The EXIT Interview

The Sell- Out

By the strict observance of time, it was five minutes after 3pm. Martina sat at the reserved table number two. Mr. Zero was nowhere to be seen at the famed local two- star hotel.

The dining area was lightly patronized with men and women who indulged in the food, wine and hearty conversations. The majority of which were Police officers disguised as ordinary customers.

Of course, they were armed but their weapons were concealed from an unsuspecting eye.

Ten minutes past 3pm, a waiter Carrying a beautiful bouquet of roses and bottle of wine walked to Martina and announced, “Someone brought you this.”

Receiving the items, Martina quickly opened the note that was attached. It read:

You look beautiful. Am happy to see you.

- Wayne

“Who gave you this?” Martina sprung to her feet.

She looked around, but Mr. Zero was nowhere to be seen.

The waiter, startled, responded, “Some old dirty dude.”

“Which way did he go?” Martina demanded desperately.

“I don’t know,” the waiter retorted, “he came in the morning. He instructed me to give you this at exactly 10 past three.”

Martina looked around in despair.

“If you may excuse me,” waiter retreated and continued with his duties.

Martina’s phone rung. It was Alexis calling.

She picked up the phone and inquired, “did you get that?”

“Yes. He isn’t so smart after all,” Alexis announced ecstatically through the phone. “He was there a minute ago.”

“Who?” Martina wondered.

“The old dirty dude,” Alexis advised, “He paid the boy to derail us with the timing.”

Martina nodded and probed, “What’s the plan?”

“Go home. You are done for the day,” Alexis commanded.

Martina left the bottle of wine and the roses at the table and walked out of the hotel as instructed.

A little while later, a pair of dirty- stained boots stepped on board onto a public train. It was the old fella. The train was fully packed.

After a quick scan, the old fella picked a spot along the isle and stood by the pole. His hand was wrapped around the pole for balance.

The train honked aloud two times. Its wheels were set in motion. Its electronic door slowly was closed. But, before it could steam away, the door was slid open again. Alexis got on board with the two muscular men who stood by her in the Program's Train.

Flanked by her two stooges, she walked to the old fella and stood in front of him. Nose to nose. Much to the awe of the passengers.

Murmurs of wonder ensued indiscrectly.

"How much did he pay you?" She whispered.

The old fella responded, "Am sorry, what are talking about?"

"How much did he pay you!?" Alexis yelled with everything in her.

The passengers wonder belched. "Hey, what the hell?" a young man chorused aloud.

"Leave him alone." "Mind your space fancy pants!" "What's with the yelling?!" "He ain't deaf you sick- fuck," passengers chorused amid Chuckles and murmurs.

The old fella was a perfect cast for the job. He was not shaken. "You must have the wrong guy?"

Making perfect cast for the job also was Alexis. The bitch meant business. And it could be felt even in the tone of her voice. "I'll not ask you again?" she warned as she fetched a gun behind her.

She cocked it, took two steps back and aimed for his forehead. "Ladies and gentlemen," She announced. "Im special Agent Alexis. And, this man right here is working with the man that killed our President."

Murmurs rang out aloud.

And silence swept in as soon as Alexis resumed her oration. "How much did Zero pay you to bring the flowers and wine?"

The old fella shook his head. Panic was written over his face. "Nothing.," he confessed. "he... he only promised to give me fifteen thousand dollars once this is over."

"Where is he?" Alexis demanded.

The old fella shook his head. Silence was all he could afford.

"Before God and these people, and acting in the name of the President, best believe I will shoot you dead in the next one minute," Alexis sternly established. "On the other hand, the Program will pay you & 150k if you can assist us with information leading to the killer. I promise you."

The old fella motioned his head in a nod, "did he really kill our President?"

"Yes he did," Alexis replied almost instantly.

The old fella's registered a wave of shock and remorse. He took off his hat from his head and graciously placed it on his chest, "I will take you to him."

Alexis nodded and tucked her gun away. Her face glowed with easiness and relief.

The train was instructed to pullover at the nearest station.

Alexis led the old fella to one of the SUVs that sped after the moving train. She and her company jumped into the vehicles and they drove off.

After an hour, the Program's party pulled over at the sandy shores by the river. Of course, they were led by the old fella.

As they approached the little hut that served as haven when the old fella went about his fishing spree, Alexis' team drew their guns and cocked them. They were ready to engage Mr. Zero in combat.

"There, he's in there?" Thd old fella, pointed at the hut. "I left him there."

The team surrounded the hut. Guns aimed thereon.

Alexis, standing closely to the fella, called out, "You're surrounded, Zero. Come out!"

A moment went by without any response. It was dead quiet. No sound was heard. No ounce of movement was noticed.

Alexis gave the old fella a stern look.

"He was in there," The old fella stammered his argument out. "He gave me two hundred and fifty bucks to buy the stuff I took to the hotel."

Alexis beckoned with her head. One of the Program's crew members stomped into the hut. And, after a while he came back shaking his head.

Alexis took a step back. She drew her gun, cocked it and shot the old fella at the back of his head.

The old fella fell helplessly on the shore. He laid cold in the cold pool of his own blood. His eyes gaped wide as though looking at the river that roared with a thunderous rage.

"He must be nearby," Alexis observed. "Spread out and bring that son of a bitch. Dead or alive."

The men and women in black scampered in all directions with haste feet.

Alexis stood and indulged in a cigarette. Her eyes burnt with anger and vengeance.