As they arrived at the driving test center, the place was bustling with activity. People were scattered around, some nervously waiting for their turn, while others paced back and forth with their test sheets in hand. The building itself was unimpressive—just a simple structure with a few windows and a large parking lot that served as the test ground.
Samantha parked the car in one of the few open spots, and the three of them stepped out, taking in the scene around them. Jack couldn't help but feel a twinge of nerves now that they were actually here. He was confident in his driving, but there was always that nagging feeling in the back of his mind. Samantha must have sensed it, because she gave him a reassuring smile.
"Alright, Jack," she said, gesturing toward the front of the building. "Here's how it works: You go in, get registered, and they'll tell you where to go for your test. Since it's your first time, they'll walk you through the basics. You'll have to wait in line, but it usually moves quickly."
Jack nodded, listening carefully, but then he remembered something. He scratched the back of his head and glanced at Samantha. "Actually, about that… My boss, Leo, gave me a number to call. He said if I called this guy, I could take the test directly without all the formalities."
Samantha raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised. "Really? You sure about that?"
Jack nodded. "Yeah, I think it's all sorted. I just need to make the call."
Lena, who had been listening while checking her phone, looked up, intrigued. "Wow, so you're skipping the line? Lucky you."
Samantha folded her arms, still skeptical but curious. "Alright then. Give him a call. Let's see how this goes."
Jack pulled out his phone and dialed the number Leo had given him. The phone rang twice before a gruff voice answered on the other end.
"Yeah?"
"Hi, is this Jemmy? My name's Jack. Uncle Leo told me to give you a call about the driving test?"
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before the voice responded, sounding more engaged now. "Ah, you're Leo's guy? Yeah, I remember. Hold tight, I'll come out."
Jack hung up the phone, turning to Samantha and Lena. "He's coming."
Samantha shrugged. "Guess that takes care of that."
A few minutes later, the door to the test center opened, and a man emerged. Jack immediately recognized him as Jemmy—a middle-aged, heavyset man with a bald patch in the middle of his head, flanked by thin tufts of hair on the sides. He wore a well-worn button-up shirt, and his appearance was unremarkable.
Jemmy scanned the crowd before his eyes landed on Jack, then shifted briefly to the two women beside him. His gaze lingered on Samantha and Lena for a second, clearly appreciative of their looks, but to his credit, he quickly refocused on Jack.
"You're Jack, right?" Jemmy asked as he approached.
"Yeah, that's me," Jack confirmed.
Jemmy nodded, looking Jack up and down as if sizing him up. "Leo told me about you. Said you're here for the test?"
"Yeah," Jack replied. "He said you'd be able to help me out."
Jemmy grunted in acknowledgment. "Sure thing. If you pass, I'll make sure you get the license right away."
As they spoke, Jack looked at Lena and he said,"Actually, my friend is here to take the test again."
Jemmy looked over at Lena and then back at Jack. He seemed to understand the situation immediately. "Got it. Don't worry about it. Someone will come to take care of you," he said, addressing Lena. "Just hang tight, and they'll call your name soon."
Lena's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I don't have to wait in that long line?" She pointed to the queue of people that had formed outside the center.
Jemmy gave a small smile. "Nope, you're with Jack, so we'll take care of it."
Samantha exchanged a glance with Lena, both of them looking pleasantly surprised. "That's a relief," Samantha said. "We were expecting to be stuck here for hours."
Jemmy then motioned for Jack to follow him. "Come on, let's get your test done."
Jack gave Samantha and Lena a quick nod, and they waved him off as he followed Jemmy toward a different part of the lot where the test cars were lined up.
As they walked, Samantha turned to Lena with a smile. "Well, that worked out better than expected. No long waits today."
Lena grinned. "Yeah, I thought I'd be here forever. Jack's really got some connections, huh?"
Samantha chuckled. "It looks like it."