(A much edited, cooperatively written post, I'm sure the authors are self-explanatory. To understand Hailey's affinity with watches, please read Chief Weller's post on the previous page, and to understand how Carmen has "Piano Man's" watch, please read
this post from
Blue Moon Masquerade.)
The desert in Southern Tunisia served as a good hiding spot. Few came here, as the roads do not always permit trade. The country was small enough to be ignored by most travelers; and beyond the occasional detouring backpacker, this area was rather quiet (especially with recent political developments).
"
Give me your penknife," Carmen said as Vincent Fumigalli walked with Hailey Weller to the Russian Transport, the only flying machine in the vicinity.
"
My... Ah?" Vic wasn't sure if he heard right, "
but, that's my bottom dollar!"
"
I know," the thief agreed, "
and I'm sorry, but this is a sensitive matter. If they catch you with a weapon, you could be detained longer than necessary."
Vic didn't like the word 'detained', but the way she said it, seemed like it was going to be in his best interest.
"Are you coming with us?" Hailey's eyes shot up to hers almost nervously. VILE's Ringleader returned a placid smile and extended a palm. The six-year-old moved to Carmen, taking hold of her offer, swinging the thief's hand with an anxious rhythm.
"
Vincent," she continued, "
Knife, please."
He hesitated, but Vic fumbled inside his polyester jacket and pulled out a colorful little knife with the words "Viva Las Vegas" on it. Vic liked that mantra. He got the thing from an old friend back in the day when casinos weren't as bright but sure packed people. Not that he was born back then, and the old friend was actually a Costco gas station off the highway that hadn't sold anything other than gas for 60 years, but he'd had that thing in his pocket waiting for action for at least half a decade. How Carmen remembered, he couldn't understand, he'd told her about it only once.
"
Keep Viv safe, would ya?" He decided to name that knife right there.
Removing 'Viv' from its owner, Carmen then lowered herself to the level of Chief Weller's granddaughter and noted, "
I see you have two watches on."
Fumigalli looked at her, perplexed. She used the same tone to talk to the kid as she would an adult, so he at first thought she was talking to him.
"
Guess, she's got a weird thing with watches," Vic answered for the girl, "
saw her picking at them all day."
"
It's not terribly strange," Carmen replied to Vincent but spoke to Hailey, "
I had the same attachment to hats, they made me feel safe."
That made Vic laugh; she said 'had' like she doesn't wear hats anymore, and he could see the little girl felt better too.
"
I have a favor to ask," VILE's leader retrieved a man's watch from her coat and displayed it in front of Hailey, "
Do you remember Piano Man?"
Hailey nodded, obviously enthralled by the timepiece.
"
This belongs to him," Carmen revealed as she secured the newly replaced leather strap of a 1976 Patek Phillipe Nautilus to the girl's wrist. "
I'm sorry if it's a little heavy," she apologized, "but will you take that back to him for me?"
With her eyes still on the watch, Hailey nodded again; her demeanor significantly calmer than before.
"
Thought you gave that back when you were in San Francisco?" Vic questioned quietly as he nudged the little girl towards the plane.
"
It sadly never came up," Carmen rose then waved effortlessly. Hailey did the same.
"
Enjoy your flight," she said her farewell before heading back to the tower. Later today, ACME would arrive to claim back their headquarters; and if everything moved according to plan, the building should be deserted by the time they land.
