Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

by Brennen Tammons

  Russell takes a sip of beer, and a bite of pizza while watching the television. He then responds to Brian in a very passive way.

  “That’s because you and your partner did it the wrong way. I’m not gonna tell where the both of you messed up at, but due to my knowledge of banks, we can totally do this. If we are all smart and we do it the right way, nobody gets hurt and above all, we don’t get caught.”

  Kevin starts to nod his head and laugh at Russell agreeing with him, while taking bites of his pizza. Russell then while still looking at the television, continues.

  “It’s the perfect crime, we just need the right team and the right setup. Once all of that is covered, the rest of it will be smooth like butter, and it will work out fine.”

  Kevin while facing the television, eats more of the pizza and takes more sips of beer. While shaking his head, he starts to egg Russell on over his ideas.

  “Yeah Russ, you’re such a beast man. You’re a sick man, and that’s why I love you man. How does he come up with this shit, I don’t know? But that’s Russ, and he’s my friend. That’s my friend right there. Nobody else is like him, he’s original. Damn Russ.”

  Brian continues to scratch his head and continue to feel apprehensive about the idea. He looks at Russell with a puzzled look, and then replies to him.

  “Do you really think we could pull it off? Yeah we have an inside guy on our team and I guess that’s an advantage. I’m still not over the robbery I originally did at your bank?”

  Russell while continuing to look at the television, takes a sip of beer and laughs at what Brian said. While still having his head positioned towards the television, he responds.

  “You’ll be fine. Based on your experience from that, you’ll be a good member towards the team. You have to look at it from the outside man. Also, if you don’t do it, I’ll snitch on you to the police. So you can make you choice at this point.”

  Kevin then starts to burst out laughing from what Russell said. He immediately starts to get up from the sofa, and starts to run around Brian’s warehouse, laughing like a hyena. Russell watching Kevin, shakes his head and laughs at him.

  “Kev, sit the fuck down man. You are really something, and you are such a handful Kev. Never a dull moment with you, I swear. Ha-ha. Sit down man”

  Seconds later Kevin returns to the sofa area, still giggling to himself. Jesse who’s eating his pizza and watching the television, is quietly shaking his head at Kevin’s behavior. Brian feels cornered. He gets up from the sofa and prances around his warehouse with his hands in his pockets. He is still doubting himself to whether or not he wants to join with Russell’s idea. Victor who is being unusually quiet and not sharing his input, is eating a piece of his pizza while looking down towards the ground. He then looks up towards Russell and starts to speak to him.

  “If you need my help, you can count me in. To make up for me not acting fast during your robbery. This is my way of helping out. Also, I need the cash, and fuck the law. I’m ready to be an outlaw so you can count me in.”

  Russell and Victor then smile at each other, and Victor returns to eating his pizza. When commercial break hits, Kevin takes a swallow of his beer, and turns his head to Russell.

  “Okay Russ, so you have four guys that’s ready. You have yourself, me, Jesse and Victor. All we need now is Brian to stop acting like a bitch, and to come on board with us. He has nothing to lose, so why doesn’t he just do it and say yes? That’s five guys. What a team.”

  Russell pats Kevin on the back and takes another sip of his beer. Following that Russell turns his head toward Brian, wanting to know his response as to whether or not he wants to join the rest of the guys. Brian continues to roam around, acting very jittery and nervous with his hands in his pocket. Russell begins to feel impatient with Brian. He doesn’t understand why he just won’t get on board with the program. Perhaps Brian is seeing right past Russell’s manipulative behavior. He is able to tame Kevin, Jesse, and Victor, but Brian doesn’t think that he can be controlled in the same way.

  Brian also unlike the other four guys, has more doubt on his mind. He was the robber at the “Sunset Credit Union” robbery that got away, and was involved in a failed robbery. These thoughts run in his head, that the chance of a repeat occurrence might happen, and disastrous events could happen to them. The other side of Brian feels this is a chance from him to redeem any debts to Russell, by agreeing to do this. He was involved with the robbery that killed two of his friends, and this would be an interesting way to repay all of that. He is torn to make a choice. Russell starts to lose all patience with Brian and takes his phone out of his pocket.

  “Alright Brian. I’ll just call the cops and say ‘the guy who robbed my bank is standing ten feet away from me, come get him now.’ Is that what you really want Brian?”

  Kevin starts to laugh out loud again towards Russell. He picks up his hand and pretends to have a fake telephone conversation.

  “Call the cops Russ. ‘911? Yeah he’s right here, come quick’. Ha-ha. Ha-ha.”

  Brian continues to walk around unsure of himself, and not responding to Russell. This goes on for another few minutes until Russell starts to dial numbers on his phone. When Brian notices him do so, he immediately charges at Russell and grabs his phone.

  “Don’t you fucking do that. Okay you win. I’ll join you guys. But only on one condition. I’ll tell you what the condition is in a second, but you have to agree to it first.”

  Brian swiftly hands back Russell his phone. Russell then responds to him.

  “Okay, what’s the condition? What do we have to do?”

  Brian then smiles at Russell and roams around his warehouse with his hands in his pockets. The rest of the guys watch him in confusion, not knowing what to expect. A minute later Brian pulls out his phone, and begins to call someone, while looking at the rest of the men.

  “Hello? Max? Are busy man? This is Brian, and I have a situation that I really need your assistance with. Do you mind if I come and get you right quick? Okay, be right there.”

  Brian then hangs up his phone, and directly leaves the unit without saying a word. The other guys in the building look at Brian, not knowing what to say or think. Finally, Kevin decides to turn to Russell, and whispers to him very softly.

  “Hey Russ, where do you think he went? What did he mean by condition? He’s probably gonna come back and kill us all. I didn’t like how he said condition. What’s going on?”

  Russell rubs his hand under his chin for a few seconds, and then turns to look at Kevin, also replying to him in a very soft whispering tone.

  “I don’t know Kev, but as long as he’s on our team, I don’t care. I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t think it’s anything too bad or something terrible like that.”

  The rest of the guys sit in the sofa area, waiting for Brian to return. Almost ten minutes pass and he still has not arrived back at the warehouse. Kevin then starts to worry.

  “Russ, maybe we should leave. I don’t know about this. Maybe we made him mad, and he’s now calling all of his goons to take care of us or something like that. I just don’t like the way he said condition, and that makes me uncomfortable. I don’t know Russ.”

  Russell while looking down towards the ground, responds to Kevin.

  “Kev, he’s not going to do anything okay? He’s not that type of guy. Sit back and relax and shut up man. Nothing is gonna happen, and we are all going to be okay. He went to go take care of the ‘condition’, and he’ll be back in a minute and everything will be alright man.”

  Kevin shakes his head at Russell and starts to grumble under his breath at him.

  “I don’t know Russ, if you say so. I’ll shut up now I guess.”

  Honestly, Russell was starting to worry somewhat at this current time. He wasn’t sure at all what Brian meant by “condition”, and starts to wonder what the “condition” actually is. For now, he just has to wait to see what exactly will come from this. He decided to ask Brian
to join the team, and if it has to take a “condition” for Brian to comply with the rest of the guys, then so be it. That’s a risk that Russell had no problem taking. All he wanted was for Brian to be on board with everyone else, and to stick with the program. Russell is slightly nervous because of this, but is confident that everything is satisfactory.

  The rest of the guys sit and remain on the sofa area in silence, waiting for Brian to come back. They keep their thoughts to themselves, although many of them stare at each other intermittently to break the tension. A few minutes later, Victor gets up from the sofa area, and he heads over to where the classic cars are. Russell then immediately gets up and walks over to that area himself. While they are both staring at the cars, Russell in a very kind fashion, starts to talk to him.

  “You really like these cars huh? Hey, I don’t think you’re a weird guy, I think you’re awesome, and that’s why I want you to be involved with our team. You’re a winner in my eyes, and I don’t think you’re weird at all. I care about you. Hey, think of it this way, us scary and creepy guys have to stick together, okay?”

  Russell then playfully punches Victor in the chin. Victor then smiles and laughs at Russell. Victor while still looking at the cars, responds to Russell in a muttered voice.

  “Yeah, we are both kinda creepy looking huh? I’m not offended by it, and it’s an interesting way to look at it. From one creepy guy to the other, I agree. We do have to stick together, and support each other. I really appreciate you coming over here to speak with me Russell. Thanks. It really means a lot to me, and I want to thank you.”

  Jesse observes Russell and Victor interact with each other, and he smiles as well. Kevin continues to sit on the sofa areas feeling very anxious. A couple minutes later, the door to the warehouse begins to open. Russell and Victor then walk away from the area the cars were at, and head back towards the lounge area. All of the men in the room stand up, and watch in suspense as the gate opens. Brian walks into the warehouse, pushing an elderly Caucasian man with long gray hair with glasses, in a wheelchair. This man has no legs at all. Brian continues to push him into the sofa area of the warehouse. He pushes the man closer to where Russell is standing and introduces him.

  “Max, this is the sicko I was talking to you about. This is the psycho bastard that wants us to rob a bank. Russell I’d like you to meet Max. This guy is gonna help is out.”

  Russell looks at the man in the wheelchair. He sticks his hand out and he shakes Max’s hand. Max smiles at Russell and replies to him in a friendly way.

  “Nice to meet you Russell.”

  Russell shakes his head and laughs.

  Chapter 10

  NOTHING SHORT, NOTHING TALL

  All of the men in the room are in complete shock. Who is this strange man in the wheelchair? They all gaze at him in such surprise, and in total confusion. A few minutes pass, and all of the men in the room continue to remain quiet. Russell starts to stare at Max, being very curious about him. Max then while scanning his head at all the men, finally starts to speak.

  “I was speaking with Brian, and he informed me on everything top to bottom. This is an interesting situation we have here, and I can’t say I don’t somewhat feel for each of you. I might not agree to do the same things that you all want to do, But I at least understand and feel for each and every one of you.”

  Max then looks to his right, focusing on Brian. He then immediately directs his comments towards him. While occasionally looking at the other guys.

  “Brian was in that robbery last Friday. A robbery that virtually almost all of you in this room, are in some ways are directly involved with. I might not always agree with what Brian does, but he’s a good guy and has done much for me. I’m going to forgive his awful mistakes, and help him out and help the rest of you out as well.”

  Brian then smiles at Max. He turns his head to the other guys, and starts to explain more.

  “Okay everybody, this is Max. If we’re actually serious on robbing a bank, we won’t be able to do it without him. No he’s not a bank robber. It’s not because he’s not physically able to rob a bank, but that’s not his thing. He would be the perfect person to trust, and will always have our backs. He used to work for the police, and has connections, and can help us out.”

  Max then turns to look at Russell, smiling at him again, and talks to him.

  “Brian has told me so much about you. He said you were the mastermind behind this whole idea. It’s such a small world how everything is connected like that. Brian robbed your bank and got away, now you want to work with him in organized crime. He told me that earlier today at a memorial service for the deceased in the robbery, you two were able to meet and come together. That’s so strange how that happened. You were the manager of the bank. Now you have this sudden change of heart and want to rob a bank now? Interesting.”

  Russell grins at Max, and nods his head to agree with him. He then responds.

  “Matter of fact I was. I was always in suspense as to who the guy who ran off was. I still can’t believe it’s him, but I don’t sense any type of evil spirit from him. Damn right I want to rob a bank now. Fuck the government, and society really as well. I’m tired of it all.”

  Max then looks around again and starts to point his finger at Jesse.

  “You were also in the robbery too. You were one of the bank tellers involved. It’s crazy how you and Russell survived that. Now you want to rob banks?”

  Jesse looks down on the floor and then looks up at Max to reply to him.

  “Yes it was a very traumatic experience for me. At this point, I got kind of suckered into involving myself with the group. I’m fine working these guys. All my life, people have always treated me badly and I think all of us have been treated bad, so it’s tough.”

  Max then points his finger at Kevin, and starts to smile at him.

  “He then said that you were the comedian and court jester of the group. You’re Russell’s best friend and have nothing to do with this robbery. You’re just here because you live for excitement and amusement, and you want to ride along with them. I understand, I suppose.”

  Kevin nods his head very fast, and also responds to Max speaking rapidly.

  “Russ is one of the most interesting guys I’ve ever met. Whatever he’s down to do, I’m going to support him every step of the way. I don’t blame Russ at all for feeling the way he does, and wanting to rebel all of a sudden. The man has been through a lot. I’m here for him.”

  Max then gives Victor a strange look and points his finger at him.

  “Now you, you were the guy that was supposed to rob the bank, but was thwarted because Brian and his criminal partner got to the bank just slightly before you. You saw the whole thing happen, and didn’t do anything. You feel guilty and that’s why you’re here.”

  Victor starts to laugh at Max, and responds to him.

  “I had seconds thoughts of robbing the bank originally, and I didn’t really want to do it. I stood back and watched yes, but I was too scared to do anything. That’s why me and Brian went to the funeral today, we just felt guilty about everything that happened.”

  The rest of the guys continue to look at Max, and remain in shock and in surprise in this current time. Max is an older man in his sixties. He has long silver grey hair that goes to his shoulders, and wears big black eyeglasses. If you were to look at him, you would think he was a mad scientist. He cannot walk and is wheelchair bound, as he was born with a disorder that caused him to be born without legs. He has never married, and keeps a solitary life. He isn’t a very social relationship type person, and prefers his own company. He considers himself an asexual man. Max is a licensed surgeon and criminal pathologist. He retired from the job after he noticed many corrupt police practices and procedures. Following that, through difficult and undisclosed circumstances, he gotten himself involved in black market cartels and crime syndicates. Offering weaponry and other services to help these organizations, and groups.

  Max becau
se he involves himself in illegal activity, keeps a neutral opinion towards choices he disagrees with by others. He was mainly used as a reference when crooks need weapons or other items. This is mainly because he has a hobby for shooting and gun collecting. The exact circumstances as to how Brian first met him are very unclear and complex. Although alternatively and simply, Brian met him through acquaintances during his past lifestyle of being a kingpin carjacking vehicles. In fact, it was actually Max that helped Brian buy the warehouse which he converted into his home.

  Max lives in the adjacent unit next door to him. When Brian was approached to do the bank robbery with Scott, he suggested to him that they use the help of Max. However, Scott refused, and the services of Max were not used. When Brian told Max about what happened at the “Sunset Credit Union” robbery, he became devastated, and felt that the heist shouldn’t have turned into something that brutal. If they had inquired with Max, he had drills that more than likely would have opened the safe, without the use of having to take someone hostage in order to open it. He also has other tools such as detonation and explosive devices, used to divert or distract themselves during the heist to take attention away from that. If they would have used the aide and help from him, the robbery might have not been orchestrated in the way it was. Max no longer works for these black market organizations, but due to his complicated relationship with Brian, he’s making an exception this time to do things under regular circumstances, he probably most likely wouldn’t.

  Brian knew that being all the men were determined to succeed forward with the robbery, he had to gain the support from Max. This was Brian’s condition. He will only take part, if they all agree to allow Max to help them as a guide. Brian looks at Russell and the rest of the men, then proceeds to discuss his condition.

  “Guys, I’ll only do this if you let Max help us. I don’t see why you guys wouldn’t agree to this. We have nothing to lose, and this guy knows his stuff. If we need guns or ammo or tools, he has them. If we need disguises and masks, he’s got those. Let’s say if one of us gets shot or injured god forbid, the man knows how to operate on people. We have nothing to lose. Come on guys.”