The last rush of people was full of stumbling buffoons, barely finding their way to the door. Trying to make the last call for alcohol, they managed to stumble their way to their cars. After two it really began to die down for Faiyaz; only the occasional trucker or late-night snacker would come by. This really was the best time for the plan to unfold. Faiyaz was anxiously waiting for it to be all over; he knew he was going to have to sit and answer questions. That did not excite him, but he had been through real robberies before, so he knew what he would have to say. According to everyone else, he knew nothing and was frightened by the whole event.

Preparing himself mentally for what was going to happen next, he didn’t notice the police cruiser pull up in the parking lot. It wasn’t until he heard talking outside that he realized what was happening. There were two officers outside the store, appearing to be hassling The Notorious B.U.M. Faiyaz scrambled for his phone, his heart beating through his chest. He pictured Jimmy riding up, toy gun blazing and oblivious to the cars in the parking lot. He knew how Jimmy was sometimes reckless and clueless. Imagining Jimmy pointing a fake gun at him while cops stood behind him in the store didn’t seem like fun.

He hit Jimmy’s name immediately, as the cops began to walk inside the store. It went to voicemail, so Faiyaz sent a text informing him of the situation and warning him to wait. He hoped he would see it in time, while he tried to act casual in front of the cops. Faiyaz wondered to himself how he could have forgotten how often police came into his store while they were on duty. They always came in, especially because Faiyaz’s father gave them discounts. It was his way of trying to keep the store from being robbed- the more police presence the safer. It was ironic as Faiyaz thought about it, but he went back to check his phone. Still nothing.

“That guy out there give you many problems?” One of the cops asked Faiyaz, as he grabbed an energy bar off the shelf. Seeing it was the last one, Faiyaz begrudgingly made a mental note to restock. Faiyaz hadn’t seen this officer around much, the other one yes, but this guy seemed new. Especially with the question, most of the officers knew The Notorious B.U.M and Faiyaz’s father. They knew that it wasn’t an issue for him, and they usually let him be. This guy must be a newbie to the area.

“No, he doesn’t give us much trouble. My father, who owns the store, has some sort of relationship with him. Thank you for asking.” Faiyaz was trying to be as respectful as possible in case Jimmy burst through the doors and the whole plan went to shit. Maybe they wouldn’t be as mad about their fake robbery if he was courteous.

Vibrations came from the counter; Faiyaz looked down to see his phone had received a message. Jimmy caught the news in time and Faiyaz released a sigh of relief. Another couple came in through the door as the bell went off; they headed straight to the snack aisle. This situation was getting a little hairy and made Faiyaz a little uneasy about it all. He gave the police their discount and they made their way out the door.

As they pulled out of the parking lot, a wave of peace came over Faiyaz. With all of this on his mind, the police just made him nervous. The only worry now was the couple that couldn’t seem to pick out a snack. They were giggling and teasing each other, Faiyaz couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the body language was obvious. He figured he could use this time to fill Jimmy in on the status. He turned away from the camera and whispered to Jimmy.

“Jimmy, you there?”

“Yeah, sorry. I’m trying to keep riding around so I don’t look suspicious. This is more tiring than I thought; I haven’t ridden a bike in a while. Those pigs gone yet?”

“Yeah, they literally just left. That was close as fuck, too close. I have an eerie feeling about this now.”

“Thanks for the heads up, but what the fuck man?!”

“I know, that’s my bad. I forgot how often police come by. That probably would have changed my thoughts on this. It’s a big risk, for both of us. How are you feeling about it?”

“You pussing out? What the hell, I’m still down. I’m on my way back right now.”

“Maybe we should do it another night. Maybe this is like a sign we shouldn’t tonight.”

“It’s a sign? Because police stopped by one of the only places still open for a snack? I highly doubt it means anything. Time to nut up, this is happening.”

“Just give me a minute, there is still a couple in here getting something. They are taking forever.”

“Well, get them out of there. Riding around on my bike this late with a toy gun is not the best idea.”

Another car pulled up and an exhausted looking man in scrubs got out. He walked into the store like a zombie, either having just woken up or not slept yet. He came in and headed to the refrigerators, most likely for an energy drink.

“And another person just came in…”

“Well, what the fuck? How long are we going to wait around? We have to get this over with. I’m about to be there.”

“It shouldn’t take that much longer, just wait.”

Jimmy hung up the phone and something caught Faiyaz’s eye. Jimmy was riding up to the store anyway. Faiyaz was about to wave him away, but remembered the cameras would be studied later. He was going to have to wait and trust that Jimmy would as well. Jimmy threw the bike down and stormed for the door. This was happening right now, and having customers in the store was not part of the plan. Jimmy kicked the door open and jumped through the opening. He strolled in with his toy gun at the ready and what Faiyaz could only assume was a smile underneath his mask.

“Stick em up, motherfucker.”