The Job: Chapter 2

Thirty minutes into my hunt for warmer clothes and I was about ready to give up. That wasn't to say I hadn't found anything, just that I hadn't found anything I really liked. Though I found plenty of hoodies, some nice wool socks and a balaclava that was a lot warmer than my old one that wouldn't be too hard to alter to fit my cape look. Shaking my head in defeat, I walked back into the main thoroughfare. While useful and needed, the clothes I acquired were not what I wanted.

What I really wanted was a nice coat.

Coats themselves were not hard to find. Most of the clothing stores I visited had them. Finding a nice coat that didn't look stupid was turning out to be like trying to find a sober person in the middle of Mardi Gras without getting your ass grabbed. In other words, practically impossible. Like finding an honest politician or a forgiving loan shark.

I set myself to call this run a wash, thinking I might find something on the Boardwalk when I saw it. Casually thrown over a chair in the middle of a Panda Express. A long leather trench coat in a beautiful chocolate brown. I'd seen similar coats to that one in a leather shop a while back but passed not liking that right out of the box look they all had. They just felt lacking in personality. This one had a real used charm to it.

I felt warm just looking at it.

The guy sitting in the chair the coat was draped over was laughing at something his table companion said. Both dressed up a bit and looked just different enough from most of the other patrons around them to make me think he wasn't a local.

Now, how to get my coat? Finding a spot nearby where I could keep my eyes on it, I started thinking.

Stealing it wouldn't be hard to do. Plenty of people around here for distractions and cover. Not to mention the security cameras in this area were a joke. Yeah, I'd feel bad since it was cold outside but he looked like he could buy a replacement. It did kinda break another of my rules though. Don't steal for personal gain.

It was easy to justify that I needed my coat. Too easy really but that was a slippery slope I was well used to walking. It was all about moderation. Steal to survive, to pay rent, to advance or maintain my craft, that was fine as long as the target wasn't someone who couldn't do without. That was another of my rules. Never take from those who can't afford it. This guy easily looked like he could but that wasn't what was keeping me back. It was that I didn't need to steal it. I passed on dozens of coats I could have bought. I just wanted that one.

Hmm. Maybe I could talk him into selling it?

A quick check of my petty cash backed up the idea. A few more moments thinking about it and I set off for the table I'd been watching. Giving both men at the table my best smile.

Besides, if this didn't work I could always steal it later.

XxXGambitXxX

Too easy, I mused to myself walking through the Mall doors. Not even the lack of email from Jess bothered me now. I probably wouldn't hear from them until closer to nightfall anyways. All that mattered right now was that I was warm and snug in my stylish new coat. Life didn't get much better than this.

A quick check showed I wasn't too far from the Boardwalk. It was a good place as any to wait on Jess to either wake up or contact me. Unless they already did…

Putting in my ear bud while my thumb danced across the number key on my phone. It wouldn't' be the first time Jess did something like this. I started walking across the parking lot toward the intersection waiting on my friend to pick up.

"Renée!"

"Hey Penny."

"Glad you called, girl. Made it all right?"

"An hour ago," I answered smiling at a girl scout and her mother as I passed. "I don't suppose I had any calls?"

"Not since you left. Why?"

"My friend hasn't let me know where we're supposed to meet up."

Penny snorted, "Some friend."

"Yeah, well, Jess is an acquired taste," I half agreed. "I was just checking to see if maybe they called while I was in transit or something."

"No, sorry Renée," Penny said. "I'll call you if anyone does. So, what do you think of New England?"

"It's cold."

"Ouch," Penny laughed. "Buy a jacket."

Smirking to myself as I pushed the crosswalk button, I replied, "I did."

"Sure you did," she teased. "Seriously, I need details! What's it like over there? Been anywhere yet?"

"Just the mall…"

A squawk of protest sounded behind me. Turning around showed three guys standing in front of the table belonging to the girl scout. Her cookie cartons mostly lying on the ground.

"You big meanie," The girl scout shouted. "If you didn't want any you could have just said so! You didn't have to knock everything down."

The dark skinned kid had guts, I'd give her that. She couldn't have weighed more than the thigh of the man she was shouting at. Looking at her mother, I didn't see anything there other than fear of the toughs in front of them as she tried to quiet her daughter.

I couldn't hear what he was saying, but the lead thug's sneer didn't need any translation. I really didn't like the where this was going.

"Renée?"

"Have to call you later, Penny," I said, fingering a deck of cards in my pocket.

She must have picked up something in my voice because she cheerfully shouted "take pictures!" as I disconnected the call.

Chuckling at her antics I advanced on the scene behind me. A twitch of my wrist sent a playing card sailing into Big Meanie before he could finish whispering. It struck bisecting his right eyebrow with the force of hard slap.

His friends jumped in surprise -as did the kid and her mother- when my target reeled from the blow.

"You know, it's not nice to pick on people smaller than you," I drawled. "Maybe you guys should go find someone more in your weight class to play with."

Just like that, all eyes were on me.

"What the fuck?"

"You shouldn't curse around children," I said, coming to a stop several feet away from the street toughs. "It's not nice."

Shaved head scoffed at my comment turning a bewildered look to the last guy. Big Meanie just stared at me as if he couldn't understand a word I was saying.

"Look, Tourist, just get your shit and walk on. This doesn't concern you."

"Sure," I said, smirking as I held the deck of cards. "But before I go, want to see a card trick?"

Still smirking I cut the deck one handed, then folded them back into a single deck before cutting it again. This time, showing all three men the card on bottom. Once they had a good look, I quickly shuffled the deck, split, folded, then ended with a showy bit that sent cards flying from one hand to the other through a foot of empty space.

Unimpressed the third guy shook his head pulling a switchblade. Thumb on the trigger, he pointed it at me. "Get lost bitch."

Still smirking I kept my eyes locked on them; pulling a card from the middle of the deck. Holding it up between two fingers. "Ta-da."

Whatever he was going to say was interrupted by a cackling hum and psychedelic colors erupting around the card.

"Shit," Shaved head cursed. "Cape."

"Your card, no?"

I noticed the switchblade had disappeared. Big Meanie shook his head mutely. Eyes dancing around. Either looking for cover, or the quickest way gone.

"I think it is," I said blandly as my smile melted. "Best out of three?"

A twitch of my wrist brought two more cards into my hand. All three visibly swallowed when my power enveloped them as it had the first.

They fidgeted. I didn't. When Shaved Head took a few steps away, I let him. Emboldened, the others joined him and they quickly left.

The only move I made was turning to keep facing them as they retreated. Once they were far enough away to make coming back a bad idea, I tossed the cards into the air. All three exploded in noticeable pops, making them jump and turn back. While they didn't break into a run, but they were definitely not dragging their feet by the time I turned my attention away from them.

Adjusting my sunglasses, I hoped the Bay's Protectorate ran with a similar policy New Orleans did in not making a big fuss as long as cape incidents were low key. A quick look around showed that despite me openly using my abilities, I hadn't drawn much attention until I threw the cards. Already those that looked were mostly going back to their own business leaving me with just the girl scout and her mom.

She was maybe about ten or so. Dark skinned with hair nearly as dark tied back into a pair of dangling pigtails and she was missing one of her front teeth. I couldn't image why those guys were pissed at her. Hell, just looking at her and I wanted to buy a box of her cookies. She was like a cute little bob eared keebler in a skirt and sash.

Before I could say anything, the kid did, "That was so cool! How did you do that?"

"With style, petite," I answered with a smile. "With style."

My comment got a giggle from the girl. I lowered myself to one knee extending my hand, "My friends call me Renée LeBeau."

"Angela, no…" Her mother tried to caution. Looking over my sunglasses at the standing woman made her recoil. I kept my smile in place, well used to that reaction from those who didn't know me.

"Hi! I'm Angela Johnson," Angela said oblivious to her mother's discomfort and warning as she shook my hand, fearlessly.

"Nice to meet you Angela. Would you like some help picking up?"

"Oh, no Ms. LeBeau," Her mother quickly interrupted. "We really should be leaving anyways. I knew setting up in this area would be a bad idea, considering..."

"But," Angela argued. "You said we could be here until five!"

"Angela, I know how badly you want to do well this year but what if those men come back? I told Gerald that it was a bad idea for us to try selling in this area. It borders the Empire."

"But Scout Troop Leader Mr. Gerald said we couldn't change areas because it wouldn't be fair to the others if we sold in their areas."

"I know, but…"

"I'm so close, Mom," She started to say before turning big eyes to me. "W-would you help us?"

Ah crap. Eyes that cute should be illegal. Under the charm she was pouring on, I could see a harder edge. Whatever the 'Empire' was -had my money on a local gang and one that either didn't like them personally, or just didn't like blacks- was known to her. Despite that, or maybe even because of it, she was determined to not let that stop her.

Shaking my head I tried to break the bad news that I didn't have that kind of time when she spun around. Quickly picking up a carton of cookies she turned back to me.

"Please? I'm super close to getting my badge. You don't even have to do anything! Maybe sit with us for a little while in case those guys come back? You can have this box. I bought it for myself but you can have it for helping."

Holding out the box of cookies, Angela waited for my answer. And I found myself considering it. Jess wasn't likely to call me for some time still. Checking the time on my phone showed that I'd have plenty of time to get to the Boardwalk even if I sat around here until five. Decision reached -and not just because she was offering me a free box of Thin Mints, though that helped- I looked up to answer when my eyes locked on her sash. Specifically, one of the badges sewn into it. A tent and tree inside a circle.

"Junior Outdoors Camper, huh?" I asked pointing to the badge.

Angela looked before nodding a bit confused at my interest.

"You'll go for Cadette Outdoors Trailblazing later then, won't you?"

"Yeah," she replied. Her confusion morphing into enthusiasm. "I still have a year to go before I can try for it but Marcy and I are already getting ready. We want that to be our first Cadette badge."

"And you'll get it to," I said smiling. "You're definitely brave enough, petite."

Looking around to shake off the feeling the badge gave me, I said "Well, you're not going to sell any cookies with them all over the ground. Let's get you set backup."

XxXGambitXxX

Leaning on a rail overlooking the bay, my coat wrapped around me protecting me from the water's chilled breeze, I raised a styrofoam cup to my lips. I grimaced at the cold liquid, and hit it with a touch of my power, instantly reheating it. I sighed in contentment, enjoying the momentary aroma of my now steaming beverage.

Much better. Cold coffee sucked and anyone who said differently was insane. Or a liar.

I'd been here for just over an hour watching the last rays of the sun dance on the water and simmer along the protective dome over what a vendor had told me was cape headquarters for the local Protectorate.

Angela proved to be every bit as smart as I figured. And devious. After what happened, she knew her mother wasn't going to take her anywhere near where they were supposed to sell this season and used my presence for all it was worth. First by using me as a buffer against her mother knowing the woman wasn't going to raise too much of a fuss in fear of going from a friendly cape to an unfriendly one. Not that I would, but she didn't know that and Angela played it for all it was worth. Though the whole time I was there, the woman kept an eye on me and didn't say much.

When people came close enough, Angela started pitching, drawing most of them in with smiles and watching them leave with her product in a way that would have made some street hawkers I knew back home green with envy. I was impressed.

During lulls, she bombarded me with questions. Asking about my accent -which she seemed to get a kick out of- and then about New Orleans. It actually turned out to be a fun way to pass the time. Trying to be considerate I kept away from the more risque stories I had. Angela's mom didn't like me much and no sense in rocking the boat and ruining the kid's chances.

Just to be sure I slipped in a hundred to the kid's cash box before we parted ways. Just in case she didn't sell enough for her badge.

Taking another sip, I looked around me again. I could easily see why this place got a mention in the travel guide as being a must see. It was a beautiful backdrop for the city's Boardwalk. Not anywhere near as lively as I was used to, but nice in it's own way. Case in point, there was no one else around me on this pier. Gave me time to think. And I needed it.

It wasn't the view that was keeping me here. From the second I arrived on this pier, something inside me churned. It was the same feeling I had when I noticed Angela's badge but for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why I felt like I did. Then I got here, and that same feeling hit me again. There was something about this place that called to me.

No, not called to me. It seemed...familiar.

And that was what was driving me crazy. How did I know about the badges and why can't I remember anything else about them? What was it about this peir that tickled the back of my head? Why can't I remember anything before two years ago?

In two years I'd never had that feeling. Not once. Now in the span of a few hours, I've had it twice. What was it about this place that triggered it? Did this mean I might get my memories back? Was that something I could even dare to hope for? Did I even want them back?

I sighed. I'd practically given up on it. I spent the last year ruthlessly pushing that out of my mind. Focusing on being Renée and not… on whoever I was before Renée.

There were no answers for me to read in the water. Whatever that feeling was, it was all I had and that didn't mean a damn thing.

I jumped when my phone rang unexpectedly breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Bonjour Jess," I greeted my wayward friend. "Finally wake up?"

"You fucking here yet, swamp rat?"

"I've been here since two."

"Why the fuck did you get here so early in the fucking morning?"

"Two in the afternoon, Jess."

"That's what I fucking said, ass bag," Jess shot back.

"Late night, chérie?" I heckled.

"Fuck you and you're fucking accent," Jess cursed. "God dammit, speak fucking english you cajun ditz. You're giving me flashbacks of Mardi Gras that I'm still trying to forget happened."

"Which reminds me," I couldn't help but needle. "Marcus wanted me to say hello and ask when you'll be back in town. He misses you."

"Oh fuck you bitch. I told you tell him I died a horrible death in an airplane crash! Or was it swallowed by an Endbringer? Fuck, I can't remember which, but I know I told you to tell him I was dead. Why in the blue balls hell would you fucking tell him I was alive? Much less that you were going to see me?"

"Payback, chérie, for that mess you left me with when you had your falling out with Bayou Amos," I snorted. "Six months later he's still angry that you somehow stuffed him into that princess dress before leaving him to wake up in the middle of Bourbon St. Though I think I convinced him that it wasn't you that drew that penis on his forehead. He still doubled my protection rents."

"Oh yeah," Jess chuckled. "That was actually a fun night. You know, for a guy who weighs over four hundred pounds, you wouldn't believe what a fucking pussy he is with his booze. Great in the sack though."

"I'll make sure to tell him you said that when I get back home," I returned dryly. "Right after I give Marcus your love."

"Fucking cunt. I hate you."

"So, I can go home?"

"Fuck that," Jess muttered. A rustle of sheets before Jess came back with, "Where are you?"

"Your Boardwalk. Not far from the ferris wheel."

"Alright. Got your party clothes ready?"

"I brought them with me," I answered. "Details after you pick me up?"

"Yeah. Be in the parking lot. I'm not hunting all over that fucking place for your ass."

Chuckling, I said, "See you soon mon'ami."

Putting away my phone I rose taking one last look around pier. Taking the handle of my travel case, I started making my way to the parking lot. After the job I'd come back. Maybe then I'd figure out whatever it was I was feeling.