I crouched behind the dumpster in the alley, waiting for my shot.

My target was a new face on the streets. I was getting paid a pretty penny to dispatch them, turning down money was not my style. I followed them for a few days, learning their habits and rituals. Tonight was the night. In about twenty minutes they would pass this alley on their way to the diner. I pulled the pistol from my coat. I removed the clip to make sure the Tokarev was loaded and ready, replacing the clip I leaned against the dumpster.

The plan was simple. Wait for the target to pass, fall in behind them, place the barrel to the back of the skull and pull the trigger. Quickly walk to the next alley and .... presto, job accomplished. Easiest five hundred smackers I could make.

I heard approaching footstep and knew my time had come. Their shadow on the sidewalk told me I but seconds before they pass. I pushed off the dumpster I was leaning against and that is when my night turned sour.

Twenty minutes crouching doesn't seem like much, but when your slightly over weight and close to forty, it does magical things to your body. Like my fucking leg falling asleep. As I tried to stand, my foot decided to go else where. I did not realize there were garbage cans near the dumpster until I fell into them. All three. The noise they made was amazingly loud. I scrambled to get to my feet only to see the target looking down the alley where the sounds came from. In a panic I barked a few times like a dog.

"HEY! Get out of here you mutt!"

The target yelled as they stomped their foot and threw a rock down the alley. I'll be God damned if that stupid rock didn't hit me in the fucking forehead. With one eye closed, rubbing my head, I watched them turn and continue on their way. I quickly, but more carefully got to my feet.

And now my fucking gun is missing.

Knowing I blew my chance and would have to try again another night, I took out my lighter to look for my piece. It was half hidden under the dumpster. As I bent over to grab it, a gruff voice behind me asked,

"What do we have hear?"

With my emotions already high, I may have screamed like a little girl .... may have. In my haste, I didn't notice the cop who came walking down the alley. If he saw the pistol, I would get to spend some quality time behind bars. So as I turned to face the flatfoot, I nudged the pistol further under the dumpster.

"Huh? What? Oh, sorry officer I was ..... umm."

"You was looking for a place to piss, is my guess. Now beat your feet, before I beat your head."

With cuss words behind my teeth, a bruise appearing on my head and smelling of garbage, I straightened my jacket. And with as much dignity as I could muster, hobbled down the alley on a still sleeping leg. The cop stood there watching me as I made my way to the street.

I turned right, opposite of the direction my target went and headed for a little diner I knew of up the block.

As I neared, I realized I still smelled like the trash I fell in. I took my suit coat off and placed it in the garbage can next to the door of the diner. I used the reflection of the window to put my hair into somewhat of a normal manner and check the bruise on my forehead then went inside to find the nearest booth.

As soon as I sat down, a cute waitress came over handing me a menu,

"Good evening sir, my name is ....... OH! My."

As she stood there holding her nose, I did my best not to crawl under the table. I gave her a weak smile as way of an apology. Handing her the menu back and putting two dollars on the table, I muttered,

"Just coffee dear. And .... er .... sorry for my ...."

I was at a lose for words. She was a trooper though. She blushed a bit herself for her outburst, took the menu from me with a small smile and went to bring me my, God I hope, hot coffee.

I sat there going over the night. I'm use to some fuck ups in every job, but this? This was down right asinine. I SHOULD of had someone else with, I SHOULD of ..... I shook my head. No sense crying over spilt milk. Thinking more about it and the outright craziness of it, I suddenly got the giggles.

"Leg asleep ... that damn rock .... WOOF! WOOF!"

Several in the diner looked at me with VERY skeptical eyes as I fell into a gale of maniacal laughter. I quickly got myself under control, sort of, as the waitress came back. As I was drying the tears, I thanked her for the coffee. She set it down as gave me a leveled look,

"Sir, I would appreciate it if you didn't upset the customers. Please."

I had shirts older then her, but the 'almost' schoolmarm look on her face ..... it almost brought back guffaws, I sobered up as quickly as I could, but with a smile still on my face.

"I am sorry miss. I had a unfortunate night. I'll be good."

She stared at me a bit then nodded and walked away. I took a sip of the coffee .... AHHHH .... good and hot. Maybe my night was turning around.