Russell takes another swallow of his beer, and continues to run his hands around the convertible, being very attracted to this particular car. Jesse who was eavesdropping on Russell and Brian’s conversation, turns his view over at Russell, and looks at him feeling concerned. Russell opens his mouth to begin to say something to Brian, but is interrupted at a knock from the front door of the unit. Brian walks over, and opens the door to find Max on the other side. Max walks into the unit, and directs himself to where Russell is. He then starts talking to Russell.
“So. I heard that there will be a funeral service for Kevin on Wednesday. I would like to attend, so if you all could help me get there it would be nice.”
Russell turns his head over to Max and takes another swallow of his beer. He laughs to himself, and looks back at the convertible. Russell under his breath responds to Max.
“What’s funny, is that I didn’t even decide if I was going to go yet. Part of me wants to, and the other part of me doesn’t. I feel guilty for showing up, knowing that I put Kevin through this, when I didn’t have to. I guess now I don’t have a choice. Max if you wish to go, then that settles it. I’m going to go as well. All of us are going. We owe it to Kevin to pay him respect.”
Brian nods his head, and takes a swallow of his beer. Victor suspends his drawing, and walks over to where Russell, Brian and Max are. He was listening to everything they were talking about. Victor leans in close to Russell, and asks him a special request.
“Hey Russell, I was wondering if I could borrow a suit. I don’t have one. I want to wear a suit at Kevin’s funeral. I could ask Brian, but I don’t want to. I’m asking you. The rest of you guys know how to dress nice, and I could go to a suit shop and get one but again, I don’t wish to. I would rather ask to borrow one from you. So can I please, if you don’t mind?”
Russell smiles and shakes his head at Victor, and laughs to himself as well. He puts his hand on Victor’s shoulder and responds to him in a soft quiet tone.
“Yeah I have a suit that you can wear. It’s okay, you don’t have to worry about not having anything nice to wear. I can cover you this time. Wednesday morning, you and Brian can stop by my place before the service, and I’ll give you a suit. Don’t worry about it.”
Victor smiles at Russell, and returns to the sofa area, and carries on with his drawing. Max then starts to exit out of the unit. He says one final thing before leaving.
“I want for you each to know, that you guys are still contracted to clean buildings. This is your final week though, and then you guys are free, and won’t have to do it anymore. As next month the contract expires. It’s unfortunate that Kevin is no longer here, but I still need you guys to clean this week. You guys can take Wednesday off, but I need you to work this final week.”
Russell looks down at the ground and nods his head. He for a while, forgot that he and the rest of the guys have been scheduled to clean buildings for the past weeks. With Kevin no longer being here, these thoughts have erased completely from his mind, and he wasn’t even aware of the fact. As it’s the last week they must do this job, Russell would rather get it over with, and finish it. Brian walks over to the door where Max is, and quickly responds to him.
“We will all be there, no problem. We will get the job done, and get to work no problem.”
The rest of the guys say goodbye to Max. Brian then offers to take Max back to his unit, and they both walk out. Russell heads over to the sofa area where Jesse and Victor are, and takes a seat. He looks over and observes what Jesse and Victor are doing. Jesse is reading a fashion magazine that he brought with him, and Victor is drawing a picture of a tropical rainforest, showcasing exotic trees, waterfalls, birds, jaguars and monkeys. Russell picks up one of Victor’s finished drawings, gazing at it with much fascination. This particular drawing Russell is holding, is of a peaceful countryside farm. With animals such as cows and pigs, standing next to trees and a sunflower field. As he’s looking at the drawing, he speaks to Victor.
“These are really good man. You drew all these yourself? This is a really good talent man that you shouldn’t waste. I’m amazed how easy and simple that you make it seem as well. This is dedication to draw like this, and there is potential for this type of talent you have. So many possibilities, you could get a job doing cartoons, or comic books and shit like that.”
Victor doesn’t immediately respond to Russell, and concentrates heavily on his drawings. Russell picks up another one of the drawings, observing every detail of it. He had no idea that Victor had the ability to construct a hidden gift such as this. Victor looks up quickly from his drawing, and notices that Russell is captivated by his art. He then replies to Russell.
“Believe it or not, I had a brief stint at ‘Los Angeles Trade Tech’ on Grand for a while, teaching art to people. It was nice that I was teaching people that had my same passion. The whole story is none of your fucking business, as things didn’t work out. This is simply a passion I have. Nothing more or less at the moment. But thank you for the kind words on my work.”
Russell stares at Victor, and shakes his head. He turns his view back to the drawing of the farm Victor drew, and Russell notices more things about the piece he didn’t see before. Victor then continues to talk.
“I think I’m good, but I don’t think I’m great or perfect, or at the same level of talent such as Van Gogh and Da Vinci are. The one which you’re holding now, it might seem perfect to you, but to real artists, I’ve made at least ten mistakes, and several other things which could be improved. The tree trunk I feel I could have done better on, but art is like that sometimes.”
Russell continues to look at Victor’s drawing, and offers encouragement to Victor.
“Well you do have a talent man, and I don’t know why you beat yourself up about it. You have great potential, and you have to be proud of these potentials that you possess you know?”
Victor nods his head at what Russell said, and continues to draw. Brian at this time arrives back inside the unit, and walks over to where the rest of the men are, and sits down.
“Hey Russell, I figured I would make this clear for you. On Wednesday, Victor, Max and I will arrive at your place. Victor can change, and then we’ll leave. As the funeral is closer to where you stay anyways. We’ll all ride there together. This is fine with you right?”
Russell takes another swallow of his beer while looking down. He responds to Brian.
“Yeah sure, whatever. That is fine by me. You know what, I think me and Jesse are going to head out. We’ll meet you guys at work tomorrow, okay? We’ll see you guys later.”
Russell finishes the rest of his beer, and hands Brian the empty bottle he was drinking. All the men say goodbye to each other, and Russell and Jesse then walk out of the unit, and head to his car. When Russell arrives back at his residence, he quickly proceeds towards the living room. He grabs the box directly underneath the television, which contains his yarmulke. Russell opens the box up and holds his yarmulke in his hands for a short while. Jesse walks over to where he’s standing, and Russell then starts to become sad. He then starts to whisper to Jesse.
“I’m fairly sure that Kev’s family is going to be Jewish. He said he wasn’t that serious about it, but I want to honor him in the best possible way. Even though his family don’t know me, I still want to give a eulogy to him out of respect. I cared about him a great deal.”
Jesse then reaches under the television set and grabs Russell’s Tanakh. Russell quickly snatches the book away from Jesse and gives an angry look towards him. He then snaps at him.
“Did I ask you to touch that? I didn’t right? So why did you do it? Don’t touch what’s not yours okay. That book is very special to me. It’s hundreds of years old. Don’t fucking touch it.”
Russell places the book back under the television, and Jesse angrily fires back at him.
“I’m sorry for touching it yes, but I’m not sorry for your rude ass attitude. You didn’t have to react that way about it at al
l. I only wanted to look at it. I’m sorry, but not sorry.”
Jesse then takes a seat on the sofa, reading his magazine. Russell then responds to Jesse.
“Well, don’t touch this book, ever. I don’t want to see your fucking hands on it ever again. Am I understood? If I see you touching it again, I’m going to get mad. Don’t touch it.”
While he’s reading the magazine, Jesse nods his head at Russell. Russell puts his yarmulke away back in the box, and sets it under the television set. He walks over to the kitchen area, and opens the freezer to pour himself a glass of Vodka. Russell then walks back to the sofa area, and turns on the television, which is now showing a basketball game. They both remain quiet for several hours as Jesse reads his magazine, and Russell watches the game. Later in the evening, Russell walks over to the kitchen and reheats the leftovers from the food they got at the amusement park the day before. Russell makes himself a plate, and Jesse joins him in the kitchen, and makes a plate of food from the leftovers as well.
They both return to the living room, and eat together. Immediately after eating, Jesse starts to feel tired. He walks inside Russell’s bedroom, and changes into his sleepwear. He lays down in the bed, and drifts himself off to sleep. Russell walks over to the bedroom door, and shuts it. He returns to the television, now watching a football game. Russell a couple hours from this, feels tired and turns the television off. He then immediately falls deep asleep, while he’s laying down on the couch.
Russell wakes up the next morning at around 9 A.M. He gets up from the couch, and walks inside his bedroom, where Jesse is still asleep. Not trying to wake him, he grabs the clothes he wishes to wear for the day and sets them in the side of the closet. Russell then directs himself to the bathroom to shower. Once Russell is finished bathing, he returns to the bedroom and dresses himself. While he’s getting dressed, Jesse who at this point as woken up, pretends to still be sleeping, watches him. Russell has no idea that Jesse is awake, and tries to make as little noise as possible. When he finishes putting his clothes on, Russell returns to the sofa area, and watches the morning news. Jesse then walks to the closet, and gathers his outfit for the day. He walks into the bathroom and freshens himself up. Upon leaving the bathroom, Jesse proceeds to put his clothes on, and returns to the sit on the sofa with Russell.
Back at “Home Base”, Brian and Victor start to prepare themselves for the day. Brian is in the bathroom in his underpants, trimming his face, with shaving cream being lathered on his face. Victor who has just woken up minutes ago also wearing his undershorts, watches him. Brian ignores him, and carries on with shaving. Victor then grabs the razor Brian is using, and playfully runs it over Brian’s face a few times. Brian gives an agitated smile to Victor, and snatches the razor back from him, and continues to shave his face. Victor laughs, walks into the shower, and bathes himself. While Victor is in the shower, Brian finishes shaving, and gets dressed. He goes to the kitchen area, and makes himself a scrambled egg sandwich, and starts to eat it. When he’s finished eating, Victor right after leaves the shower, and gets himself ready as well. Victor returns to the kitchen area, and makes himself a bowl of cereal. While he’s eating, he reads a news website on his phone. Brian walks over by his bed, and gets his hair gel. He proceeds back into the bathroom, and styles his hair.
Russell and Jesse put on their sunglasses, and leave Russell’s apartment to get to work. While he’s driving, Russell who’s feeling hungry, realizes they have spare time before they have to start working, stops at a “Jack In The Box” drive-thru. He orders a ham and cheese croissant sandwich and a coffee, and Jesse orders an orange juice and French toast. After getting their food, Russell drives straight to the “Wittberg Law Offices.” He parks in the underground parking structure, and he and Jesse start to eat their breakfast. Russell pulls out his phone, and listens to Kevin’s favorite news podcast, “This American Life”, using an auxiliary cord to stream the audio through his car stereo. After they finish eating, Russell takes their trash and throws it away in the trash bin nearby where he is parked. Getting back into the vehicle, Russell takes a sip of his coffee, and tilts his head back in the seat. He listens to the radio show with his eyes closed. Jesse sits quietly listening to the podcast as well, keeping his vision forward. Russell and Jesse stay in the car, waiting until their work shift begins. Eventually, Brian and Victor arrive at the scene as well. The men only have a few minutes before work starts, so without wasting any time, all four of them go inside the building to commence their work duties.
Being that previously all of the men had a solid system and structure as to how the tasks were carried, things have to be done quite differently now that Kevin is not here. Not only the physical aspect of the men having to do considerably more work with it being only four of them, but mentally as well.
With Kevin not present, even though they aren’t mentioning it out loud, it is still tough for them to go about the day without him. Following this week, the men no longer have to clean, so putting in mind that this will be their final work week, makes things slightly easier to deal with. Their performance towards their tasks, go by flawless. The men all find a way to equally work together to make up the tasks which need to be completed on Kevin’s floor.
At intermittent times, they would run into each other while working, yet they aren’t stopping to talk or chit chat. As they are all cleaning, they think about all the situations they have been faced with until this point. Realizing that they committed not one, but two separate heists. One of which have killed one of the members in their group. It’s amazing how they are able to focus on work so well, never minding any of the previous events.
When Russell is mopping the floor, he starts to have flashbacks of how his life got to this point. He understands all of the actions and reactions, which made him be in this current position. Yet, he doesn’t understand that why he was the unlucky one to be picked for all of this. Russell thinks about his life working in banks, and how that was something he always aspired himself on doing. Wanting to rebel against not only his childhood and upbringing, but all the things which happened when the “Sunset Credit Union” was targeted. He’s now a two time armed robbery culprit, and has had one of his close friends killed during these newly found hijinks that he decided to plan and orchestrate. Shockingly, this isn’t enough.
Russell still has much vindication on his mind, and isn’t close to feeling satisfied. The death of Kevin has possibly turned him into this unpredictable monster, that acts entirely on his impulses, whether they are logical or not. The other men strangely have quickly forgotten about all of the heists, and most of them still dealing with Kevin being killed. The past weekend was filled with mixed actions and reactions. Now, they must attend the funeral of Kevin, and it’s something they never envisioned or imagined. Russell continues to work, still having bouts of flashbacks and distant memories running in his head.
Break time finally approaches, and the men start to put away their cleaning supplies. They all then walk up to the roof to start their break. Russell tells the rest of the guys that he wants to treat them to a snack. He puts on his sunglasses, and decides to drive to a fish taco restaurant nearby, while the remaining men wait outside on the roof of the building. As Russell arrives at the restaurant, he sees an extremely long line. The food at this restaurant is liked by many, so the long crowds are not uncommon. Russell being a man who at times cannot control his patience, starts to become aggravated over this. Feeling bored, he pulls out his phone and plays a bowling game. He continues to wait in line for several minutes, as he slowly gets closer to the counter. Russell is unaware because his head is down on his phone, that someone he knows just walked into the restaurant, and is standing right behind him. Russell has a strange feeling that something isn’t quite right. His intuition is correct, but he simply ignores it and doesn’t look around him. Russell with his head still focused on his phone, hears a voice shout out to him.
“Russell! Hey, Russell!”
Russell t
urns his head behind him, and notices that it’s John calling out to him. Russell without making any expressions or gestures, scans his head back down to his phone. John who has sunglasses on as well, feeling angry that Russell is ignoring him, walks out out line from behind him, and gets about half a foot away from Russell’s face. He shouts out to him again.
“Russell, I know that’s you. So you can knock all that off. I have something to tell you.”
The line moves, and Russell continues to ignore John, keeping his head down. John remains in Russell’s personal space area, and when John pushes Russell’s chest, he responds.
“If you fucking do that again, I will knock you the fuck out. What the hell do you want?”
John smirks at Russell and rubs his hands together. Russell stares at him angrily. John walks back in line, and mutters several words out to Russell while he is doing so.
“I’ll let you order your food first, then I’ll tell you what I have to say.”
Russell shakes his head and continues to play the game on his phone. He eventually minutes later makes it to the counter, and places his order. Russell feels scared, because he is going to have to deal with John shortly. Russell returns to playing the game on his phone. John finishes placing his order, and walks over to Russell, who still has his head directed towards his phone. John stands in front of Russell for a few seconds, and proceeds to speak with him.
“Russell, I don’t work at Sunset anymore. I now work at First Federal around the corner. I decided to take an assistant manager position there. I know that must hurt to hear.”
Russell slightly smiles to himself, while he’s still playing the game on his phone. John continues to torment Russell, and creeps closer to him, being only inches away from his face.
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained Page 47