My First Roadtrip
Summary: Lupin and Jigen friendship story, based on events that may or may not have taken place in Lupin III: First Contact.
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: ©, Monkey Punch.
Chapter Name: Two Room, One Bath
Jigen Daisuke's place of residence was a two room-one bath deal in an average part of town, and contained one couch, a solid wood table, a small television on a box, and one stool sitting lonely in the kitchenette's corner. At least, that's all Lupin could see from his perch on said couch. The second room, the one Jigen had disappeared into upon their arrival, was a complete mystery.
But what he lacked in furniture, he more then made up with dead cigarette butts, large piles of them scattered about most flat surfaces within easy reach. One could easily get the impression the man attempted to live off of cigarettes alone, and from what little Lupin had seen of Jigen's gaunt frame underneath that well worn suit of his, that might not be far from the truth.
After a few minutes of uneventful knee jiggling, Lupin decided to explore, only to find there really wasn't much more to be had then what his initial once-over had gleaned. As he wandered, Lupin lit up a cigarette, savoring the relatively new taste of a Pall Mall. He had never tried that brand before, and found it surprisingly appealing, but not enough to replace his usual choice of addiction.
The room was dark, and when Lupin cracked open one of the blinds, it cut a dusty beam of light through the air, forming a bright patch on an equally dusty floor. The scene outside was typical New York from three stories up, car horns and sounds of civilization muted in the quiet room. Lupin inhaled on his cigarette, and let the blinds snap shut at the sound of footsteps from behind. The room returned to it's previous gloom.
Jigen had emerged from the second room, carrying a case slung over one shoulder and smoking cigarette dangling from his lips. The case was guitar shaped, but much larger then any guitar Lupin had ever seen.
Lupin squinted an eye at it. "I never took you for a classical enthusiast."
Jigen merely shrugged, neither a yes or a no.
"So? What's in the cello case? I highly doubt there's actually a cello in there."
There was that hesitation, a pause Lupin was coming to expect whenever he conversed with the gunman, before Jigen laid the case on the tabletop and took a seat on his couch. "Let me show you something."
Lupin blinked, surprised. He truly hadn't expected a positive answer, let alone a demonstration. Nevertheless, that didn't stop him from leaning in eagerly, perching himself on the couch's armrest.
A few clicked latches later, the case's lid was flipped up and open. And indeed, there was no cello inside. In fact, there wasn't even a musical instrument of any kind. Only a gun.
"I only have two firearms with me at the moment. My Magnum and..." Jigen blew out a cloud of smoke, ghosting his fingers along its metal surface. "...this. M40 sniper rifle, A1 model. Military grade, bolt action, .30 caliber with a max effective range of 1500 yards. Past that, you have to compensate."
Compensate? Lupin quirked an eyebrow at the word. He wasn't quite sure he really wanted to know.
"I've had this thing for... shit, a hell of a long time. She's tame, beginner friendly. As for the case, it's slightly less conspicuous then one actually designed for a sniper rifle. And, well, ah... that's it." There was an awkward pause. "I suppose."
The awkward pause stretched itself into an awkward silence. Jigen puffed on his cigarette and lowered his head farther into the safety of his hat.
Lupin leaned back a bit, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "Jigen... Were you just trying to have a social conversation with me?"
Lupin's laughter very nearly covered Jigen's returning growl.
"I could still kill you, you know." Jigen slammed the lid closed over the displayed firearm, the quick snap of the latches finding home a sharp accent to his obvious agitation.
Lupin shrugged, pushing off his perch and landing lightly on his feet. "Perhaps. But then who would pay for the lovely vacation to Nice I promised you, hum? Which, by the way, we'll be late for if we don't make it to the airport in three and a half hours. So, chop chop. No time to dawdle. Illegal firearms to be stashed and French Rivieras a-waiting, ripe for the plunder."
"...yes mother..."
Lupin's gasp was large and theatrical, hand flying up to cover his mouth in badly feigned shock. "Was that sarcasm I just heard? Jigen, there may be hope for you yet!"
Jigen gathered up his case, slung it back over his shoulder, and walked out of the apartment without a backwards glance.
Lupin struggled to control his laughter, scrambling to catch up. "Oi! Jigen? Come on, Jigen! Wait up!"
The apartment door closed behind the two with a soft click.
---
The 'safe place' Lupin took them to was a nondescript self-storage in the outer fringes of the city, where upon which they met up with a short and stockily built man called 'Eddie' who promptly slugged Lupin in the jaw and accused him of 'trying to sleep with my wife, you fucking sleaze!'
Lupin lightly fingered the side of his jaw and defended himself with a whined 'But I didn't know she was married at the time!'
Then they had both laughed uproariously.
Jigen, who's hand had been laying lightly on the butt of his holstered Magnum since less then a second into the confrontation, raised both unseen eyebrows and mentally lowered his opinion of Lupin's sanity a few points. But, as he eyed the cajoling men, both of which seemed quite pleased with themselves, he came to the stark realization that Lupin had been standing between him and Eddie during the whole supposed argument, on purpose.
Jigen let his hand fall away from his gun.
Clever. Insane, but clever.
The Mercedes and 'cello' case were stashed in one of the larger storage partitions. Jigen made sure to memorize its location. It wouldn't be hard to come back here and retrieve his possession on his own if the need arose. But, oddly enough, Jigen hoped it wouldn't come to that.
A considerable wad of cash exchanged hands, and a new car, provided by Eddie, was given to them for the drive to the airport. Arrangements were made for the car to be picked up at the airport car lot at a later date.
Lupin had thanked Eddie before they had left, and told him to tell his wife he said 'hello' with a suggestive leer.
Eddie hadn't seemed curious about Jigen's presence, Lupin hadn't bothered with introductions, and Jigen hadn't particularly cared.
