Sketchy (alternative version)

"I guess our best bet for now is Sketchy, huh?” Alec smiled as he slowly steered the beat-up car through the empty streets, “I mean… honestly, we both know it would fuck up dog boy almost as much as you and that would be sad! Sketchy on the other hand…” Alec let out a snigger as he caught Max’ glare. “The guy is going to feel like Christmas came early…”

“Alec…” Max wanted to protest.

“Shut up, Maxie!” he interrupted her. “You’re going to be fine! Just focus and break that curse!”

Max sighed and swallowed hard, looking out of the smeary window. She didn’t feel panicked and she was surprised by that. Much rather she wondered if Alec was telling the truth, if this was actually a way to break her condition or if her was just, quite literally, fucking with her.

The drive to Sketchy’s apartment was short and within five minutes Alec let the car roll to a stop at the sidewalk, only a few feet away from the building’s entrance. “Here we are!” Alec grinned, glancing over at Max. Damn, she had some nice titties! In case all this was not working out he wouldn’t be able to resist some fun with those…

Max swallowed as she glanced up, seeing that Sketchy’s flat on the fourth floor was still dimly illuminated. “Fuck…” she muttered.

“Now, now, Maxie, don’t be like that!” Alec chuckled. He reached back behind her seat and grabbed something. “Here! While you had fun with your friends in that alley I got your stuff. You must have forgotten them at my place!”

Max’ eyes widened in surprise when he dropped her clothes into her lap. Wary that this was some kind of trick she lifted her shirt up and inspected it carefully before giving Alec a questioning look.

“Don’t worry Max!” he assured her, “Everything’s fine. Granted, I couldn’t find your underwear,” he winked, “but that shouldn’t be a problem… Now put them on! We don’t have all night!”

Max shrugged. One order she was not going to complain about. Swiftly she slipped on the flimsy shirt and the cargo pants, glad to be able to cover up for the moment while Alec briefed her for her mission.

“Now, Maxie, first and foremost: if Sketchy asks where you have been or what’s the matter with you or anything regarding Manticore… lie! I don’t want to have to kill Sketch just because you couldn’t stop gossiping… Also you won’t hurt anyone up there. Instead I want you to go up to his apartment and make his every wish come true, do you understand? I want there to be legends from this day on out about the night Max Guevara got herself screwed into next week! Give the dude something he probably won’t tell his grandchildren about!”

Max nodded silently, tying the laces of her sneakers. She wanted to say something, but she didn’t know what. She felt her heart beat fast, now starting to get worried as realization hit home of what she was about to do. “Okay…” she muttered as she sat back up, looking over at Alec, ready to hear him send her off.

Alec gave her a good look before he smirked. “Jesus, those clothes are unsexy… We have to do something!” Max only watched as Alec snatched up a handful of fabric of the hem of her shirt and tied it into a knot, which revealed a couple of inches of tanned, toned midriff. “There,” he grinned, “Much better! Now make me proud!”

He leaned over her and pushed the door open, an unmistakable gesture and as she got out of the car he delivered a slap to her butt. Max clenched her teeth, but instead of doing something she might come to regret later she walked towards the buildings worn-down front door, simply pushing it open and heading straight to the stairs.

Sketchy’s apartment was on the fourth floor and after climbing flight after flight of stairs she finally stood in front of his apartment’s door. A thin line of light fell through the peephole and Max could hear the dull beat of rock music. Swallowing hard she raised her fist and, more confident than she felt, she knocked.