Monica hung up the phone irritated.
"Who was it?" asked Rachel lazily. She was getting tired of playing scrabble.
"Some prank," Monica answered as she looked at her watch, "What's taking Joey and Chandler so long? They just went to go pick up a few snacks." They had been gone for over a half hour at this point.
"Well you know Joey.." Rachel was cut off abruptly by the phone.
Monica answered. and at first heard nothing, just as before. She thought she could make out some yelling, but that was all. Disgusted, she went to hang up, but paused half way when a loud bang caused her to jump.
"What the hell?" Monica said, looking confused. All of the sudden, she heard a voice that was unmistakably Chandler's. Monica's face drained of color, and she almost dropped the phone.
"What is it?" Ross cried, with an alarmed look as he turned his attention away from his game to the phone call for the first time.
It took a moment for Monica to answer as she stood there frozen with her eyes fixed on the phone. "I don't know," Monica said hoarsely, " But I think Chandler just got shot."
-----
The two criminals has started screaming at each other.
"What the hell did you do that for?" Now we'll be wanted for murder!"
" He was begging for it, man! Begging for it!"
" You little shit! We are fucked! Do you hear me? Fucked!"
"Just get the money and let's go!"
Before the other could reply, a stack of cans that had been upset in the chaos finally lost their balance and fell- right on top of Joey. He threw his arms protectively over his head, but it didn't help much. He bit his lip until it bled, but he was unable to stop the yelp that escaped his lips. Both men stopped cold at the new sound. The first, the more level-headed one, signaled to the second.
"Go see who that was."
Joey cursed himself slightly. It was over, he just hoped that Monica had gotten the message.
" Where the hell did you come from?"
Joey flinched as the cold steel from the barrel of the shotgun was pressed hard into his temple. He grunted and got to his feet. Chandler moaned in despair.
"How long have you been here?"
"Since you decided to have this little get together," Joey muttered. He tried to hide the phone, which was still lying on the floor, but he was too late. The crook spotted it, and kicked it was all his might against the wall, while shouting every curse word in the English language.
"What is it?" The first man roared.
"He's got a fucking cell phone and he fucking used it!"
"Son of a bitch!" he swore.
"Should I kill him?"
Joey closed his eyes and pressed his lips together to form a thin line as the gun was cocked against his head. He swallowed nervously and clenched his fists, sweat forming at the top of his brow.
Chandler fought down the panic that was trying to get the best of him. It was taking every ounce of strength he had to keep from lunging towards Joey. He couldn't die. Not here, not like this. He made eye contact with Joey, and tried to project to him whatever strength he had. Joey gave a small reassuring nod, but it didn't help much, he was terrified.
"I have a better idea," The first thief said, his voice sickeningly sweet. He raised his gun, and panned the room. He leveled it at his selected target, and fired.