(no subject)

[tragic_mask]

They are outside the Blue Owl Bar. It's mid-morning, so there are cars rushing [so to speak] by, and people walking, biking, or rollerblading down the sidewalk nearby.

"Well, here we are,"  she says brightly, ponytail ruffled by a light breeze.

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[mechanicalswans]

"So it seems," he says, shouldering his backpack. "Do you need to go home for anything, or shall we go find a car?"

[tragic_mask]

"I think I'll pick things up along the way, if I need them. Rough it, and all that."

[mechanicalswans]

"We shouldn't need much," he says. "And you can get most things in a hotel anyway. Do you know, I have an urge to embark on a cross-country crime spree... you'll have to keep me in line."

He attempts to look serious, but the amusement in his voice gives him away.

[tragic_mask]

"Oh, I sure will, mister." She returns the mock-serious face.

[mechanicalswans]

"But this Bonnie and Clyde need a car," he says. "On the bright side, condition doesn't matter; I can make it run smoothly no matter what shape it's in. I know the secret to it."

[tragic_mask]

"We should start our infamous career by jacking a car, then, clearly."

She looks around, mischievous.

"Or... we could make some car salesman's day by buying a lemon."

[mechanicalswans]

"We'll buy it. If the salesman is decent enough, we may actually pay him."

He grins. "But if he tries to cheat us, we won't. That's the beauty of my new credit card."

[tragic_mask]

She looks at him, slightly awed. "Wow. That's magical."

Then she looks around, a little unsure-- after all, she mostly gets around the city by foot, train, or taxi.

"Er. Any chance your credit card does teleportation, too?"

[mechanicalswans]

"Unfortunately, no," he says. "There has to be a car lot around here somewhere. Shall we take a taxi?"

[tragic_mask]

"Let's," she says, and hails one.

She gives vague instructions to the taxi driver about taking them to a car lot, who pulls away from the curb with a skeptical look on his face.

[mechanicalswans]

"I want a car with fins, I think," he says, settling into the cab. "I don't care about the make or the model, but I want it to look good. That's very important."

[tragic_mask]

"Certainly," she says, nodding sagely (but actually not knowing much of anything at all).

[mechanicalswans]

"I have a Prowler and a Vespa at home," he says, "and a string of inexpensive cars that I don't care so much about. Some days, one wants to blend in."

[tragic_mask]

"Yes, I feel that way sometimes, too."

[mechanicalswans]

"So I've heard," he murmurs. "But some days, it's good to be noticed. To be admired, respected, envied. Feed the ego a little, and then go back to blending in."

[tragic_mask]

"I have those days less often than, perhaps, I should," she says, then shakes her head. "But I'm going to be normal on this trip, which means blending in as much as any normal person would."

[mechanicalswans]

"Does that mean no karaoke bars?" he asks. "And here I was looking forward to it. Where else can we have the chance to get drunk and sing Elvis songs?"

[tragic_mask]

She laughs. "If you get the urge to do that... I suppose that's normal, as long as we're really drunk."

[mechanicalswans]

"That's what you do on vacations," he says. "Things you'd never do at home. Or things you'd not be likely to do at home, anyway. Things you can make excuses to avoid doing. Vacations are liberating. And I do a decent Elvis, if I'm drunk enough."

[tragic_mask]

"I'm going to have to ask to see it," she says. "Pelvis thrust and all."

[mechanicalswans]

"I'll make sure you get to see it. Start thinking now if you've got a particular song you'd like to see... I think I know most of them, and if I don't, I'm prepared to fake it. Drunkenly."

[tragic_mask]

"Oh, yes," she says, delighted.

The taxi arrives, without much fanfare, at a small lot filled with slightly to very well-used cars.

She has money this time, so she pays the proper amount into the driver's hand, and gets out.

[mechanicalswans]

He climbs out as well, scanning the lot for likely prospects.

"See anything you like?" he asks. "Any preferences?"

[tragic_mask]

"I have none," she says. "Green is a good color, though."

(Typical woman. Only cares about the aesthetics.)

[mechanicalswans]

"I'm fond of green as well," he says. "It's easier to spot in a parking lot, since it's not as common."

He lights another cigarette, walking along the rows of cars. "What do you think of that one there?" he asks, pointing to a small green Saturn in reasonably good shape.