Bad Doctor

13

Bobby runs to the back of the car, grabs the bedding from Cameron’s arms, and throws it in the trunk. He slams it shut, then grabs the very shaken Cameron by the wrist, and throws her in the front passenger seat.

“What’s wrong?” Willow asks. But Cameron’s too shaky to respond.

Bobby points at the papers in Willow’s hand. “What’s that?”

Willow says, “The rental car agreement.”

“You opened the glove box?”

“I wanted to see whose car we’re stealing.”

“And now you know. How does that make you feel?”

“I have no opinion on it either way.”

Bobby laughs. “I guess we’ll know a helluva lot more when the party starts.”

He circles the car, gets in the back seat and says, “Okay, let’s go!”

He suddenly seems in a good mood.

Willow says, “Not without the vacuum cleaner.”

“Shut the fuck up!”

So much for his good mood.

Willow says, “I’m not leaving without Cameron’s vacuum cleaner. Period.”

He punches the back of her head with his fist and waits to hear her cry.

“Fuck you!” she yells.

“Fuck me? What the hell’s wrong with you? Drive, bitch!”

“Get the vacuum cleaner or drive yourself.”

“Drive!”

“Vacuum cleaner!”

He shakes his head. What is this bullshit? Yesterday’s world was a simpler place. He’d smack Willow around, she’d cry, they’d have sex, she’d cry some more, next morning everything’s back to normal. This whole vacuum cleaner attitude makes no sense.

He sighs.

Then again, why dwell on it? He’s got more important things to think about, like the bag full of drugs and black toad powder Chuckie sold him.

Bobby suddenly laughs and wonders why. He didn’t hear or say anything funny. He’s just sitting here, wondering about-wait, there it goes again.

Now he’s giggling like a moron.

Must be the speedball.

He’s never had enough cash to mix the gravy before, and he’s suddenly feeling giddy. Seconds ago his senses were deadened. He had to struggle to remain standing. Thought he might collapse.

Now he’s flying!

He’s hit that level where half of him wants to shut down and sleep and the other half wants to party.

Chuckie the drug dealer was right when he said, “H and blow’s a hell of a show!”

Bobby can’t wait to try the Black Toad. And what’s the only thing stopping him?

A vacuum cleaner.

He gets out of the car for what seems the millionth time and pops Willow’s trunk open again.

While he’s retrieving the vacuum cleaner, Willow notices something attached to the sun visor that has no use being in a rental car. She takes a tissue from her purse, uses it to remove the device, and places it in her purse.

Who knows what might be of value later on?

If there is a later on.

Meanwhile, Bobby throws the vacuum cleaner in the back seat, climbs in after it and says, “Before the night’s over, you’re going to tell me what’s so special about this piece of shit used sweeper.”

He presses the lock button on her key and says, “Your car’s locked, and you’ve got all your shit. Let’s roll.”

Willow looks at Cameron and says, “Are you okay?”

Cameron shakes her head no and says, “There’s a dead body in the trunk.”

Willow’s eyes grow huge.

“Start the car,” Bobby says. “ Now!”

“You killed the doctor?”

“What doctor?”

She picks up the rental agreement and reads, “Dr. Gideon Box, Royal Tower, West 64 ^th Street, New York City.”

Bobby says, “Right. Like you don’t know him.”

“What I know is you’ve apparently killed someone and stolen his car. And you’re making me drive it. And you’re leaving my car here at the murder scene.”

“He’s not dead,” Bobby says. “He’s resting.”

“Who the hell is Gideon Box?” Willow says. “And how do you know him?”

Bobby says, “Tell her, Cameron.”

Cameron says, “It’s Chris Fowler.”

“That the name he gave you, slut?” Bobby says.

“He’s dead, Willow,” Cameron says.

Bobby says, “He’s not dead, you dumb bitch. He’s unconscious.”

“I know a dead body when I see one!” Cameron snaps.

Bobby says, “Drive, Willow.”

“Where?”

“My grandma’s farm.”

“Grandma Maggie? I thought she was in assisted living.”

“She is. But the farm’s still for sale.”

Bobby laughs again for no apparent reason, then realizes the car hasn’t moved.

“Did I tell you to start the car?”

“Maybe I would if you’d-I don’t know-give me the fucking keys?”

He throws the keys onto the dashboard and says, “I’m going to beat that attitude out of you when we get to the farm.”