~*PREVIOUSLY*~

The ride to the impound was silent except for the brief conversation when they first got into the cab. As soon as the car was stopped both women exited as if the car were on fire. Alice sighed deeply and shot a glance at Bette who shoved her, making her fall against an old coke machine.

“Oh!!! That is IT!” screamed Alice as she shoved Bette back.

The two just stood there staring each other down with fists clenched.

********************************

A burly mechanic came over and stood beside the two steaming women “Can I help ya’ll with something.” Wiping his hands on a grease soaked rag.

Both women snapped their attention towards the man. “I need my car. NOW!” Bette answered through clenched teeth.

The writer looked the man over “Don’t you even think of sitting your greasy ass in my car. Just give me the keys, tell me where it is at, and I will be kind enough to ‘fetch’ it myself.” Resting her hand on her hip.

“Geez, come with me.” Turning on his heel he walked towards the field office mumbling something incoherently under his breath.

“Did you say something?” Bette asked tip toeing through the ‘yard’

“Nope, nothing t’all” turning to face the two women with a smirk plastered on his face. “Jest give him yer information.” Nodding towards the equally filthy man behind the desk.

Bette and Alice moved a little closer to each other when the man begin looking them up and down. “So what are two pretty women such as yourselves doing here?”

“We just want our cars.” Bette said speaking for both of them, feeling uneasy under his gaze

“Your names, and makes.” Staring ruthlessly at the pair

“Bette Porter, 95 Volvo, silver.”

“Alice Pieszecki, 96 Celica, blue. And will you get your eyes off of my girlfriend.” Elbowing Bette to play along.

Bette plastered a smirk on her face and laced her fingers with Alice’s squeezing her hand hard. “Yep, together.”

Alice cringed at the pressure being applied to her hand and returned the gesture forcing herself to smile. “So, how about those keys pal? I’m already late for my appointment at the firing range and I’m getting tired of packing this heat around.”

The mans smile quickly left his face at the mention of ‘firing range and heat’ he shuffled quickly through the paperwork on his desk to retrieve the two sets of keys. “Here you go. A-4. You ladies have a nice day.” Grinning nervously

“Thank you so much, Sir” Alice said releasing her hold from Bette’s hand and grabbing the keys. The pair quickly pushed through the door, back outside away from that freak. The whole way Alice had her hand on the small of her back pretending she had a gun.

“This is so disgusting and freaky.” Bette said stepping over mud holes and looking around hoping that nothing would jump out and attack them.

Alice walked slowly beside Bette keeping her eyes and ears alert for any sign of attack “Yeah It is pretty bad, even for me.”

“I’m so getting a drink after this is all over.” Looking up and seeing the sign that read A-4

“I’m down with that.” Alice said smirking and handing Bette her keys “We totally got off on the wrong foot, how about we go for drinks since I missed a VERY important meeting that could end my career and at least interview you about your ‘exhibit’ so I have something to take with me tomorrow.”

“I was thinking I never wanted to see you again or I would rip your face off but I guess, some publicity for the CAC would be a good thing. Seeing as how today was pretty shitty” Pressing the unlock button and standing with the door open

“Alrighty then, it’s a date. Follow me.” Getting in her car in a hurry

“It is so not a date and you know what happened the last time I followed you!” screaming at the car as it fishtailed out of it’s parking spot.

“What am I getting myself into?” Bette asked herself, buckling her seatbelt and following the tire tracks out of the impoundment.

TBC