Roll With It Status: Closed Who: Vic the Slick, Carmen Sandiego, Sarah Nade, Chase Devineaux What: A waiting game, prequel to Desert Cayman Where: Somewhere between Nevada and California

1 Vic-the-Slick Vic the Slick leaned against Carmen's black Chevrolet Corvette. At the same time, he picked his teeth with a dry straw and chewed at it begrudgingly. The desert at dusk was windy and dusty. Being the jittery type, Vic was feeling his usual anxiety through boredom. He hated waiting. "It's gonna get dark," he said out loud without giving the thought more time, "We shouldda never been here, smells fishy." He looked at his Timax watch, a Timex imitation with changeable plaid straps. Did Patty say Sarah Nade was coming with the surveillance van? If she wasn't coming, he was probably screwed. The GPS was better in the van than the Corvette.

2 Carmen Standing in contrast to the scenery, Carmen listened to Vic with no response. Privately, she threw him a glance to the side and exhaled when he finished talking. This was yet another aimless task for the tasteless Salesman. Retrospectively, she should have waited for Sarah Nade prior to coming out tonight. That impatience became justified, nevertheless, as today was Carmen's first trip to the United States in months. Not surprisingly, time away positioned her as an outsider. Everything from the landscape to the American accent appeared foreign. She found it enjoyable when home did not feel like home, but secretly took a multitude of comfort that the sun and moon remained consistent. That, even if the stars were against her, she may still rely on a few, fragile things...

3 Sarah-Nade On the horizon a set of headlights appeared, growing larger and larger as the moments passed. One arm was out of the van, fingers tapping to the rhythm of the radio, the other was on the steering wheel. Sarah Nade had arrived. A cigarette was pursed between her lips which she was quick to flick out of the window upon spotting the telltale red jacket and hat of her employer. Pulling up behind the chevy she placed the van into park, shut off the radio and stepped out of the car. "Hey Carmen... Vic." She leaned against the front of the van, pulling a stick of gum from the pocket of her leather jacket. The desert nights were notorious for growing cold very quickly. "Should I just park her here?"

4 Chase Chase Devineaux was on his way to a meeting. Turning from the highway and on to a desert road, he briskly shook his head as the sound of tires against dirt reminded him that dirt was physical evidence. This Porsche Cayman was somewhat of a gift. No damage done, a trip to the carwash should suffice. Devineaux left the company car, a Toyota Camry, at the ACME compound to avoid suspicion. The highly unsuitable Porsche Coupe, often parked at a rented space near his apartment, was the only remaining option. If he made good time, few would notice he was gone. He sped up. The engine responded smoothly to the pedal but the tires protested over rough terrain. At the rendezvous point, red was an easy color to spot in spite of the sunset. In addition, Chase noted two henchmen and a van -- elements that hardly showed amenity. Not one to back out, he breathed, then promptly got out of the car.

5 Vic-the-Slick Vic waved his hands wildly when Sarah pulled up behind the Chevy. "Park a little down…" Vic's complaint was cut short by the arrival of a certain ACME agent. Half of the polyester suit was hoping this guy wouldn't show up, the other half of him was glad Carmen didn't come alone. To this one-time salesman of the year, Carmen's a ton smarter than to meet up with some ACME hobo without VILE right behind her. Seeing Chase Devineaux in person, Vic frowned. He'd decide later if he hated the guy, but for now, hobos with expensive cars and matching suits should be frowned upon.

6 Carmen [Fashionably late again. I'm sorry, Vic.] Carmen smirked when she saw that Chase Devineaux, as she requested, did not bring his falcon. The bar against Phoenix was purely business. Small favors, when complied, determined friendship. A chapter in her life existed where she was part of the organization represented by the spy with the Porsche Cayman. She eventually deserted any form of trust, sending ripples of disappointment she cannot say were completely unintentional. Seemingly unaffected by that wave was her former covert partner... who appeared to be doing rather well. For that, an old haunt like ACME remained one of the few places she may rely on. "Going my way?" V.I.L.E.'s ringleader greeted, taking steps forward to meet her ACME counterpart.

7 Sarah-Nade Ignoring the flailing from Vic, as the question had been more a neutral 'hello, I'm here' than an actual search for permission she crumpled the wrapper from her gum and stuck it back into her pocket, working her jaw muscles to get the gum to a more pleasurable consistancy. Such things, however, stopped as she viewed an ACME Detective getting out of the next car that arrived. It was not uncommon for multiple workers to arrive in multiple modes of transportation and not knowing who you'd be talking to until you arrived. Yet while Mr. Slick had been in on the idea of meeting an ACME Detective in the middle of nowhere, USA Sarah had not, a fact shown by her sudden urge to tense. Slowly she pulled the wrapper back out of her pocket and deposited the gum back into it before taking a more motion friendly stance. A trained pro at the art of interacting with the law Sarah had been through her paces. She could not only recite but sing the US Maranda Rights to a police officer and usually would. She knew that the UK was one of the most favorable places to get arrested based on who you'd find in the holding cells nearby. She also had been known on occasion to escape from police during arrest simply because she didn't like the attitude of the officers she was dealing with. Sarah had enough faith in her boss to know that there was a more productive reason for Chase Devinaeux to be standing a mere 15 feet away. It might have been more helpful, however, to be informed of such a fact at least 30 seconds before his arrival.

8 Chase The call Chase Devineaux received at 12:25 PM this particular Friday was unexpected. It comprised of a greeting and a simple request to meet an old friend. In all honesty, he almost failed to recognize her voice. Had she not chosen that specific time or said certain things, he may have mistaken the message for a prank. Throughout the drive to the middle of nowhere, he considered how those wiser than him would never enter this situation. Then again… Demain il fera jour. Living is learning, and there is always tomorrow. Carmen said: "Going my way?" Why not, it's a Friday. "Going mine?" The verbal answer somewhat supported his initial thought.

9 Vic-the-Slick Vic sneered silently. It was all for show, mostly, as soon as any danger came his way, Vic the Slick would slither away faster than a sidewinder. And that's giving credit to the sidewinder. The tension that was building lowered a little when Carmen and the ACME Detective started exchanging words. Vic turned his head to Sarah. "Hey, you know who that is?" he whispered, "cause I know who that is, Carmen tells me things like this all the time, I just wanna make sure you know." Plainly noticeable was Vic's minor twitching. Carmen told him only that she was meeting someone and that was next to squat. Vic had the feeling Sarah, who was in charge of the van, knew more about this than he did. "She eh... told ya anything?"

10 Sarah-Nade Sarah's eyes looked at Vic from the side, her main focus still on the agent who was approaching. Vic was not unknown for acting like he knew more than he did or trying to con information out of people however, considering that their guest was relatively tall and relatively fit looking she had a feeling she shouldn't take her eyes off him. The need to consider the possibility of an alterior motive would have to wait. "Charlie or... Chasity or something... he's that guy who's always on the news." She pondered again for a moment, knowing those names weren't right. Chase was a face of ACME and had been seen often. She could at least place the face on that but the name was escaping her. Though, she thought to herself as her eyes scanned the detective one more time, she wouldn't mind some alone time with this one to find out what it was. "I'm fresh out of info... want to shed some light?" Sarah asked Vic softly, her tone a little less brash than usual if only to keep it down. ((sorry it took so long))

11 Carmen [I have underlined the names mentioned in this post for ease of skimming, as suggested by Chase.] Forty-eight hours ago, while rendezvousing with a former acquaintance in Rome, news reached her through links in the prison system that Lee Jordan was no longer where he should be. Considering the cache of things Lee knew about her, and keeping in mind that he was also an endless source of malice, she established that this round of the game would proceed differently. Her decision was to blindside the underground by gaining aid from ACME. She wanted to contact Suhara or Chief, but their ageless wisdom would only advise her to do the right thing: let it be and turn herself in. That may happen, one fine autumn night where minions of the netherworld rush to the surface as their infernal abyss freeze over. This brought her to the mildly austere Chase Devineaux. Reaching into her coat as Chase approached; she revealed a small brown envelope. Inside was a digital card containing scanned documents and an earpiece for communication. Withholding information and carefully revealing them were two things Carmen perfected. "Lee Jordan," she gave a name and tucked the envelope securely inside Chase's jacket. "Everything you need to know is in there, along with contact information to my... friends: Sarah Nade and Vincent Fumagalli." Introducing the two as friends alleviated the detective-criminal relationship. "Now, turn around," her instructions continued, "once you get into the Porsche, take the earpiece from the envelope, put in on, and we'll talk. I'll be in the Corvette. Drive with me." Carmen waited until he was out of earshot. "Vic, Sarah," she returned to the black Chevrolet, "That was ACME's Chase Devineaux. Stay in the van, wait five minutes, then follow me."

12 Lee-Jordan ((Thanks for leaving the opening, mates. I have some idea now on Lee's entry.))

13 Chase ((You're welcome to join in, Josh, anytime.)) Chase Devineaux considered the instructions and casually followed them. The call, the meeting, the mild urgency, all of it now pointed to the envelope placed in his suit pocket and the pending conversation between him and the infamous Carmen Sandiego. Getting into the car and putting on the communication device, he waited until he could hear her breathing. "You could have just called," he stated plainly through minimal static. "You could have had the files delivered to my box in Cannes, we wouldn't need to be here... Driving," he paused almost apologetically while changing gears. "So talk."

14 Vic-the-Slick [Yhep, forgot my turn!] Vic felt one of those weird tingling sensations that left his head itching. If he got this right, Carmen was gonna drive out in the desert with this Chase schmutt leaving him and Sarah to trail behind. "Five min's a [censored] long time to wait," he said to Sarah. He didn't dare say it to Carmen, her word was law. "Let's get in da van, turn on the stuff, watch 'er back for her, eh?"

15 Sarah-Nade (No problem, Pru I'm stealing your spot because I can. :P ) Vic had read her mind. Sarah nodded as she pulled her pack of cigarettes out of her pocket and flicked her zippo off her jeans before placing the flame to a coffin nail and taking a large drag. Carmen's word WAS law but both she and Vic had worked with Carmen long enough to know that, in the grand scheme of things, the most important thing at the end of the day was to ensure that Carmen Sandiego was safe. She was the driving force of VILE and without her the entire operation fell to pieces. Be it out of loyalty, the love of a paycheck, the thrill of the experience or otherwise they accepted without question that they were much more expendable than their boss. "Right." she finally answered as she walked casually to the passenger's side and opened the sliding van door, revealing a secured wall of instuments for whatever a thief could need. Instead of stepping inside she walked around the van heading for the driver's side. "You take the back, I'll drive." If there was trouble four minutes of driving would be much easier to make up than five and three minutes even easier than four. Also she had learned a long time ago that a moving van was much less obvious than a van sitting on the edge of the road.

16 Carmen Chase was right on all accounts. She could have called him instead of asking for a meeting. From the sound of his voice, lowered and demanding, she surmised that he was not in the mood for light conversation. He never was, truly. "I wanted to see you in person," speeding ahead of the Porsche, Carmen smiled after speaking into the earpiece. "Phone conversations are hollow." Through the brush and stones, the Corvette was powerful but the wheels were mildly difficult to steer. "You never worked with Lee Jordan," she stated without questioning, "but you're good at finding people." Shaking her head lightly at the compliment, Carmen realized how true it was and how often she came to wishing that it was not. "And while I have my resources, I would gain additional advantage with you on my side." Resuming, Carmen corrected herself, "You do know that's not a request."

17 Chase Chase Devineaux understood exactly what she was and wasn't saying. Between the lines, he listened to the voice of a woman who needed help but was too proud to ask. That mattered little. They were old friends, he didn't need to be cajoled into helping her, and he wasn't here to play 'remember when'. Someone more wary might have turned her away, and someone more ignorant might have agreed without hesitation. Chase was the sort to reconsider until decisions were no longer available. He stayed silent; having figured that she knew his answer was 'yes'. ((I'm very late, forgive me?))

18 Vic-the-Slick Manning the equipment at the back of the surveillance van, Vic didn't mind that Sarah didn't wait like Carmen told them to. He was under the same idea. Follow the leader. Suddenly, off the radar, Vic could see flashes indicating police cars heading in their direction. At the coming rate and speed, it was starting to look like they'd cut Carmen's Corvette off at the highway. "Ey, Sarah, cops!" Vic rolled up the volume knob on the detectors so the van's driver can hear. "Whaddayaknow... WHADdayaknow, a [censored] ambush!" Quickly, he grabbed the mic. "Boss, I gotta warn ya," Vic said to the direct radio to Carmen's car, "there's cops coming up the road, looks like they're gonna cut you off. Your friend's got backup!"

19 Sarah-Nade Sarah barely had enough time to look in the rear view mirror before the pair of cop cars were behind the van, sirens blazing. "Crap." she said in monotone and, not wanting to seem obvious, pulled to the side of the road as they passed. Like normal good hearted drivers do. Looking back at Vic through her interior rear view mirror she was grimacing. "I was looking forward to not having to fight cops tonight..." Of the three present the one with the most physical presence would have to be Sarah and if someone would have to distract while the boss got away it was her. "Damn. And my favorite episode of Young Ones is on tonight." She pressed her foot on the gas once the cars were out of sight and took a drag on her cigarette.

20 Carmen The idea that someone notified the police was not at all surprising. Carmen banked her freedom on anticipating ambush. But the look in her eyes ironically reflected that she did not expect one tonight, not from Chase. Knowing he would blindside her so obviously almost… hurt. That notion was a revelation. How could she have trusted that he would trust her? His utter silence throughout their conversation spoke more than words. This was Chase Devineaux. Turning to see his calm profile through darkened glass, her heart raced; and, resolving to that primal speed, she steered the car sharply into the Porsche Cayman.

21 Chase Metal tearing against metal unleashed a sound that, to Chase Devineaux, resembled distant thunder. The impact forced the cars to lock temporarily as his left rearview mirror collided through Carmen's passenger-side window and her Corvette pushed his smaller Cayman upwards. Both vehicles remained at high speeds while only two of the Porsche's four wheels were touching the ground. The initial concept of an accidental collision dissipated when Devineaux glanced at his opposition. She seemed... upset. Attempting to regain control of the circumstance, he twisted the wheel, using the uneven terrain and Carmen's larger Chevrolet to his advantage. A solitary bolder jutted from the ground far enough to initiate a rise that released the Porsche. Once freed, the silver car propelled forward. Simultaneously pulling the handbrake and aptly turning, Chase drifted the Cayman, spinning it to a halt on a strip of gravel parallel to the highway. Before the dust dispersed, the lights of police cars flared visibly in the distance. Without complete knowledge of the events unraveling before him, Chase Devineaux flicked off his headlights and engine. The Porsche Cayman was nearly invisible as the sirens rushed by seconds later.

22 Vic-the-Slick [Yhep, you kids got more things ta work out than me and Sarah here.] Vic couldn't see much from the back of the van. Trying to listen in on cop radio, he hardly heard the collision between Chase's and Carmen's cars, but he did see sparks. Things happened so fast, it was over before he could think to ask. "What the?" He looked at Sarah. At that moment, police radio said something about a 11-71. The cops were responding to a fire, they were safe. "Erm, false alarm, ah?" With sheepish grin and a relieved sigh, Vic talked to Sarah and through his radio to Carmen at the same time, "a 11-71, some kind of fire down the road."

23 Carmen First confused at her opponent's action of cloaking himself from the passing police cars, Carmen's affirmation came when Vic's voice on her radio said the words 'false alarm'. It was not often the thief looked as guilty as the amount of warrants out for her arrest, but she had lost her poise in so little time, the cause and effect of this situation was worth a lengthy self-reflection. At whom was she disappointed? In the encompassing silence and the clearing of dust that followed all bouts of this magnitude, Carmen adjusted her earpiece and searched for a variation of the word 'sorry' that would fit her situation. "Are you hurt?" While not quite what she wanted to say, it was a start.

24 Chase Chase Devineaux, in that brief moment, took the time to assess what happened. Judging from the police cars, her reaction mid way, and that look she gave him, somebody was having trust issues. From the little radio came a tiny crackle and a voice asking: "Are you hurt?" After checking briskly, he shook his head and chuckled at his luck. "No, I'm fine." Then he added, "Thanks for sparing me." That bit of dry humor was signature. "I'm going to check this out," the Detective patted his jacket where Carmen placed the envelope then pointed to the two-way next to his ear, "but I'm keeping this radio." Starting the engine, he urged the Porsche to a slow climb onto the highway. "You'll get it back next time I need to remind you about tonight." That was all the talking needed for now, the sun would rise in a few hours and he should be back at the ACME compound by then. Explaining the disheveled Porsche Cayman might not be too hard... hopefully.

25 Vic-the-Slick [Assuming Sarah got the van to the location here.] Arriving at the scene with Sarah, Vic got out of the van and threw both his hands up to his head. His mouth opened wide at the damage inflicted to the once mirror-like black Corvette. Vic stood like an astonished totem pole before letting his wiry legs guide him to the driver side of the Chevrolet. "What the heck did--" he couldn't think of more words to say. Between thinking about throwing an angry rock at Chase Devineaux's vanishing Porsche and confronting his boss, Vic stood doing nothing. "You, ehm, want us to tow the car back?" He asked after some moments, "Get it in the garage, someone'll fix it up real good."

26 Sarah-Nade Sarah gave a laugh as she exited the car, though watchful eyes were careful to check for both injury to the car's driver and any leaking gasoline while she was at it. Satisfied that the situation was safe or as safe as it could be she looked up to the road to see Chase's car just pass out of sight. "Nice work!" Sarah cheered for her boss. "And here I thought I was the only one who could cause major vehicular damage in 10 seconds flat. Go figure." Moments after her statement her eyes narrowed slightly and she looked to the direction Chase had left in. The smile remained on her lips but her mind was busy pondering. She'd never seen Carmen react like that to anything. Sarah herself do something like that? Sure! In a heartbeat. But her cool and intelligent boss? Now that was something new. "Looks like I'm driving all three of us."

27 Carmen Carmen raised her brows and held them, along with her eyes, at Chase Devineaux as he spoke with a tint of humour and drove away. In her head, she commended him for the rare courtesies he had shown. Her backup arrived and VILE's leader removed herself from both an emotional position and the physically altered Black Corvette. Vic Said: "You, ehm, want us to tow that back?" He asked after some moments, "Get it in the garage, someone'll fix it up real good." "Don't bother," Carmen replied, her lips quirked slightly in a satisfying, self-congratulatory way. "It's Lee's." Glass clung to parts of her coat and she decidedly removed it, abandoning her trademark coat and hat along with the car.