Tip Rats

Part 14 - Aftermath

The sky along the horizon was the colour of a sunburnt thigh as Ned paddled through Shark Alley to the point. The sting was out of the sun and a light breeze had picked up, quickly drying any exposed skin and causing it to goosebump. Ned ducked below a wave and bobbed up beside Andy who was facing the oncoming swell.

'So how did they find out?' Ned asked, sitting himself up on his board.

'Facebook'.

'Dead set?'

'Yep' replied Andy, 'someone chucked some photos on there and some incriminating comments were made and now boom, he's fucked'.

'Have you seen him?'

'Nah, he's coming over tomorrow night if you're keen to witness his breakdown.'

'Yeah, I might' Ned replied. Andy swivelled his board around and paddled onto a wave, disappearing down the face for a second before the tail of his board flashed across the lip and sent a rooster-tail of water into the air. Ned sat low in the water to keep the wind at bay and scanned the horizon for the next set of waves.

*

'Give us a lift down the chicken shop' Shane bellowed as Ned crossed in front of the TV spinning his car keys on his finger on his way to the front door.

'I'm only going as far as the beach' Ned responded as he continued out to the entryway.

Shane sat up abruptly from his deep recline on the sofa, 'come on, I'll pay ya'.

'What, in biscuits and titty mags? I'll be alright'.

'Nah, money', Shane insisted.

Ned's hand hovered above the front door handle as he considered the offer, 'show me'.

Shane reached around his girth and plucked out a Velcro wallet from which he produced a five-dollar note.

Ned's eyes narrowed as he looked at the money, 'righto' he replied and pushed open the door. Shane rocked himself out of his sinkhole and waddled out in tow.

'Got a hot date with the chicken princess?' asked Ned as Shane swung into the passenger seat, his weight shifting the needle on the fuel gauge. Shane ignored Ned's question as the car lumbered down Scarborough Street at a rakish angle.

'Since when do you have cash to throw around?' asked Ned, continuing with his questioning.

'I've had a few wins at the greyhounds' replied Shane, fiddling with the radio tuner, 'Mel's dad's been giving me some hot tips'.

'Just keeps getting better eh?' said Ned, steering the car past the bus stop and toward the main road. The Pintara putted up the main road, its passenger side noticeably closer to the bitumen, until it came to rest opposite the Bundleton Charcoal Chicken shop.

'We're here now, you can stop fiddling with that'.

Shane pulled his hand away from the radio and looked out through the driver-side window. Confirming that they had indeed arrived he flicked the fiver into Ned's lap and opened the door. 'If you want a lift back it'll be another five'.

'I'll be alright', replied Shane heaving himself out of the car before slamming shut the door and following the scent of rotisserie chicken across the street. Ned stuffed the money into the ashtray and continued on up to the headland and along the beachfront to Andy's house.

*

Ned strolled into the lounge room where Chris and Andy were watching a day- night cricket match on the TV and gave them a nod 'fellas'.

Andy and Chris both nodded in return and turned back to the cricket.

'How's the game going?' Ned enquired.

'We're giving India a hiding' answered Chris, sitting up on the couch to make room for Ned. On the coffee table in front of the couch Ned noticed some loose sheets of A4 and leaned forward to take a look. Ned flicked through the sheets which were printouts of hotel and flight prices and travel information for California, Nevada and Mexico.

'You're getting serious about this trip mate, doing some research ...' said Ned as he browsed the paragraphs.

'Yeah mate, gotta be prepared' affirmed Andy, wincing mutely in response to a body blow in the cricket, 'Chrisso's coming now too'.

Ned glanced up at Chris who was sitting in an armchair on the other side of the room. Chris was confirming Andy's statement with a slow, deliberate nod, eyes still glued to the TV.

'Oh...cool' said Ned, somewhat surprised. 'When did you decide this?'

'Today' answered Chris glumly.

'Have you heard anything about work?' Ned asked Chris, wary that he was probably not in the mood for discussion.

'I'm on paid leave at the moment while they investigate it' replied Chris 'but once they get my blood results from the hospital they'll give me the flick'.

'What did you have?' Ned asked.

'A couple of lines of coke...like four'.

'Where'd you get that from?'

'One of those posh tarts dressed as Harry Potter' replied Chris, who was looking down at his lap, transporting himself back to the night in question. Ned flashed a puzzled look at Andy whose wide eyes and pursed lips communicated that he had nothing helpful to add to the exchange.

'Well.... At least you've gotten a paid holiday out of it' said Ned, aware that this was a rather risky avenue to steer the discussion down given Chris's volatile temperament.

'Yeah' Chris replied in a sad laugh, the kind only emitted by those who have begun to accept their residency at rock-bottom.