34.
Milly began training with Bingo and Turtle. First, she observed: from the car, on the corner, or from inside a café. The men patrolled their territory, shook folks down, and kicked in the occasional door. Soon, Milly took her place beside them as their accomplice.
On the Seattle streets, the bearing she’d honed as a hunter in the Utah desert was an asset: patient, perceptive, calculating, and cool. The trio were busiest when ships came in. Personal debt collections began immediately, before arriving sailors could squander their earnings. When “reminded,” most debtors paid. Once sailors’ money had filled nearby registers, business collections commenced.
It was difficult in this state, with her mind made up, to connect with many moments. There were only glimpses when Milly’s emotions were heightened or the Moon was strong, like highlights, like a movie montage.
🎵 “The Straight and Narrow” - Spiritualized 🎵
On her first night working, Milly walked closely behind Turtle and Bingo. A man burst out a door, right between them, vomiting. Milly scooted back as the stream of puke missed her feet by a centimeter. Bingo turned and laughed. Milly grinned, side-stepping around the barf. Turtle tossed the man back into the bar.
Milly flirted with a security guard in front of a drug shop while Turtle and Bingo went around back. When the two came out holding a money chip, she walked off with them. The security guard stood mouth agape, stunned. She got paid for this collection. It wasn’t much, but it was her first.
The Maritime District attracted dealers, hustlers, and prostitutes at its perimeter, catering to the longshoremen and sailors within.
“Stay behind us,” Bingo said.
As they entered, Milly was cat-called. One man threw beer. “Go back downtown!”
Turtle chased him off.
“Is it that obvious I live downtown?”
Bingo laughed. “Seriously, Milly? Maybe don’t dress so nice.”
“Should I get a disguise?”
“Maybe. And a Washington ID card.”
“I can’t. My ex.”
“Not a real ID. I know a guy who makes great fakes.”
Turtle returned.
Milly told him, “I’ll handle it next time.”
The trio confronted a delinquent pawnbroker. He unlocked his display case. Bingo took a large gold watch as payment for the Boss, then a small ring for himself. Milly took a ring as well. They shared a smile. Turtle started playing bass guitar, pretty well actually, in the corner of the pawnshop.
“You’re full of surprises, Turtle,” Milly said. “I tried to play guitar.”
“Grab one, let’s jam.”
She waved the idea away. “I’m terrible.”
Turtle shrugged and kept playing.
Milly eyeballed one man on their debtor’s list. Turtle and Bingo chased him into an alley. Milly kept watch on one side while Bingo’s drone hovered on the other. Turtle lifted the man a couple of feet off the ground, pressing his back against the wall. Bingo let the weight of his rings carry fist into belly with extra force. Turtle hung the groaning debtor in midair.
“Hold him a bit higher this time.” Bingo cocked his elbow back and aimed at the groin.
“Alright! Alright!” The debtor capitulated.
They escorted the debtor to his apartment and collected.
Milly got her share.
Chewing her gum as she entered a bodega, Milly began shopping but stayed near the counter. Bingo and Turtle entered shortly thereafter. The counter lady eyed the pair suspiciously. When she turned away, Milly slid behind the counter, stretching her long arm up to put gum on the security camera lens.
A ruckus from the back gained the counter lady’s attention; she whirled around. Behind her stood Milly, blocking the way, shaking her head, holding her special bracelet just in case. The lady looked up at the camera and grimaced.
Turtle emerged holding a shoe box.
Bingo brandished his pistol as they made their exit. “Pay.”
Milly winked. “I’ll have some gum. Ooh, and this lip gloss.”
The lady glared. “Take it.”
A businessman stumbling out of a bar accosted Milly, trying to grope her.
She folded his wrist backwards, locked his thumb, and shoved him against a wall.
He slurred insults into the brick.
Turtle stepped up for an assist.
Milly stopped him. “Remember? I’ll get it.” She let the businessman’s arm go. “Say it to my face.”
He spun around, sneering.
She leaned forward towards the man’s eyes.
He froze.
Milly stamped her foot on the ground, jerked her arms, and hissed.
He cowered and ran off.
She laughed, then yipped like a coyote.
Turtle and Bingo nodded at each other in approval.
Milly approached a bouncer at a strip club. Girls languidly danced inside.
“Hey honey, looking for a job? Auditions are Sunday morning.”
Turtle and Bingo appeared behind her.
“Oh, she with you? Sorry.” The bouncer produced a money chip and offered it to Turtle.
Turtle pointed to Milly.
The bouncer bowed his head. “No offense.”
“None taken.” Milly extended her palm. “I respect hard work.”
Milly continued seeing Ethan, always at his place, a couple of times each passing week. She showed homes for the real estate agent, shopped for Meghan, and visited Ambrosia — always on the guest list. Though training wasn’t complete, Milly was making money, chipping away at her debt.