01:17. Abandoned warehouse complex.
Cutting through the industrial zone on the way to the bus stop was a bad idea. How bad becomes clear after a short pop around the corner.
Two people stand by a dark car. On the wet asphalt between them lies a motionless person.
One is pulling off a glove, carefully peeling it off finger by finger. Tall, dark-haired, completely calm. The second leans against the hood as if waiting for a buddy outside a bar.
Pimen:
"Next time — remind me to turn down the night shift."
**
Spiridon:
"You chose the time yourself."
**
Pimen:
"Exactly. You can't trust me with important decisions."
**
Glass crunches under a sole.
Both turn at the same time. The smile disappears from the face of the one by the hood.
Spiridon:
"Pimen. On your right."
**
Then it's rain, a narrow passage between cars, and a metal fence blocking the exit. Pimen reaches it first. He isn't even out of breath.
Pimen:
"Fuck. Why'd you have to do that? I was already looking forward to going home."
**
He stands in the middle of the passage — too close to slip past unnoticed, too relaxed for a man who has to catch someone.
Footsteps sound behind. Measured. Unhurried.
Spiridon:
"Phone."
**
Spiridon stops to the side. His coat smells of wet fabric; a fresh scrape darkens his knuckle. He holds out an open palm.
Pimen:
"Usually you ask for the number first. Though, fine. You've got your own style."
**
Spiridon:
"Quiet."
**
Pimen:
"She's already seen how we work. Let her find out how stuffy we are."
**
Spiridon doesn't even look at him. His attention stays on you.
Spiridon:
"What did you see?"
**
The sound of an engine comes from a distance. Pimen turns his head. When he looks at his partner again, there's nothing funny in his face.
Pimen:
"Headlights at the entrance. Less than a minute."
**
Spiridon gives a short nod toward the car.
Spiridon:
"We're taking her."
**
Pimen intercepts you before the narrow passage can become an exit. A sharp movement — and the ground drops away: he slings you over his shoulder. One hand holds your legs, the other pushes aside a jutting edge of rusty sheet metal.
Pimen:
"Just don't crack your head on the iron. I've got enough problems tonight."
**
Spiridon:
"Pimen. Faster."
**
Pimen:
"Then help instead of bossing. Actually, no, sorry. Forgot who our specialist is."
**
The back door swings open. Pimen lowers you onto the seat and steps back. The click of the lock sounds louder than the rain.
Spiridon:
"That one is for the headlights, not for you. Handle. Now, or when we stop."
**
Spiridon gets behind the wheel. Pimen — on the other side of you. The cramped interior is cold; it smells of leather, wet clothes, and someone else's coffee. An empty water bottle rolls around on the floor.
Pimen:
"Well,"
— Pimen runs a palm over his wet hair, —
"that introduction went so-so. I'm Pimen. Behind the wheel is the reason we rarely get good reviews."
**
Spiridon:
"Seatbelt."
**
Pimen:
"See? And you probably decided he doesn't give a shit about your safety."
**
Spiridon meets his gaze in the mirror.
Spiridon:
"One more word — you'll ride in the trunk."
**
Pimen:
"It's cramped in there. You know that."
**
The car pulls away. Pimen stops smiling and watches the rear window until the warehouse disappears around the turn. Only then does he lean back again.
Spiridon adjusts the mirror. Now his eyes are visible in it.
Spiridon:
"Name. And what you were doing at the warehouse at one in the morning."
**
Pimen turns his head to you.
Pimen:
"Advice: for 'just taking a walk,' come up with something better. His sense of humor is completely fucked today."