A Pootie Game - Revived

[Lurker]

Eyeing the shortest route out of the restaurant, Randy said, "I was working. This place doesn't run itself."

[puzzleme]

"From where I'm sitting," Connie fumed as she pulled a pistol out of her purse, "both me and this place'd be better off without you at all, you two-timing weasel." Amid horrified screams and knowing guffaws, some folks diving under tables and others craning their necks for a better look, Connie took aim and squirted Randy right between the eyes with her vintage Daisy water pistol. Sheriff Tate pushed his coffee cup aside, shook his head, and admonished her. "Aw, now, Connie, one a these days you're gonna get yourself killed over that gun. Not everyone knows it ain't for real. Now gimme that thing, once and for all."

[Barnabas]

“Loaf,” Vince murmured, “he's more loaf than meat,” as he watched Sheriff Tate chewing a mouth full of meat-loaf while at the same time admonishing Connie for brandishing the squirt gun again. He noticed that Sandy, the waitress, had retreated all the way to the juke-box. Skynyrd's Ronnie Van Zant was pleading for his life... “hey wait a minute mister, I didn't even kiss her. Don't want no trouble with you...”. Vince smiled knowingly. If Connie Cole wanted the gaps in Randy's weekend filled, she need look no further than Sandy. “There once was a creep named Randy – who fancied a waitress named Sandy...” Vince's thoughts often dissembled into half completed limericks. But he recognized an opportunity now. Everyone in the kitchen had come out to the serving counter to see what the commotion was all about between Randy and Connie. Vince, who himself had worked at the truck stop diner until just a couple of months ago, knew where the night staff kept the occasional $100- bill and the $50s that drifted in over the course of a shift, and no one was looking after them now. He stood, walked past the Red Box movie rental dispenser, past the women's room and then the men's, slipped through the swinging door leading to the now empty kitchen, and hurried to the little business office that was barely larger than a closet. Oh sure, the big bills were passed through a locked slot in the desk. But Vince knew the key was kept in a little magnetic box affixed to the desk bottom.

[Lurker]

"Maybe you should spend every night here, Randy!" Vince heard Connie yelling from the dining room as his hand closed around the key box. The yelling continued from various voices, partially muffled by the wall and two doors between the rooms. He glanced up before unlocking the drawer, but no one was looking at the office. They were all staring out the pass-through. He glanced down at the five bills in his hand. $350, and one of the fifties was fake. He put that one back, locked the drawer, and replaced the key. No one would notice the missing bills for hours.

[wvwoman]

"say, vince," said a quiet voice from a dark corner of the office. "you're planning on sharing that, aren't you?"

[Lurker]

Unnerved, Vince dropped the money as he turned. That's what he got for not turning on the light. "Marty, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be on the Trenton route until Friday."

[petname]

"You looked like you might be up to your old tricks," grinned Marty, "so I figured out what you would probably do ahead of you. Remember, we have had some dealings before."

[puzzleme]

“Evidently, you’ve forgotten all about those good times, haven’t you, Vince? How’s about I refresh your memory?” purred Marty. Picking up the bills Vince dropped, Marty counted them and whistled softly. “Not bad for a few minutes’ work, Vinnie, and you left the funny-money in the drawer so he’s going blame Sandy, for sure.” Running fuchsia-lacquered fingertips through Vince’s hair, Martyanne Hobbs batted her eyelashes and laughed, “We sure could have us a good time on the way to Trenton, Vinnie.”

[macmilh]

"Evil" Marty Hobbs - well, well, well - it's been a long time. I see you'll' still do anything for a quick buck.

[Barnabas]

"Kitchen's still empty, Vince," Marty replied with a smile that had frozen many a man like a deer in the headlights, "but that quick buck will have to wait... but why worry? I'm the one holding the cash!"
"I thought we were going to share that," Vince reminded her.
"Perhaps another time," Marty said, grabbing her purse. "The Trenton route awaits, and as you've pointed out I'm behind schedule." She paused a moment by the door. "Oh here's a fifty. Hang onto it. Maybe think of it as a coupon for our next meeting?" And then she was gone.

[universalmom]

Either Marty had gotten sloppy, or maybe she was just overly confident...in any event, she strode smugly out of the office, and straight into Connie's trap. "Martyanne Hobbs, I have been trailing you for three months over four counties, and you are under arrest," said Connie with a grin.

[puzzleme]

“Now, that’s a laugh, Connie! Who do you think you are? Cagney… or Lacey?” sneered Marty. “You gonna threaten me with your little squirt gun? Maybe snap some pink handcuffs on me? You’re pathetic.”
Pushing past Connie toward the front of the diner, Martyanne tossed a few more jabs. “I’ve been working my butt off for the past three months while your one-and-only hasn’t been lonely. Him and Sandy have been cooking up more than apple pies back in that kitchen, if you know what I mean,” she winked. “Some detective you are, hot stuff.”

[imported_nanrich]

"For pete's sake," muttered Connie, flipping out her cell phone. "Yeah, Jack, Marty's headed straight for you. Bring her back here will you. We've got a few more fish to reel in and we need her here to finish up."

[universalmom]

Putting the phone back in her pocket, she flashed a quick smile at Randy. "Thanks, sweetie, for helping me make a scene! Maybe you should think about a career in acting," she added with a wink.

[Barnabas]

“Knucklehead!” Randy thought. “I can be such a knucklehead.” He realized that Connie hadn't been here tonight to bust his chops over what she thought she knew about him and Sandy. She had only been here to snag the Trenton tramp, Martyanne Hobbs. It occurred to him that if Connie actually had slapped the handcuffs on Marty that would have been just one more thing they would have had in common. Hmmmm. He thought about that for a moment... and then Connie's voice brought him back to the here and now.
“Don't lose any sleep wondering if your little secret with Sandy here is still under wraps. It isn't, Randy,” Connie said with seemingly complete detachment. “I know all about it. Did you forget you were dating a detective?”