"You say it's worth five?"
"More than that, it's a steal at five. Gutted. The old block was rusted through, had to replace that. New brakes, new shocks. And the interior's been upholstered. Goodyear tires, had those on for about a year. A few scratches and dings. She's been through a lot. Lot of history."
"She's gorgeous, I won't deny that."
"Damn fine... This your first time buying a car?"
"First one off the street. You see a For Sale sign on it, it's hard not to take a look. Why even get rid of it in the first place?"
"Well... I just can't keep up with fixing her. She needs someone with more time on their hands. A young'un like you oughta 'ppreciate her."
"... You mind if I take it for a spin?"
"No, no, not at all!"
"Great!"
I pop the door open and slide into the driver's seat. My hands grip the wheel, feeling the grooves in every ridge.
The old man hands me the keys.
"Drive careful or she'll run away from under you. Twice around the block. Take good care of her."
"Thanks. Don't worry, I will."
I put the clutch in neutral, put the key in the ignition and turn it. The engine roars. It gives me a spook.
"Easy now kid! You look like you'll lose your head!"
I take a few deep breaths and center myself.
"Sorry."
I pull out of the driveway. The old man smiles and waves.
I coast around the block. Once, twice, even a third time. She's such a joy to ride, I lose track of the time. I drive back and buy it.
"You won't be sorry."
The drive home is humid, disgusting. Sitting in a forty-four year old deathtrap doesn't help, but dammit, I can't help but have a smile on my face. It's not everyday you find a muscle car for sale, even if it's a junker.
No cars. No pedestrians. I have the whole road to myself.
I floor it and upshift.
[color][HEADING=3]"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-! HA HA HA HA HA!"[/HEADING][/color]
Ride faster, upshift, green light, pass it, faster, upshift, green light, pass it, faster, upSHIT RED LIGHT!
I pop it in third and slam the brake. I let the clutch go and grab it, putting it in second, then first.
The car lurches forward. I bang my head on the steering wheel. Blood oozes from a deep gash in my forehead.
"... Goddammit."
I hold my hands over my head, trying to clear the blood from my eyes.
"Lucky... I'm so fucking-"
A white van crashes into me.
A man steps out of the van, a tire iron in his hand. He walks up to the driver side.
He looks at the kid. Half his head is gone, shattered glass sticking inside. Blood flows down his head, down the door, onto the street.
"You're finished."
He swings the iron through the kid's head, leaving it stuck in his corpse. He walks back to the van and drives away.