Pitbull and Dreamer rode the edge of a canal in Thunder. Pitbull had a black backpack sitting in his lap.
"You ever spray-paint shit when you were younger?" He asked.
"Hell yeah, me and my friends went down to this bridge on the Wolf Creek in town and spray-painted the hell outta it. Joey was such a pussy about it though." Dreamer explained.
"You think you can do a pretty good pig?"
"Lawman or farm animal?"
"Farm animal."
"What's the point in puttin' it down here? No one's gonna see it."
"It ain't gonna stay down here. I'll show you when we're done."
"I feel like a teenager again."
"Me and Ace used to come down here practically every day just to fuck around with spray-cans and beer."
They came to a concrete wall covered in graffiti. They got out, and Pitbull dropped his backpack, unzipping it, and taking out a massive, white tarp.
"We hang it on the wall to give us some solid space to work with. When we're done, we hang it over the freeway up there." Pitbull explained.
"You're shittin' me." Dreamer replied incredulously.
Pitbull shook his head. "No, this way, we can call Smokey out, let him know he can't push us around."
"What're you even gonna put on there for words?"
Pitbull shrugged. "I dunno, I was thinkin' somewhere along the lines of 'fuck da police'."
"No, this needs to be aimed directly at Roy Smokey. Something that says 'I'm a trucker killer'."
"What're your thoughts?"
Dreamer thought for a moment. "Three down, ten to go, Roy Smokey. How far is too far?"
"Great. Pictures?"
"A rabid pig with a human arm in its mouth, clutching a steering wheel. A side-shot of a semi-truck."
"I'll do the words, you do the pictures."
"Got it."
They got two ladders out of Thunder's bed, hung the tarp up, and set to work. They created a true work of art, using bright colors so that it was easily seen from the freeway.
Dreamer added the finishing touches to her hand, before stepping back to admire her work.
She turned to Pitbull. "Is now a good time to tell you I'm afraid of heights?"
"Don't worry about it, you can stay close to the ladder." Pitbull said reassuringly.
Dreamer nodded, before helping him pack up the rest of the stuff, and roll up the tarp. They climbed inside Thunder and backed up to the road leading to the freeway. They drew close, before climbing out once more. Dreamer grabbed the tarp, Pitbull grabbed the ladder.
They stayed close to the edge of the bridge, slowly making their way to the nearest sign as vehicles roared past them. Pitbull unfurled the ladder and climbed to the top of the beam. Dreamer followed him, clinging to it, squeezing her eyes shut.
"It's a lot easier going down!" Pitbull shouted over the noise of the traffic.
"I believe you, let's just get this over with!" Dreamer called back.
Dreamer and Pitbull each fastened their side of the tarp to the beam, before pulling the straps keeping it rolled up. The tarp unraveled, falling down to graze the smokestacks of a passing semi. Below them, a few cars slowed to read it, and another passing semi honked twice.
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In Ace and Aminta's apartment, the truckers sat huddled together in front of the TV as Pitbull and Dreamer walked in. On the TV, a man stood before the camera, going on about something.
"...of what seems to be a peaceful protest to police brutality is obviously aimed towards one individual. While precincts are breathing a sigh of relief not having to worry about any of their officers being threatened, the question remains: Who is Roy Smokey? What did he do? To you, Roger." The man reported.
The TV switched to the image of a different man sitting in a news studio.
"We've managed to gather some information on the targeted individual. Officer Roy Smokey is a Texas State Trooper, and apparently, he's done something to upset some truckers or supporters of truckers. Multiple rumors are circulating about him that he's already killed two truckers and a blocker. Though we're grateful for the peacefulness of this protest, it worries us to think of what the trigger may have been. Roy Smokey has had more than a few suspicions raised on him for brutality, murder, disorderly conduct, I mean, the list could go on and on. I dunno about you, Todd, but if I were them truckers, I'd watch my back. There're reports of Smokey having been diagnosed with insanity and--hold on." Roger put his finger to his ear. "Ah, this just in, Roy Smokey has been sighted in the Western downtown area. If there's anyone in that area, lock your doors and arm yourselves. Let's go to the live feed… if there is one."
The TV switched back to Todd, who was moving briskly through a line of familiar semis.
All at once, the members of the PBC convoy rushed outside, Dreamer in the lead. The news anchor was creeping towards her truck, where a rear-end was sticking out of the door. Someone shouted and the figure dropped to the ground. Odie jumped out of the truck, running to his master.
Smokey stood, pulling a gun from his belt. He took a few steps forward, firing two, unaimed shots over the truckers' heads. They collectively ducked, and Odie ran towards him, growling and baring his teeth.
Dreamer looked up at him. "Odie, no! Bad dog, come here, NOW!"
Odie jumped on Smokey, tearing into his flesh with his teeth. Two more shots rang out, and the black dog fell limp at Smokey's feet. Dreamer ran to Odie, falling on her knees at his side. She gathered his body in her arms, breaking into tears. She buried her face in his thick, black fur. Smokey cocked his gun, pressing it to Dreamer's head gently.
"You son of a bitch." Dreamer growled, not looking up at him.
She dropped Odie's body, lunging at Smokey's legs, tackling him to the ground. His gun skidded across the blacktop, well out of arm's reach. Dreamer sat on his chest, pinning his arms down with her knees. She began punching him in the face, over and over. Smokey was unconscious before Sodbuster and Hot Grandpa could pull her off.
"No! Lemme back at him! I'll kill the bastard!" Dreamer screamed.
Tears streamed down her face, and she broke down in Hot Grandpa's arms.
Pitbull stepped forward, the news anchor in shock, the cameraman still filming, unfazed by the scene. The cameraman turned to face him as Pitbull took the news anchor's microphone.
Pitbull cleared his throat. "Now you see what we put up with. It ain't that we have a total disrespect for the law, we just know what it's become. I know that a lot of people may not understand why we do the things we do. Sometimes, a lot of plannin' goes into it, other times it's just dumb luck. Us truckers are just ordinary people, just like the rest of you. We're Americans, we're willin' to do what it takes to keep our beloved country alive. I fought in Vietnam for the same reasons I drive a truck today. The reason we targeted Smokey is because we can't blame all of the police for what one did, that ain't the way to go about things. We know not all lawmen are like him, so we wanted to get back at him, and only him. Three good men are dead because of him, and my condolences to the families of Psycho, Lumberjack, and Cattleman. He nearly killed a good friend of mine, Pussycat, and he struck Dreamer across the face. Now, I know that might not seem like a big deal, but a man who hits a woman ain't a man at all. We've got evidence, and witnesses to convict Roy Smokey of three homicides, attempted murder, assault and battery, and disorderly conduct. The list could go on, ladies and gentlemen, all we need is the approval of the public to put him away for good."
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The news feed cut back to Roger in the station. The anchor's eyes were wide, his face aghast.
"W-well, it's not every day that happens. I-I'm receiving word that there're swarms of people walking up and down the streets of cities all over the country. It seems like they want Smokey put away." The anchor explained.
--------------------
Pitbull turned back to the others. Dreamer was still in Hot Grandpa's arms, wiping her arms.
"That took a lot of nerve, I'm surprised you did that." Lucky Penny remarked.
"Someone had to." Pitbull replied.
"Hey y'all, I bet we're the talk of the nation!" Governor said excitedly.
"Maybe." Hot Grandpa chimed in.
Dreamer sniffled, wiping her eyes and nose. "So this's it?"
Pitbull and Pussycat exchanged glances.
"I think I can pull a few strings. If all goes well, you'll be in for a real treat." Pitbull said reassuringly.
Dreamer cocked her head to one side, not fully understanding what Pitbull had meant.
-*Days Later*-
Pussycat had his hands over Dreamer's eyes as he and Pitbull led her through the doorway of the cabin. Pussycat slowly removed his hands to show her her surroundings. Dreamer gasped as she took them in.
"Wh-what? Wh-who? How?" Dreamer stammered.
"Welcome home!" Pussycat yelled enthusiastically.
Dreamer gave him a dumbfounded look. "H-home?"
"Yeah, everythin' worked out, and you're gonna be livin' here with yours truly." Pitbull paused for a second, gesturing to Pussycat. "Oh, and fuckwit over there, but that ain't important."
Pussycat turned their way. "Hey!"
Dreamer laughed.
"And that ain't even the best part." Pitbull chided.
He led her around back. Outside, their two trucks were sitting side by side in the grass. He then led her to the garage where Thunder was sitting, having been washed and polished for the occasion.
Dreamer turned, wrapping Pitbull up in her arms. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"There is one more thing." Pitbull mused.
"Pitbull, how could there possibly be more?"
Pitbull gestured to Thunder. "Look on the seat."
Dreamer walked over to Thunder, opening his door, and reaching inside. She pulled out a wrapped gift. It was big and very heavy. She gave Pitbull a questioning look.
"Go ahead, open it." Pitbull instructed.
Dreamer quickly unwrapped the gift, opening the cardboard box. She pulled out a typewriter.
Pitbull began to blush a little. "It's… it's for your writing. I think you should pursue your dreams, I mean, why the hell do you call yourself the Dreamer?"
Dreamer sighed. "I gave myself the name when I was younger because I knew that that was exactly what I was, and all I ever hoped to be."
"Well, I say it's high time you put that wild imagination of yours to work."
Dreamer nodded. "I think I will."
Pitbull shook his head. "Don't think about it, imagine it."
Dreamer smiled.