Wednesday, June 22, 2011

2-The Straight

2

The Straight

Tobias, just before making the call…

There was a certain euphoria that Tobias Snyder got from cooking, that was very hard to describe.

Almost one year ago, Tobias had dragged himself out of a life of crime and addiction, only to find that he had been doing it for so long he didn’t really know how to do anything else.  He had become a cliché and this fact disheartened him greatly.

Determined not to go back, he had searched for an old childhood friend, Matt.  Matt Ross turned out to still be the kind and generous friend he used to be.  After hearing Tobias’ story, he had not only hired him as a cook in his restaurant, but even put him up a couple of days; just until Tobias was able to find a place.

Tobias found that he loved cooking much more than he had expected, and he threw himself into all aspects of the job, learning everything he could from Matt and the business, and in the course of the last year he had moved quickly to the position of Kitchen Manager.

Tobias would have silently reflected on this while he expertly sliced Zucchini in preparation for the night’s dinner rush, but instead, his perfect little meditation was being ripped to shreds by an invader.

Robert ‘Bob’ Stanoski was his name.

One month prior, Matt had had a personal crisis and was forced to sell the restaurant in order to help his daughter out of some trouble.  He had received a very pretty penny on the sale, since Matt had rigorously kept his restaurant, his baby, in good condition.

The buyer’s name was Bob Stanoski; a positively unbearable, little, bald man who wanted to resell the prized, independent restaurant to a larger chain.  Of course, not before running the store into the ground, at least according to Tobias.

In the last month, the man had fired five cooks, three of whom were damn fine cooks.  All of them, more or less, were on time and good at their jobs.  The restaurant had gone from perfectly staffed to under employed in a month’s time.  The quality and speed of the food service had suffered drastically, and regulars were beginning to walk away.

In the current market, it was nearly impossible for an independent restaurant to survive, let alone be profitable.  When Tobias had confronted Bob, he was met with disinterest, if anything.

So now, instead of being in his cooking happy-place, Tobias was staring at the closed door to the manager’s office where Bob had just taken Tom, one of the better cooks on staff.  They had been back there for ten minutes and Tobias was almost positive of what was happening.

Suddenly, the door opened and Tobias watched Tom walk out of the office, crestfallen. Tom’s eyes met Tobias’s and he shook his head.  Tom then removed his chef’s hat and headed for the back door.

Tobias felt his teeth grind and his anger build.  He stormed into the office where Bob sat doing paper work and he slammed the door and locked it behind him.  The loud bang made Bob jump in his seat, then stand.  His fish-like face curled in anger.  “What the hell do you want?”

“You just fired Tom?!”  Tobias questioned, although it sounded more like a statement.

Bob relaxed and sighed with frustration.  “Yes, I did.  We just don’t have the revenue.”

The way Bob made it sound, like he was talking to a child, angered Tobias even more.  “Are you kidding right now?  How do you expect me to run a kitchen with four cooks?!”

Bob smiled.  “I don’t.”

Tobias had become literally confused.  “What?”

“I’ll make this clear once, Mr. Snyder,” Bob began.  “I do not care if this kitchen runs at all.  I care about money.  Money, right now.  I already have three corporate offers on the table and I will close the deal within the next sixty days.  Then you and everything in this place will become property of an Applebee’s or something.  Then you and the rest of the staff will be their problem.  Until then, however, I want to make as much money off this place as I can.  With that said, it’s a simple formula; less workers equals more money.”

“You’re firing these cooks and pocketing their pay?”  Tobias wasn’t surprised, he had seen too much to be surprised.  He just wanted confirmation that Bob Stanoski was an evil fuck.

Bob smiled, as if the slow kid of the class had just gotten the answer.  “Well that isn’t hard to understand is it?  Now get the fuck out of my office or your money will be mine next.

****

Back to the present…

“I’m jealous.”  Sid said, as Tobias finished telling the story.

Tobias turned and gave her a dirty look and Sidney responded with a shrug.   “Look, the guy has a good scam going.  I mean, sure it’s a dick move, but he’s going to fire everyone off and pocket the revenue for two months.  Then he’ll sell the place before anyone brings a wrongful termination suit against him.  Just saying, it’s a good play.”

The two of them were standing outside the car.  They had found a spot to the back side of a Wal-mart parking lot and were, for the most part, alone.  Tobias took another drag on his cigarette as Sidney counted the border run money on the hood of the car.  The sun was slowly breaking on the horizon.  It was about six or six-thirty in the morning.

“What the fuck is this?”  Sidney suddenly said out of rage, as she hoisted a large sandwich bag of change into Tobias’s face angrily.

“Its $10.00 in change, give or take,” Tobias responded.

“We accept change now?  Seriously?” Sid questioned.

Tobias shrugged.  “What was I supposed to do?  If I didn’t take it I might have blown it.”

Sidney scowled, “Really?  You would have blown it?  Because you refused to take this guy’s high school lunch money?”

Tobias returned the scowl.  “Last time I checked, it’s still U.S. currency.”

Sidney tossed the bag to him and he barley caught it by surprise. “Fair enough.  That can be your take.  Buy yourself some gum balls.”

“Screw that,” Tobias smiled.  “I want one of those rub-on butterfly tattoos.”

“You would,” Sidney said, turning back to the money.  “Well, minus the Salvation Army Santa’s bag-o-change, we took about $300.00.”

“Keep it,” Tobias said suddenly.  “Consider it a retainer.  I want to hire you.”

Sidney looked at him and narrowed her eyes, “After a year of nothing, you drop out of the sky and now you expect me to help you out?”

Tobias shook his head. “No, I want to hire you.  Take Stanoski down before he sells the restaurant and get the deed put in my name.”

“Not so easy, how are you planning on paying me?” Sidney asked, her eyebrow in the air.

Tobias shook his head.  “I’m not.  100% of the take goes to you and whoever you hire.  Except the restaurant, that’s mine.”

It was Sidney’s turn to shake her head.  “Fat chance.  There might not be anything in it for me, what if the restaurant is the only take?”

Tobias looked at her.  “I know better than that.  You’ll find something.”

Sidney shrugged.  “Well, I do have the ability to sniff out extra cash, but I need insurance.”

Tobias looked at her, confused.  “What more could you possibly want?”

Sidney smiled.  “You.”

Tobias became very confused. “Me?”

Sidney nodded.  “You.  You work it with me.  Side by side.  The whole time.”

Tobias was already shaking his head.  “No way.  I made a promise.  I’m not going-”

Sidney finished his sentence. “-Break it?  Oh come on, you already broke it with the border run tonight.  You want me to do this?  Fine, we do this together or not at all.”

Tobias took a deep breath, then tossed his cigarette away and blew a long puff out into the night.  Sidney had to keep herself from laughing.

He was so dramatic.

“Okay, I’m in.” He resigned, and Sidney celebrated with a hop and a smile, clapping her hands.

“Alright, drive me home and give me his address.  I have some following to do.” Sidney said, scraping up the money and slipping it into her purse.  “Anything else you haven’t told me about that year?”

Sidney said this as she moved to the passenger side.  Tobias’ face seemed to drop and Sidney knew he was keeping something more from her.  “Seriously?  What else.”

Tobias cracked a half smile.  “I’m engaged.”

****

It was eight-something in the morning by the time Sidney had gotten home and into a different set of clothes and over to the mark’s house.  Sidney could only hope that Bob Stanoski was not a morning person.  She was thankful to see his car still in the driveway.

On the drive to her house, Tobias had given her all the information that he had on the guy, which wasn’t much.  The only thing Tobias knew outright was that the guy had a wife and a kid, who he had lost a couple of years back.  She could have figured this out from the state of his house.

It was a small one-story thing that would have been off-white if the paint hadn’t been chipped and falling off.  The flower beds, which had probably flourished with the wife around, had become overgrown with weeds and the yard had not been mowed in some time.

If it weren’t for the car in the driveway, Sidney would have doubted that she had the right house.  Hell, she would have doubted if anyone lived there.

All of this, however, didn’t tell her anything other than that he didn’t have a whole lot of respect for himself and that he was probably somewhat unstable.  She needed more.  Much more.

Tobias’ area of expertise was breaking and entering.  Back in the day, they would have waited until he left and Tobias would have worked his magic, entering and exiting the house without leaving a trace.  While inside, he would go through records and statements, old photo’s anything that could be used to formulate a scam.

Tobias had been gone for a long time.

She had to figure out other ways to get the information she needed.

So she waited.

The mark turned out to be a late sleeper, which usually meant extracurricular activity in the night.  That could be a way in.  Suddenly she saw what she was waiting for; the mail man.

She grinned, then prepared.  It was time to work.

The clothes she had switched into were put on for this purpose.  A pair of capri running sweat pants and a tank top.  She wrapped her hair into a pony tail, then picked up her arm am/fm joggers radio.  She put in the head phones, leaving the radio off.  Sidney then grabbed a washcloth and bottled water.

Pouring the water into the clothe she then padded it on her face, neck, arms, and breasts.  The water gave her a reflective shine as if she had worked up a sweat.  She then got out low and quiet, as not to be seen by the mail man up the street.

Sidney found a place down the block and started jogging.  She jogged down the sidewalk towards the mail man, making sure her course took her past Bob’s house.  As she approached the mail man’s little car, she slowed and waved, making sure the mail man saw her wave.

The mail man looked confused by the wave, but smiled and waved back.  Sidney came to a stop, as if she had been running for miles, feigning the panting and extra hard breathing. “Hi there.”

The mail man looked at her over the box he was currently at.  “Hello, and nice day for a run.”

The mail man seemed friendly and Sidney continued smiling.  “It is, isn’t it?  Hey you aren’t by chance delivering to 4352, are you?”

Sidney pointed to Bob’s house when she said it.

The mail man raised his eyebrow, becoming suspicious.  “I am.  Can I help you with something?”

Sidney smiled and wiped her hand on her sweats before extending it to the mail man, “My names Kate Stanoski.”

The mail man shook the hand, “Pleasure to meet you, but what is it that you-”

“I’m Bob’s cousin.  I am watching the house for a couple of weeks.” Sidney said, his smile fading.

“Oh, well, what happened?”  The mail man asked.

“His son, he suddenly got very sick and he had to fly out there to see him, so I said I would come down and watch the place while he was away.  Collect his mail, that sort of thing.”  She was telling the story while expertly hinting at what she wanted.

The mail man seemed to buy it. “That is so sad.  Well, give him my regards.”

 “I will, and oh, one more thing,” Sidney said on the fly.  “If you want to just give me the mail for today since I’m here already.”

The mail man shrugged and handed over a stack of envelopes addressed to Bob.  “Have a good one.”

The mail man puttered off and Sidney smiled, pocketing the mail before finishing her fake run.

End episode 2






Friday, June 10, 2011

1-The Border Run

1

The Border Run

The car came to a complete stop and they looked out the front window at what seemed to be a perfect house.  It was a three-level frat house, and there was a party in full force. College kids had overflowed onto the front porch in the warm spring air, each with a red plastic cup in their hand.  The music blared from inside.

It was roughly two in the morning.  Everyone in the house was either drunk or stoned.

“Now, that is just perfect.”  Sidney said, from the passenger side, her mouth curling into her usual pre-job grin.

She leaned toward the driver’s side and watched as Tobias, a skinny man with black slicked back hair and an angular face, placed a cigarette into his mouth and brought up his lighter.  This caused Sidney’s grin to revert into a frown.

“Didn’t you just put one of those out?”  She asked repulsed, as her soft tan features took on a look of disgust.

Tobias raised his eyebrow.  “Sorry, mom.”

Sidney’s eyes narrowed as she pulled her long brown hair back into a ponytail.  “You know, that’s why you never got any out of me back in the day.”

Tobias made a small grunt laugh.  “You flatter yourself, Kitty.”

Sidney frowned, deciding to pick her battles.  “Ready to do this?”

Tobias shook his head.  “It’s all you, babe.  You know this kinda face stuff is your area.”

“Not a fucking chance,” Sidney said, and Tobias turned.  “This is your job.  You’re the one that dropped out of the great fucking blue.  You’re coming with me.”

Tobias took a big drag on the smoke.  “You’re really gonna make me do this?”

Sidney smiled and handed him a pen and a small piece of paper.  “Hell yes!  We’ll make twice the money with you working half the house.”

“Come on, Sid…” Tobias started to whine.

Sidney shook her head.  “Don’t be a faggot.  It’s just a ‘border run’”.

Tobias took an angry sigh then snatched the paper and pen from her hand and opened his door, stepping out.  Sidney was so happy at this very second, she made a weird, excited forced laugh.

They we’re back.  Finally.

The pair moved up the street and into the party.  Sidney in her tight jeans and Bob Dylan t-shirt, fit right into the college scene.  Tobias would have a harder time, as he was in tan Dockers and a red, button-up dress shirt.  Even with his sleeves rolled up, he looked less like a college student and more like he was here to sell everyone something.  Sidney shrugged this off though, figuring the drugs and alcohol that were circling through the place would be enough of a cover.

As they entered the house, it became instantly too loud for the two to hear each other. Tobias motioned that he was going to take the downstairs.  This was a good idea. Tobias’ outfit would be less noticed with the drinkers than the smokers.  Sid nodded and flashed five fingers on one hand then repeated the motion two more times indicating that they should be in and out in fifteen mintues.

Sidney moved up the stairs, spotting an unguarded plastic cup sitting on the banister.  She snagged it to look more natural, then moved to the first door at the end of the hall.  It was locked, and rocking, so she decided not to knock.  Turning, she moved to the next room.  The door was wide open and there were five people inside passing a joint.

Perfect.

She moved into the room taking out the pen and paper, “Hey I’m making a Taco Bell run. Who’s hungry?”

The five all snapped to attention with the regular marijuana-induced paranoia.  Upon seeing, her they all became confused.  A thin man covered in hair and doing what Sidney had to guess was his best impersonation of a homeless person, spoke first.  “Who are you?”

Sidney smiled.  “I came with Jenny.”

One of the women in the room, or as Sidney had designated her based of her clothing, Slut-zilla, questioned, “Who’s Jenny?”

“Jenny knows Sarah.”  Sidney responded, without batting an eye.

“The Sarah who came with Jake?” the fat and most certainly smelly man holding the joint asked.

Sidney shook her head.  “No, the other Sarah.  The one who dated John.”

“Wait, I think I know her.  The one that dumped Bill and slept with Stephanie’s boyfriend?”  Slut-zilla’s less attractive counterpart asked.

Sidney looked shocked.  “She slept with Steph’s boyfriend?”

The room nodded.

Sidney faked applaud, “That fucking whore, just goes to show you, I keep telling Jenny she’s got to stop being friends with her.”

The room seemed to accept this.  Although Sidney had no friends named Jenny, and did not know any Sarahs, much less the evil home wrecker Sarah.  She did, however, feel a kinship with her in that one second, a bond between dirty liars.

Then it was gone.

“So who wants Taco Bell?”  Sidney asked again, grinning.

Sidney continued this way, moving from room to room and worming her way into conversations and social circles, collecting orders for tacos, burritos and nachos.  Then taking the money that was meant to be spent on said food, and pocketing it.  After ten minutes, she had worked every un-locked room on the second floor.  She had also done two shots and taken three hits.

She insisted it was for the sake of the job, although it was tough to convince even herself of this.

She then moved down the stairs and out the front door, meeting up with Tobias.  They calmly got into the car and pulled away.

They pulled away in the opposite direction of the town’s Taco Bell, without any intent on purchasing food or returning to the party goers.

The Border Run

****

Before…

Sidney walked into the front of the small Mexican restaurant and bar.  It was a small shoe box place that had good beer specials and was located only three blocks away from her house in Ravenna, Ohio.

She immediately saw Tobias seated in what used to be his normal seat at the bar.  Years ago, when they had started working together they had declared this bar the business room.  They called it this, because to the best of their knowledge, the staff was terrible with English, so talking about the less legitimate business ventures here was a better idea then somewhere where people could understand… and blackmail.

That had all ended one year ago when Tobias left after recording a short two word message on her voicemail.

I’m out.

She could still hear the message in her head as if it was yesterday.  Then, yesterday, she had received a text to meet him here at six.  It was six-twelve.

“You’re late.”  Tobias said, without turning.

“So are you, by about three hundred and sixty-five days… give or take.” Sidney said as she took a seat next to him at the bar.

The tan-skinned bartender saw her and walked over.  “Senorita what… ah… drink?”

Sidney smiled, remembering the drill she said just the name of the drink she wanted, “Margarita.”

The bartender nodded and rambled off to get her what she ordered.  Sidney turned back to Tobias and could tell he was bothered by something.  “So, what’s up?”

“You still working Kitty?”  Tobias asked, his stern face turning to a grin.

Sidney had promised herself she was going to give him hell when she saw him today. She would curse him out for dropping her like a bad habit.  He was her best friend, after all, and Sidney had felt so alone after he disappeared.  So many questions and no answers yet, as to where he went or why he couldn’t have at least called.  All of this, however, seemed to melt away at the old nickname he had for her, and all her rage was replaced with a relief that her best friend, her only friend… had returned.

“I keep busy.  I have to pay the bills that waitressing doesn’t cover,” She said with a grin.

Tobias nodded.  “Good, because I have a job for you.”

She raised an eyebrow and he took a big swig of the beer and a deep breath.  She could tell he was about to give her the story of where he had been all this time and what he needed from her.  She suddenly didn’t want to hear it.  All she wanted to do was work. Work with her long lost partner.

“Well, we’ll need some cash, then?”  She said quickly, before he could get started.

He looked at her, confused.  “Well,  yeah but don’t you want to hear-”

She cut him off.  “Of course I do, I can’t wait to hear where you have been or what the fuck was so important that you ditched your best friend and vanished for a year.  I’m looking forward to it, but let’s save it.”

“Well I’m clean Kitty,” he started.  “I was going to hire you to do this one.”

Sidney became angry now.  “The fuck you are!  You work with me or I don’t work.  I will probably need those hands of yours.”

He shook his head.  “But I made a promise-”

She cut him off again.  “Fuck that!  You’re paying for the alcohol and you’re driving.”

She stood and turned toward the door and Tobias became frustrated.  “What?  Where are we going?”

She didn’t break stride.  “A border run.  Which car is yours?”

“What?” he yelled, grabbing his wallet to pay the tab.  “It’s the Chevy Lumina.  You want to do a border run now?  I’m Not-”

“I’ll be in the car,” She said, ending his sentence early for the third time, then walked out the front door.

Tobias frowned and turned toward the bartender, who was watching the drama unfold with curiosity. “Padre… that woman is going to be the death of me.”

The bartender became confused.  “Padre… es… Priest… I no, no Padre.”

Tobias stared for a second then shook his head and shotguned his beer before slapping a twenty on the table and looking back to the bartender.

“El Diablo.”  Tobias said, as he pointed over his shoulder in the direction of Sidney.

The bartender nodded in realization.  Ella es un demonio grande.”

EPISODE 1 end