Chapter 2: Rocky Beginning
Jeff nervously scans the hall as he waits for the elevator to arrive, silently pleading for someone to get him out of this mess. He thought about calling out to them, but what would he say if he did, I'm being kidnapped? He knows that would sit well with his pal.
He looks up to find the elevator stuck on the fifth floor. I wish it would just stay there. He wasn't sure what he was about to do except that it was illegal. He's running through the possibilities when a horrid thought comes to mind. What if they want me to kill someone? I can't take a life to save my own. Can I? How will I live with myself if I do? His legs become spaghetti-like as a bloody scenario plays out in his mind. Shivering, Jeff glances at the goon. Please don't make me kill someone, oh please, he thinks, trying to control the tremors coursing throughout him.
Luigi leans over and whispers: "You're doing good, pall." He nudges Jeff through the door.
Turning, Jeff glances around one last time. So long, dear friends. He fills a knot form in his stomach when the elevator doors slide too. Please, God, Please save me from this ghastly fate, he silently prays as the elevator plunges down.
Jeff sees his boss returning from lunch when they reach the garage. He could be my last chance. How am I going to tell him without Luigi catching on? His first thought is to blurt it out and then picture how that would go. Please, God, please help me figure this out. Taking a big breath of courage, he begins. "Hi, Mr. Hensley." He silently mouths. I'm being kidnapped.
"What?"
Looking over at Luigi, Jeff nervously adjusts his stance. "How are you, sir?" He subvocalizes, call the police.
Cocking his head to the side, a confused expression crosses the boss's face when he asks, "Call your wife? What for?"
Jeff glances at Luigi, then tries again. The cops, the cops, he mimes.
"Pop is fine." Noticing Jeff trembling, he asks, "Are you feeling alright?"
Jeff feels something hard press into his back. "I'm fine, sir." Jeff says, quickly shaking his head."
Luigi nudges him towards the garage.
Turning, Jeff glances at his boss and mouths help. The man is too busy checking his phone to notice.
Pocketing his cell, Mr. Henslely says, "Have fun, you two." He steps onto the elevator.
"I'm sure we'll have a blast, right Jeffy, baby?" Luigi pushes the weapon into his skin.
"We'll go out with a bang." Jeff feels the knot in his stomach tighten as the elevator doors pull too.
Grabbing Jeff's arm, Luigi leans down and growls, "No more stunts, got it?" He tightens his grip with one hand while shoving the gun into his spine with the other.
Jeff winces from the pain.
"You better because I'm not warning you again. Now walk." He leads Jeff toward the cars.
***
Luigi has been speeding down the curvy roads for what seems like an eternity. All of his weaving back and forth is making Jeff sick. Of course, not knowing what he's about to do doesn't help his nervous stomach a bit.
Jeff pulls a pack of gum from his pocket. Peppermint always seems to calm his nausea down. Popping the gum in his mouth, he glances at Luigi. Knowing what I'm about to do has to be better than this. Taking a deep breath of courage, Jeff asks, "What's my first job?" His voice cracks when he asks.
"You'll see." Luigi laughs.
The eerie cackle sends shivers down Jeff's spine. "I. I'm not going to kill anyone, am I?"
"Is that why you're so upset? You think Mr. Bambini is going to send you out to murder someone?" Noticing the horror on the lackey's face, he laughs again. "He wouldn't make you kill anyone, not yet anyway." Chuckling, he gazes toward the road. He loves messing with the newbies, especially wound-up executive types like him.
Luigi slides Jeff's car into a parking lot and then pulls into an empty slot.
Jeff gives him an inquisitive look. "Bambini wants me to shop for him?"
"You wish." Luigi points to the car. " Boss wants you to drive that back to his shop."
Jeff turns to see which car he's referring to. "The Corvette?" It was a 66 candy-apple red rag top. "He wants me to steal an eighty-six thousand dollar car?"
"It's not stealing, it's reimbursement on an unpaid debt. Boss wants it within the hour and told me to tell you that if it's not in mint condition, you and your family will die."
"I... I don't know how to hot wire a car."
"Good thing I brought these." Luigi hands him a set of keys. "Now go before the owner comes back."
Jeff glances at the car, then at the guy. He's never done anything illegal in his life, and he really didn't want to start now.
"If you don't want to do this, I can always let Bambini deal with you, but you already know what he'll do." Luigi runs his finger across his throat, then says, "after he tortures you, of course."
Jeff gulps back his fear. He figures a man like Bambini could wipe out everyone he loves within an hour. "No, no. I'll do it."
Jeff scans the area for potential witnesses as he climbs out of his car. He soon realizes that everyone is too busy trying to get out of the rain to pay attention to him. I hope my luck holds out. He darts toward the luxury Sports car.
Opening the door, Jeff slides inside. He glances over to find Luigi watching intently. Just start this thing and go. His hands tremble as he tries to put the key in the slot. He uses his opposite hand to steadies his extremity. Here it goes. Taking a big gulp of courage, he starts the car. So far, so good. He's reaching for the gear shift when an image of him being locked away comes to mind. He glances at Luigi again. My family will die if I don't do what I'm told. Throwing the vehicle into reverse, he peels away.
"Please, let me get this car back safely, oh please," he begs, pulling onto the highway. Several vehicles whiz past. Jeff grips the wheel with both hands. I can do this. He watches a stream of traffic zoom past.
He sees a squad car behind him when the traffic clears. Not now. He glances at the road and then in the rear view mirror again. I need to stay calm and drive like nothing's wrong. Taking a deep breath, he looks towards the road. I've got this. He nervously readjusts himself in the seat.
After what seems like an eternity, he glances in the mirror again. He soon discovers the cruiser is approaching fast. Panicking, Jeff swerves to the center lane. I forgot the turn signal. He peeps in the mirror to find the state trooper has followed him across.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no." He cuts in front of a Volkswagen, trying to get away. The cop does the same. "What should I do now?" His stomach churns with fury as bile rises in his throat. "Not now, oh, please, not now," he begs as the nasty-tasting liquid makes its way to his mouth.
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