Leo, have you seen the state of this place. When did you last give it a good clean." Carol started rummaging through Leo's cupboards for cleaning materials.
"Mum. Stop. No seriously. Mum.....CAROL!" Leo bellowed, the entire apartment felt like it pulsed.
Carol closed the cupboard doors and moved to sit opposite her son, who had dropped himself onto a sofa-bed that was open and recessed into the floor.
"There's no need to shout, Leo."
"Seriously, you woke me up to clean my place? Or peck my head?"
"I've not seen you since Christmas you cheeky shit! Can't your mother just have a piece of your attention once in a while. But...fine. I've come to ask for a favour. I wondered if I could borrow some money from you."
Leo tried to play it cool but, he didn't have Adam's flair for hiding his emotions. He had the same look on his face as he did when he was 12 and found out his pet goldfish had died. Despite his size, Leo was a gentle soul.
"I need it today, if possible. I need fifty thousand. Now, I know that's a lot, but, I know your brother helped you pay off this place a while back, and, ya don't have kids, so..." The matter-of-fact talk Carol delivered to Arthur was also saved especially for Leo too.
Leo froze. He just stared at Carol, the same face, nervous and searching his own head for a response. "Fuckin' 'ell mum, give it to me straight, yeah? What do you need that much for?"
Carol was an old-hand at this, having told her sons many times to always prepare for any question with a grain of truth, "Your dad’s got another surgery coming. His insurance won't cover it. Long story. But, it's for tomorrow, the surgery I mean. Meridian have said we can pay on the day but, if it's not paid in full by the time the theatre list starts, it will be cancelled."
"Fuck. erm. Ok, Can Eleanor not-"
"I am not running to Eleanor for anything. I haven't spoken to that woman and I will not speak to her until she apologises!" Carol wagged her finger in the air like a school teacher telling off a student.
"Oh my god, mum get over it. She didn't mean it like you-"
"Leonard Patrick Ashworth. I want to hear only one word from you. And that is yes, or no. Do you have the money to help me and your father? I will pay you back once your dad’s quarterly dividends get paid next month."
"Shit... shit... shit..." is what Leo wanted to say. He tried to remain as blank as possible, but he had to decide to come clean and tell her he's broke because he lost his job and never told her, not to mention having to explain why, or lie and then figure out how to get the money. He felt his opportunity to escape unscathed slipping away, no matter what he chose.
"Yes. Ok, I'll help. You're gonna have to give me some time though. First of all, my balls are fuming me out so, yeah you might want to leave."
"Leo! You're just like ya bleeding father! Fine, I'll go and let you do whatever it is you need to do. But I need it tonight, so I know we can pay it tomorrow. And clean your bloody apartment ya tramp." Carol headed towards the front door as Leo heaved his mass off the sofa-bed. He quickly caught up to her and reached for the handle around her.
"Yes mum. Love you mum. Bye mum."
"I...Love you too, Leo. Remember; tonight."
"JUST GO YOU OLD HAG!" They both chuckled as Leo slammed the door for dramatic effect. Well, partially for dramatic effect.