I’ve decided to move my 500 Club disclaimers to the top of each post, as one of my three reader’s recently told me that they were confused by a flash fiction post until they got to the end and realized that it was, in fact, fiction.
That said, this week I’ve gone with prompt number 2: “write a story around a song you really love. The catch? It has to be a guilty pleasure song, the sort of cheese that would have your friends guffawing if they saw it on your iPod.”
As the title suggests, I’ve selected “SexyBack” (no, that’s not a typo. The title of the song is actually one word. Unbelievable, I know, but true.) by Justin Timberlake. It proved to be a challenge to incorporate the lyrics, but I managed a few. Hope you enjoy. As always, thanks to the kids over at The Parking Lot Confessional for hosting a little literary frivolity.
sexy.back
Kannibal sighed heavily and leaned forward, elbows on the table. She looked exhausted. Her form gave the impression that she was on the verge of collapse, but her face was stone. She raised her eyebrows and made solid eye contact with Hackjack.
Hackjack nodded. “Okay. I’ve made a decision.”
Kannibal huffed. “And?”
“I’m bringin’ Sexy back,” he said.
From the other side of the room Plague groaned.
“That,” Kannibal said with resignation, “is the dumbest idea you’ve had yet.”
Hackjack looked to Plague for support and, seeing none, turned to Kannibal. “She’s the best. I’ve never seen anyone hack as well as she can. Besides, I can’t crack that system. Can you?” Leaning back and addressing Plague: “Can you?”
Neither answered.
“I didn’t think so.”
“Hackjack, she’ll bring the brothers with her.”
“So?”
“Them other fuckers don’t know how to act,” Plague said.
Hackjack shook his head and countered. “Don’t worry about the brothers. We’ll get them drunk and Plague can take them to a titty bar.” Plague smiled. “They won’t be in the way. We just need to get Sexy here and let her see what we’ve come up with. Let her try to find a hole in that damn firewall. If we can’t do that, all hell will break loose.”
The three sat quietly, stewing in frustration and thick clouds of cigarette smoke. Bring Sexy back? How the hell could they have let things get so out of hand?
Plague was lost. Hackjack blamed Kannibal. And Kannibal was too damn stubborn to even acknowledge the accusation. But the truth was they all three of them decided to take the job. All three of them had knowingly entered into an agreement with Wilson, even though they knew how ruthless he could be if his partners didn’t deliver. And now all three of them were in deep shit.
“She may not come,” Kannibal said almost hopefully. “And who’s going to do Plague’s job while he’s babysitting the brothers? Huh? Oh, and, while you might not mind that big mouth bitch pushing all our buttons again, I honestly don’t know if I can even stand to look at her. That smug fucking smile on her face.”
“So turn around,” Hackjack said. “And I’ll pick up the slack. We can’t do this on our own. We need her.”
Kannibal growled and hit the table with her fist. “It’s just that no one makes me feel this way!”
“Titty bar,” Plague chuckled.
“Shut up, Plague. Kannibal, I don’t know what you hate so much about her, but seriously, stuff it. Bite your tongue. Go punch a baby. I don’t care. Just don’t fuck this up or it’s all three of our asses.”
Plague was still grinning like an idiot.
Kannibal pursed her lips and clenched her jaw. “Fine.”
“I’m calling her,” Hackjack said. He paused as he walked past Plague. “Can you keep it together if we send you to Baby Dolls with the boys?”
Plague chuckled. “Yeah, boss. I’ll be good.”
“No groping.”
“Scout’s honor.”
Hackjack left the room. Kannibal kicked against the table leg and muttered something. Plague looked at her.
“He’s bringin’ Sexy back,” she said.
Plague gave her a toothy, stupid smile. “Yeah.”