.22 Cents — Episode Two
A flash of brown and chrome sliced through the air as Ray’s pistol crashed into the side of the man’s head. The man reeled and stumbled but his frail frame held upright. Crimson streamed from a fresh gash on his forehead.
“I got da old bitch,” Earl muttered as the automatic door slid open, ushering in the first customers of the day. Its shrill chime shouted de dooo to alert the old woman to their entrance. She looked up from her price gun to find the muzzle of Earl’s pistol in her face. She gasped. “Shut da fuck up,” he growled through clenched teeth.
Ray hobbled toward the back of the store. “Where’s ya at, geezer?” he thought, scanning each aisle. He found his mark near the pharmacy among the gauze and crept up behind him. A flash of brown and chrome sliced through the air as Ray’s pistol crashed into the side of the man’s head. The man reeled and stumbled but his frail frame held upright. Crimson streamed from a fresh gash on his forehead.
Ray leveled his weapon at the man. “Come on, we’s goin’ to da register now.” The old man didn’t move. “Listen, I ain’t wanna hurt ya again — MOVE!” Ray barked. The old man shuffled toward the front of the store, keeping one eye on Ray the whole time.
“Okey you two, open dem damn registers,” Earl commanded. Neither employee moved. Ray twitched, then motioned as if he would strike the man again but refrained. “’Deez sumbitches better gets our money.”
Earl nodded, “He’s right. Open ’em or we’s got issues.”
@noirdowell.radio 🚨 Noir-do-well Radio continues tonight! 📻 Earl and Ray’s bad decisions keep piling up, but how long can their luck hold? 🤔 Tune in for the next gripping installment of 22 Cents! 🔗 Click to listen and find out how far desperation can push a man. #noir #noirfiction #flashfiction #indieradio #crimefiction #radioshow #truecrime #gritlit #creativewriting #midwest #americananoir #americana #noirdowell ♬ original sound - Noir-do-well Radio
