Underworld Ties

Misson Mayhem

The sun dipped below the horizon as Bobby and the gang prepared for their mission at the docks. A thick fog rolled in, giving the night an ominous feel. Bobby was trying to focus, but all he could hear was Ricky's nervous breathing right behind him. It was like having a hyperactive dog at his heels, and it was driving him crazy.

"Ricky, for the last time, can you breathe quieter?" Bobby snapped, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm trying to scope out the area without drawing attention!"

"I can't help it, man! I'm just excited!" Ricky replied, his voice a mix of eagerness and panic. "Also, I'm a little nervous about this whole gun thing."

Bobby turned to face him, trying to keep his composure. "Nervous? You're the one with the gun! Just hold it like I showed you! Not like you're trying to gently cradle a baby bird!"

Ricky adjusted his grip on the weapon, which was still pointed way too high, making Bobby's heart race. "I'm holding it like this because I want to be ready!" Ricky insisted, puffing out his chest in a misguided attempt to look tough.

"Ready for what? A fashion show? Seriously, if you keep it up like that, you're going to shoot the moon!" Bobby exclaimed, shaking his head in exasperation. "We're here to do a job, not to star in a bad action movie!"

As they approached the loading area, Bobby tried to survey the scene. There were a few dock workers milling around, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He squinted into the dim light, searching for any signs of the shipment. "Okay, Ricky, keep it cool. Just follow my lead."

Ricky nodded, but Bobby could see the excitement bubbling up in him. "You think they'll have those fancy laptops? I've been wanting one for gaming!"

Bobby rolled his eyes. "This isn't a Best Buy, Ricky! Focus!"

Just then, the thud of footsteps echoed in the distance, and Bobby's heart raced. "Alright, stay low and quiet," he whispered. He crouched down, trying to blend into the shadows, when suddenly—

*BANG!*

A loud shot rang out, and Bobby whipped around to see Ricky had accidentally fired his gun. The bullet ricocheted off a nearby metal container, causing a chain reaction of noise that echoed through the docks.

"Ricky! What did you just do?" Bobby yelled, panic surging through him.

"I—uh—I thought I saw something!" Ricky stammered, his eyes wide with shock. "Like, a rat or something! You know they can be dangerous!"

Bobby put his face in his hands. "You shot a bullet because you thought you saw a rat? What are we, a cartoon?"

Before Ricky could respond, a floodlight suddenly turned on, illuminating the area. "Hey! What's going on over there?" a voice shouted, and Bobby felt the weight of impending doom settle on his shoulders.

"Run!" Bobby shouted, grabbing Ricky's arm and dragging him along as they sprinted toward the nearest exit. But it was too late; they were surrounded by a couple of uniformed officers who had just arrived on the scene.

"Freeze! Police!" one officer barked, pointing a flashlight directly at them.

Bobby raised his hands, trying to appear innocent despite the chaos. "Uh, we were just—"

"Save it! You're under arrest!" the officer interrupted, stepping closer. "And you! Why were you aiming that gun like you were playing Duck Hunt?"

Ricky's face turned crimson. "I was just trying to protect us! From the rat!"

"Right, because that's a real-life threat," Bobby muttered sarcastically as they were cuffed and led away.

---

**Interrogation Room: A Scene from the Movies**

The next thing Bobby knew, he was sitting in a dimly lit interrogation room, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. Across from him sat a grizzled detective, scribbling notes on a notepad as he eyed Bobby warily.

"Name?" the detective asked, his voice gravelly.

"Bobby Mercer," Bobby replied, trying to keep his cool. "And I was just trying to help my buddy here with a little... err, community outreach."

"Community outreach?" the detective raised an eyebrow. "With a gun? Sounds like a real charitable endeavor."

"Listen, it's not what it looks like!" Bobby insisted. "We were just trying to intercept a shipment. I know it sounds crazy, but Ricky here—"

"Yeah, Ricky. The guy who thinks he's in a video game?" The detective leaned back, crossing his arms. "You know, if you're gonna commit a crime, at least pick someone who knows how to handle a firearm."

Bobby sighed deeply. "Believe me, I'm learning that the hard way. I mean, who shoots a rat and causes a police incident? It's like he's living in a sitcom!"

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Ricky stumbled in, looking like he had just run a marathon. "Bobby! I'm so glad you're okay!" he exclaimed, before turning to the detective. "I didn't mean to cause all that ruckus! I thought I was being brave!"

The detective rolled his eyes. "Brave? You mean reckless. Do you know how many officers we had to divert because of your little 'rat' incident?"

Ricky scratched his head, looking genuinely confused. "I thought it was a big deal! I mean, rats can carry diseases, right?"

Bobby couldn't help but laugh despite the situation. "Ricky, you're supposed to carry a gun, not a biology lesson!"

The detective shook his head, clearly exasperated. "Alright, let's get back to the matter at hand. What were you two doing at the docks?"

Bobby leaned forward, trying to sound serious. "We were... um, let's say 'recycling' some electronics. You know, helping the community reuse what's been discarded."

"Recycling? Is that the new term for stealing?" the detective asked, unimpressed.

Before Bobby could respond, Ricky jumped in. "Yeah! We were recycling! Like those eco-friendly guys! Just with a little more... excitement!"

The detective pinched the bridge of his nose. "You two are a terrible duo. Look, I'm going to give you both a chance. You can walk out of here with a warning, but if I ever see you at the docks again—"

"We'll be good! I promise!" Bobby interrupted, eager to get out of this mess. "Just say the word, and I'll make sure Ricky learns how to hold a gun properly!"

"Or not hold one at all!" Ricky added, nodding vigorously.

The detective sighed, realizing he was dealing with a pair of amateurs. "Just get out of my sight before I change my mind. And for the love of God, stay away from the docks!"

As they left the interrogation room, Bobby turned to Ricky, shaking his head in disbelief. "You know, I could have handled this mission alone."

Ricky grinned sheepishly. "But then who would have made it funny?"

Bobby chuckled despite himself. "Well, you definitely succeeded in that department. Just don't bring a gun next time, okay? Stick to what you know—like making bad jokes and running away from imaginary rats."

As they walked out of the station, Bobby felt a mix of relief and amusement. Perhaps this wasn't the last time he would see the gang, but he was definitely going to make sure Ricky stayed far away from any firearms in the future