This chapter last updated: Jul 14/ 04
Rally left home in her prized Shelby Cobra GT500 (1967 model) and drove to the parking lot where she'd agreed to meet Bean. She parked a few rows in from the entrance. After checking her watch, Rally got out of her car and scanned the practically deserted lot with her eyes. There probably weren't more than 100 cars in total; none of which appeared to be occupied.
She stood behind her car and waited, impatiently, with her arms crossed. She wasn't eager to meet with Bean; but she'd made a promise to Minnie May, to ensure that Maggie would be protected. Rally wished this didn't mean having to deal with a criminal, but who better than Bean to ask for help? He definitely had a soft spot for kids, and he was incredibly strong. Towering well over six feet in height, he could be intimidating just standing still. Rally giggled, she could picture quite a few people being scared off after just one look at him. He certainly could not be called a pushover, by any stretch of the imagination.
He was a great driver — fantastic really, she couldn't argue against that. And he did seem to keep his word. Ever since he'd lost that bet to her, he stopped trafficking drugs. Rally giggled to herself at the almost unintended pun. But he was arrogant, and he often said things that led to her losing her temper. Whether he did it on purpose, Rally wasn't completely sure. No matter what his reason was for doing it, it was very annoying. But, as much as she hated to admit it, Rally knew that he could easily be the best protection that Minnie May's child could ever have.
True, he'd probably want money for it. No, scratch that, he'd definitely want money for it. That meant Rally would probably end up paying him, out of her own pocket. Hopefully it wouldn't be too much of an expense; but knowing how much Bean loved money, Rally knew that the chances of that were slim to none. She let out a depressed sigh just thinking about it. Maybe they wouldn't need to ask for his help that much? Rally would only be kidding herself if she believed that. But that still left a bit of a problem: making sure he'd be there. It wasn't that she thought he was unreliable, though that concern was always in the back of her mind; it was that he wasn't someone she'd normally be working with. He did show up on some of her cases, but she couldn't expect that they'd always happen to be in the same place like that; coincidences are not something to be depended upon.
What then? She'd have to start asking him to tag along? That would mean having to give him a cut of the bounty reward. Rally frowned. She didn't like that idea. For one thing, Bean was a criminal; that was too risky. Maybe not so much for him, but her own credibility could start to diminish if she was frequently seen working with Bean Bandit. Not just in general, but Roy would definitely disapprove! Damn, she might end up having to tell Roy Coleman about this new agreement. Rally knew he wasn't going to like it. Roy most certainly did not like Bean. And he'd be sure to give Rally a stern lecture as soon as he found out about Rally working with Bean. She wasn't looking forward to that; but it was inevitable. Roy would find out one way or another; and then, there he'd go, back to telling Rally how 'careful' she should be and how she shouldn't trust Bean. She knew Roy had confidence in her, and her abilities, but sometimes he was like that. Kind of like an over-protective father.
She'd just try to avoid the subject for now. She wasn't feeling up to getting a lecture any time soon. Besides, she was an adult. She knew what she was doing, right?
Rally's mind suddenly came back to reality as she saw Bean approach. She relaxed a little and stood up straight. "At least he's shown up," she thought.
"Yo," Bean greeted.
"It's about time, you're late."
"And you're picky," Bean retorted.
Rally glared at him, "Watch it, buddy."
Bean casually rested a hand on the back of Rally's car. "Nice," he remarked. "I see it's been fixed," he teased.
"Don't touch my car," Rally ordered.
Bean complied, for the moment, putting his hands in his pockets. "Fine."
"When are you going to pay me for the intercom?"
"Relax, Rally, you'll get your money soon enough." He leaned against the back of the car.
"Don't touch my car," Rally ordered, gritting her teeth.
Bean stepped away from the vehicle. "A little over-protective, aren't you?"
"You stole it before. Why shouldn't I be?"
"Whatever," Bean said, pulling out a cigarette.
Rally became more serious. "So let's get down to business. Minnie May's going to start going on more jobs with me — at least she wants to, eventually. When Ken isn't around, or isn't able to protect their daughter, Minnie May wants some extra assurance that Maggie will be safe when she gets home."
"Right. So where do I come in? I'm not plannin' to play babysitter. It doesn't pay well."
Rally rolled her eyes. "How typical of him..." she thought. "Yeah, I know," she said, "But we can work out compensation later."
Bean casually leaned against the car, continuing to smoke. "So, what's the plan?"
"DON'T touch my car!" Rally yelled.
Bean stepped away from the car, "All right, already! Calm down, babe."
"Rally. My name is Rally. "
"I know," he said, with the same tone in his voice he would use if Rally were telling him something so painfully obvious as 'the sky is blue.' After a moment, Bean continued: "So, you were saying, about the kid?"
"Maggie, right. Minnie May probably won't bring her along on jobs if we can avoid it. I know I'll definitely do whatever I can to avoid that. I don't want that kid ending up in the line of fire. But, if we run out of options..."
"I come in, save the kid, and kick some ass," he smirked, "Sounds good to me."
"Right," Rally paused, taking a Gunsmith Cats business card out of a pocket inside her jacket, "Here's Minnie May's address and numbers where you can reach her," she handed him the card and he looked over the information on both sides as she continued. "There's also the address and phone number for the store on there. And my address and phone numbers. Minnie May's often at my place, especially if Ken's out of town."
"I've been to your place before. I know where it is."
"Well, just in case. I don't want you saying you 'forgot.' No excuses."
Bean nodded. "Fair enough." He smirked, looking at her. "You really hate this, don't you?"
"You're enjoying it far too much," Rally retorted.
Bean put the card in his pocket. "And compensation?"
Rally sighed in disappointment; "We can work out the details for that later. I know you're going to want me to pay you for it."
"Damn straight."
"Oh, and before I forget..." Rally began, pulling out a pen from a pocket inside her jacket, and the business card Bean had given her before. "I'm going to need to be able to contact you." She handed him the pen and the card.
"You still have this, eh?" Bean said as he accepted them. After checking the accuracy of the information already printed on the front, he turned the card over and started to scribble out more details. When finished, he handed the card and pen back to her. "My numbers and address. You should usually be able to reach me on my cell."
Rally put the pen back in her pocket and quickly read over the information on the card. She recognized the address; it was for the same apartment she'd broken into before; meaning he hadn't moved. Rally mentally reminded herself to program Bean's cell phone number into her own cell phone later.
"Don't be shy now."
Rally looked up at him. Her eyes slightly widened in surprise when he winked at her. "What the hell...? Is he hitting on me?" she thought. She hesitated, still holding the card. Then she calmly put the card back in her pocket, ignoring his remark. "So, do we have a deal?" Rally asked, holding out a hand.
"Yeah, it's a deal," he confirmed. They shook hands.
And then, yet again, Bean leaned against Rally's car, relaxed. He tossed his finished cigarette, extinguishing it with his boot.
Rally was fuming, "How many times do I have to tell you? DON'T TOUCH MY CAR!"
No sooner had Bean moved away from the car when Rally's cell phone suddenly rang. Rally jumped, startled. "Urk!" She quickly calmed down, regaining her composure, and answered the call. "Rally Vincent."
"Hi hi!!!" she heard a cheerful voice squeal from the other end.
Rally put her free hand to her forehead and shook her head in disbelief. "Minnie May... it's you."