Sleeper

He stared through the fading November light, searching for his girl. Working with a partner had never appealed to him, but Ambrose could not deny the instant awareness which had flowed over him upon meeting her. Entering the bank had been normal procedure for preparing. Reentering the same bank over the course of three weeks had been solely because of her. Delaying the job for two more weeks had also been because of her. Their meeting did seem apropos to Ambrose when she had described the upcoming shipment of 100 grand for one special customer, boosting the branch’s vault total to a hefty $750,000. Not the biggest pull he had ever had, but it certainly beat what he originally would have gotten. He would be getting more than money this go around anyway. He peered once more through the last rays of the day for his love. Aw, there she was.

Roxy, Penny, Scarlett and Sharon hustled in pairs to end their work day. Sharon called over her shoulder, past Scarlett, to the other two, “Did you empty the bins in the drive through?”

”Just because we forgot one time does not mean we‘re gonna forget again!” Roxy sneered back.

Scarlett rolled her eyes where only Sharon could see.

Sharon attempted to alleviate the strain over the little group. “Kevin will be back from vacation tomorrow morning, and I just want everything in order for his arrival. You know I’m having that interview next week. I really want this promotion!”

“Since you’re so deep in the leadership’s good graces,” Penny grumbled. “I don’t see how that’s gonna be a problem. It’s the ones they took to disliking who don’t stand a chance.”

The bang of the slamming safe deposit box vault door interrupted them.

“Be sure to spin it off!” Sharon’s redundant reminders filtered through the partition to Roxy and Penny.

Roxy growled. “She‘s gonna get a knock to the head if she keeps that up.”

Penny sighed. “Let’s just hurry up, so we can get out of here.”

Scarlett was typing the money totals from the vault into the computer database when Roxy and Penny reappeared with coats donned.

Penny rushed her words, “You really don’t need me for anything else, right, Sharon? I got something I really need to do. I could come in early tomorrow.”

Sharon shrugged, “No, you two go on. Scarlett and I will finish the vault count and lock it up. We won’t be too far behind you.”

Scarlett‘s hand floated above the keys as she shot them a glance while they scuttled towards the exit. She held her breath to prevent the objections from escaping her lips. When the door swung shut and clicked, she exhaled loudly. “Why don’t you make those lazy no-goods do more around here?”

”Won’t help. Once Kevin’s back tomorrow, you know he’ll baby them like always. I feel ya though. Can’t take much more of them. Glad the vault count is right. Couldn’t handle a recount tonight.”

”Got somewhere to be, Shar?” Scarlett probed.

Sharon pushed the vault door closed and stepped out of Scarlett’s way. “Naw, just need some rest, I guess. Be sure to spin that off. I know we lock the dial, but if we don’t spin it, the combo wouldn’t have to be reenterd, and the employees with keys could still get in.”

With her back to Sharon, Scarlett felt safe enough to allow her reaction to play across her facial features. She ground her anger down until she made sure her voice would be steady. “You recall I’ve been here for 10 years?”

”Of course, I’m sorry. Got a lot on my mind is all. Let’s grab our coats and get out of here.” Sharon’s voice sounded strained.

Scarlett shook her head, but she exited with Sharon without further comment. They waved to each other has they headed to their separate cars.

Ambrose sunk in his seat and waited for the chick to drive away. He reviewed in his head the directions which his Sugar had meticulously given him. Let her return to the building first, jam the cameras, and then he could follow. She had said the cleaning crew came at 7. That meant no alarms until then, and a thirty minute window to grab the cash.

His eyes tracked her all the way back into the building, counted to 100, and slunk out of his Ford. He tapped on the glass door, and there she was, glorious and gorgeous has ever.

Scarlett let him in and dragged him to her for a lingering kiss.

”Come on.” He half-heartedly urged. “We’ll have plenty of time for this in Mexico. Let’s get moving!”

Scarlett whined but skirted around the teller county towards the vault room. “Thought Sharon would never shut up. She pointedly told me to spin off the dial. So glad she didn’t watch or do it herself... like she’s supposed to.” Scarlett’s maniacal cackle sent a shiver down Ambrose’ spine. He was thankful she was on his side.

As she had indicated, all that needed to be done was unlock the dial, and the vault door pulled right open. The piles of hundreds laying there waiting for him spoke to all 5 of his senses. He could already feel the soft cotton. The dirty smell curled through his nostrils. The flip of the bills into the bags sang into his ears. His mouth watered as he considered all the things he was going to do to Scarlett down in Mexico.

“That‘s it, Baby! Let’s scram!” Scarlett howled.

They drove separate to the long term parking for the airport, and Scarlett jumped into his truck. The interstate lay a road away. Ambrose‘ smirk grew into a grin until it was filling his entire face. “We did it! We did it!”

Scarlett practically jumped into his lap. “You bet ya! Cruising a straight shot to the border! Woohoo!”

The night sky lit up before them in the Ford’s headlights, and Ambrose squeezed Scarlett against his side. “Am I glad or what that I fell under your spell behind that teller counter all those weeks ago? It’s you, me, and the highway!”

Ambrose watched the road raise to the night sky beyond and sighed in relief. His last job was done.