Clipped

Prospects [My Sound and the Fury]

Quentin huffed down the street. “That ass,” she thought, “This makeup looks like paint? I look beautiful.” As if to prove her point, heads turned her way as she blindly rushed in the general direction of nowhere. “I love the feel of their eyes on me. It makes chills run down my spine.”

“That Jason is tireless. What right does he have to nose in on my business? An uptight, repugnant jerk like himself.” She started to slow down. What’s he ever done? All he does is steal my money, threaten to beat me, and yell at everyone.” She found herself in the market. “I don’t need him, or anybody else to watch over me. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of things myself. Ooooh! Now there’s a looker if I ever saw one.”

She called over. “Hey stranger.” The man looked up. She winked. “Nice tie.” He seemed stunned. He blinked twice, and gazed stupidly in her direction. “Yeah, you. That tie is sexy.” She thought, “Got him already. I almost didn’t have to try.” She looped her elbow through his and whispered into his ear. “You wanna go for a walk?” He nodded. They started walking.

“You gotta name, stranger?” He looked at her and seemed to forget. But then it hit him. “Patrick… Patrick Jeffers. C…Call me Pat.”

“Sure thing, sweetie. So Pat, what kind of work does a big, strong man like you do?” The conversation went on. She had mastered the art. Quentin small talked enough for three upper crust parties. They went right past Jason’s store, but she was too wrapped up to notice.

At least, until he came out and started following them. She glanced over her shoulder and saw him. She leaned over to her new companion. “Hey, Pat. You got a car?”

“Huh?” he responded.

“A car. You know, one of those metal thingies that get you from place to place right quick?”

“Yeah I got one.”

“Well can we use it?”

“Sure.”

“Let’s go then.” She dragged him by the arm and they were off. “Where are we going?”

He pointed. “That way. It’s right over there. Why are we running?”

“It doesn’t matter, let’s just go.” They hopped in.

“Where to?”

“How’s about the woods?” she said in a husky voice. He froze. Sweat built up on his upper lip.

“Uhmm… sure.”

They drove off. They drove for a while in silence. Pat was intense at the wheel, and Quentin was just enjoying the wind blowing by her face. Pat finally broke the ice. “This far enough?”

“I do believe it is,” Quentin replied. She edged closer to him. “While we’re alone, you wanna get to know each other better?” She slowly ran a finger up and down his arm. He looked into her eyes, unable to speak, but imploring her with a look. She pressed her lips to his, and they both lost all inhibitions.

Things were heating up until a low humming could be heard. Quentin jumped up. “Shit. He probably caught up to us.” She frantically began throwing her clothes on. Patrick, dazed and confused, took a few seconds to compose himself. “What happens now?” he asked.

“I don’t… Wait! I’ve got an idea. Come into the woods with me!” She started off. “But didn’t we just…” Pat said to himself. “Ah well.”

They waited in the bushes near the side of the road. A car pulled up next to theirs. Patrick looked over at Quentin, who was intently watching the car. A man got out, and her eyes went wide. “Oh my,” she whispered aloud. “It is him.”

The man began to stalk around. He walked around the car and was obviously looking for something. “Where the hell is she, dammit?” he shouted. He then went into the underbrush on the other side of the road. He swept back and forth and then broke through into the deeper woods.

Quentin rushed forward, extracting a pocketknife, and cleanly slashed all four of the man’s tires. She gestured at Patrick. “C’mon, c’mon, let’s go!!”

Getting the idea, he ran to the car and gunned the engine. She let herself in and they raced away, laughing heartily. Quentin looked back and saw Jason stomping in exasperation. He looked like he was going to kill someone. “Maybe today wouldn’t be the best day to go home,” she thought. She looked over at Pat. “Maybe never would be better.”