When Sid pulled into the alley behind O'Malley's Pub, a security camera saw
his Ford pickup. The image was then fed to a TV screen inside the garage
where Vince saw it and pressed the button to open the door. When Sid eased
the truck to a stop and turned off he ignition, he could feel the ache
still radiating from his stomach. Before he got out, he pulled up his
shirt, which revealed a large bruise on his stomach.
"Damnit," he moaned as the slowly climbed down from his vehicle.
Andy and Vince were making their way casually across the garage but started
to hurry when they noticed Sid's bleeding chin and unsteady stance.
"You okay, man?" Andy asked as Sid clutched his mid-section.
"Yeah, just a little incident with one of them Cartel fags," came Sid's
forced response.
"Why didn't you kill the bastard?" asked Vince.
"Let's not get into that right now," Sid said.
"Let's see your stomach then," Andy suggested.
As Sid pulled up his shirt, Andy and Vince in unison said, "Shit!"
"Damn. Look at your side too, dude," Andy said as he pointed to the left
side of Sid's waist.
Vince and Andy then helped Sid across the garage and into the room where he
was given his job the day before. Sid eased himself onto one the couches
and closed eyes for a moment.
"How about some ibuprofen?" Vince asked while Andy turned on the stereo.
"Hell yeah," Sid quietly responded.
Andy put on some Guttermouth in hopes that it would make Sid laugh but
turned the sound down to bearable level. Vince soon came back with the
painkillers and a glass of water. Sid consumed them and then stretched his
legs out to the extent of the sofa. After a couple minutes of listening to
the only slightly humorous lyrics of Guttermouth, Andy spoke:
"Alright, we got a big job to pull tonight, guys. You think you'll be
ready to go by nine o'clock, Sid?"
"Fuck yeah! I'm gonna kick some Cartel ass!" came Sid's surprisingly
enthusiastic reply.
"Us three are gonna have to work alone since we're kinda short on guys,"
Andy said as he gave the job instructions to Sid.
"You can chill in here for as long as you want. Just tell us if you need
anything," Vince said before Andy started to look over the newest scheme.