That late Sunset in 2017

00 | tango

2017 ¦ 11:00 PST
Pasig City

I climb into my pickup truck, its bronze coat gleaming in the midday sun. I slide out my Android smartphone and dial a special number for today.

"What's up, homie?" I ask in sincere.

"Good and bad news," comes the reply through my phone's speaker.

"Bad news first."

[phone] "Let's welcome our newbie in our coin circle. I'll surprise you later."

"Then the good news?"

[phone] "Tango is now at the high-rise condo building near the target location. Drone confirms it. We have a visual on the target area. We need to intercept that shit before he blows some head."

"Sending you ETA. Standby."

[phone] "Don't forget your gift, homie."

"Solid copy. I'm Oscar Mike. Out."

[phone] "Out."

I end the call and clip the smartphone back into its holder. Inserting the key into the ignition, I press the brake pedal and start the engine. The pickup truck hums to life, the engine's purr turning into a steady rev. I release the handbrake and shift the gear from park to reverse, smoothly backing my truck out of its spot.

[Build up your confidence
So you can be on top for once
Wake up! Who cares about
Little boys that talk too much?]

As I switch to neutral, I open the Waze navigation app and set my destination to Callverse 'Kalesa' Hub in Ermita. The upbeat tune of "To Be With You" by Mr. Big plays on the FM radio, but my vibing is interrupted by a road rage between a feisty jeepney and car driver.

Mga timang talaga.

The crowd in that area chooses to cheer—or even participate—in this pointless fistfight, instead of trying to stop the feud. It's so frustrating that I almost leave my vehicle to reach the bewildered traffic enforcer, who's attempting to separate these two bullshits but is being pulled off the road by the mob.

Just 4 minutes after I phone 911, a team of traffic enforcers and a handful of highway patrol police officers jointly extinguish this pointless rumble, arresting almost 14 dumbasses, including the two drivers. This restores order right away, reducing my estimated time of arrival by almost 28 minutes.

Inside the closed executive room, an African American ex-US Marine Colonel examines a rifle and a sword, both wrapped in plastic. The air is thick with curiosity and tension.

"Those things are rare, huh? How come you get this?" His voice is a mix of awe and suspicion. I lean back with a playful smirk on my lips. "I'll tell you soon, Colonel."

"Nah! Spill it now, homie." He demands in firm but in merriment. "Have you robbed it from an army museum? Gendaito swords like this are hard to find these days."

"I see, though it's still around in the market."

"Have you bought this from Amazon? Alibaba? From Japan?"

"Nope. Could be black market." I keep my tease, leaving him scratching his nose. "Not bad, eh? How about this musket? Can spit some stone?"

"Can fire some rounds just like M1 Garand of your grandpa."

"Uh huh?" He bounces back his gaze to the rifle, tracing his fingers in its contours. I peek at my laptop on his desk; there's a shift in movement. "Look here. Tango is moving."

He glances at my screen while still cherishing his gun. "I see. Keep tracking, he might setup his toy."

Got an eye for him! Seems the low-profile suspect is gonna spot for the right angle. I brief the Colonel. "Toy confirmed. M107A1 Suppressed. Tell Sergeant Sean to adjust his drone behind the Tango. We might be doomed."