Head inside the Rice Room

"Five hundred dollars and some change," Ivan says, as he pushes a small stack of twenties across his desk to you. You stare at the bills with no small chagrin - not much of a reward for taking shots at a police officer.

"I know you may have expected more, but you have to understand: this was a test. You passed. You proved yourself capable under pressure. You protected my daughter, just as I asked. We'll put you on a tougher job soon, with a larger payout. And it will be a test too. That's how it works here. You do a job, and if you do it well, you get a harder job next time. A harder job that pays just a little bit more. Otherwise, we'd have rookies pulling heists at lunchtime on a Tuesday. It never ends well."

"I understand, Uncle. I don't mean to be ungrateful. Thank you for the opportunity. I look forward to whatever comes next." You grab the frustratingly thin stack of money and slide it into the pocket of your jeans. It helps, but it will not put a dent in your debts.

Ivan gives you a supportive nod and then points to the door.

"If you want to earn a little more, I think Ana could use some help at the bar this afternoon. Mikael will be here later, but I saw the room already filling up. Keep the gun. You'll need it again."

"I'll check with her, then," you say, and leave your uncle's office, the firearm returned to the rear of your waistband. Ana is already behind the bar, pouring drinks and attending to patrons as if her noon had not been filled with high-speed chases and gunshots. You stand and watch her for a moment, admiring the beautiful woman that she is. She catches your eye and blushes.

"Come to help, or just going to stare like usual?"

"Can't I do both?"

"After earlier, I might allow it."

You grin and move behind the bar to stand beside her.

"Ivan said you need help for a bit. Anything I can do?"

"Sure, I could use you for a few hours until Mikael comes in."

You jump into the work - glad to be doing something much less dangerous than what you had done only a few hours before. Patrons come and go, and the tips stack up. You check your watch to see it is just past five - Mikael will be in around six, you know from prior weekends. As you work, Ana shoots you feline grins and brushes past you, a little more than usual, and you can only shake your head. The things that app has done to you.

Just as Mikael walks through the bar door, you feel a vibration in your pocket. Another text from Karina.

Karina: Hey daddy. I am going to stay the night with Mia tonight if that's okay. We spent all day studying at the library and barely got to talk, so we're going to watch movies together.

Lev: Sure, honey. Tell Mia I said hello.

You see the telltale dots of her pending response, but it never comes. You dismiss it and slide your phone back into your pocket, wave at Mikael, and move from behind the bar. Ana follows you, holding out a wad of cash.

"Your share of the tips. Thanks again, Lev."

You shoot her a wink and take the money from her, your touch lingering a moment too long on the smooth skin of her palm.

"No, thank you, Ana. For everything."

She rolls her eyes and returns to behind the bar, resuming her work while training her eyes on you. Her lips pucker in a kiss, just for you, that drifts lazily across the air like a cartoon animation. You stretch a hand out to catch it, palming the immaterial affection and pressing your knuckles to your own mouth. And with that, you leave the bar, and your beautiful cousin, behind.