Quid Pro Quo

Public transportation was not the place to hold a private conversation.  Then again, very 
little Vence did was private.  Eating, drinking, arguing, fighting; if he was doing it he was 
likely doing it in public.

"I don't get you," he groused.  "You make it sound like it's my fault!"  He also seemed to 
lack the traditional 'laid back' gene most Labradors inherited.

I hadn't started the discussion nor did I try to prolong it.  I couldn't seem to end it with 
any form of reason I understood.

"Nothing happens in isolation," I told him.  "Every event is caused and, in turn, causes 
other events."

Quantum mechanics would have been an easier topic.  Blithely ignoring the looks we 
were getting he became even more defensive.  "You ARE saying it's my fault!"

I kept my ears from flagging.  Eyes were shifting our way with silent disapproval.  "I'm 
saying it was inevitable."  Glancing at the other passengers and lowering my voice did 
nothing to clue him in.  "Honestly, what did you think would happen?"

When Vence has no answer, that's what he gives.  Usually with a sullen stare and a faint 
growl.  That's what I got.  The female Collie standing behind him backed up a step.  I 
tried once more to lay out the series of events that had been his undoing.

"You dated your boss, you cheated on her WITH HER MARRIED SISTER, you got 
caught by your boss, you blew her off.  How else could it have possibly ended?"

Vence would make good tank armor, dense as he is.  He glared, eyes glittering with anger 
and betrayal.  I wasn't taking his side and it baffled him.  I have to assume our matching 
gender was meant to be a guarantee of some kind.

"She fired me!"

It wasn't my stop but I'd had enough.  The car was coming to a halt and the door was 
directly behind me.  I stared at him until I heard the pneumatics.

"Yes," I agreed.  "She fired you.  Quid pro quo."  I stepped back just at the doors closed, 
cutting him off in the middle of an enraged shout.

"What the hell do squid have to do with anything!?"