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Apr. 19th, 2025 at 7:28 PM
[A few hours of open road makes for easygoing fun. It's great to be traveling again, and the feeling of Chrissy leaning up against his back, holding on tight while he whips ahead on a wide-open freeway through the pitch black of night is like nothing else. The last time they were racing up and down this freeway, they were on the way to go burn a bunch of people's lives down - but now that's hours back, back with the rest of the city. They've left the lights and have nothing to look at but the pavement in Johnnie's headlight, the glimpses of stars shining weakly through hazy clouds, and occasionally an oncoming car.
Johnnie hasn't exactly been trying to tune in to his senses or abilities or whatever it is he has - he's just been cruising, letting the night go by, enjoying their plunge northward without a care or a thought. So it is deeply irritating when the pavement quickly fades to a well-worn dirt track that almost tosses him and Chrissy to the ground, and it takes all of his skills to get the front wheel under control and to slow down before they hit a rock that really might launch them into the nearest alfalfa field. Or whatever it is that's here, whenever they've found themselves. Somewhere pre-freeway. Boo.
But there are a few lights ahead, and he did need a stop to pee, so, fuck it.]
Well, shit. Y'know, I dunno exactly where we are. Last sign said San Jose was still fuckin' hours off. You good? That was kinda shaky.
[As long as this dirt road stays packed, they can drive it, but it's going to be slow. Good thing they're almost to somewhere.]
Johnnie hasn't exactly been trying to tune in to his senses or abilities or whatever it is he has - he's just been cruising, letting the night go by, enjoying their plunge northward without a care or a thought. So it is deeply irritating when the pavement quickly fades to a well-worn dirt track that almost tosses him and Chrissy to the ground, and it takes all of his skills to get the front wheel under control and to slow down before they hit a rock that really might launch them into the nearest alfalfa field. Or whatever it is that's here, whenever they've found themselves. Somewhere pre-freeway. Boo.
But there are a few lights ahead, and he did need a stop to pee, so, fuck it.]
Well, shit. Y'know, I dunno exactly where we are. Last sign said San Jose was still fuckin' hours off. You good? That was kinda shaky.
[As long as this dirt road stays packed, they can drive it, but it's going to be slow. Good thing they're almost to somewhere.]
Comments
[He's glad to just flop down next to her and yawn as he stretches his arms and legs in various directions, flinging an arm right across her face for a moment before he moves it.]
Should brush my teeth.
[Not that saying that makes it happen. Shame though, it should. That would be convenient. He lays there mulling that thought over for a while before swinging his legs down so he can stand up with a groan and finally get going on the pre-bed cleanup ritual.
But as soon as that's done, he eagerly collapses into bed. He went from wanting to stay up all night to being unable to in just a few short hours, in the end.]
Is it too hot to stay close?
[They have a huge bed and it would be a shame not to sprawl. It's too bad she's used to being pressed in close thanks to their twin bed.]
[Not too hot at all, actually. That's one of those San Francisco things he's finding is true - it just doesn't get hot here. He doesn't miss the east LA heat in summer at all, where sleeping through the day means often waking up all sticky and sweating. Here, the days stay cool, even here in July.
Well, either that or all the rumors are exaggerated and the two of them have hit a coincidentally perfect temperature for their trip but anyway, it's great. He presses comfortably against her back and drapes an arm around her waist, with his face buried against the back of her head.
He's asleep before he knows it, but he doesn't simply wake up without some knowledge of time passing. Rather, his dreams are strange and vivid - the tail end of the mushrooms probably. He spends a long time staring at his own reflection in a black pool, which warps and bends and spreads his face across the inverted cosmos and all its stars until there's nothing left of the him that once was, and all there is is black, ready and waiting to devour another.
So he's a little less than thrilled with being held captive watching that by the time he wakes up, and he groans, slapping a hand across his face as the late afternoon sunlight hits.]
Ugh, what the fuck.
[Probably time for coffee and a smoke to clear his head of that weird shit.]
I know.
[What the fuck is right. She can only barely remember what the dream was, but there are tears in her eyes as she sits up. Weird as hell. She laughs a little and wipes at her eyes, and leans down to give him a quick kiss.]
I dreamed about my mom.
[But that's behind her now, and she climbs out of bed so she can head over to their bags and find something to wear.]
And about Eddie. I haven't thought about him since we left the Upside Down.
[Mushrooms make you dream weird things though she guesses.]
[That might have come out as insensitive, he realizes in retrospect, but fuck it. Whatever. Guy was an asshole.
He reaches for where he dropped his jacket to fish out his cigarettes and lighter and lights up one to stew with for a minute while he watches her get dressed.]
I mean, I know he was your friend, but that dude fuckin' tried to kidnap you or some shit. You got a real weird track record with guys.
[Him included? Yeah, kind of, sure. By some perspectives maybe he kidnapped her too. But hell, she wanted to be. Doesn't count.]
Are we including you in that track record? Anyway, it's not like it was a romantic dream. It was like he was...I don't know. Hurting and calling out for help or something.
[Which is kinda sad, but at least it's just a dream. Maybe all those mushrooms triggered some guilt she didn't know she had deep down. It's better to just squash all of it back down, because now that she's dressed she's going over to rest her hands on his hips and pull him in close for a few kisses.]
Just so you know, you're definitely my favorite kidnapper.
[But not really. He snickers and leans his forehead forward against hers a moment, then hands her the cigarette if she wants some while he stands and digs through his own clothes. Guess what? It's a jeans and t-shirt day again. Wardrobes are simple, really, why complicate it.
Then he's off to steal back that cigarette for a draw, and another kiss right after.]
You're so damn gorgeous, baby girl. You look real good in that.
Thanks, Johnnie. I feel really confident in it.
[She's proud of herself for being able to say that so openly. There's no reason to be embarrassed by her body or worry about how she looks. If she enjoys the outfit and it makes her happy, and he thinks she's gorgeous, then she's gorgeous. That's all there is to it.]
It kinda makes me want to put on roller skates though.
[It's easy to imagine trying to rob stores in skates, and she's laughing at the mental image as she heads into the bathroom to pull her hair up into a ponytail and do her makeup.]
[He looks around jokingly like they're hiding somewhere, then swats her butt playfully as she walks past. The stub end of the cigarette gets flicked into the trash, he briefly fiddles with his pistol before stuffing it back in place into his belt, and then finally he joins her in the bathroom to deal with his own hair.
He scoops up a good dollop of hair grease with one hand, comb with the other, and sets to work.]
I guess if you were wearin' skates the cops would have a harder time catchin' ya when you go rollin' off with good shit in your arms. That little skinny shirt maybe ain't so great for hidin' things in.
[Not a criticism necessarily, but if it was him he'd have his jacket on, that's all. And he will in a few minutes once they head out.]
I can either be cute or hide things, baby. I can't do both.
[Snickering, she finishes off her mascara and works at her lipstick, smacking her lips once it's applied and looks nice.]
I can grab some skates somewhere, no problem. And I'll bring my jacket so I can wear it when we go in places.
[It's a compromise. Then she can be cute and still be efficient. But honestly, she's in a place where she's fine just walking in and taking whatever she wants and daring someone to say something about it. They try to call the cops, she levels their store with them inside. Easy peasy. She's grinning at the thought as she sprays a splash of strawberry body spray on so she can smell as sweet as she looks.]
[He just likes the idea of her in tiny shorts and his jacket, that's honestly the only real thought in his head now. It has nothing to do with shoplifting and everything to do with him being unable to keep himself off her.
So when he's done with his hair, and she apparently is done with her makeup or mostly so, he grabs her up for a kiss to the side of the neck so as not to mess up all that work she just did, and meanwhile tugs her nice and tight against him. She's so warm and so nice to hold, he can't help it. But he laughs as he does so, and pulls away to let her go.]
I'm gonna see if they got coffee in the lobby, you want some? Or are you comin' with?
Oh, I'll come with you.
[Her hands both scoop down into his back pockets at the same time, and she laughs as she squeezes his butt then pulls back so he can actually go on ahead. She darts off to go get on her sneakers, and makes quick work out of it and grabbing her jacket so they can head out of the room in search of coffee.]
Maybe tomorrow I'll wear really short shorts and your jacket.
[She thinks she really likes the idea of that. She has her own jacket and she loves it. But there's just something about wearing his that really does it for her. For now though, she puts her own on and follows along at Johnnie's side.]
Can we grab something to eat soon too? My stomach's starting to growl.
[Or they can go find some cafe. It'll be easy at this time of day in a city this size - plenty of late lunch, early dinner folks he has to figure.
He's not fully thinking about that right now anyway when half his brain is still on the image of her in his jacket. It really has been a while, and it sure does turn him on just considering it. With a stupid cocky grin on his face, he pulls open the door and trots on down toward the lobby to see if he can find coffee.
They do have a coffee pot by the front desk, it turns out, but when he goes to lift it, it's cold and feels light. Apparently late afternoon isn't a peak coffee time, or maybe it's just in need of a refill. The guy at the desk isn't there, though, either.]
The fuck's this about? Coffee's for all the time. Asshole got lazy or somethin'?
[He'd make it himself but by the time he's around the back side of the desk he gets distracted by thumbing through private files and hunting for stray cash inside the drawers rather than thinking about refilling the coffee machine. Who knows what good stuff lurks back here.]
Find anything good?
[Whoever is supposed to be working must either be out back or in the men's room or something, because they've been out here a couple minutes and no one's come by. So she takes the liberty of going through cabinets, and does a little happy dance when she finds a food jackpot.]
There's little packaged donuts and muffins in here. Want some? We can eat this for now, and find something better later.
Oh, hey, sorry! Had to step away and deal with something for a minute. Can I help you two?
[It's not the same guy as before but a different, younger man wearing a nametag. "Brian", apparently. Johnnie grins as if he's grateful.]
Nahh, we're all good here! Hope you don't mind us refilling your coffee pot though. We were just on our way out the door and figured we could use the drink. Y'know, you gotta keep that thing filled, man!
[He says it like he's joking around, rather than annoyed - but while both are true, he definitely is slightly annoyed. He didn't manage to pocket much. Damn kid needs to either always be here or stay away a lot longer next time so they can help themselves.]
We only put those out on Sunday mornings, and it's actually only -
[Her head turns slowly to glance his way, disinterested in what he has to try and say.]
If you didn't want people to help themselves, you should've been here, Brian.
[But now that her arms are loaded up, she's content and shrugs as she heads toward the front doors. She stops at Johnnie's side and leans in for a quick kiss.]
I'll wait for you outside.
[He really does want his coffee, after all. She's perfectly happy hitting up the coke machine right outside and getting a soda to enjoy her sweets with.
Brian watches all of this happen and awkwardly laughs again. He really has no idea what to say, and isn't sure if he should be focusing on customer service or security here.]
She must be hungry. I'll just charge your room for those, don't worry about it.
[Johnnie waves a hand like it's no big deal, and then goes to get himself some of that coffee with a paper cup, leaving Brian to awkwardly watch him while he thinks about charging them for all the swiped treats.]
Sir, see, it's just -
[Johnnie shakes his head and waves a hand again, then pauses for a slurp of coffee.]
I gotta catch up to the lady before she walks off without me. You have a nice one.
[Johnnie gives an amused smirk as he ducks out the door with his coffee to join Chrissy just outside.]
Fuckin' idiot. Hey, nice score, though. We'll see how long it takes him meanwhile to see I swiped one a' his master keys. Might be able to rip off a couple guests while they're outta their rooms on our way out. Not now, but when we leave.
That's a great find, baby. You did better than I did. This is all junk food, not really a meal. But it tastes so good.
[She holds up the packet to offer him the remaining few, and wipes at her mouth with the back of her hand.]
What kind of places do you think will be the best to hit up tonight? If we find some electronics stores, they should have lots of money in the registers. And I can grab a camcorder and tapes.
He spends a moment eating a little powdered donut, then another. Yeah, real good for sure.]
Electronics, yeah. Also liquor stores but only after it's real late. Those places have a ton a' cash. Shoe stores maybe, too? Shoes are kinda pricey. But all this only works if these people leave shit out where we can find it, not if they seal it away at night in a safe. Least, not if it's one I can't break into.
[And look, he's not a locksmith. That's Clicks' gig. He can only reliably deal with very simple locks of the kinds people don't normally use for valuables. Doors, cars, simpler shit.]
Could swing by a rich neighborhood too, see who looks home an' who don't.
[That all sounds like fun to her, and like a good night out. There have to be at least ten Radio Shacks around they can hit up, and liquor stores, shoe stores, and people's homes. They're going to need a bigger meal to fuel them through all that, and she figures she's done with her junk food snack and dusts her hands off on her back pockets.]
We can bring everything back and stay one more night, then check out rooms tomorrow right before we "check out".
[She says it as she moves her fingers in air quotes, laughing a little as she does. Like they're actually going to pay for this place.]
Do you wanna see if we can find something better to eat? I bet there has to be good seafood somewhere around here, right?
[He downs the rest of the coffee in one gulp, then gets up and trots over toward their room and lets himself in. These places always have some little pamphlet with restaurants and phone numbers.
Sure enough there's information for a few. Esplanade looks like a fancy sit-down place that might be kind of fun to crash, but on the other hand there's always Captain Tony's for a more casual spot that advertises things like halibut fish and chips.
Something about the fancy one is appealing to him just because he'd find it really funny to ditch from an expensive dinner, but they probably wouldn't be let in the front door.]
Whatcha think about these? Or we just go down the road an' see what we see.
[She's grinning though, clearly intrigued by the idea of going. It takes only another couple seconds of thought before she taps at the guide he's holding.]
Actually? Let's try Esplanade. We deserve fancy things, don't we?
[It's worth a try to see if they can get in dressed how they are. There's no reason for them to get all fancy just to get to eat some fish. This place can accept them as they are, or be set on fire as they drive out of town. It's their choice.]
Fuck yeah! We just gotta talk like we're rich, right? They just want our money, who cares what we look like!
[Him with his fucked up face and gang colors and her a teenage girl in a tiny top - look, they could be rich, right? If they pretend they're going to buy the nicest wine off the list then who's going to tell them no?
So with that decided, Johnnie pulls her in for a quick kiss, then tugs her along to the bike. The restaurant isn't far, and they're there in minutes - clearly, clearly underdressed. The couple who walks in the door while they're parking are in a sport jacket and elegant cream dress. But fuck them. Johnnie walks on forward with confidence toward the doorman who looks responsible for letting people in.
The man, balding with a waxed moustache, looks him and Chrissy up and down.]
Do you have a reservation, sir?
[Johnnie blinks. Right, reservations, that's a shitty thing these snobs do.]
Yeah. Yeah, under Miller. Sam Miller? For two.
[Common names - hell, they might get lucky. But Johnnie's not counting on that name being on the list, he just doesn't want to give his own. Maybe they can convince the dude their reservation is lost. Otherwise, fuck it. They'll figure something else out.]
Samantha Mueller?
[He sounds incredibly doubtful that Johnnie would answer to that name, but Chrissy is quick to laugh like a cheerleader and sound incredibly ditzy as she tips her head to the side and extends her hand.]
That's me, actually? Like, I go by Sam. But my real name is Samantha. Obviously.
[The host's expression softens a fraction, but he still seems skeptical.]
Do you have ID on you, miss?
[Chrissy heaves a big sigh and rolls her eyes. If there's one thing she's well trained on, it's how bitchy cheerleaders can act when they feel entitled to something.]
No? I don't need to drive, I have my dad. And my boyfriend. Duh.
[The host glances back down at the list, then back at them, then over to the line that's forming behind them. He locks eyes with Chrissy, who doesn't blink or back down. Instead she crosses her arms over her chest and pouts like a spoiled brat.]
Look, you can go get the manager. Daddy said that if we had any trouble to ask for Mr. -
[That makes his eyes go wide and he shakes his head.]
No reason to ask for Mr. Ziegler, Miss. Right this way, your table is ready.
[Well, at least now they know the manager's name so she can pretend her daddy told her to ask for him. That could come in useful if their waiter is stuffy too. She glances back at Johnnie with a smirk and takes hold of his hand as they follow the host inside. Hell yeah, they're about to get some top notch seafood.]
They're seated promptly, and he gives Chrissy a look that would come with a snicker of success but all too quickly some waitstaff dude with white fucking gloves on comes to bring them ice water and glasses that look like wine glasses but apparently they're for the water.]
The drinks menu, sir and madam.
[He presents it in a little booklet bound in red leather, and then is off again. To get something else? To go deal with another table? Johnnie watches him curiously, and when he doesn't instantly resurface to give them something new he taps Chrissy's shin with his toe.]
Goddamn these people ate up your bullshit, that was fuckin' good!
[Oh shit but that dude is coming back already, he can see him from the direction of what must be the kitchen, with something else? What the fuck does he need to bring now? Better be snacks and not some kind of warm towelette situation.]