Sometimes life is merely a matter of coffee
and whatever intimacy a cup of coffee affords.

                                       
                                                                           ―Richard Brautigan

It wasn't going to be labeled the best-heist-of-the-century, but from the amount of diamonds and gold and jewellery taken from the glass cases, this was bound to make Nene a rich gal. Not that she wasn't already, but ya know... She'd be richer than before. And it was always good to be a better version of your last. This heist took place in The Strip, Las Vegas, during a Tuesday afternoon. Nene was finally out of the store, and she was standing by the black van they arrived in with two of the guys she accompanied to help execute the plan. Their names were Johnny and... Grumpy face. Let's just call him grumpy face. He's never in a good mood, not just when Nene is working with him, but all the damn time. On the other hand, Johnny was actually a very nice and charismatic guy. He had a mellow vibe about him that made Nene feel comfortable. Johnny, the calm one, spoke. "Almost broke my wrist trying to break that lock, but hey we got what we wanted so guess it's all worth it." At this, heist member number two spat out at him in disgust. 

"Yeah, good fucking job Johnny. Don't forget our deal, eh?" Grumpy face smacked the side of his arm hard. He reacted in a way that a normal mate would react, Nene guessed. She stayed quiet and watched the two bicker back and forth. Johnny waved his hands in defence. The guy had been bothering him for ages now about their supposed 'deal', but Johnny was starting to think that the other guy just wanted to spite him in front of company. Johnny was livid, but he kept his cool, not raising his voice. "I know, I know. Chill out, pal. We have a lady in our presence. Can't you see?" Nene shot a raised eyebrow look at Johnny. He couldn't see her expression hidden under the balaclava, so she tilted her head. There was no reason to put up a facade just because she was there, but she imagined that he was probably brought a certain way to make him say that. 

"Whatever man, I'm heading off. Catching the game tonight."

Grumpy face got fed up, shrugged and walked away.

Johnny had gotten word of the baseball match between some of the best baseball players in America, and was pretty excited for that as well. He put a hand in the air and called out to Grumpy face. "Tell me who wins tomorrow." Grumpy face turned around then flipped him off. "Fuck off, man." 

"Welp. Okay. Cya. Have fun."

He was used to the verbal abuse. Johnny knew he was just trolling him. Or could he just be completely delusional and unable to pass good judgement? Probably. He scratched the back of her head, turning to Nene, giving her his full attention now. Nene broke the unattractive and unnerving silence. "You know you don't have to look out for me. I can take care of myself." She appreciated being looked out for, but for small things like that, especially when it wasn't being directed at her, she knew she'd be fine. This seemed to achieve an anxious response from Johnny. "I know, I know. I'm just..." His voice stuttered and he let his hands fall hopelessly. 

"Angsty?" 

Hands that fidgeted way too much at his sides wasn't going to get him anywhere so he quickly uttered the first thought that entered his mind. "Yeah. Coffee?" He said. A brief silence fell between them before Nene looked down at her outfit, then looked back up again with a questionable expression. "Uhh... Right now? I'm still dressed like a bank robber and I have a balaclava over my head.." She pointed to the black material covering her whole face. Johnny laughed. "Oh. I know that. I mean.. Coffee after we change?" Nene nodded in realization, smiling. "Coffee does sound nice. Sure." Who would deny such an offer, especially when told in an awkward and cute manner? She wasn't really into him in the way that a highschool girl would have a crush on the highschool jock, but she was definitely feeling his vibe and wanted to talk to him more. 

"Great. Well, I can change pretty quick so I'll be back. Going to use the bathroom in the cafe here." Johnny pointed behind him with his thumb. 

"Next to the jewellery store we robbed?"

"Hah, yeah."

Nene smiled. "Love that. I'll meet you out here. Changing in the car." Johnny clicked his tongue and threw her a wink. He was glad to sacrifice the car for the dirty, stinky, public bathrooms. "Thank goodness for tinted windows, eh?" She nodded in agreement ."You got that right." Her clothes were already inside waiting for her so she went away, got changed and began to wonder how longer he would be in there for. It wasn't long before he came out, dressed in a nice casual outfit of jeans and a white top. Back to blending in with the civilians. Nene was wearing a yellow summer dress and brown flats. "Nene, you alright there? I'm heading in." Johnny tapped his knuckles against her window on the passenger side. Nene rolled the windows down and smiled. "I'm not naked. Come in." With that being said, he hopped in and fired up the engine. Nene wanted to be playful with him so she quickly straightened her posture and sat like she was at a fancy tea party. She couldn't help but giggle as she turned to him. 

"Where shall we go, m'lady?" He steered the wheel and let the vehicle go forward onto the road and out of the parking lot they were in. "The Desert Bean? Favourite place to go to for coffee." He had heard about the place from a friend, but hadn't thought about going - until now, that is. Johnny couldn't help but smile that his first time would be with Nene. "Now that... sounds like a good plan. Maybe you can tell me about your goals and experiences over a plate of waffles and coffee?" 

"..." 

Nene froze in her place, holding her seatbelt in mid-air, was just about to secure it. 

"Are you okay?" There was worry in his voice as he looked at her with furrowed eyebrows. When she didn't answer, his worry only heightened. He gripped the steering wheel tighter, being careful not to crash at the same time. "Nene." He said. Turns out it wasn't even that bad and he was overreacting. Goober. 

"That's what I ordered last time. Have we met before?" 

"In another life, maybe?"

"Agreed. Guess we have more in common than I thought." Nene smiled cheerfully, finally securing her seatbelt in place. "It's a great start to the afternoon." He continued to drive along the road, occasionally interrupting their conversation for directions. Nene was happy to assist. "And a great conversation starter!" She replied. 

He nodded as he focused on the road ahead of him. "That too." Things were beginning to be a lot less quieter in the car, but luckily they were getting very close to the cafe so Nene leaned back her head and went into peaceful mode. She spoke up again though because she can't keep her loud mouth from asking questions. "So, uh... Have you been in -this- life for long?" Johnny thought for a moment. He was numb to the past. He didn't mind talking abut it if Nene was interested enough. 

"If I could go back in time and change the direction of my life, I would. But shit happens. So here we are." 

Nene frowned. "You regret it?"

He finally saw the store sign down the road and began to check his head mirror for any cars behind him, so he could stop and signal to park next to the curb. "Oh, no no, of course not. If it wasn't for the things that I went through, I wouldn't be the man I am today." He turned off the engine finally, impressed that it was such a short distance from the jewellery store they had quite literally robbed thousands of dollars from. As they were heading out of the car, Nene said to him on the way to the shop entrance, "you just wish things had gone differently?" Her voice was quiet, almost like a whisper.

"Took the words right out of my mouth."

Or an empty void of darkness.