Short Story

 Colt walks the route again for the second time. His face covered, concealing the identity of himself to the thousands of people walking by even though he probably wouldn’t be noticed anyway.

It was the beginning rush hour. Foot traffic clogged the streets and sidewalks as everyone made their way to their destinations. The sky filled with smog and the dense compaction of people made Colt invisible in the crowd as he too walked toward his destination.Yet, today was not an ordinary day, it was the day he would attempt the heist he’d been planning for weeks.

He continued on his route, turning right down an alley way toward his destination, an apartment building on lower 15th ave. He walked down the stairs to be greeted by a bodyguard at the front of the apartment door.

“Id.” the bodyguard said. Colt handed over his Id, which in reality wasn’t his real Id. He had swiped it from an intoxicated man leaving the apartment a few weeks prior, and had it changed to match his appearance. He hoped all his work would pay off.

The bodyguard nodded and let Colt pass through into the apartment. The apartment was filled with people gambling their money away. There were poker tables, blackjack, roulette, slots and more scouring the entire apartment, but that’s not what Colt was there for. He was there for the money inside. Illegal gambling centers were his favorite to rob, as he knew they couldn't call the police for help.

He made his way to an empty table in the back of the room and sat down. A dealer came up to him. She was neatly dressed, hair straight and tucked back

“What game are we playing today sir?” she asked.

“Let’s play some blackjack,” Colt said. She began dealing the cards out as Colt pulled out a stack of cash from his pocket. He placed the minimum bet. The first stage of the plan was coming into place, killing time.

“So why are you here tonight?” She asked

“I’m just here killing time,” Colt said.

“I’d say you’re burning money too, you’re not even paying attention. You’ve lost

the last 5 hands,” She laughed.

“What time is it?” Colt asked.

“Almost 6, “ she said.

“Perfect,” Colt said. He slowly reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a revolver 

concealing it for only her to see.

“Follow me to the back room,” Colt said. She was frozen, but slowly began to get up as

Colt and her made their way to the back room. They reached a locked door. 

“Give me your card to unlock the door,” Colt said. She handed him the card and he unlocked the door. Inside there were two other people packing briefcases full of money from the profits of the gambling. Colt pulled out another revolver holding one up to the women and the other pointed towards the other two individuals.

“Give me a briefcase,” Colt said. They complied. Hurrying to finish packing the money inside, they handed the case over to Colt.

“Everyone move toward the corner of the room,” Colt Said.  They all complied. He deposited one of the guns back into his coat and grabbed the suitcase. Colt made his way to the end of the room where there was another door. He used her card once more to unlock the door. The polluted air smacked him in the face as the door opened once more to the outside world. Yet there was one more obstacle ahead. A bodyguard was standing right in front of him. He quickly moved his revolver to the temple of the man’s head.

“Don’t say a word.” Colt whispered. The man nodded. Colt gestured to him, flailing the gun toward the door. He complied,moved indoors and shut the door behind him. As soon as it clicked shut Colt burst out running. He ran up the stairs through a new alleyway and slowed down as he approached the sea of walking people once more. Over an hour later the foot traffic had not decreased, just as he planned. He slipped in holding the briefcase in one hand, the other on his revolver in his pocket. He blended into the crowd and disappeared into the sea of feet, as though nothing had happened.