"All righty, are we all clear on the plan?" Bill studied his gang's faces. He was a little nervous; it was his first time as the leader of a hold-up.
"Plan is simple enough," replied Lefty-Lou, "Piece of cake."
"I'm going to say this again," said Bill, "no screw-ups. No shooting, unless absolutely necessary. They look harder for murderers than bank robbers."
"We hear ya," said One-Eyed-Jake.
"Good!" The word shot out like a bullet from a gun. "Keep it clean."
"Let's rootin' tootin' do this!" Karen's excitement and keenness showed how green she was.
"Rootin' tootin'?" One-Eyed-Jack stared at Karen as best he could.
"What, you don't say 'Rootin' Tootin''?"
"No Karen, we don't," replied Lefty-Lou, embarrassed on behalf of his girlfriend.
"See you all at sunrise. Make sure you bring these masks..."
"Wait, what?" asked Karen.
"Masks, bring them," snapped Bill.
"You didn't say nothin' about masks, Lefty," said Karen.
The rest of the gang glared at Karen creating an awkward silence.
"Erm..." said Left-Lou, shifting on his chair and straightening his hair, "this is a hold-up. We are..." he mimed waving a gun, "...robbing a bank."
"I can't wear a mask!" Said Karen, horrified. "What are trying to do, kill me?"
"Look, little lady," growled Bill through gritted teeth, "We are bank robbers. Criminals. You have to wear a goddammed mask!"
Karen shook her head. "No. No. No. Let me clue you up on masks."
Lefty-Lou covered his face with his hand.
"Masks cover your face so you won't be recognised," said Bill, slamming his fist onto the table.
"No, couldn't possibly wear a mask," Karen persisted, "how do you expect me to rob a bank if I can't breathe properly?"
"If you're recognised, the sheriff will come after me," said Lefty-Lou, "and then Bill and One-Eyed-Jake."
"I wanna spend our money, not get banged up," said One-Eyed-Jake, his bad eye twitching.
"You either wear the mask, or you're out." Bill threw a mask at Karen.
"Oh, I see," said Karen, throwing her arms up in the air, "It's like that is it. I refuse to wear a mask and you're kicking me out? You're persecuting me because I want to breathe!"
The three men stared at her, but she refused to be intimidated.
"Look," she said, calming down, "if you want to cover your faces, go ahead. All I'm saying is, I need my face clear of obstructions. You wouldn't want me passing out, would you?"
"No, no, we wouldn't," said One-Eyed Jack.
"There, you see?" Said Karen, missing One-Eyed Jack's sarcasm. "No one knows I rob banks. How could I be recognised?"
"Change of plan," said Bill, "I'm moving the robbery back a day. Get plenty of rest, Karen. Sleep in as much as you want. Why don't you make us a pot of coffee?"
"I knew you would see sense," replied Karen. There was a skip in her step as she went into the kitchen.
Bill lent forward and whispered to his friends, "A three-way cut it is then."
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