Saturday-(Very)Early Morning
"What are we doing here?" Sam asked as Jack pulled into the grocery store parking lot.
Jack glanced at his watch. "Meeting someone in about two minutes."
"You had an apointment?" Sam asked in confusion. He hadn't exactly been acting like a man with plans earlier...
"Not exactly." Jack had his eyes fastened to the side mirror of his truck. "C'mon." he said suddenly, taking the keys out of the ignition, and waiting for Sam to open her door before he locked the truck, pocketed his keys and joined her. He walked briskly along the edge of the parking lot, instinctively staying as far away from the lights as he could. It was late and the parking lot was almost empty but the store was open twenty-four hours and there were still a few late shopper out and about. Sam kept her head down and stayed close to Jack. "Steve" Jack stopped at the cart corral nearest the store and addressed the young man gathering the carts.
"Jack" The kid looked up. "How's it going?"
"I need your car." Jack cut to the point.
To Sam's surprise Steve reached into his pocket without asking any questions. "And the pickup?" Steve held out his other hand.
"Not this time." Jack told him.
"But I've got a date." Steve complained.
"I'm sorry." Jack apologized. "I'd just hate for you to get killed because someone thought you were me."
"Shit Jack you are in trouble." Steve realized.
"Yup" Jack held out his hand and Steve gave him the keys. "Thanks. Now, money?" Jack asked.
Steve glanced back at the store. "Now that's one thing I can't do"
Jack rolled his eyes. "Not from the store, your wallet."
Sam could tell from poor Steve's confusion that though he'd apparently traded vehicles with Jack forwhatever reasons in the past, Jack had never asked for money before.
Steve hesitated.
"We'll pay you back" Sam promised.
Steve handed Jack his wallet, from which Jack removed all his cash and the only credit card.
"That's got a really low limit." Steve warned, half hoping Jack would leave it behind.
"It'll do" Jack assured him. And when Steve looked even more depressed he added. "Seriously, I'll get you back. And if I don't come back justcall that number I gave you for emergency's and give him the story I told you okay?"
"All right" Steve agreed. "But I'd better not find out this was all about some chick okay?" He looked at Sam apologetically.
Sam smiled. "Has it ever been before?"
"Not that I know of." Steve told her. "But with Jack you never know."
"We gotta go." Jack grasped Sam's arm. "I owe ya one Steve" Jack said as he headed for the car.
"Just remember that." Steve called back.