I looked into Lindsay's eyes and said, "No baby girl, I won't leave you."  She smiled at me and wrapped her arms tighter around me.  Her embrace made my body tingle.  Suddenly, I was jolted back into reality by the sound of Kat's screams.  She yelled, "Who the fuck were they?"  Charlie said, "You don't need to know, but we're still alive and that is shocking to say the least.  We got to get out of this goddamn town."  She helped Charlie to his feet.  Sweat began to pour from my body.  I knew what I had to do.  If I didn't, Roman would most certainly kill me.  Even if Lindsay wasn't in love with me, if I followed orders I could see her again...and maybe someday... 

Charlie yelled, "Gather up this booze and I'll get this other shit.  We have to leave before our piss-hole luck runs out."  I walked over behind Charlie.  As he stood up, I put my hands on the side of his head.  With a quick SNAP, he was out of his misery.  Kat went totally crazy now, "You FUCKER!  Why did you do that?  You killed him!"  I walked over to her and said, "Charlie should have never gotten you involved.  Roman said to take care of everyone.  Sorry whore."  I put my hand over her screaming mouth.  She tried to bite me.  I twisted her neck furiously.  She fell to the floor.  I grabbed a whiskey bottle and took several long pulls.  My job was complete.  I felt bad for Charlie.  We had been partners for a long time; long before I met Roman.  However, with Roman it was kill or be killed.    

  I drove out to the desert to meet Roman, Lindsay, and the other Charlie character.  Roman asked, "Is it done?"  I nod.  He smiles, "Well done Cesar!  The mission is complete."  I glance at Lindsay.  I was searching for a wink; like the wink from my daydream.  No wink comes.  I hang my head with the realization that she will never turn on Roman.  They were like fucking penguins.  Roman said, "Leave the convertible Cesar. It's in Charlie's name.  We'll all ride to the airport in one car."  I nod again.  Lindsay and Roman get in the back seat, Charlie drives, and I get in the front passenger seat.  Charlie looks at me and then in the rearview mirror, "Hey Roman, since we came all the way out here to get this ridiculous book, can we at least stop at The Tropicana and play some blackjack?"  My eyes roll and I turn to look at Roman, the fury nearly radiating from his body.  I think, "Great!  Here we go again..."