Just Killing Time

   "So, Mr. Tick," Earlie addressed the large, antique grandfather clock in front of her, "I've heard a lot of interesting rumours lately about you around the house. Specifically, an interesting one from Mrs. Beep in my bedroom," she leaned in close, giving her best attempt at a death stare, "You wouldn't happen to know anything about this, would you?"

    Earlie could be quite intimidating when she wanted to, but alas, it seemed despite his frail age that Mr. Tick had an iron will regardless of his brass components, accompanied by a killer poker face. 

    She had been expecting that though.

    "Ahhhh wellllll! I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this, Mr. Tick, but it seems you leave me with nooooo choice," Earlie pulled her phone out from her pocket and started scrolling through her photo gallery until she found the picture she had been looking for. "You see this, Mr. Tick?" she asked him deviously, turning her phone so that the screen was facing the clock in question, "This is a photo of someone who I happen to know carries quite a bit of sentimental value to you. I'm sure you recognize Ms. Tock?"

    It might of just been wishful thinking, but Earlie could almost swear that the old clock had started ticking faster.

    As if he was nervous. Or scared.

    "That's right, Mr. Tick. I happen to know allllllllll about your little love affair, and I'm sure Mrs. Tock would just looooove to know all about it, too."

    The ticking didn't just sound faster to Earlie, it sounded louder now too. She knew it now for sure. She was getting to him.

    And she loved it.

    "Quite frankly, Mr. Tick, I have to say that you are quite a fraudulent clock," she tucked her phone back into her pocket, and a Cheshire grin enveloped her face, "Not only are you cheating on your lovely wife, but with a Kit-Cat clock less then a tenth your age, no less. I guess nobody makes 'em like China, eh?" she asked rhetorically. 

    Earlie had played all her pieces and was now ready to claim the check mate.

    "Don't worry though, Mr. Tick. I am quite a capable lady, and would be more than willing to help you out of your dilemma," she proposed, "For a price of course."

    Earlie looked at the clocks wizened old face and knew she had a deal.

    "I'd happily be willing to . . . take care of your wife, and in return I would like—"

    "Just what are you doing in here, Earlie?!"

    Earlie turned toward the doorway of the living room where her brother stood, looking quite exasperated. 

    "Ohhhhhh nothinnnnnnng! Just in the middle of a business deal, is all," she replied, "What took you so long, Layt?" she asked, annoyed.

    He ignored her question, "You know what? I don't even want to know. Lamps were weird enough, and now this?" Layt sighed, he simply couldn't imagine what went through his sisters head sometimes.

    "Well, it's not my fault you were taking so long, and I had to find some way to occupy myself," Earlie responded, defensively.

    "Well, maybe if you stopped showing up ahead of time we wouldn't have this issue," Layt argued.
    
    The two siblings glared at each other. Neither wanting to give in. Layt could tell his sister wasn't going to relent, so he opted for a change in topic, instead.
    
    "Just what were you doing with those clocks anyway?" he questioned her.

    Earlie laughed, "Oh, well, you know.

    Just killing time."