Close Call

"You're 20 minutes late, what were you doing!" Mr. White scolded me.

"I told you I had company. Forget about that, what did you want to talk about." I changed the subject before I got another lecture.

He looked like he wanted to say something but bit his tongue.

"What I wanted to talk about was what do we do about him?"

"Him?"

"Gustavo Fring." He said looking seriously.

"Who's Gustavo Fring?" I asked with a blank face.

"The guy who we met today..[He looked both ways to check if any one was looking]..the distributor! I looked him up. He's the owner of that restaurant."

"Oh him, what about him? He's gonna call me, I'll hand him the goods and we'll get paid stacks of fat bills. What is there to think about?"

"Oh I don't know? What about the fact that Gus knows my name! He knew yours too if you forgot that."

"So?"

"So?...so he could have us....[He looked around the park again]...he could have us killed."

"and what would he get by doing that?"

"Take out competition! He might think we pose a risk to him...I don't know, a million different things-"

"Mr. White, if he wanted to get rid of us, he could have done it in the desert. You know the place where they bury bodies!"

"Jesse this guy might-"

"He won't do a goddamn thing. In a few days like I said he'll call me, he'll give us the agreed two million and we'll part ways."

"What if he doesn't?" Mr. White had that crazy look on his face, better stop this before he spirals out.

"Then I'll personally steal another barrel of Methylamine and we'll start cooking again." My conviction must have appeared unnatural to him. He definitely looked conflicted.

Too bad it was bullshit. If Gus Fring decided to essentially rob us then I would start looking for a Job in McDonalds. I said I would steal another barrel but that was only to appease Mr. White. I was done with the criminal life; I don't want to dip my feet in those waters ever again.

Of course, that was the worst-case scenario. The most likely outcome would be that everything goes smoothly, and I exit the business with a million dollars in cash.

My meta knowledge gives me incredible insight into the kind of people that I was dealing with. Gus wouldn't steal from us, I knew that in my very bones. But of course Mr. White didn't know that, all Mr. White knew was that a shady lawyer recommended him to me. If I were in his shoes I would doubt myself too.

"How can you be so sure?" Mr. White asked me,

"Did you see all the precautions they took to meet us? They were way too careful than some meth head like Tuco. These guys are the big leagues. Once they sell all of our crystal, they'll be begging for us to come work for them. Our....No, your product is that good."

He was slowly digesting what I was saying to him, he looked into the distance.

"And then?" He asked, not looking at me.

"What's that?"

"And then what?"

"Oh.....and then we walk away with a million dollars richer. Once we get our share. It's goodbye."

He stayed quiet for some time.

"I'm in remission Jesse. The tumor shrunk by 80%"

I pretended to be surprised by this information.

"Oh wow that's insane Mr. White. Congratulations-"

"I need more money Jesse. My medical bills are going to only increase."

"What do you mean? You're getting a million dollars....Mr. White, didn't you once tell me all your family needed was $737,000. In a few days you'll have a million dollars in cash! That's like 300K more than you need. I don't understand why-"

"It's different now, Jesse."

"But why?"

"It just is. If I live, then that just changes things."

The ultimate problem. The main reason why I couldn't stick around this man, he really was a ticking time bomb. He could have all the money in the world and he still wouldn't stop. It was never about the money for him. All he craved was power and recognition. He would destroy everything and everyone around him to get that high.

"Well, I guess good luck to you, Mr. White. I'm sure this 'Gus Fring' will gladly hire you as his cook. Pay you in the millions even but I don't want any part in that. After I get my money, I'm retiring."

He didn't say anything after that. I took that as my cue to leave.

"It's getting late, I should head back home."

As I started walking, I heard him say,

"We'll talk later."

I didn't respond.

________________________________________________________________________

After the eventful meeting with Mr. White, I went straight back home. Jane was cooking dinner for us. Man, was I really glad that she was my girlfriend.

"Whatcha doin?" I asked cheekily.

"What do you think, smart ass? I'm cooking dinner. I make a killer Chicken lasagna."

"Hmm, is that right?" I went near the pan, stuck my finger in it and tasted the sauce.

"Well..." She looked anxiously.

"It's really good!"

"Of course it's good. It's my mom's recipe!" She threw a towel, which hit my face right on the mark.

"Yo you did not just throw a dirty towel at my face."

"Well that's it!" I threw it back at her. She actually anticipated it and caught the damn thing mid-air.

"My turn." She said with a huge grin.

________________________________________________________________________

I woke up in my bed, Jane was sleeping quietly next to me. I was tempted to touch her but I didn't want to wake her up so I got up.

Man this seems to be a recurring problem now.

The time was eight in the morning. I should probably make some coffee-

My phone buzzed.

TING!

I checked my phone and the message read, "Pollos"

"Holy shit...it's going down." I said to myself.

I went to my cupboard and grabbed the giant duffle bag I bought for this occasion. Then I went straight to the sink. That's where I stashed the goods. One by one I started filling up the bag to the brim.

59 pounds of pure crystal meth was in the bag. I counted the tags once more just in case. A guy like Gus would want every single gram there.

After checking for what felt like the tenth time. I grabbed the bag and headed for the car.

"Jesse, where are you going? What's in that bag?" It was Jane. Guess I made too much noise and woke her up. I put the bag down and walked to her, kissed her forehead for good luck and said,

"Something came up babe. Have to go now, I'll be back for lunch. We'll go somewhere nice, I promise."

"Oh...okay..." She said unconvinced.

Don't worry baby I'll make it up to you.

I rushed towards my car and loaded the bag in the trunk. Fortunately there was other junk in there as well. I flipped the trunk mat and stored the duffle bag in the hidden compartment.

Jane walked near the entrance, she was still looking confused. I blew her a kiss, which thankfully put a smile on her face.

I turned on the engine, praying that it wouldn't crap out on me now. It didn't! The car turned on like a charm.

I looked at Jane again.

"See ya at lunch." She said smiling.

"See you later, beautiful."

Hopefully I had a million dollars by then. I headed straight for Los Pollos Hermanos.

_______________________________________________________________________

After a few minutes' drive, I could almost see the chicken brothers sign up ahead. We were almost at home stretch-

That's when the siren sounded. Red and blue lights flashed. It was a police cruiser.

My heart began pounding like crazy.

"Why now of all days!" I cursed to myself silently as I pulled over the car to the side of the road. I had my fingers crossed, as the cop got outside of his cruiser.

Holy shit…I have to keep calm before they think I'm suspicious.

But the thought of them catching me scared the shit out of me. I had almost 60 pounds of meth in my trunk. If they catch me with it…..I'll probably live the rest of my life in a cell and that's if Gustavo Fring doesn't kill me first.

It was a guy cop with a pair of sunglasses. He walked up to my car and tapped my window.

Ah shit I forgot to roll it down.

I pulled it down hastily and looked at the police officer with an uneasy smile.

"Sir, License and registration."

"Oh yeah, sure thing."

I opened the dashboard and got all the papers out and handed it to the police officer. He took the papers and mouthed my name.

"Sir, are you carrying any weapons?"

"No, Officer." I decided to go for the polite route.

"Hmm…give me a minute. Stay in the car, while I check things out." saying that he went back to his car.

My heart was pounding like crazy. I had half a mind to flee. If I could run away and stash the meth somewhere else, the worst I would get is a misdemeanor. The thought was extremely tempting. Sure, I'd have to do some community service but that was way preferable to doing life imprisonment. In an American prison no less. The worst in the world.

I gripped the steering wheel tightly. My eyes were on the rearview mirror watching the cop sit in his car.

If I time it correctly then I could get away.

My hand slid to where the key was. If I could get away….then I could just give the meth to Mr. White. That's right he could make the delivery instead of me.

My hand grabbed the key. Just when I was about to turn the key and make a break for it, the cop opened his door and started walking towards my car.

I removed my hand from the ignition.

"Yeah we ran a tag and it didn't come up. Do you have your insurance papers?"

"Oh yeah sure thing officer! Here let me grab it for you right now!" I searched the dashboard once again. I actually forgot to hand him the insurance before, I guess the nervousness was getting to me. Thankfully I had the sense of mind to get insurance for this broken down car.

"Here you go Officer, sorry about that!" I said with a giant smile. He started reading it quietly. My heart was still racing and my face was getting sweaty.

"Okay, alright. Sir, do you mind getting out of the vehicle?"

My heart stopped for a second.

"Um…I'm sorry officer I didn't quite catch that?" I stalled.

If I had to flee then now was the time. If he handcuffed me outside, it was game over. He would search my vehicle and find 60 pounds of pure crystal meth.

He leaned into my window and restated, "Sir, I said can you step out of the vehicle?"

I felt time slowing down. This was it! This was the decision that would decide my life.

Do I get out or do I slam the gas and get outta dodge?

Adrenaline pumped through veins but time started flowing faster. Now or Never. Run or Stay!

"Sir?" The officer said again, snapping me back to reality.

"Oh yeah, sure thing." I got out of the vehicle. In the end I caved to the pressure.

He led me back to the rear of the vehicle, right where the meth was.

"Sir, do you see the problem?"

"...No officer…." I squeaked from the side. I was still holding the keys in my palm tightly, there was still an opportunity that I could make a run for it.

"Sir, your tail light?"

What.

"Your tail light." He pointed to it.

"You need to change it. It doesn't work."

"Oh…..yeah sure thing officer."

"I know that it's an old car and all but it has to be in a working condition or you can't drive it around. You get what I'm saying?"

"Yes officer…I…It's been…a bit hard…you know financially speaking but I'll change it as soon as I can."

The officer gave me an understanding nod.

"Yeah the economy's shit huh…what do you do?" He started making small talk…or he was fishing for information.

"I work construction." I blurted out the first job that came to my mind.

"Oh I used to be in construction…where do you work?"

Holy shit this guy is persistent

"Oh I mean, I used to work construction. You know it's like you said with the economy and all."

Ooh nice save.

"Yeah, it's a bummer. Hey…how about you give me your number and I'll give some of my old buddies a call.":

Holy shit this guy was the nicest cop in all of New Mexico.

"Sure thing." I gave him my phone number and he jotted it down in his pad. He gave my shoulder a pat and said,

"Since you're going through things! I'll let you off with a warning. Get that light fixed, okay?" I nodded energetically and thanked him profusely.

"Alright then I'll let you carry on." He said with a warm smile.

If relief was a drug no one would buy meth anymore. The high I got from evading possible lifetime imprisonment was greater than any drug I had tried.

"Oh and by the way, clean your trunk. Matter of fact, just sell the car once you've saved up enough money!" He said with a small laugh as he headed for his car. A car sped past us and he left in a hurry with his lights on.

I just sat inside the car, holding the steering wheel.

"God that was close." I said as a light wind blew in my face, cooling my sweaty face.