We realized that we had some time to kill before we could go home if we were sticking to the movie story. We hadn't been gone long enough. I didn't think it was a very good idea to go to Dingo for a soda, as Two-Bit suggested, because it was almost certain that someone would see us there, and word might get back to Darry.
Instead Two-Bit pulled into the parking lot of an old abandoned warehouse, turned off the ignition, and stared across the front seat at me.
"OK, I'll bite. What are we doing here?" I asked him
"Who wants to learn how to drive?" He asked.
Ben and I looked at each other. Sometimes Two-Bit surprises even us with his crazy ideas.
"Two-Bit, we're twelve." I was still deciding whether or not he was serious.
"So what?" It's never too early to start learning," he said, mischievously. "We might need you to drive a getaway car for us or something."
"You're serious?" Ben sounded like he might be interested.
"Ben, you can't drive!" I said. "You're not old enough!"
"You see," Two-Bit said, "That's a common misconception people have. Ben's plenty old enough to drive, he's just not old enough to legally drive, on the actual street."
"That's right," Ben said.
"I don't think it's such a good idea," I warned them.
"That's because it's a great idea," Two-Bit said. "Come on Scooter, you're first. Slide over. Two-Bit got out the door and patted the seat, motioning for me to get into the driver's seat.
"No way, Two-Bit," I said. "Forget it."
"She's too scared," Ben teased me.
"I'm not scared, I'm just trying to stay out of trouble," I said.
"Scoot, you might as well learn to let trouble be your friend because it follows you around almost as much as Benjamin here does."
"I know it does," I said. "But trouble and me don't mix quite as well as Ben and me, as far as Darry is concerned. Go ahead, Ben, you drive. I'll just watch." I figured I probably couldn't get in any real trouble for just being there.
Ben got out of the backseat and slid into the drivers seat, and I hopped into the back. Two-Bit took the passenger seat, and handed the keys to Ben.
I put on my seat belt.
"OK, kid," Two-Bit said, "Now the important thing is to get the feel of the car. It's just like with a girl, you gotta be gentle enough to get her to work with you but rough enough that she knows who's boss."
"Two-Bit!" I said, "I sure hope that wasn't the advice you were planning to give me if I was sitting there," Ben actually was blushing a little.
"Nah, I just woulda told you to take it easy on the clutch."
"OK, so turn the key," Two-Bit said. "Remember, left foot's on the clutch, right for gas and brake. Brake's the big one."
Ben turned the ignition and begrudgingly the engine turned over.
"'Kay, kid, I'm releasing the parking brake, so gimme some brake." Ben looked like he was completely concentrating.
"Awright, now here's the tricky part. Two-Bit looked down and made sure Ben's feet were where they should be. Apparently satisfied, he continued.
"OK, now you're gonna let up on the clutch, real easy, at the same time you give her a little gas. Easy…"
For a second nothing happened and then suddenly the car shot forward, bucked a few times and stalled. I'm ashamed to admit, I screamed like a girl.
Two-Bit was consumed with laughter. "Kid," he said, "you treat a girl like that and you'll find yourself a very lonely man. Did you forget about the 'gentle' bit?"
I was glad we were not pointed toward any buildings or anything solid.
"OK, try it again." I figured after that first attempt Two-Bit would regain his senses, but he was game for round two.
"He's gonna wreck your car, you know," I said.
"Nothing Steve and Soda can't handle," Two-Bit said. "It's just the transmission. I'll send the bill over to Ben's mom."
"Let me try again," Ben said. "I'll get it."
What followed were four more failed attempts, with a little more bucking and dramatic car sounds each time. By the last try both Two-Bit and I were both hysterical with laughter, and Ben was getting mad at us.
"Shut up, Scout," he said, "You wouldn't even try it."
"It can't be that hard," I said, "I mean, I know complete morons that can drive a car." Two-Bit had the goofiest laugh ever and it was just making me giggle more, which Ben did not appreciate.
"Fine, then, you do it," he said.
Two-Bit looked at me. "C'mon Scooter. Put your money where your mouth is. Otherwise tough guy up here wins."
I unbuckled my seat belt and got out. Ben stepped out and handed me the keys. I got into the driver's seat and laughed because my feet were about a foot from the pedals. Two-Bit glanced over, and reached down and pulled the seat so far forward that his knees were pinned between the glove compartment and his chest. The steering wheel was practically right against my chest. Two-Bit took stock of the situation and commented:
"Maybe this is what that whole minimum age thing is about… Don't crash us, or my knees are gonna come out the back of my ribcage."
"How can I steer?" I asked.
"Don't worry, we ain't got to the steering part yet," he reassured me. "OK, so now, clutch," he started.
"I know, Two-Bit," I said. "I just heard you tell Ben how to do it five times."
"Well, don't let me stop you then," he said.
I followed his directions, feeling the accelerator catch as I let up gently on the clutch. The car began to roll slowly forward and as it sputtered a little, Two-Bit laughed, excited.
"Gas, girl. A little more gas!" To my amazement, the car was going forward, smooth as silk. I got going a little too fast for my liking, though, and I hit the brakes a little sharp, forgetting about the clutch, and the car sputtered to a stop. We were on a slight incline and as we started to roll backward, Two-Bit reached forward and pulled the parking brake, then looked at me.
"Now that, Benjamin, is how it's done," he said. "Good going, Scout."
"Beginner's luck," he said.
"You were just as much of a beginner as I was," I pointed out. I knew he was mad though, and I didn't feel like rubbing it in. After all, he had helped me out by agreeing to come in the first place.
"I think maybe I'd better drive us home," Two-Bit said. "No offense Scooter, but the steering part does become somewhat necessary in the advanced lessons."
"I understand," I said, as he slid the seat back to a reasonable distance from the dashboard and I climbed over him to the passenger seat.
"Let's get the hell outta here," Two-Bit said cheerfully as he peeled out of the parking lot into the street.
A/N: Just a little bit of fun for Scout, since she has some tough stuff coming up. Plus Two-Bit is so fun to write. As always, thanks for the reviews! I totally appreciate them!