The  sound of the telephone  brought me out of my drunken sleep. Slowly I turned my head side-wise and  looked at the bedside clock. The time was 09.05.  A little too early for me on a Saturday morning. I threw of the sheets and swung my legs to the floor, struggling into my dressing gown I swept into my tiny living room and Scooped up the receiver.

"This is Simon  Mwansa" I said into the mouthpiece wondering just who would be calling me so early in the morning.

“Hi! Comrade" Three years rolled away I would recognize that voice anywhere. I stiffened to attention at the sound of it, why was my old army commander calling me after so many years.  As far as I was concerned I was done and dusted with the army. 

"Mr. Kawimbe " I said keeping the anxiety out of my voice.

“That’s me.Simon! How are you, you old sonofabitch?”

“I’m fine. How are you sir?” I replied trying my best to sound casual.

"Cut the ‘sir’ crap. We’re not in the army. I’ve had one hell of a time locating you." He said briskly.The snap in that voice seemed to me to be missing. " How are you fixed for a job?" 

"I'm out of circulation" I Said casually.  The last time I read about Mr. Kawimbe he was involved in an insurance scandal,the news was all over the place, barber shops, newspapers, chatter among passengers in a bus, it was all over. It was said that he had swindled an insurance company out of a lot of money enough to make a dent in it's balancing sheet.

But the case was thrown out due to a lack of evidence, eventually it died down and people found another subject for their gossip.

“Listen, Jack,” he was saying, “I’m rushed. Have to get off to Livingstone. How are you fixed? I can steer you to a job, working with me if you’re interested.”

I thought long and hard before saying. " I'm through working for the army sir"  The was a considerable pause, if I wasn't for his whizzing breath I would have thought he had rung off. " Who said anything about army work?" 

What did he have planned? so many thoughts rush through my head. " This is off the record" he goes on to say. " Can't talk over the phone.  How would you like working with me?

“I’ll say! Nothing would please me more.”

"Okay. It’s worth fifteen grand. I’ll send a cab over to pick you. Are you still living in that small apartment in kabwata?

"Yes sir, if it's okay i can drive myself there what time to you expect me there?"

"As soon as you can but make it before afternoon" Just why did this great guy sound so flat? I wondered 

"The job’s a toughie, but you can make it. Anyway, unless you have something else lined up . . . what have you to lose?”

"Did you see fifteen grand sir?"

"That’s it, but you’ll have to earn earn it.”
“That’s fine with me.” I said trying to contain my excitement.

"ll be expecting you" and the connection was broken.

Slowly, I replaced the receiver, then stared up at the ceiling, a surge of excitement going through me. I had been out of  a job now for the past six months.  I slammed my fist into my hand. I was so excited I wanted to stand on my head! Maybe it was a toughie, but no job could be too tough that paid that kind of money.

As I lay stood there. I thought back on the past. I was now twenty-nine years of age. I was a qualified mechanic .There was nothing I didn’t know about the guts of a car. I had had a good paying job with Lockheed until i got a nervous breakdown after my stay in girlfriend ran off with a pilot. Things got so bad after that i couldn't hold a spanner in a steady hand, eventaully i got sucked and haven't being employed ever since.

A toughie? Well. I told myself as I reached for a cigarette, it would have to be damned tough before I quit on that kind of money. I lite up and walked back to the bedrrom. As i sat on the edge of the bed i could feel my head spinning. After my cigaratte is done i get up and strip to my boxers, wrapping my self in a bathing towel. I walk the few steps to the self cointained bathroom and stand under the cold shower. 

I ran an electric razor over my dark, sprouting beard. put on a clean shirt and my best suit. While changing I'm  aware of the strident sound of a transistor radio blaring offbeat music in the apartment below. Where a single nurse called natasha resides at some point me and her had kicked the can, a couple of years back when i was still fresh on the block, as time went by we lost interest in each other and moved on with our lives.  I pass a hand on my chin where the razor has scruped off some of my skin and wince.

\in  the kitchen and make a quick cup of coffee before storming out the back door and heading to where my i parked my car. The heat is already up and hot as i get behind the wheel. Circling the streets of kabwata are two types of people. The first are boys in their teens and twenties, driving with no destination in mind except to be somewhere else, always on the move like a tumble weed.

With their modified engines that make more noise than a jumbo jet. Mag wheels shinny and fat. Exhaust pipes wide enough to put your fist into. These are the boy-racers. I couldn't really say how they came into being, but they just did, spoiled teenagers driving expensive-looking imported Japanese vehicles, some of the cars have subwoofers installed in the backs with bass as loud as cannon fire,some cars have neon strips stuck along the base of them.

One of the cars, a late model alteza does a 360 behind me, with enough smoke emitting from the tires. The scent of burnt rubber stalks the atmopshere as the car speeds off in the opposite direction.  Kids trying hard to be cool in an uncool world.

I put on my safety belt and turn the key in the ignition. At first the engine gives off a whine then catches after two more turns.  

There was nothing I couldn't turn my hand to. Among many other things, i could open the most complicated safe, pick a pocket, forge a hundred-dollar bill, cope with the most foolproof burglar alarm, drive a getaway car and nick a playing card edgeways on at fifteen yards with a .38 automatic.

but in spite of my technical skill, I lacked organizing ability. 

just a stone's throw away from the late president Chiluba's house.  I took a left and turned into roan road keeping the needle at a steady twenty miles per hour. The beach boys blasted through my stereo speakers a hot number about growing up, what was the title again? When i grow up? Yes that's it. My dad played it alot when i was a kid. I grew up listening to bands like the Beach Boys, Frankie Lymon & the teenagers., the Jackson 5 and all other other greats of the jazz age.

It was a warm, moonlit night. I pulled up outside the gate and sat for some moments peering up the long drive that i knew lead up to the mansion.

 I went past the sagging  palm trees and what looked like a eucalyptI got out of the car, opened the gates, then got back into the car.as before the road curved revealing a beautifull winged angel fountain, without water  pouring out of it's stout.   The house loomed insight as I reached the end of the long winding drive.

Neeglected houses usually have a lonely and abandoned feel well this one had in spades. It was a  two storey affair, painted a bright white with green roofing sheets, with big open casement windows up front, all the curtain drawn. I parked in front of a life-size gothic gargoyle and killed the engine, resting my hands on the driving wheel. Eventually I got out and walked up the footpath that lead to the dusty front door, set on a porch that was slowly being enveloped by moss, the concencrete had come off several places, the paint peeled off several places; time had not being kind.

I knocked on the solid oak door with the brass handle several times before i heard approaching footsteps, they were light and casual like whoever owned them was taking his time about it and not in a hurry. The door swung open. He was small and slightly built: a man in his early sixties, with a lean brown face, grey eyes and a thin mouth that semmed to be constantly smiling. His thinning blond hair was white at the temples and his nose was the beak of a hawk: a man i hated on sight.

For several minutes he stood there and just looked at me, like i was some antique in a store window. He then gave a light bow and extented a white gloved hand. " Forgive my lack of courtesty but we rarely get visitors out this way."

"That's okay" i said as i extented my hand into his.

"Is the bigman in?" i asked casually.

The oldman looked me over turned around and showed me his back. "Come right this way his expecting you"

I followed him in stepping over a bright red expensive looking carpent,

It worked out fine for first three years or so until he left a trail of crumbs that sent him to the pen for three years for stealing over fifteen thousand kwacha in cash where the money went to I have no ideal. After he came out he was through working with banks. No one could employ him because his face had being all over the papers and no one trusted a thief. With that out of the way he opened a struggling restaurant with the money he salted away and settled to that ever since.

Lenny on the other hand always had an obsession with cars as far I could remember. He even tried an amateur rally completion once and got first prize. With his love for cars and no college education he ended up being a taxi driver always after the school girls. A habit I highly detested and always warned him about. As far as crime goes he was once run in for grand larceny when he was about twenty. He came out ten years after with a premature bold spot and reclining hair that grayed around the edges.

I found him over at the taxi rank just outside U.T.H. He stood in front of his car with his hands deeply buried in his pockets. I slapped his back as he eyed a crossing school girl. “One day the law will catch up with you” I said jokingly as I reached in front of him. “For once keep your eyes off the girls will you?”

He turned and faced me with a half grin. “Been a while Jimmy, what you being doing with yourself these days?”

“You know nothing much these and that”

“What brings you out to these parts?” He asked perking his eyebrows up, the way he always did when he suspected something.” Is it that nurse girlfriend of yours again?”

“Me and Nancy are through” I said with finality. “That beside the point I came to ask your assistance.”

“Me?” He asked with surprise as he shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah you” I said with relief. “What will it be?” he asked curiously.

“I need you to help me rob a bank” I said. “You must be crazy” he boomed. “Quiet down will you” I said looking around us where a young couple had stopped and stared our direction. “Let’s get in the car and drive over to Benny Café, I can really use some lunch right about now”

Chapter Two.

We sat around a messy table and ordered chicken and chips. The place was busy at this time of afternoon. The waiters moved up and down the tables serving various orders.  When our order came i asked the waiter if Benny was in. " His in his office" he replied, with a plastic smile that was meant to fool customers but it didn't fool me.

"Can you fetch him for me?" I asked as I cut a slice of chicken a slid it into my mouth.  "sure" he said then turned on his heel and walked towards the office at the far end of the room. The meal was neither bad nor good. Slowly the ceiling fans revolved above us fighting hard against the relentless afternoon heat. I took one look at Lenny and saw him immersed in his food, wolfing it down like a man just  out of prison. 

When I pushed my plate away I saw Benny walking towards us in a spotless white T-shirt and black trousers. He pulled a chair and sat across me at the table, nudging Lenny in the ribs. " I see you still have that great appetite of yours" he said jokingly aiming a smile at Lenny. 

"What's a man got to do but eat" The latter said as he wiped his hands with a napkin and put his folk down. I looked around the place that was packed almost to full capacity, only one table was left unoccupied. " You must be doing great for yourself" I said admirably as i caught the eye of a young lady that dined with a young boy who could have either being her son or a stranger. 

"It keeps the wolves away from my doorstep" Benny said as he wiped his forehead with his brow. " But lately things haven't being going my way."

"How so?" i asked as i consulted my wristwatch. 

"My daughter has to go to university and i gotta raise the dough" he said with 

“Turn right after the sign” I said from the passenger’s seat as I looked behind me at the gathering sandstorm. “This dust is driving me stir crazy. Lenny can you roll up that window of yours. I feel like I’m riding on horseback” The day was hot and dusty with the air conditioner on the blink it felt like being locked up in a trunk. We couldn’t roll down the windows because that would let the dust right in. “I can’t I think it’s stuck or something.” He clarioned from the backseat. “Does any damn thing on this car work as it should?” I implored.

“At least the radio works just fine” Lenny said as went down a narrow road sandwiched by brown grass and the occasional tree.” What good is that in a place without reception? Might as well have a skateboard on the moon out where there’s no gravity to hold you down and let you use the damn thing”

We came across a rough path filled with lots of dirt. Lenny had to floor the car to gain headway. “The engine temperature is rising. I must be pushing her too far if this goes on she’ll choke.”

“The government ought to look into this road” I disdained.” Gets worse in the rainy season. I Remember I once got stuck while driving over to an Aunt’s wedding a few years back, the dust doesn’t make it any better either. “I said to now one in particular as I turned to have a second look at the rear windscreen. “Makes it hard to tell whether were being tailed or not. The dust ought to be good cover for anyone tailing us”

“You sure are right” Benny said as the car bounced hard on rock and slightly veered off the gravel road throwing me across the dashboard. “Watch it” I said between clinched teeth as the car regained control. “It’s not my fault the springs are on the fritz” Lenny The driver said. “This old can on wheels can only take so much and trust me you this road is pushing it. I wouldn’t be surprised if she don’t make it back” he announced solemnly as he fought the sterling wheel.

“Can it” I said as I reached my inner pocket and drew out a cigarette. I sniffed its aroma, rolled it round my fingers and put it to my mouth just like they do in the movies. “All this jumping around has made me thirsty for a drink” I said in between puffs. “Fat chance finding a bar out here in the middle of now where” Lenny retorted as we sped past a small village community. “Unless you want to Seattle for kachasu be my guest” That provoked laughter from Benny. A loud contagious laughter.

“Only if the air-conditioner worked” he said wistfully from the back seat as he let out a cough. “Can’t my window roll up any further?” he asked with irritation building in his voice “Sew it up will you?” Lenny said as he changed into second. “Once this deal comes off, they’ll be no need for us to ride around in this jalopy anymore”

“That must be the place up ahead” I said as I pointed a crooked finger at the fly-blown windshield. A house came into view. It was a one story and not big as far as farm houses come. Couldn’t see much of it at this distance but I noticed smoke coming out of the chimney. “Must be” Lenny said slowing down. “We’ve been driving around for hours without coming across a house must be it.”

We drove on straight and parked under a big oak tree a few meters from the main house as instructed. ” Looks like were here” Benny said with delight as he opened his door and stepped out. “Might as well have a smoke, Mafia said we’re meet to meet him here at twelve hours and my watch says we have about half an hour to wait” Lenny killed the engine and opened his door with one foot on the running board the other resting near the controls.

Time dragged on as we waited under the big old oak tree. I smoked three cigarettes and was down to my last one when I saw an old man approaching with his back bent and his eyes staring straight at us. “Must be the hick farmer Mafia told us about” I said as I expelled the smoke from my system and leaned further back in my seat. “Won’t give us any trouble from what Mafia said, let’s just stick to the script and everything will play out just fine.”

I was throwing the used cigarette butt outside the window by the time the old man approached the car. Benny’s door was open and he had a newspaper across his face. Lenny was absorbed in a crossword puzzle.” I couldn’t mind but notice the car” he said in a whizzy voice as he approached my window side. “Can I do you fellers anything? You’re parked right across my farm.” He wore out of color brown flannel pants and a wash faded white shirt with worn yellow suspenders holding them in place. ”Sure” I said unlocking the door and coming out to meet him. “We’re friends of Mafia, he told us to wait out here for him” I said towering well over his shoulders.

“Is that so?” he said petulantly. “Well why else would we be parking here for?” I asked calmly. “I don’t know” he responded. “You young fellers are crazy enough to do anything these days” Just then a dust cloud appeared behind us a big land cruiser directing it. It pulled up right behind us throwing a few rocks out of place as its desert tires crunched the gravel. “Here comes Mafia now” I said almost mockingly.

“Sorry to keep you waiting” he said as he banged the passenger’s door. “Nothing to it” I said as I extended my hand to his. “Is this the whole crew?” he asked while looking into the car. “Yes that’s the complete outfit” I said as I rested my back on the running board. “Why bring us out all the way here, when we could have talked some place within the reach of civilization?”

“Safety old chum safety.” The man old man just stood where he was and listened with wide ears and bright eyes. “Well now, that were here let’s have it?”

He got in next to benny and together we worked out the minute details. He was to organize the armored car that would be painted exactly like the security Van that picked up the money every Monday morning. He was having the uniforms made out and he wanted everyone’s waist size and all those trifle details that only tailors are concerned with. “I wear 32 around the waist” I managed to squeeze in as he wrote everything down in his small notebook. “How about your men?” he asked throwing a glance around the car.

“I don’t remember the last time I bought my own clothes” said Lenny. “Me too” Said the latter. “That settles it” Mafia said. “You’re to come to my house tomorrow afternoon say at around three in the afternoon. I’ll have a tailor there to take all the required measurements.”

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