CONVERSATION

"I am not stupid, Mr. Hart. Before me lay a million dollars. Yes I know it's a lot of money but I am doing this because I know I am good. True, I have never assassinated anyone before but that does not put me aside. I know I can do this job; my background and experience can prove that and..."

"Don't bore me with your background experiences. I've heard the stories many, many times before. Okay, I'll admit that I am not too sure about this. You're in a position, Mr. Long, where your actions will, if everything goes according to plan, alter the economic structure of this planet."

"I'm fully aware of that. For God's sake calm down, nothing can go wrong. I'm not even as nervous as I thought I would be. You've made all the arrangements, my rifle is loaded, security has been checked..."

"I know what I've done. Everything's just peachy so far, but my job is done. Yours is about to start. If it were up to me, I wouldn't have chosen you for this job. I like things done right and for assassinating the president of the United States I would have picked someone with a little more guts. Nevertheless, the decision was not mine, so I have you. I almost feel compelled to do this one myself, but I have been through this twice before. I don't have to pull the trigger myself this time but I don't like it any better."

"Wrong, Mister Hart. You have done this three times before."

"What?"

"Not twice. You've assassinated three times."

"What are you talking about?"

"There was Ellis in ninety-five and in ninety-six you shot Premton."

"How did you know about that? Who told you?"

"And in ninety-four you shot Foss."

"Now wait a minute, I'll admit to Ellis and Premton, but Foss was not mine. That wasn't me. You sit there with your blue eyes and blonde hair and that inexperienced smirk on your face. To hell with you! Let me tell you one thing, little boy - you had better get this one right."

"You can say what you want, but I know you shot Foss. In fact, you were hired by the same man who is paying us now. I remember the incident clearly. Nice cover-up work in the media."

"Don't toy with me, Mr. Long. Perhaps there is more to you than I think but that will be determined soon enough. Let's stop this idle chit chat and get down to business."

"No more discussion is necessary. I know you don't need it and just because you are older and even look more experienced, that doesn't mean that I don't know what I'm doing. I know bringing the money here with us in the car was risky but I want to make absolutely sure I will get paid for this. I also want to make sure I reach South America before nightfall."

"You will, if you succeed."

"I will."

"We'll see. I don't know which of our jobs is easier. I made all the arrangements. I've spent months making everything perfect to assure success, when all you had to do was to wake up this morning, pack, then come here and shoot the guy. Now listen; after the assassination is complete, get out here to the car as fast as you can. There are no police near this hotel so make it quick. Don't worry about tipping the bellboys or anything like that, as normal as that may seem."

"Don't be absurd."

"I'm not, just cautious. When you reach the car we will drive ten miles down the road, switch cars then drive to the airport. From there, you go to South America and I fly to Cuba. Oh sweet Havana, I can hardly wait! Oh, of course, we each grab our share beforehand."

"Obviously. Now, are you sure the flight is ready to go?"

"Everything has been taken care of. The president will be in view in about an hour so you should get ready now. I know you don't like me, and you know I don't like you, but let's get this behind us then go our separate ways."

"You know Mr. Hart, I've been thinking. I don't think I want to shoot the president after all."

"What did you say?"

"I'd just like to go to South America instead and skip all this mess."

"What? Are you mad? You can't be serious!"

"I am."

"After all that has been done? After all that is riding on this? All you have to do is go into that room, stick your rifle out the window and shoot him dead! You can't change your mind. Nothing is in your way of one million dollars and South America!"

"Ah, but that is where you are wrong, Mr. Hart. There is something in my way."

"And what is that?"

"You."

Mr. Long promptly pulled out a .38 Special and shot Mr. Hart between the eyes.

THE END

To Stories by Max contents