Dear Jasmine,
Currently three in the morning, really tired right now... wondering how you and Buddy are doing. Thinking that maybe once this is all over, we could-
Auctioneer: THIRTY-SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS, GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, SOLD!
The auctioneer slams his hammer on the table. Harlan stopped writing on his diary, and looked at the auctioneer.
Auctioneer: Thank you very much to gentleman number 102. Now, let's move on to Item 418!
Harlan keeps his diary and checks the room. He and Audrey moved to the other end, away from Marcos and Robbie. Harlan takes out his fob watch to check the time, takes one last look at the picture of Jas before closing it.
Harlan: Audrey, wake up.
Audrey wakes up.
Audrey: What's going on?
Harlan: It's time.
Audrey nods. She stands up, but Harlan grabs her hand.
Harlan: Audrey!
Audrey looks at Harlan. Harlan fixes some strands of hair blocking her right eye, and tucks them behind her ear.
Harlan: Good luck.
Audrey nods at Harlan, then walks away.
Harlan sits up and gets his 112 sign. The auctioneer gets a suitcase with a 418 tag on it.
Auctioneer: Okaaay, let's move on to Item 418! Also known as The Hand of God! This device contains a code which secretly controls all nuclear missiles around the world. Yes ladies and gentlemen, ALL. American, Russian, Chinese, every single one of them. Let's start the bidding at-
Marcos: FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND!
The crowd is surprised.
Auctioneer: Five hundred thousand! Do I hear-
Harlan: SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND!
Harlan raises his sign. Marcos looks at him.
Auctioneer: Six hundre-
Marcos: SEVEN HUNDRED!
EIGHT HUNDRED! NINE HUNDRED! ONE MILLION, TWO MILLION, TWO POINT FIVE MILLION
The crowd's gasps get louder as the number increases.
Harlan (whisper): Audrey, any time now.
Marcos: FIVE MILLION!
The gasp. Harlan looks around.
Harlan: SIX MILLION!
Audrey (Comms): Do you really have six million?
Harlan: NO. Anytime now Audrey!
Auctioneer: SIX MILLION! DO I HEAR-
Marcos: TEN... MILL-
The lights flicker.
Harlan: God bless you Audrey.
The lights then go off. The crowd is confused. The lights go back on a few seconds later, but the Hand of God is gone. Marcos looks at where it was bitterly. He grabs Robbie.
Marcos: Find that son of a bitch... NOW!
Marcos lets go of Robbie, and Robbie leaves.
_.-
Harlan: Took you long enough.
Audrey rolls her eyes as Harlan and Audrey run down the hallway, Harlan holding the suitcase.
Audrey: It's inside?
Harlan gives Audrey a look, which clearly says "of course". As they run, a gun shot. Harlan and Audrey duck, then rush to a wall for cover.
Harlan: Get the car! I'll deal with him.
Audrey looks at Harlan worriedly, Harlan nods.
Harlan: Go... I'll be right behind you.
Audrey nods. Harlan takes his watch, presses the watch's crown twice. A five second timer appears. Harlan tosses the watch to the hallway. The watch then beeps, and smoke emits from the watch. Audrey runs away and Harlan runs towards Robbie. Robbie sees Harlan charging at him but before he could act, Harlan tackles Robbie and the suitcase and Robbie's gun slide away.
Robbie punches Harlan and Harlan is slammed to the ground. Robbie takes out a knife.
Robbie: A hand... for a hand.
Harlan gets up. Robbie runs towards Harlan, he goes for a stab but Harlan dodges then punches Robbie. He then slams his knee of Robbie's face, and punches a discombobulated Robbie. Robbie falls to the ground. Harlan circles him as Robbie gets up, and regrips his knife.
Harlan: Why can't you just stand down?
Robbie charges at Harlan but Harlan catches him, then throws him to the floor. Harlan walks over to Robbie, but Robbie gets the suitcase and slams it at Harlan. Harlan falls to the ground and Robbie slams the suitcase at him again. Harlan doesn't get up.
Robbie drops the suitcase beside Harlan, and laughs. He opens the suitcase but sees... nothing. The moment of confusion is all Harlan needs. He slams Robbie's head on the suitcase, puts Robbie's injured hand inside, and slams the suitcase shut. Robbie screams as his right hand is severed and he stands down. Harlan takes one last disgusting look at Robbie, then walks away.
Harlan walks till he sees Audrey's car. He hears a voice pleading.
Marcos: No no... this wasn't supposed to go this wa-
Harlan steps on a twig. A pause. A slam. Harlan runs to the other side of the car to see an unconscious Marcos with Audrey. Audrey turns to Harlan.
Harlan: You alright?
Audrey is about to speak, but then sees the blood dripping from the suitcase. Harlan nods.
Harlan: I'm fine.
Audrey sighs and gives Harlan a hug.
Harlan: Come on, let's get the hell out of here.
Harlan ties Marcos' hands, then throws him to the back compartment of the car.
Harlan gets in the car, and takes out a small pink USB, the Hand of God. He smiles, then puts it back in his coat pocket.
Audrey gets in the driver's seat, and puts the key in the keyhole. But before she can turn it, Harlan reaches for her hand. Audrey stops, then looks at Harlan.
Audrey: What is it Harlan?
Harlan looks from her hand, to her face. He moves his hand from the key, to her face. Audrey holds his hand, and the two lock eyes before leaning in and locking lips. After a while, Harlan and Audrey stop, and share a small laugh before starting their drive back to the hotel.