Heist at ball

"Luke, I remember when you told me to never keep what I think away from you."

"And I meant it. I trust you and you should trust me as well."

"Right. And I do. I do trust you. You know that. I wouldn't be here if not for you. So I am going to tell you. My thoughts, I mean. Like what I think about..."

"Stop hesitating and just talk to me already."

"Alright. I don't think we are ready for this... this... operation."

"Max. You just told me you trust me. Were you lying to me? You say I don't know what I'm doing here?"

"No, god forbid, no! Luke, I believe in you and your cause and goals, you can do anything, I know that with whole of my heart."

"So? What is it?"

"It is me that I don't trust. Not you, me. I will mess everything up. I know it, just like two years ago, with Claudia."

"You are wrong. I told you I can't make this job without you. Two years ago, that wasn't your fault, not yours, nor mine nor Claudia, may she rest in peace.

Don't interrupt me.

This bastard Marco set you up, and you are not allowed to blame yourself. He tricked you, and if I knew he was back in town I would have stopped him, and Claudia and her husband would both live happier lives. Marco can't do us any harm again, I've made sure of that. I do hope that when you look at me, you see me for the man I am today and not for the monster you saw the night I made this vermin pay his wrongdoing. ..."

"Luke..."

"We both know, you are not bright, and easily persuaded. Anyone has his flaws, but we couldn't know he was there, no one could predict that Marco..."

"I feel tha..."

"All I am saying here is remember this: what happened to Claudia two years ago was not in our hands. Today I have every aspect of this job under my control, and you know I can never be wrong, right?"

"Yeah, right."

"We are going to make things right, with the money we will get from here, you know it.

We will do our best for them.

...

Now, you did make me angry, Max, a little."

"I didn't mean it, I'm so, so sorry Luke, please forgive me. I won't do it again, I promise."

"Max, that is the second time you have been angering me since we donned these purple suits, flecked in gold and silver. I look into your heart and see those same qualities I find so endearing being also the ones I pity in you the most. First of all never ask for forgiveness for the wrongs you don't know you've made. In your pathetic pursuit of approval you could have missed this opportunity to learn and improve, and gave me your word, that you won't ever do this thing you don't know you have done.

You lied to me.

Do I need to explain furthermore what have you done that disappointed me?"

"No, Luke. Thank you Luke for all the help you give me, now and before and always. Are these all the bad things I did?"

"Good job Max. Everything I say you eventually learn for yourself. Very good, really. And as I suggested before, there is another bad thing you've done. Doubting yourself is as wrong just as doubting myself, because I vouch for you, and if I trust you, you have to have faith in yourself, as an extension of your faith in me. Do not doubt me or my decisions again.

Is that understood?"

"Yes, Luke, I won't doubt you again. Thank you."

"Anytime brother. Is that all? It is almost time for us to get inside."

"I still don't feel comfortable enough with him."

"Vlad?"

"Yes, Vlad."

"You know that this is a three man operation, if we want everything to go well, we're going to need him."

"I do trust him, because you trust him, but this guy keeps on giving me the creeps."

"I know Max, he is a very strange individual, I often find myself waiting for him to leave the room."

"It's like I can't breathe normally around him."

"Ha ha, you're right here. It's his hollow look that really gets to me. But he is a good man, I once lived with him for six months. He was a good partner, when I ignored those creeps."

"But he looks so weird, everything about him is just..."

"He is a two meters tall albino. On top of that his eyes are yellow and his teeth are naturally sharpened. He didn't ask for this deformities. It took himself a lot of time to accept himself for who he is, and I ask you to do as well."

"But why him? He sticks out like a sore thumb. He won't even dress up in the suit you gave him, I'm sure he'll show up with his black leather jacket, like he always do."

"He will put the suit on, I know he will. But more importantly what he lacks with subtlety he makes up for with muscle. And he is incredibly persuasive with a gun in his hand.

Or ours.

It is time.

Is your gun loaded? Is the safety off?

Good.

We'll meet him inside. Now let's get out of this closet and show off how we dance."

* * * *

"Yeah Max, I can see how you improved your moves since our last ball, I told you that teaching you can't do harm."

"I almost forgot why we are here. I've never seen so many people in such beautiful clothes, swirling in red, and blue, and green, and white, and we fit right in here.

Two women even smiled at me this evening."

"Of course they have, you got the style, better looks than I and dancing like a professional. Yes. That is what I think. The waiters can be part of the party, I like that. You haven't drank, right? Good. Now let's go find that big white oaf. It's weird we didn't notice him until now, I guess...

Damn it! I told him not to wear this horrid jacket.

Hey! Hey. Come here. Let's get inside.

Vlad...

Inside. Now.

What is wrong with you? I told you, you are not going to wear a jacket to a damn ball, don't you have a droplet of class? I should have burned it years ago.

I don't care that it was your mentor's, dad's or whatever, just for once I ask, tell you, don't bring this jacket. I had a tailor make the suit specifically for your measures, and you just spit in my face. Do you think I found it in a toilet or something? Is the clothing not to your taste? Well you could have told me! I paid a lot to get you this suit. Only thing you like to wear is your damn jacket!"

"Do not curse Lucas."

"I told you again and again, that is not my name."

"I said again and again, the jacket stays on, and it is not negotiable. Leaving a suit in my closet won't make me wear it."

"Do you understand that we wear a disguise? There are in the ball a hundred waiters, secretaries and other kinds of helpers, all wearing a purple suit. All working for Big Boss Richard. You are not dressed like you work here! Why are you doing this to me?"

"Unlike your pet brother Maxwell, your manipulations have no effect on me, no in the slightest. I came here because I owe you my life and I respect this favor I owe. Secondly, I knew there will be a big score here. Thirdly, I came to sneak into the biggest, prettiest ball of the year.

But as I said before, my father's jacket comes with me, no matter where."

"You... We... We don't have time! Follow me you two."

****

"That's Big Boss Richard, am I right Luke?"

"I was expecting someone big, Lucas."

"Even though he is big in a lot of stuff, tall he is not."

"You see, Vlad? Every second person here wears purple, just like Luke said."

"My name is Vladimir."

"Don't listen to him, I've seen his ID, his name is simply Vlad.

Ok. Do you see this tall woman in a black dress, with this weird crooked hat, almost as tall as you. This is Big Boss's wife, Meryl. Now all..."

"Ha ha ha! Mrs Bonaparte!"

"Shut it you oaf! We already attract too much attention because of you."

"Same attention I'd get in purple."

"... So on my count, you will rush towards our Mrs Bonaparte, knock away anyone that stands in your way. You are going to grab her and hold her still in a choke, while you Max, cock the gun and point it at Big Boss's face, because his suit is bullet proof. Remember, we plan on living the place without shedding blood. If someone gets near to you, shoot above Richard's head, but remember, you have six shots so use them wisely. Vlad, don't let Meryl feel to comfortable."

"Hmm?"

"Hmm?"

"Uh, Mrs Bonaparte. Do you two understand? Then let's go and play the game. In three. Two. One."

"Excuse me, sir, madam, madam, sir, do not try blocking my way, I don't want any of you to get hurt. Good evening Mrs Bonaparte, please pardon my brutish handlings..."

"Don't you move a finger, Big Boss Richard! Don't you think I won't shoot!"

"You are quite strong, almost as myself, but yet so much more delicate and graceful, i would hate myself for hurting you in my carelessness. Then please... Do... Not... Struggle.

I thank you for your cooperation, ma'am."

"Alright everyone, can I have your attention? Thank you kindly.

Now it will all end soon enough as long as you do what I say, and exactly what I say.

AH! Wow there! That gun was pretty loud, wouldn't you say? Stay sitted Richard, I don't think Max will miss again. And you don't want sweet Meryl to get hurt, don't you?

Alright friends, here are seven bags. I want you to fill each one with all these fine and shiny jewelry you wear on your necks, your wrists, ears, fingers, or wherever else you rich people like putting jewels on. Don't dare forget the new ruby necklaces our generous friend Richard gave you at the entrance.

Anyone who works here, I'm sorry but this is a one percenters' activity only. Please leave the ball room, all people in purple. Thank you.

You are doing a fantastic job, all of you. I know that you have enough jewelry for all seven of the bags, so don't start skimping on us.

You don't scare me Richard.

I know my name is Luke, and so do half of your guests.

Yes. It is only natural that you will hunt us down and all of those threats. But I doubt you will catch us.

Let me get a bit closer, please. I would like you to give me our presents personally, if you will.

Ah! Damn it! You almost shot me Max!"

"He moved too quickly!"

"Well, yeah! I just told him to strip his jewelry off!"

"Sorry Luke!"

"Thanks Mr Big Boss. Now how's the bags' situation?"

"Only one more left."

"Great. So let's pick some volunteers, we will need seven ladies, please. Do not worry, we will let go of you and Ms Meryl when we will be at a safe distance. You three, take those bags over there.

What?

Don't act like you know something, tiny man, you don't. No. Marco didn't have a gang, he worked alone, I know it. You are not going to play with my head here. You are not clever enough.

Don't you dare say her name!

Don't. you. dare!

I will shoot you."

"Luke, we are ready to leave."

"Wait Max. Tell me right now, what do you know? If you lie to me I will know and you will be sorry. The lame and the blind? Don't talk to me in riddles, I'm not in the mood for games right now. Give me their names."

"Vladimir, she's got a knife!"

"She stabbed Vlad. Damn i... No, Vlad, don't... Oh god, you broke her neck!"

"My thigh is wounded, Lucas."

"Run! You with the bags, go after us! We will kill anyone that's in our way! Sit down!"

"I am sorry for your wife, Mr Napoleon."

"That is highly inappropriate, Vlad, he won't forgive us just because...

Ahhh! My leg! They shot me!

You think you are the only ones with a gun in this damn room?! Take this you brutes!"

"Luke, I can hear police sirens. We can't run away for long with your wounds. And we can't shoot cops!"

"Let me think. I need to think."

"You said it would be a clean job, Lucas."

"I told you not to kill her! Move away!"

"She could have killed me. I think there was something on the knife. I'm feeling weak."

"It's just your blood loss. In a minute we'll be in the car. God, I forgot how painful it is to get shot."

"But what about the cops?"

"I said that all you need is to trust me. Do you trust... VLAD!"

"They shot his head. Luke..."

"No, no, no, no."

"We have to go. Just tell me what to do. I trust you, but we have to go."

"What have I done? Not again. No, no, no. He didn't deserve this. It's my fault. I made all of this mess."

"Luke! Vladimir is gone. We can still make it through, just tell me what to do."

"I... I won't lose you too. Bag people! Run for the exit! That will distract them. Give me your gun. And lay on the floor. Here, next to me."

"Luke?"

"I'm sorry I've let you down, brother."

"Luke?"

"My plan ends here. This is the safest route left. I'm really sorry.

Don't shoot! We surrender!"

"Luke!"

"I know."

"But I trust you. I believe in you with all my heart."

"I know. And I love you for that. But it's wrong. Everything is wrong. I'm not going to keep risking my friends. You are all that I have left. I don't want to lose you."

"..."

"..."

"We could have have stayed with Claudia and her family."

"I did think about it a lot."

"We could have helped them without stealing or risking our selves."

"I thought of that as well."

"And?"

"I was afraid."

"Of what?"

"... I don't know."

"..."

"..."

"Luke?"

"Yes?"

"I really liked Claudia, you know."

"I know."

"When was the last time you saw her?"

"Not since her wedding, I'm afraid."

"So am I. A little more then a year. We could go visit her from time to time, she wouldn't mind, I'm sure."

"I don't know if we really could from now on."

"Claudia could come to us with her husband. I trust her, she would come.

...

The cops are here."

"Yes."

"They are quite slow, aren't they, Luke?"

"Ha, it does seem so."

"Will we live the rest of our lives in jail?"

"I don't know."

"..."

"No. We won't. Trust me."

"I do."