CHAPTER 4 : Caught

Mikey and Rick look at each other before threatening Tom and Doug with their guns.

- What the hell are you doing ? Tom asks.

- Get the hell out of here ! Mikey says.

- What ? Doug says. What did we do ? Have we done something wrong ?

- Nothing, Rick answers, you're just cops.

- You think so ? Doug says. Do you really think we have heads like we're cops ? Think about it. Look at Tommy's head do you really think he looks like a cop ?

- Actually, not that much, Mikey says.

- What about Doug, Tom says for revenge, do you really think that fat guy who's my brother could be a cop ? This big fat man isn't even smart enough and…

- Yeah he's too fat, Rick says.

- Thanks Tommy for such a charming description, Doug replies.

- You're welcome Doug, it was free, Tom answers smiling.



- Ok, Mikey says, if you're not cops you'll have to prove it.

- How ? Tom asks.

Mikey puts his hand in one of the pockets of his jacket and grabs a small bag full of white powder : cocaine.

Doug and Tom exchange a worried look. They know what's coming next.

- If you're not cops, Mikey says, you'll have to sniff a line of coke !

- Sure, Doug says.

Mikey gives him the small bag and a rolled paper so he can sniff first.

Doug knows he can't do that but if he doesn't his cover would be blown, he'd be screwed and they would know he's a cop. On the other hand if he and Tom don't talk about this to Fuller nobody will know it.

- Well, I'm doing it, Doug says, take a good look !

He sniffs a bit.

- Well done, Rick says, we believe you now. Your turn Tom.

Tom is obliged to sniff as well. He begins to think "I'm not paid to do that !".

He sniffs and he feels pain in his head. It hurts and he knows it must be the same for his friend.

Both of them must seem normal, like they're used to do that. They must be credible.

- Can we talk seriously now and make a deal ? Tom asks.

- Sure, Rick answers. What kind of dope are you searching for ?

- What do you have ? Doug asks.

- Coke, ecstasy, hero, LSD, Mikey says.

- Wow, great, Tom says giving Doug the "we're getting somewhere" look.

- So what do you want ? Mikey asks.

Tom begins to feel the effects of the drugs. He prefers not to speak not to say something stupid. Doug sees how bad Tom is and decides to speak instead of him. Doug begins to open his mouth when Mikey begins to speak.

- It's good, huh ?

- Marvelous, Doug says with difficulty.

- Listen up guys. We'll meet at the end of the day when you're down on earth again, ok ? Mikey asks.

- Okay, Tom says.

Tom has a weird feeling, he feels like everybody's looking at him. But everyone's in such a rush in the hallway that nobody's looking at the McQuaids. People are almost walking over each other to get to the next class.

Doug and Tom prefer to leave school for the day and rest at home 'till the drug comes out of their system.

- You're coming Tommy, Doug says. We could go back to my place. I think it's better, don't you think so ?

- Yep.

Doug, who's feeling better than Tom, drives home.

- Tom, you're ok ? Doug asks.

- Shit, fuck that's powerful man.

- Yeah I know.

- How can young people love getting high with that stuff. That's not funny. There's nothing funny about that. You just feel weird and that's it, Tom says.

- I know. Teens love to feel weird and with this shit they feel better.

It's hard for both to speak.

They now arrive at Doug's place. Doug gets out of the car and helps Tom walk to the door.
They enter and he sits Tom down on the sofa.

- Douggie, Fuller doesn't have to know about this, right ? Cause he'll kill us.

- Don't worry about it Tommy. We'll stay here till schools over and we'll sleep until we feel better. None of us will tell Fuller.

- Ok, I agree !

Doug lays down on another sofa and they both take a rest for several hours before being abruptly woken up by someone.