Short chapter needed to set it up for some reason. I much prefer to dive right into the story, but I guess that's not how it's done. Or something. Later chapters should be longer, better written, and filled with more drama-ee goodness. Mmmm...drama...

One Life Faltered

by D. Ant

-One-

The three ran from the bank, cops and security guards in tow as they headed towards the small sports car, it's canvas top folded down.
Lupin was first to reach the car, tossing the two bags stuffed with large bills in the back before jumping into the drivers seat. The keys were already in the ignition, making for a quick start of the engine as Goemon and Jigen hopped into the back seat.
"I told you it'd be fun," Lupin said with a wide grin as he glanced back at the two. The engine revved twice before the car bolted down the street, it's tires squeeling, leaving the police and guards in a cloud of dust.
"Well, you never said we'd be robbing the place while it was open," Jigen laughed, glancing back as the cop cars tailed them.
Goemon sat, his face unchanged from the serious expression it always held.
"You know you liked it, Goemon," Lupin said with a grin and a wink as he sped off, the cop cars getting farther and farther behind.

"So, where's Fujiko to steal all of this money?" Jigen said it with a grin, although Lupin and Goemon knew better than to think he was saying it as a joke.
Lupin shrugged. "She's in New York or Chicago or somewhere screwing some rich guy."
"Figures," Jigen muttered.
"Why don't we just forget about her for one night and go out and celebrate?" Lupin said as he placed an arm around the others necks.
"It's not like we can't afford it," Jigen said with a laugh.

They left the hideout and took the extra time to dump the money off at one of the hidden stashes Lupin had around the city. Knowing their haul was secure, they took off for the restaurant.
It was a small, very expensive cafe, complete with lowered celings and ambiance lighting. The head waiter came out to greet the three, then led them towards the back corner, a table setting away from the rest of the crowd waiting for them.
Lupin ordered the wine, the three toasting to their success, all happy and in great moods as the night went on.
Everyone had finished eating and sat back, the wine taking over as their bodies relaxed. Lupin then went into some long drawn out story about one of his earlier jobs when a man in a black suit and tie approached them.
"You are the one known as Jigen, correct?" the man asked.
Jigen glanced up at the man, sighing softly. The man had government written all over him. What it was that had made him travel all the way to Germany had Jigen worried. "Yeah."
"This is for you." The man handed Jigen a standard white envelope. He then tipped his hat, leaving the three to continue their night out.
Lupin and Goemon watched as Jigen pulled the contents from the envelope and read them.
"Well?" Lupin asked, unsure if it was good or bad news.
Jigen folded the paper and returned it to the envelope. "It's nothing," he said, shaking his head and shrugging as he stuck the envelope in his jacket pocket. "So, you were talking about stealing the Van Gogh."
"Huh? Oh, right." Lupin went right back into storytelling mode, not noticing how Jigen seemed to be somewhere else.