Instant Connection

29

Sid and Johnny sit at the bar. Johnny watches one of the dancers disappear into the back.

"Hey, let me ask you a question, man. How is Carlito not the last person on Earth you want to see right now? Now, he already got me. What does he need a dirty cop for?" Johnny asks, taking a sip of his beer.

"My deal with Carlito is done. I've already executed my end."

"Yeah, you mean killing his pops, right?"

"You and your little 21 Jump Street buddies stole a lot of my money. Carlos Senior probably would've let me work it off, but I don't have ten more years of good luck in me."

"And I'm betting Carlito probably told you he'd pay you all in one lump sum, huh?" Johnny guesses.

"You're a genius." Sid says sarcastically.

"I'll give you one thing, Sid, man, you... you're a hell of an optimist, bro. 'Cause if this shit was me, and I was doin' the numbers in my head, think I'd realize giving you a bullet to the head's a lot cheaper than giving you a payday, but that's just me."

Sid doesn't respond, and Johnny downs the rest of his beer before grabbing Sid's watch to check the time. He tells Sid it's about time and stands up and walks away from the bar.

"If Carlito wanted me dead, he would've had you do it up north." Sid says, following him.

"Yeah, maybe, but I ain't a killer." Johnny explains, exiting out the back of the building.

"You know, there's no reason for me to buy any of your concerns." Sid says.

Johnny faces him, "I don't give a shit about you buying my concern, man." he turns back and faces the metal screen door that closes off the alley, "I'm not saying this 'cause I care about you. I'm saying it 'cause... I need to make a deal. You help me and Lucia, I'll help you get your money."

"Wow, must be a special bit of Mexican cooch."

Johnny shoves Sid, and Sid shoves him back.

"Easy, tough guy." Sid says.

A large black SUV pulls up into the dirt parking lot, and Johnny tells Sid, "That's him. You know who that is, man? That's Flaco. He don't deliver money."

Sid looks out, "Well, maybe Flaco's taking on some new responsibilities." He places his hands on the metal door and Johnny is quick to handcuff him to the door, "Uncuff me, bro."

"I can't, brother. I can't." Johnny says, stepping back.

"Uncuff me right now." Sid pulls out his gun and points it at Johnny, "I let you live long enough, man."

"No, no, look, look, go with me on this, man. Maybe he's got money for you, maybe he's got a bullet, okay, but if you go in there and get yourself shot up I got nothing else. I'm trying to protect you. You're all I got, man." Johnny says, before heading back inside.

He scans for Flaco, seeing him walk in a briefcase and a gun in hand. Johnny acts friendly, before quickly tackling the man and punching him until he falls unconscious. He grabs the briefcase and gun, throwing the case in the dancer's backroom. Then, he fires two shots into the ceiling, sending the dancer's and customers fleeing. He heads back out to the alley, where Sid is quick to fire a shot, as Johnny announces himself, telling Sid that Flaco didn't have the money. Sid is quick to believe him and instructs Johnny to uncuff him.

The two head back inside and Johnny cuffs Flaco, and tells Sid that the only way to get his money is with him. He explains he is going down there to get Lucia and if Sid assists him, then Johnny will get him his money. Sid is quick to accept the offer, and the two head out in Flaco's ride. Meanwhile, in the dressing room the dancers were having their own celebration, grabbing cash from a briefcase that some guy had thrown in the room.