The Libloggery: blogging creative writing, photography, opinion, and random fun. - literature/Alvin_Shubert/Mexican

A Mexican Sunrise: Chapter 5: More planning

     Charlie and Isaac walked to Deming after their breakfast. They did not speak much, as worry about guards on the train occupied Isaac's mind. Isaac also saw that Charlie was wrapped up in thoughts of his own, so decided to remain silent. He might be trying to figure out how to get past the guards. I don't want to interrupt him in the middle of figuring it out.
      "I have to go to the post office to drop something off." Charlie said once they reached the city limits.
      "Okay."
     Charlie handed Isaac a quarter. "Why don't you go get a copy of the latest newspaper? And head over to the train station and look at the train schedule. That way we can make sure when the train stops here."
      "Okay." Isaac didn't want to admit to Charlie that he couldn't read. He hoped that he could just go to the general store and ask for the paper and ask someone at the train station when the train stopped.
      "Meet me at the salon once you're finished."
      "Okay."
     With that, Charlie headed to the post office. Isaac went to the general store first and headed straight to the cashier, walking past the tables of canned foods and clothing.
      "I need a copy of the latest newspaper." He said.
     The cashier gestured to a stack of papers at the end of the counter. "Take your pick."
     This situation was just what Isaac had feared. He walked over to the papers and looked at them for a moment. He looked up and walked away from the papers for a moment, pretending to study the shelf of dry goods next to the papers. He knew enough to recognize numbers, so he hoped he might be able to figure it out that way.
      "What's today?" He asked the cashier.
      "Wednesday."
      "No, I mean the date."
      "The 25th."
      "Thanks." Isaac went back and looked down at the papers. Twenty-fifth. I need a paper with a 2 and a 5 next to each other. He scanned the top paper on each of the four stacks, finally seeing the number 25 on one of them. He picked it up and took it to the cashier to pay.
     The cashier looked at the paper, then at Isaac with a confused look. Isaac noticed, but didn't react. The cashier told Isaac the total.
     Isaac put the quarter down on the counter. The cashier counted out the change and placed it in Isaac's outstretched hands.
      "Thank you, sir. Have a good day."
      "Thank you." Isaac replied, taking the newspaper and walking out the door. He felt a sense of relief, but was also now worried that he had made an error. But it has 25 on the top, and today is the 25th. Oh, that cashier probably just thought he recognized me. Funny, as long as I've been here I've never seen him.
     Isaac walked down the street, leaving faint footprints in the fine sand. He passed the barber shop and its faded red and white candy striping, the salon with swinging doors, and the bank. Glancing into the windows of the bank, he saw Charlie standing at the teller window. That's strange. I thought he was going to the post office. I wonder what he's doing in the bank? Isaac stopped and watched Charlie for a bit. The teller pushed an envelope toward Charlie. Charlie took it, nodded to the teller, then turned and made eye contact with Isaac. Isaac quickly looked away and started walking briskly toward the train station. Dangit! I hope he doesn't think I was spying on him. I wonder if he'll mention it later. Dangit, why do I do stuff like this. I just have just gone straight to the train station like he said instead of peeping in on him. None of my business what he was doing in there. Probably just getting money to buy our train tickets.
     Isaac was so busy beating himself for spying on Charlie that he almost walked right past the train station without realizing it. Once he realized where he was he took a deep breath and walked inside. The only person in the station was the ticket agent. He looked up and greeted Isaac with an enthusiastic, "Howdy". Isaac replied likewise, but had grown nervous again. He could see the train schedule posted right next to the ticket window. Dangit! He knew he would have to ask the agent what time the train left out of here and when he did the agent would know he couldn't read.
      "Do you need a ticket? If so, don't look at the schedule. The schedule was changed this morning and we haven't gotten the new one posted yet."
     A look of obvious relief filled Isaac's face, as well as an audible sigh. Sometimes I can't catch break. Sometimes I can. Must be my lucky day. Maybe I'll see if there's any available ladies of marrying age around here today.
      "Can I help you?" The agent inquired.
      "Oh, yes. What time does the train leave from here?"
      "Depends on which way you're going."
      "Oh." Charlie didn't say which way we would go. I guess I should get both times. "Well, I was sent here by people that need to know both."
      "Okay." The agent thought that was little strange, but he had seen stranger. "The westbound train leaves each Monday morning at 8:06 a.m. The eastbound train leaves each Friday afternoon at 3:19 p.m. Is there anything else you need?"
      "No, that's all. Thank you very much."
      "Have a good day, sir."
      "Thank you. You too."
     The agent smiled and nodded at Isaac. Isaac left, again wondering why he had never seen the man behind the ticket counter in all the time he had lived in Deming. I must not get out too much. I guess I never take the train anywhere or go into the general store.
     Isaac's thoughts began to worry him again as he approached the salon. I wonder what Charlie is going to say to me. I wonder if he's mad at me for spying on him at the bank. Gosh, what am I going to say. Maybe he didn't recognize me. Maybe he won't say anything. I'll just act normal, and maybe he'll have forgotten.
     Isaac walked timidly through the swinging doors. He saw Charlie sitting alone at one of the tables and there were two beers on the table. He walked over to the table and Charlie motioned him to sit down.
      "Hey Charlie." Isaac said nervously, but attempting to remain calm.
      "Can I see that newspaper before you kill it?"
      "Huh, oh, yes. Heh-heh." In his nervousness, he had rolled up the newspaper and had begun to squeeze it tightly. He unrolled it and put it on the table. He then picked up his beer and took a nervous sip.
     Charlie looked down at the paper. "Would you take a look at that? The president is coming here to Deming."
      "Really?"
      "Yes, it's the headline. Take a look here."
     Isaac looked down at the headline. Even though he couldn't read it, he took a moment to look at it thoughtfully and took another sip from his beer before replying. "Isn't that something?"
     Charlie eyed Isaac suspiciously. "Yes, that is something."
      "That will be exciting."
      "You can't read, can you?"
      "What? Don't be crazy. Why would you think that?"
      "Because this headline says nothing about the president."
     Charlie knew he had been discovered. Oh well. Probably better he know. "No, I can't read."
      "Don't be ashamed. There's plenty of people that can't read. And it says nothing about your smarts."
      "You don't think I'm stupid because I can't read?"
      "No. But, it is something I'm glad I found out now. We have to know all of our liabilities while doing our planning. If there's anything else you need to share with me, then you should tell me."
     He did see me watching him at the bank. I guess I should fess up. That's got to be what he's talking about. "I saw you at the bank."
      "I know. Were you spying on me?"
      "No. I was just surprised to see you in there."
      "I was preparing to send some money to my wife. Everytime I get a little bit saved up, I send her what I can."
      "Oh, I see."
      "That's why I went to the post office."
      "Oh, okay. That makes sense."
      "What does the train schedule look like?"
      "Oh, do you want eastbound or westbound?"
      "Westbound."
      "It leaves every Monday morning at 8:06 a.m."
      "What time does the east bound leave?"
      "Every Friday afternoon at 3:19 p.m."
      "All right." Charlie took a deep gulp from his beer and thought for a moment. "You should get some nicer clothes."
      "Why?"
      "We want to look like professionals when we board the train. You'll get better treatment that way."
      "I guess it will also make me look less suspicious."
     Charlie's eyes grew wide. "Shhh. We don't talk about that in here." He whispered loudly.
      "Oh, sorry." Isaac whispered back sheepishly.
     Charlie looked around the salon. There weren't many people in there, and the few that were there didn't seem to have noticed their conversation. "Drink up and head over to the tailor."
      "The tailor?" Isaac was surprised. "You mean not to the ready-to-wear store?"
      "No. The chances of finding something that fits you well there are pretty low. You want to look professional, so we want something that fits you properly."
      "But I can't afford that."
      "Don't worry. I'll pay for it." Charlie reached into his pocket and pulled out five dollars. "Here, that should be enough for a full sack suit. They are quite fashionable now days."
      "Well, I just don't know what to say. Thank you."
      "It's an investment. Now head on over there." He gulped down the rest of his beer, picked up the newspaper and stood to leave. "Where do you live?"
      "I have a room at the edge of town."
v"Do you mind if I go wait for you there? It would be nice to have a nice quiet place to read and think."
      "Sure, no problem." Isaac pulled a key from his pocket and gave it to Charlie.
      "Thanks."
     As Charlie left, Isaac followed him with his eyes out the door. He couldn't help but question what Charlie had just proposed. If he can afford to buy tailor fitted clothes, then why does he need to rob a train?