Last Airship To Mars!

…a thrilling tale!

The Doclopedia #2,346

A California Kid & Spider Story: The Junkyard Job: Part 5

The California Kid had wandered into his bedroom and fallen asleep around midnight. When the phone rang at 7:00 AM, he knew it was Spider.

“I know, I know. Breakfast at Katie’s at 8:30. You pay this time.”

Spider laughed. “Yeah, I’ll pick up the tab. I’m bringing along some info about the warehouse job next month. See you at 8:30”

The Kid hung up the phone and walked into the bathroom. He was not really a morning person, but he and Spider had things to discuss and he always enjoyed a good breakfast. As he stepped into the extra large shower and let the hot water drench him, his thoughts went to June, when the crew would end their contracts and go their separate ways. He had very important things to do, people to see, and places to go over the summer. All toward his long term goal of revenge on an old enemy, to be sure, but he was not so consumed with revenge that he wouldn’t have some fun while traveling. There were places to dine, things to see, and, of course, women. Several women.

Thoughts of women brought along thoughts of The Woman, but he banished them. Not as easily as he once had, but he managed. She was past history now, and thinking of her was illogical. And still quite painful.

The Kid walked into Katie’s, an old school diner on the north side of town, at exactly 8:30. Spider way already drinking coffee and lounging in their usual booth in the back. As the Kid sat down, Kristie, their usual waitress walked up with a pot of black tea and a jar of honey, his standard drink at breakfast. She greeted him pleasantly and then headed off to get their food, never bothering to ask what they wanted. They always ate the same thing. Ham, bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and toast for Spider. The Kid would be having three eggs sunny side up, biscuits and sausage gravy, bacon, hash browns, a double order of toast, and a big glass of milk. The Kid always ate a lot, yet never seemed to gain any weight.

Spider handed him a sheet of paper with a drawing of the warehouse they planned to hit as the last job of this school year.

“Hmm, that creek behind the place is wider than I thought. I assume you’ve come up with a way across that will aid in our limited time frame?”

“Yep. Turn the paper over.”

On the other side, there was a diagram of a device that should indeed greatly speed up getting across the creek. It was, as most of Spider’s ideas were, inspired and innovative.

“The Twins will love this. No doubt you’ve considered how something like this might sell to both legit and otherwise businesses.”

Spider nodded as Kristie slid a couple of plates full of food in front of them.

“The thought did cross my mind. Have you discussed this job with the Professor?”

The Kid nodded after taking a bite of gravy covered biscuit. For the next few minutes, they ate in silence. Then, the Kid broached a tricky subject.

“So, after we get done with this season, are you going to be spending the summer with Trix?” He felt very sure of what the answer would be.

Spider sighed. “Hell, I don’t know. I mean, we do like each other, and Bonnie is just great and, well, maybe. I mean, there’s a lot up in the air, what with us taking care of our mutual foe, and there still being a whole year or more of jobs to do. That’s a lot of time away. I know Trix would understand, but…I don’t know.”

Putting down his knife and fork, the Kid looked straight at Spider and said, “Future jobs will keep you away far less than a 9 to 5 would. As for our endgame scenario, if my information is good, then my plan for dealing with Moriarty…”

Spider winced at the Kid’s name for the son of a bitch who had betrayed them years ago.

“…will only require that you personally be there for the very end, an end that is at least 18 months away. Besides, you and Trix are an excellent team in more than just our line of work. You compliment each other. Establishing a stronger relationship is only…”

“Don’t say it, Spock!” Spider playfully threw his napkin at the Kid. “I know, I know. Yeah, maybe I’ll let her give me a chance.”

He refrained from adding anything related to his friend’s own reluctance to commit to a relationship.

The Kid nodded. In the back of his mind, a little voice said, “Remember this conversation when the Redheaded League questions you on similar topics.” He hated that little voice. Time to change the subject.

“So, as I stated, I’ll have much more to tell you, and a much clearer plan, by the time I return in late August. If everything works out, we will have our revenge and then we can both go straight. But for now, let’s finish eating and then drive out to see Pie.”

Spider was pretty dubious that the Kid would ever really go straight, but that was a discussion for much later. Years later, at least. For now, he signaled Kristie for more coffee and tea, then began liberally applying strawberry preserves to a slice of toast.