Later that day the two were back upstairs trying to figure out their next move. Kimmie changed into the pants to see if they fit, and Cliff rifled through the tool bag. In the bag was several screwdrivers, different sized pliers and wrenches, a flashlight, masking tape and two different hammers. He whispered to himself, “all the things we can do with these”, as he smirked and laughed. Kimmie frantically cries out, “hey they fit, now we can go out!” “Okay so what does your plan say we do now”, Cliff yelled out. Kimmie ran over to him and replied, “well I say we go to a thrift store and get more clothes.” Cliff first shook his head and agreed but then asks, “and how are we gonna pay for the clothes?” Kimmie chuckled then replied, “we’re not gonna pay, we’ll just take.” Cliff retrieved the other pair of uniform pants and put them on. The two looked like coworkers of some sort, with blacks slacks and light blue shirts from the mental hospital.
They geared up to leave and go to the thrift store when Cliff noticed the Oasis name still on their shirts. He yelled out, “hey turn your shirt inside out to hide the hospital!” Kimmie quickly did as requested then grabbed the tool bag and emptied everything out. Cliff screamed out, “what the hell are you doing!?” She retorted, “I’m making more room so we can take more stuff with.” She then swung it over her shoulder like a purse and paraded around. They then headed for the back door and carefully left out. It was just getting dark out, so they went unnoticed as Cliff put the security gate back. Kimmie yells out, “hey this way, let’s just head through the alleyways its faster and less traffic.” Then the two walked off as if nothing was wrong with their heads but not to stand out.
About ten minutes and four blocks later he two found themselves around the corner form the thrift store. Kimmie huddled next to Cliff and whispered, “okay only things you need and no dumb shit, try to hide things in your shirt or pants if you can.” Cliff nodded his head and the two turned the corner and went inside the store. In the store there are several racks of clothes and accessories scattered throughout, with the checkout near the entrance/exit. There were no cameras or security being that it was a small store. They split up and started going through the racks unknown to the workers in the busy store. Kimmie swiftly put things in the tool bag without paying any attention to herself. Cliff was able to stuff a few things in his slacks before he began to look suspicious. He finds Kimmie and put the stuff he was hiding in the bag then walked off for more. They grabbed a few more things then met up and headed for the dress rooms in the back of the store. Kimmie rapidly started ripping off the price tags on all the stuff they were stealing as Cliff stood lookout. She then got settled and grabbed some clothes left in the dressing room. Cliff walked towards the door as he nonchalantly put the left clothes back on the rack. She meets up with Cliff at the front door then both leave without a clue of their thievery.
They casually retreated back around the corner and down the alley. Once they were at least a block away they picked up their pace and rushed back. When they got inside Kimmie threw the tool bag stuffed full of clothes on the floor as the two celebrated. Cliff pulled out more clothes he stuffed in his pants and Kimmie rifled through the bag. They began to thoroughly sort through their haul when it started to rain. Since some of the windows were busted the rainwater managed to find its way inside. Kimmie grabbed the bag and headed for the basement. Cliff followed then remembered the flashlight with the tools. He doubled back and grabbed the flashlight then met Kimmie by the door. He turned on the flashlight and to their surprise it worked, it was a weak light, but it worked, nonetheless.
They head towards the break room with Cliff leading the way with the flashlight. They settled inside on the floor as Cliff places the flashlight on the small bench like table in the center of the room shining up at the ceiling. The minimal light gave them enough to examine the clothes and kept them somewhat comfortable. Kimmie dumped out everything that was in the bag on the floor. A couple dresses, both men and women jeans and t-shirts, a couple hats, sunglasses and a huge bundle of socks for them both. Cliff threw the shirt and pair of jeans he had stuffed down on the floor as well. He then said, “we have enough clothes to go and do anything.” Kimmie followed up and said, “yeah we should be good, we just have to worry about how to eat.” Cliff chimed in, “well there’s always begging or eating on the street.” He started to laugh when Kimmie interrupted, “there’s no damn way I’m begging for anything, and I don’t each trash I’m not a damn dog! “Cliff slowly stopped laughing and said, “okay what then?!”
She took his hand and pulled him down to sit on the floor with her. She reached into her pants pocket and pulled out a little box. Cliff looked at the box and before he could ask Kimmie said, “I thought we’d get engaged so whatever we got through we do it together no matter what.” She opened the box and there was a set of cubic zirconia rings, one for him and one for her. Cliff shyly smirked and asked, “are you serious, are you trying to do a wedding, with a judge, or what?” Kimmie answered, “no, no nothing like that, it’s just between us, we can where these rings and stay loyal to each other forever, what do ya say?” He took the ring and said, “of course through death baby.” They both put on the rings, hugged then started to slowly dance around the flashlight. The two ended up falling asleep in each other arms on top of the stolen clothes.
The next day Kimmie woke Cliff up and said, “so I came up with an idea for food, but you won’t like it.” She continued, “so at any average to major hotel in the financial district holds meetings for like hundreds of people. Why can’t we sneak in on one of the meetings and take snacks, food or whatever they have. We can either stay for the meeting or leave at lunchtime, but we have to be there early to catch a crowd going inside the hotel.” Cliff sat up, absorbed all the information and said, “okay but how early are you talking and how far is the hotel?” Kimmie added, “the meetings usually start around eight or nine and it’s about a mile and a half from here.” Cliff responded, “okay that doesn’t sound too bad, when did you wanna do this?” She replied, “let’s go tomorrow because I’m starting to get hungry, as for today lets clean this place up a little huh.” Cliff grabbed the flashlight and tried turning it on until he noticed the batteries finally ran out. He said, “okay we can try tomorrow, and the flashlight is out so we have to replace that somehow.”
Kimmie then went to the storage room to try to clean and straighten up. In there she saw a little closet like door and decided to open it. It was a broom closet that kept old cleaning materials, plastic garbage bags, a broom, and a mop which was all inside a beat up bucket. She looked through and singled out a bottle of ammonia and a bottle of bleach. She set the two bottles aside and started to sweep the room with the broom. Cliff came to check on Kimmie when she blurted out, “hey grab those bottles and put them with our stuff!” He responded, “okay I was just about to clean the changing room.” She replied, “no, the bottles are for something special but here take this mop to help you clean”, as she handed him the mop. Cliff then took the bottles back where their clothes were and proceeded to the changing room. He used the mop as a push broom and pushed the dirt and debris into a pile.
Two hours of cleaning and left both satisfied with their work. All the rooms were cleaned out as best as they could. Each room still had a mound of dust, debris and garbage gathered which Kimmie gave Cliff the garbage bags. As he gathered all the trash, ran it upstairs and threw it out, Kimmie started folding their clothes. She called for Cliff and asked, “hey what’s that in the corner of the room?” Cliff came and inspected the area and found an old hot plate behind a rusty mini refrigerator. It was gas powered and looked like it could still work although damaged. Kimmie yelled, “I’m sure that’ll come in use at some point, don’t throw that away!” Cliff responded, “okay but we’re gonna need gas ya know.” She nodded and continued folding clothes as he continued to throw out garbage and debris.
Kimmie made sure to lay out the professional looking clothes out the stolen heap. She laid out a nice dress, heels, and a big fedora styled hat for her. For Cliff she made sure to lay out nice slacks, a button up shirt and a tie. Once they were both settled in their room Kimmie started thinking of a plan. She said, “okay tomorrow we have to blend in while we’re scoping the place out.” She continued, “we could find a smoker outside the hotel and ask for a smoke engaging in a conversation. Then once we can gain access into the hotel simply follow the foot traffic to the main room or ballroom. On the way if an opportunity jumps out we take advantage, but we do it discreetly, you got it?” Cliff shook his head then said, “all that sounds cool as long as I don’t have to talk.” She replied, “that’s fine this time, but you’ll soon get the hang of it, not let’s get some sleep we have to be up early.”
The next morning the two got up and put on the clothes she set out. Kimmie emptied out her bag and took it with her as they went upstairs to leave. Since the hotels were mostly located in the business district they decided to take the street and walk there. The business district was only a few blocks away so the two discussed further plans on the way. While walking Cliff noticed that his clothes smelled, which didn’t help the fact that he hadn’t showered. He grabbed Kimmie’s arm and said, “hey hold up, we stink we can’t go in like this.” Kimmie sniffed her dress and replied, “yeah I see what you mean.” She desperately looked around and noticed a magazine stand on a parallel street. She looked at Cliff and said, “okay I’m gonna go over there first then you follow, then you get the guy’s attention and ill swipe a magazine.” Cliff responded, “so how should I get his attention.” Kimmie chimed in, “just ask if he sales cigarettes or something.” She went over to the booth as the man came from behind it to greet her. She looked around, picked up and opened the magazines checking for cologne or perfume samples. Suddenly Cliff walks up and again the man comes out to greet him Cliff mumbled, “hey how’s it going do you have any cigarettes or cigars.”
As soon as the man turned his back Kimmie quickly stuffed two magazines in her bag then walked off. She rushed across the street and out of site leaving Cliff on his own. The man turned back around with a pack of cigarettes and showed Cliff. Cliff responded, “no not those, are those the only ones you have?” The man nodded yes, and Cliff replied, “okay well never mind, but thank you.” Cliff walked off in the same direction he seen Kimmie run to and caught up with her around the corner. They continued on their way while Kimmie ripped through the pages of the magazine. She grunted, “they gotta have something in that smells good.” She eventually finds a men’s cologne ad and gave the sample to Cliff, then perfume. They rubbed the samples on their necks and wrists first then all over their clothes. She put the magazines back in her bag and continued to the hotel. There were several hotels in about a three block radius, so they had their choice.
The two stumbled upon the Continental Plaza Hotel, which was a medium level hotel mostly known for its meeting rooms. They scoped out the entrance to check the environment to see if they even had a chance. There was only one doorman in sight outside and no security inside, as far as they could see. All of a sudden the two spotted a large group of people in what looked like a smoke break. They pounced and started walking towards the hotel. Kimmie was the first to approach them by saying, “hey can anyone bum a smoke?” Some of the people looked her off while one lady nodded and gave her a cigarette. At that moment Cliff joined Kimmie as she asked, “so which conference are you guys here for, if I may ask.” One of the guys responded, “were all here for the “Entrepreneurship 101” we’re all on a small break before they start, what about you guys?” Kimmie looked at Cliff and nervously said, “well that’s a coincidence so are we, its good we bumped into you guys we’re running a little late.” They all shared a laugh and continued to smoke and engage in small talk amongst themselves. Soon after the group entered the hotel followed by Cliff and Kimmie without any suspicion.
The two continued to follow the group in an elevator but at the same time taking note of their surroundings in case of an escape. Eventually they arrived at a big ballroom that sat around one hundred people comfortably. They blended right in with the group as they nonchalantly walked inside the ballroom. The tables and chairs were all set up to look like a huge classroom. In the back of the room there as a long table with breakfast, refreshments, juice and coffee. They broke away from the group and took turns feeding their faces while fixing themselves a plate. The two chose to sit at the end of one row near the back so they wouldn’t be noticed if they left the room. Haven’t eaten in days the couple quietly ate while the conference started. When they finished, they decided to sit and stay, not to bring any attention to them. They even passed notes back and forth to each other using the notepads and pens that were set on the tables.
When the lunchtime break came Cliff looked at Kimmie and asked, “hey so what do you want to do?” Kimmie slid both of their notepads and pens into her bag and replied, “lets grab so food then we wander around.” They both got up and headed to the adjacent room for lunch moments before other people started rushing there. The two were the first ones to find a table and eat before the same group they met outside joined them. They conversed but hurried up eating and excused themselves from the table. They headed through the door then Kimmie said, “hey let’s take the stairs up a few floors, let’s see what we can get.” On one floor they discovered an abandoned housekeeping cart, so they chose to rummage through it. Kimmie quickly grabbed some towels, hotel soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste and quickly put them in her bag. The next floor they went to had a door that led to the back of the hotel, where they kept most of their work material. Cliff snooped in the back while Kimmie kept watch. He found a boxcutter, butane fluid, and a box of latex gloves as he ran back out and gave it all to Kimmie. As they were walking down to the exit they came across another cart. In there they found miniature bottles of liquor, cookies, nuts and bottles of water. When they tried to leave the hotel, an employee spotted them.
The employee asked, “hey do you guys need help?” Kimmie carefully hide her bag and replied, “no we’re just walking around, we’re on our lunch break.” Right before the employee could leave Kimmie blurted out, “hey do you like working here?” the employee responded, “yeah it’s alright, can’t complain I guess.” Cliff started to walk off when Kimmie continued, “okay well if you get fed up here, we’re hiring at the old paper factory for some construction work.” The employee responded, “okay maybe I will, do you guys have a number?” Kimmie said, “no but if you know where the paper factory is, just come knocking, okay?” The employee nodded and walked off as Kimmie tried to catch up with Cliff. Once together Cliff said, “what was that, why would you bring attention to the spot?” Kimmie laughed and said, “I’m just having a little fun.” Cliff responded, “you mean good fun or bad fun?” Kimmie said, “maybe a little of both, let’s be bad baby.” Cliff grinned from ear to ear and nodded as the two left the hotel with their bag full of goodies.
realtalented 