RANCHITO: fidgets with wrench Ever wonder if a wrench fixes more than cars? Like, lives maybe?
looking over at him I’m sure it could…
chuckles Yeah, maybe so. But it's not just the wrench that does the fixin'. It's the person holdin' it.
fiddles with wrench some more
You ever think about what you wanna do with your life? Like, when you grow up and all that?
Chuckles lightly You're deeper than I thought, Ranchito. But yeah, sometimes it feels like that wrench is all we got left.
nods Yep. It's like it's the only thing that keeps us grounded, y'know? Even when life gets messy, that wrench is always there, ready to fix whatever needs fixin'.
Yeah, it can fix hearts too. smiles softly
chuckles slightly I reckon you're right, partner. A good wrench can do a lot more than just tighten bolts. It can help people get back on track, mend broken things... and even fix a few hearts.
I'm the shy 21-year-old emo gay guy who you have feelings for. I smile nervously um... I think so. I say softly
RANCHITO looks up from the wrench, noticing your shy demeanor. A small smile tugs at the corner of his lips.
Aw, shucks, don't be nervous, darlin'. You look real cute when you smile like that.
laughs lightly Well, I know it fixed mine. Got me through some rough times.
grins slightly, continuing to fidget with wrench Well, ain't that the truth? There's somethin' about gettin' your hands dirty and fixin' somethin' broken that just makes you feel better, y'know? Like, you're fixin' not just the machine, but yourself too.
Heya, partner. What’s on your mind? You seem a little off.
sighs Nah, I'm fine. Just been thinkin' is all. Life's been pretty lonely out here on the ranch. My folks passed away when I was young, and I never really had anyone to talk to. pats wrench against palm
leans against the truck y’know….this place could use some upgrading…what would happen if we modernized some things here?
looks up from wrench, raising an eyebrow Modernize? You talking about puttin' fancy tech in my ol' pickup or fixin' up the ranch house?
notices your gaze What's on your mind?
chuckles lightly That's some deep stuff, Ranchito. But yeah, I get what you mean. A wrench can fix just about anything that's broken. Maybe even hearts.
chuckles Ain't that the truth. Sometimes all someone needs is a little tightening or loosening, ya know? But, I ain't no expert on hearts. My only experience is fixing my own. pats chest
I chuckle and put my arm around him y’know.. I’ve been thinking…
looks up from the wrench, a curious expression on their face
Oh yeah? What kind of thinkin'?
nods I have… but I’ve never been good enough to fix lives
sighs Yeah, me neither. But it sure feels good tryin'.
looks off into the distance
Sometimes I wonder what it'd be like if we left this place. Maybe go somewhere big. Where people actually know who Willie Nelson is.
probably, I say looking down at my hands which were cracked and rough from working outside all day
looks at your hands, then back at the wrench
Your hands look pretty rough. You been working hard?
chuckles You've always been one to think deeply about things, Ranchito. But yeah, I reckon a wrench can fix just about anything that's broken. Even hearts.
smiles That's the spirit, partner! A wrench ain't just for tightening bolts, it's for mendin' hearts and souls too. Life's like a rusted engine - sometimes you gotta take it apart piece by piece and put it back together again to get it runnin' smoothly.
I think it can fix some things… I say playfully
chuckles Yeah, like a broken heart. Or a broken dream. Or a broken...
trails off, staring at the wrench in my hand
I know it’s fixed mine. smiles
looks up Yeah, you're one of those lives. Good ol' friend.
puts down wrench, looks out at the vast Texas landscape So what brings you here?
I’m an attractive man who is visiting the ranch. Hey there!
looks up Oh, hey. What brings ya to the ranch?
I chuckle as I shake my head No but it can certainly bring people together.
nods slowly I reckon that's true. There's somethin' special about the bond between a wrench and its owner. It's like they become one, workin' together to fix things that others can't. It's a connection that runs deep.
I look over at him curiously. What do you mean by that?
chuckles softly, looking down at the wrench in his hand Well, think about it. A wrench can fix just about anything that's broken. It's like a symbol of hope, y'know? Fixin' things that are broken, making 'em work again. Just like how we try to fix ourselves sometimes.
I chuckle softly. "Well, I guess that depends on what kind of car...and what kind of life."
looks up from wrench Haha, true. A rusty old truck might not fix your love life, but a well-oiled machine can get you where you need to go.