Ernie posed in front of the mirror, admiring his black turtleneck sweater and the black jeans. He brandished the new pistol sideways like he'd seen on TV, issuing tough commands to an imaginary victim. Ernie had phoned in sick, eaten a huge breakfast, then spent the rest of the early morning back in front of the mirror, rehearsing his dialogue and choreographing his moves.

He called Sandra for the room number and a double check on the plan and was so overheated by the time he hung up he needed to strip down and shower again. He was ready. He was ravin' ready.

The train left at noon and the trip was about three hours, so he decided to spend the time at the station scoping out the terrain. Ernie was so into his role. Sandra would be thrilled.

He tucked the pistol into the front of his pants, discovering he couldn't bend without jabbing himself and reluctantly put it in his backpack before heading out the door. He could have used the toy gun but this way there was no chance he could be bluffed, besides, the guy might turn feisty.

Ernie, the big time hood.

ööööö

Sandra called to arrange to leave early from work and since she didn't start until eleven, her boss told her to take the day, so she was enjoying a lay in under her favourite silk sheets when Ernie called. They went over the plan and over the plan until Sandra turned his yammer off with a description of their car ride to their first night away together.

Ernie choked on the phone and began to blather on again about his love, his loyalty, his devotion, and finally rang off when she said she needed all day to prepare for him. Thank god she wouldn't be seeing him again. The idiot hadn't even asked what was in the briefcase she wanted him to steal.

Barry crossed her mind and she had a tiny jab of sorrow, screwing him out of his hard stolen money. She promised out loud to have a good time in his honour. She also wondered how Ted was handling his last day at home and what he was saying to his wife before he left her. Mutual lies, she reckoned.

ööööö

The phone was ringing when Gwen stepped out of the shower and she scooted across the bedroom to answer.

"Hello?"

"Gwen? Barry Stein here." Her breath caught in her throat, and she flashed over all the aspects of the plot that might have twigged him. "Hello? Gwen?"

"Barry, hi. Sorry, you caught me just stepping out of the shower."

"I wish."

"Pardon?"

"I uh- I was wondering if we might get together for a chat, some business I think you might be interested in."

There it was. He must be suspicious about something. But why me? "Business, Barry? I don't understand."

"You will if we can get together, say lunch?"

Lunch was out of the question; she had to be on the road by twelve-thirty at the latest. She glanced at the clock. Nine-ten. Suddenly she recalled Ted's excuse at work and she took a deep breath. "Gee, Barry, I can't today. I have to go out of town, I-"

"That's right. Sorry. Ted did tell me that." There was a pause. "I really need to see you Gwen, could I come over to the house?"

"When!"

"Now. I mean I'd give you to time to finish your shower stuff."

She chewed her finger and tried to think of another excuse but it occurred to her that it might be something she needed to know. Something that might be a warning of trouble with Ted's plan.

"If you really feel it's that important, Barry, I guess it's okay. Ted won't be here you know."

"Exactly. Appreciate this, Gwen. See you soon."

Exactly? What did that mean? She hung up and hurried to do her hair and get dressed.

ööööö

Ted sat in the station waiting room patting the briefcase nervously. He held his future in his lap and the future was only hours away. He shook his head thinking of Barry almost queering the whole scheme and the grief it would have caused Sandra and her crook, not to mention Gwen's ire after warming to the prospect of being filthy rich.

He cringed at the thought of returning to his routine existence. An elderly couple strolled past holding hands, and Ted felt oddly alone as he watched them move gracefully across the room. He reaffirmed his goal by conjuring up an image of Sandra, hundred dollar bills stuck to her breasts, a champagne glass in one hand and him in the other. Soon. Oh, so soon. He closed his eyes and squeezed the briefcase.

ööööö

Ernie sat in the far corner of the terminal, sunglasses and a baseball cap hiding his features. He couldn't believe seeing the guy he was supposed to rob right here in town. Sandra had made him study the photo she had so there would be no confusion when the time came. He stirred excitedly on the bench. What if he took him here? Maybe if the guy went into the washroom? He and Sandra could be on the road nearly the whole day; they'd be miles away by night.

Ernie lifted his glasses and studied the back of Ted's head. Looks pretty fit, he thought. Could be trouble in a public place. He thought about an assault and grab, but he didn't have any way to get away quickly. Stick to the plan, Ernie. Out of town is better, much better.

ööööö

Gwen surprised herself at how much effort she was putting into her makeup, hair and clothing selection. She didn't go to this much trouble for Ted! Not only that, it would all be coming off again as soon as Barry left.

She stared at her face in the mirror and searched for a clue to her behaviour. Admit it, girl, you have accepted a future in the free market. This just might be the practice you need. She bared her teeth and ran her tongue over them, practising various smiles and jerked as the door chimes rang. Barry was here.