CHAPTER TWO- Unexpected Visitors

Two weeks later...

FOREST CITY, N.Y. - 4:25 P.M.

Andy Clark stared in disbelief at what he saw on his computer monitor.

"I don't believe this crap. How can I only come in at #52 on the Top 100 Sexiest Thieves List?! And half these guys aren't even thieves. And what's the deal with Robin Hood at #1? The guy's been dead for 800 years!", Andy said, outraged.

"Calm down, dude. It just some retarded website.", said Tony reassuringly.

"You're right, Tony.", said Andy.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Andy answered. He could not believe his eyes. At the door was none other than Sly Cooper, accompanied by two odd fellows.

"Sly, man. How you been doing?", Andy said. "Come on in. You must be tired.", he continued. "Yeah. We would've been here sooner, but this fat ass had to stop at every McDonald's between here and Paris.", Sly said angrily, looking toward his large pink hippopotamus companion.

"I don't believe I've ever been introduced to your friends here.", said Andy.

"Oh.", Sly said. "Well, this fat fool is Murray. He's my driver." The hippo shook Andy's paw. "Nice to meet you.", he said.

"And this is Bentley, my science expert.", Sly continued. "Hello, Mr. Clark. Sly has told me so much about you.", the turtle said as the two shook hands. "I must say, your home is immaculate! I'm impressed.", the small bespectacled turtle said, looking around.

"Thanks. This place is my pride and joy, you know.", said Andy.

"Now, let me introduce you to my gang, the Bridge Street Four.", Andy said to Sly.

"That's Tony over there.", Andy said, pointing toward the crow who had taken his place at the computer. The bird waved back, and then went back to work. "He's my second in command. He plans all my heists, and is also the team mechanic.", Andy said.

A bear and a hedgehog played video games in the living room. "Those two are Jake and Chris. I believe you've already met Jake.", Andy said. "How ya doin', Sly?", said the bear.

"Jake serves the same purpose in my gang as your Murray. He drives me, and sometimes joins me in thefts.", Andy continued.

"And Chris is my spy." "Hey.", the hedgehog said, and then resumed his game. "Chris is a little nutty, but he gets the job done.", Andy said.

"It looks like you've made quite a good living of thievery.", Sly said, surveying Andy's house.

"Yeah.", Andy said. "I make more in a month than I would have in a year had I gone to college and gotten a job in the business sector." "Plus, I get to kick some criminal ass!", Andy added.

"Uh, there's a helicopter in your backyard!", Bentley said, peering out the back window. "Yeah. The heliport is closed for construction. What's a guy to do?", said Andy.

"That thing's more trouble than it's worth. Hey Sly, you don't by any chance happen to need a helicopter, do you?", Andy said. "No, but thanks for the offer.", said Sly.

"May I ask you a question?", Sly said. "Sure.", the older raccoon replied. "Why are you called the Bridge Street Four when you live on Green Street?"

"Good question, Cooper.", Andy said. "Our gang hasn't been based at Bridge Street in years. No one's bothered to change the name, though."

"Later, we could go down to the old hideout. I can show you our history.", Andy said.

"OK.", Sly responded. "Now I have a question for you friend.", Andy said."When you robbed me of all those diamonds a few weeks back," Sly rolled his eyes. Here it comes. There go my big plans. "Why in God's name did you also steal my socks?", Andy inquired.

"They looked so warm, comfortable, and inviting, I just had to take 'em.", Sly answered. "Plus, the smell of your feet makes me hot."

The room fell silent. "WHAT?!!", Andy cried. Tony's jaw dropped to the floor. Chris spat his Coke across the room. Murray damn near choked to death on the Big Mac he'd been devouring. Bentley just shook his head. "Dude, that is fuckin' SICK!", Jake exclaimed.

"Couldn't have put it any better myself, Jake ol' boy.", said Tony.

"Uhh, forget I just said that.", Sly said nervously, as all eyes were now fixated on him. "Anyhow, there's a huge stash of stolen gold just up the road from here. I was thinking you and I could go up there tomorrow and grab us some.", Sly said.

"Sounds like a plan.", Andy said, trying his hardest to forget the thief's prior comment. "The gold is being stored under heavy security at the headquarters of the notorious crime syndicate F.O.W.L.", Sly said.

"Whoa there. FOWL?! Count me out!", Andy said excitedly. "Why?", Sly wondered. "I tried to rob FOWL once. I ended up in a dungeon having a cheese grater run over my bare feet.", Andy explained.

"That must have smelled great, I mean, that must have hurt.", Sly said. Once again, there was dead silence. "Dude, you've got issues.", said Chris.

"Anyway, these guys don't play around. I'll give you any technical support or personnel you need for your little raid, but I ain't comin.", said Andy.

"Come on buddy, pal. PLEEEASE!!", begged Sly. "NO!", insisted Clark. "Why should I assist you anyway? You cost me $20 million in jewels, and you stole my favorite pair of socks to satisfy some twisted fetish of yours.", said Andy.

"I wouldn't have to ask for your help if these two weren't such pussies.", Sly said, looking toward his two compatriots. "HEY!!", both Murray and Bentley fumed. "Well, it's true!", Sly snapped back.

"Oh yeah?!", Bentley said angrily. "Well, at least I'm not a perv like you, you.....perv." "Call me a perv one more time and I'll kick you in the nuts!!, Sly said through clenched teeth.

"Gentlemen! And I use the term loosely, can we please stop with this childishness?! We've got a heist to plan!", Andy commanded. "So you'll do it?", Sly asked delightedly. "Yes.", Andy said with a sigh.

"But I have one condition.", Andy added. "And that is?", asked Sly. "If we end up getting our skin scraped off with kitchen utensils, will you admit that you were wrong and I was right?"

"Sure.", Sly said. "A Cooper always admits when he's wrong." "But,", he continued "If we make it back here unharmed and loaded down with gold, will you admit that I was right and YOU were wrong?"

"I see no problem with that.", said Andy. "OK. Let me show you around town before dark. We'll grab a bite to eat, then come back here and get down to business.", he then said.

"Sounds like a good idea to me.", said Sly. "Hey guys!", Sly called to his friends. "Andy's going to show us around Forest City before we plan this raid." "Cool!", said Murray. "I sure hope the rest of this town is a clean and sanitary as this house.", Bentley remarked. Sly groaned.