Dean confronts Dom, a lock-picker hired by an anonymous client to break into an apartment. Dom won't say who hired them or why, only that the client calls at midnight with the final move. The two circle each other with threats and memories of past violence, speaking in metaphors about eating or being eaten.
Chapters
He wants to be degraded. Not physically. So make things difficult. Like, don't laugh at all of his jokes. Don't dress too sexy. He's married, so don't talk family. He likes to travel. His favorite country is His favorite country? Argentina. He's a romantic.
You know, it was way too easy for me to get in here. I know locks are sort of my specialty, but Still, you should complain.
How'd you find me?
I didn't know you was hiding. Oh, you just moving in elevated circles now, is that it? I ain't come here to fight.
Get the fuck out then.
Listen, You still got that? This shit my lucky charm. How could we skip the bullshit and just talk?
You don't get that luxury when you break into somebody's fucking apartment. You of all people should know that.
At midnight, this is gonna ring. Person on the other end is gonna give me my next move. Till then, I gotta lay low.
So you came here?
My last spot didn't work out.
So you came here?
So I came here.
I'm not going back.
I wouldn't let you.
Who is that? Keep your voice down.
Who is that? I said keep your voice down.
Fuck you.
You get a picture and a location. That's it. You don't get to ask questions. They pay you not to ask questions.
So you don't even know who the fucking target is? Fuck works like that, Dean.
I don't remember you being this easy to shake, Dom.
'Cause hostages mean leverage. Tell me, what happens at midnight? Whoever's paying you, if you don't do what the fuck they want you to do, then what? Fuck it, I'm leaving. This is what the fuck you— Get off of me!
This is what you left.
This is what you left. This is all that's left. Get off of me!
I won't do it here.
How many times, Dean?
Once.
They usually pay up. Okay, okay, can you— Finding Nemo.
Forget it. Wait, no, I'm good, I'm good.
Can you give me a— okay, can you give me a second? Damn, you need to get some patience.
You need to listen, girl. You never listen in a silent game. Shut the You know what I mean, okay? It says a lot about a person who can't catch a raise.
It's all good. No, you shut the fuck up.
You're always overthinking. Ever since we was kids, you've been overthinking. Sometimes you gotta take the straight line, Dee. Damn.
We were never kids, Dee. You remember being a kid? I don't.
What do you remember?
Fighting. With me? Everybody. Everything. You were better at it than me, though. Guess it was a game to you.
Says a lot about me. Either you trying to eat or you getting eaten. That's it. That's all we are. That's all this is. You can call it a game if you want to. I just realized it before you did. Yeah, but you know now, don't you? And so now you got to decide.
And then?
And then you play the game your way. And you keep playing till we all eat each other.
Try again. Try again. Get your ass up and try again. I'mma get it this time. Come on. Mhm. Come on, come on.
Okay.
Why so serious?
Easy, that's your favorite.
Still is.
E.
Dean, listen to me. Listen to me, okay? We'll just run and we'll just keep on running, okay? Just hear me. Dean, Dean, Dean!
Lately I've been staring at the dark through my inner demons and too hard struggle with the pain inside my heart. Wish I didn't care about what they say.
