SLY VOICE OVER
It was odd, being in the back of the van, watching out the window as that tower disappeared. But I couldn't get caught up in it.
For one, there were more important things around—and more specifically, important people. They'd missed me. And I'd missed them. More than anyone could say.
(Carmelita throws herself at him while he says this, wrapping him in a ludicrously tight hug, then shaking him in a very obvious 'DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN YOU IDIOT' manner.)
Of course, some people expressed this differently than others.
(Bentley proceeds threaten to shoot Carmelita with a sleepdart if she doesn't behave rationally, and she releases Sly, who stops her from turning away by putting a hand on her shoulder. The two exchange smiles before Carmelita turns to talk to Murray and Khamen in the front seats. Sly moves over to Bentley; Bentley's eyes are watering, and Sly goes to give him a handclasp before being pulled in for a hug by all the arms of Bentley's wheelchair.)
Once we were out of the blast radius, Murray pulled over, and we spent some time catching up. (cue Murray lifting Sly in the sort of hug that may break bones). Khamen tolerated it—he's not the most touchy-feely sort of guy—and after some discussion, we decided to spend one last night here, back at their 'hideout'. It was time for a celebration.
(Yes, they're roasting hotdogs and marshmallows over a campfire in the middle of the night in ancient Egyptian desert, because why wouldn't they?)
We set Khamen up in his back-up safe-house, one of the crypts Rajan had trapped with lasers, and got everything packed in the van. Then it was time to head back home.
Carmelita left to go back to Interpol, where she got a surprised by a commendation (Barkley shakes Carmelita's hand): it seems Rajan had turned up unconscious yesterday, along with several hundred pounds of spice and the materials used to make it. We don't know how he got there, or how Interpol knew it was her, but he's back behind bars. (Picture of Rajan scowling, holding the bars of his prison cell in anger; Carmelita and another cop, a fox like her, stand nearby. While Carmelita is recognizable, the other is new. The two turn to walk away). Dr. Foxworthy, who specializes in criminal rehabilitation, has decided not to set Rajan up with counseling sessions this time, since they clearly didn't take before.
And as for me? I just enjoyed being back.
(Image of Sly, Bentley, and Murray on the couch playing video games).
Sure, there's no doubt there'll be hard times ahead. Something's up, and those postcards from Penelope keep coming. But right now, it's time to take a break, kick back, and maybe go out to a nice dinner.
And while I'm at it, I should take Carmelita on a date.
END OF AREA 1.
Just a short Author's Note: despite my best intentions, I am not finished with area 3 yet. But I can tell you that area 3's heist is already 3,800 words long and will probably be around 5,000 before it's finished. I really hope area 4 is less complicated...