Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

by Brennen Tammons

  For the past few months, Victor has contemplated robbing a bank. He has cased many banks in the Los Angeles area. He tried to look for one which he felt had the most inferior security, and would be the easiest for him to do the job. He decided to pick the “Sunset Credit Union”, and planned to rob the bank the same day Brian and Scott did. Victor arrived at the bank at four that afternoon, yet sat in his car feeling far too scared to actually go inside. A couple minutes before Brian and Scott arrived at the bank, Victor finally decided to commence with the robbery. He got out of his car and proceeded to wait beside the bank, with the handgun tucked behind his pants. He stood behind a column which was hidden in the corner of the “Happy Dry Cleaners”, and waited for the right time to enter the bank. However, he was already beaten to the job. Victor watched the entire robbery pan out. He felt guilty that he didn’t walk in the bank as he had a gun and could have potentially deescalated the situation, but he felt scared.

  Victor began to tell the rest of the men information about himself.

  “I was supposed to rob the bank, but I didn’t because two other guys got there first. I saw everything go down, I was hiding in that bench in front of the dry cleaners on the side of the bank. I kept thinking to myself, should I walk in or not? I decided not to because I was too scared, and I just didn’t want to get involved. I saw both the people get shot, and I saw this lady who was hiding near the deli call the cops, and I just ran back to my car and drove away.”

  Russell looks at Victor in complete shock and Victor continues and starts to cry.

  “I mean, I’m just an ugly creepy homeless guy that scares people. I live out of my car, I don’t want to harm anybody. I’m happy with that, and I don’t ask for much. I just wanted some easy money, and I regret everything I did. I should have gone in and helped, but I didn’t.”

  Victor takes another puff from his cigarette, and Kevin starts to laugh at Victor. Brian begins to feel sorry for him. Jesse walks over to Victor and starts to rub his shoulder. Russell continues to fold his arms, and locks his eyes at Victor. Gazing at him with an angry look. Seconds later, Russell responds and starts to snap at him.

  “Sour grapes. I should have gone to the vault and not Peter. I feel just as guilty about that, as you do for not coming in. But you can’t turn back time, so it is what it is I guess. We’re all here now, and that’s how it is I guess. I don’t understand how things happen anymore.”

  Victor continues to take puffs of his cigarette, and continues to to talk.

  “I read the paper all the time. I’m a millennial, but I’m weird and I read the paper. I saw the obituaries were of the people in the bank. So I decided to go to the funeral out of respect. I felt I should have done something and gotten involved. I didn’t, so it was the right thing to do for me to come to the funeral to show my respect.”

  Russell then starts to feel more comfortable. He was able to piece together the two people he saw at the funeral, and have a more eased feeling about that. All of the men then stay quiet for a few minutes, taking in everything. With heavy emotions on everyone’s mind, they remain silent. Brian then starts to find a way to equalize this current situation.

  “Hey guys, my pad is just around the corner from here. I have a bunch of booze too. How about I order some pizza’s, and we all just go and chill. I mean, that is if you trust me or not. It’s the least I can do, and we can talk about everything there. Because this is some freaky shit how all of us came together like this, and we all need to go somewhere private.”

  Kevin immediately jumps and down and starts to hug Brian.

  “Man, you said the magic words. Pizza, beer, oh my god yes. I wanna go. Can we Russ?”

  Russell looks over at Kevin and smiles. He then nods his head. Victor then puts out his cigarette, and starts to walk towards his car.

  “I’ll follow you guys over there. I’ll be right behind you guys.”

  All of the men get into their vehicles, and caravan from each other. Brian leads the way, with Russell carrying Kevin and Jesse; with Victor riding right behind them. While in Russell’s car, Kevin turns the stereo on and beings to talk with Russell.

  “Russ, who do you think is more relatable and more trustworthy? The handsome “GQ” model guy, or the Nazi Scarecrow guy. Because to me they each have their pros and cons.”

  Russell while he’s driving, responds to Kevin in a very harsh way.

  “Kev, that was fucked up the way you made of him. I look just as creepy as he does.”

  Kevin begins to laugh at Russell, and responds to him, speaking fast.

  “Yeah but Russ, he looked like the damn Scarecrow, come on man. You have to agree with me on that one. That guy just looked so scary. I feel so sorry for him. Poor guy.”

  Jesse remains quiet in the back seat, listening to both Russell and Kevin talk to each other. Russell when he reaches a stop light, puts his hand over his head, and talks to Kevin.

  “Kev, you need to shut your mouth and stop making fun of people, okay man?”

  Kevin shakes his head and listens to the music on the car stereo. Russell continues following Brian until he reaches a commercial warehouse building, located in a harbor area of San Pedro, with the Pacific Ocean a few minutes away. They continue until they reach a unit with a big metal door. Brian parks his car outside of the building and waves his hand for the rest of the guys to come in. Russell, Kevin, Jesse and Victor then get out of the vehicles they were in, and stand outside of the building. While he’s unlocking the door, Brian begins to chat with the other guys.

  “Okay, so I figure I would give you guys a treat and reveal this to make up for my behavior. This is my safe house. This is where I live. I don’t want you guys telling anybody about this place, okay. I bought this unit for myself a while ago. This is where I work on cars, and where I eat, sleep and shit, Ha-ha. Alright guys, just wait a second and you guys can come in.”

  Brian finally opens the door to his warehouse. After all the men walk in, he quickly shuts the metal door and turns on the lights. Inside this commercial loft building, is an area where Brian does his auto body work. He has his tools and car jacks located in this section. This side of the building also contains two classic cars. A 1960 Oldsmobile convertible, and a 1970s Chevy El Camino car. Behind the cars is another locked door which leads outside towards a driveway path. Brian likes classic cars, and he modifies them. Spread across the walls of the warehouse, are 1950s inspired art and neon signs. The other sides of the room contain a bathroom with a shower, a kitchen with a refrigerator and stove, and a large lounge area which features a bed, two sofas, and a big screen television. This warehouse has been converted by Brian as his own personal apartment. He was able to obtain this unit from an old acquaintance of his. Brian mostly takes cars that he carjacks and brings them to this unit temporarily to fix them, or to scrap them. Taking the automobiles to a chop shop after. This warehouse is also located in quaint and hidden area away from town. Once all the doors are shut, it is virtually soundproof. It offers the chance for more privacy.

  The men continue to look around the unit, before Russell begins to speak with Brian.

  “This is not bad. Nice place you got here. This is a nice setup you have.”

  Brian then walks towards his kitchen area, and brings beers for all of the guys. He then takes out his phone, and begins to order some pizzas. All of the guys start to open their beers and drink them. Kevin then sits down towards the sofa area, and turns the television on. Russell laughs at him, and continues to look around the warehouse. He notices that Jesse is looking at Brian’s classic cars. Russell pats his hands over Jesse’s shoulders, and talks to him.

  “Those cars are nice huh? Isn’t it crazy how he worked them up like that?”

  Jesse nods his head towards Russell in agreement. Victor being nosy, watches them in amusement and smiles. He then walks around the warehouse for a bit, before deciding to sit down at the sofa area with Kevin who is watching the television. A couple minutes pass, and Kevin who kep
t peeking at Victor, hesitating whether he wanted to chat with him or not, finally decides to speak with Victor in a playful way, almost teasing him.

  “Hey man, look. I apologize if I offended you. It’s just that you look kinda creepy to me, and I mean that in the nicest of ways. I’m not trying to make fun of man, it’s just you look scary, and I tell it like it is. But, you seem like a cool guy and I think you’re misunderstood.”

  Victor takes a sip of his beer not giving eye contact to Kevin, as if he were offended by what he said. Kevin looks at Victor feeling guilty over what he said, and turns his head towards the television. Victor doesn’t wish to deal with Kevin’s behavior, and removes himself from his company. He decides to get up from the sofa, and walk over to where Russell and Jesse are. They continue to be captivated and fascinated by the classic cars. Brian gets done ordering the pizzas, and he screams out to let all of the other guys know.

  “Okay, the pizza should be here shortly guys. Hang on for a bit. In the meantime, just make yourselves at home, get comfortable. Mi Casa is Su Casa. Okay?”

  The other men nod their heads towards Brian, and go back towards their business. Brian then walks over to where Russell and Jesse are standing and takes a rag and begins to dust off the classic cars in the warehouse. He then cleans and adjusts the mirrors on both of the cars as well. He then takes a sip of his beer and taps Russell on the chest.

  “These are my prides and joy. That’s an Oldsmobile, and that’s an El Camino. No, I didn’t steal them; I got them at a scrap auction. They didn’t look like this when I first got them. No sir, I had to do a lot of work for all of this. But believe me, it paid off.”

  Russell takes a sip of his beer and compliments the cars some more.

  “I wouldn’t mind driving that convertible down PCH. Damn. That car is so fine, and I can see myself behind the wheel of that one, cruising down the road. Shit man.”

  Russell and Brian then fist bump each other. Brian continues

  Victor then asks a question he is curious about to Brian.

  “So, do you ever take these out on the road or not? Shit, I know I would always want to show these off. But I also know some car guys don’t like to take their cars out, and they are scared people are gonna breath on them wrong, or scratch them or whatever.”

  Brian takes a swallow of his beer and snickers at Victor. He then responds to him.

  “I took them out a couple times yes. But as you said yes, I am very temperamental when it comes to my cars. I don’t want people stealing my parts, or stuff like that. I was thinking on taking them to car shows as well to show them off that way too. Yeah.”

  Victor nods his head and takes more sips of his beer. Kevin is still sitting at the sofa area, watching “Family Guy” on the television laughing hysterically. Russell turns his head over to where Kevin is sitting, and starts to laugh at him. Victor continues to inspect the cars.

  “I see with the convertible, that’s a brand new engine. Must have cost a fortune huh?”

  Brian fires back at Victor, possibly misunderstanding his intentions.

  “That’s none of your fucking business. I don’t appreciate you being all nosy and perceptive like that. I’m watching you okay? I’m gonna give you another chance.”

  Victor starts to give Brian a depressed look, and Russell snaps at Brian.

  “You didn’t have to talk to him like that, I don’t think that’s what he meant. He was just being curious that’s all. I think you need to chill man. Alright?”

  Brian puts his hand under his chin, and nods his head towards Russell. Victor then walks over to inspect the other car, and Brian leans into Russell’s ear to whisper something to him.

  “I don’t trust him, I don’t know what it is, I don’t. It’s not the way he looks… ha-ha well maybe it is. I don’t get a good vibe from him, you and the other two guys are golden for me.”

  Russell while staring at Victor, takes another swallow of his beer and responds to Brian.

  “He’s okay to me. I think every guy in this damn room is psycho to some degree. So it’s not fair at all to pin point him as the grand prize winner you know?”

  Brian while staring at Victor, takes a swig of his beer and nods his head in agreement. Russell then starts to realize how eccentric all of the guys are in their own way. With Russell being a tough grizzly who stands by his own principles and opinions. Jesse who is a flamboyant and feminine clown, yet compassionate in his own right and has his own artistic qualities. Kevin who is a chatterbox and comedian, with an exorbitant sense of humor. Brian who attempts himself to be a Happy Day’s reject, liking classic culture and classic cars. Finally, Victor who is a mysterious man with an even more mysterious personality towards himself. He embraces the thoughts of this newly found group of confidants that he has. For the first time in quite some time, Russell begins to have flashbacks of his original idea to rob a bank. In an attempt to rebel against the troubles he had from working at a bank. In another attempt to avenge Peter and Jennifer’s death.

  This seemed like the perfect time to bring all of this up into action and to discuss it. He begins to ponder if he should bring up this thought he has to the other guys or not. Russell at least for now, keeps that to himself. More than likely he will bring it up sooner or later, as when Russell has an idea or agenda he’s determined to follow, he accomplishes it. He structured himself to not hold back, or resist his any mental temptations that he has anymore. It’s not as if he’s giving up, he simply doesn’t care anymore.

  A few minutes later, Brian gets a notification on his phone that the pizza’s he’s ordered are ready. He turns his head towards Russell and asks if he wants to go with him to pick them up. Russell agrees to ride with Brian, and they both immediately leave the warehouse. Leaving Kevin, Jesse, and Victor behind. Russell gets into Brian’s car. On their way to pick up the pizza, while he’s driving, Brian begins to converse with Russell at a deep level.

  “Hey, I appreciate you not flipping out earlier. I was scared to admit any of that to you, but just like you had a feeling about me, I had a feeling that you were a nice guy. So I said, what the hell, and just flat out told you. Part of me still feels bad about it, and part of me also thinks you probably partly hate me, but I think it’s okay now and I’m happy.”

  Russell looks out the passenger window, and doesn’t respond to Brian. He feels that it’s no use trying to put any blame on him, when he genuinely feels that Brian is a nice guy which like himself, is someone misunderstood in the world. Russell a few minutes later, does decide to turn his head towards Brian, and reply to him speaking in a low tone.

  “Man, I’ve already forgotten about that shit. I just want to move on, and be happy with my new friends. Today was a crazy day, and I’ve been having a lot of crazy days anyways, so I get used to it at this point. I don’t waste my time sulking over crap anymore. Not worth it.”

  Brian nods his head to agree with Russell. They both continue on the road to pick up the pizzas. After reaching the pizza place, they get their food and proceed to head back towards Brian’s warehouse. When walking into the unit with the pizza, Kevin runs up from the sofa area, and starts to lose all control.

  “I’m hungry! I’m hungry! I want some of that pizza now. I want to eat now.”

  Russell starts to laugh and sets the pizza boxes in the kitchen area. All of the men then grab pieces of pizza, and sit at the sofa area. They watch “Family Guy” on the television, with Kevin laughing extremely loud and reciting lines from it. As they are eating their pizza, Russell figures that there is no time such as the present, to bring up something that is on his mind.

  “Okay men, what I’m about to say to some of you might not be a surprise. To some of you, it wouldn’t be something that you’re hearing for the first time. However, to some of you it may be shocking. To some of you, it might be surprising. But, I’m gonna tell it anyways.”

  Everyone then gives their eye contact to Russell.

  “Alright, I think with the help of
each and every guy that’s sitting around here, we can a rob bank. Seeing how good that goes, we can rob two banks, and really stick it to the man. I don’t see why we can’t accomplish this at all. If everyone played their part.”

  Russell had already offered this idea up to Kevin and Jesse, however this comes as a complete surprise to Brian and Victor, who both have shocked and confused expressions on their faces. Brian then notices how Kevin and Jesse aren’t phased by what Russell mentioned. He then understands that Russell is not joking, and offers his own opinions on this.

  “My thing is this, what if we get hurt or we get caught? I really do think we are smart enough to get away with it, yes. I hate playing the what if game, but you saw how I robbed your bank, and look at what happened. Two of your friends were killed.”