2009-11-13: Racing Games

Starring:

Tiago_V4icon.pngKayley_V4icon.png

Date: November 13th, 2009

Summary:

Tiago and Kayley meet at an Arcade. They then go out to steal a car.


Racing Games"

Give 'Em Hell Arcade

The sun is in the process of setting, but the artistic reds and pinks and oranges of the autumn sky are lost to the occupants of the Give 'Em Hell Kid Arcarde. Inside, the sun's dying rays have been blocked out, replaced with the artificial glow of neon bulbs. With enough flashing lights, spastic noises, and child-like bodies to give an epileptic pedophile a heart attack, the Arcade isn't exactly where you'd think to find a battle-hardened ex-gang member. But, that's where he is, crouched over the controls of the Tekken 5 arcarde module and frowning heavily, his fingers moving and button-smashing with an alarming amount of force and speed. He is clearly trying to button-mash his way to happiness.

"Hey Mister, can I play that game after you're do-"

"Fuck off, piglet. I fuckin' need this, come back later. Goin' after the high score!"

An arcade isn't where anyone might expect to find a killer and an escapee of Level 5 and the government. However, maybe that's exactly why Kayley is here. She gives the other people here a disgusted sort of look that she barely keeps hidden. Whatever the people find in this amusement park of overstimulation and mind numbing games, the young blonde woman doesn't share in their enjoyment. It may be a wonder why the teenager is even here. There she is, sipping on a large soft drink through a straw and watching Tiago smash and crouch his way through one of the large arcade machines. Slipping off of her perch by one of the racing games - which, despite the fact that she hasn't played it since sitting down there, no one has yet to call her on it - and approaches the former gang member. Instead of a greeting, she hovers close by, watching him and his progress through the game, leaning against the Tekken 5 game.

Tiago's green eyes are narrowed at the flashing, pixelated screen. His tongue is peaking out between his lips, and there's even a small bead of sweat forming and trailing down his temple. At first, it's impossible to tell if Kayley is even noticed, seeing as she is given no indication, no nod of acknowledgement, nothing. He just continues pounding out kick-kick-punch combinations, glowering over at the screen, willing it to obey him. But alas. The Gods of Tekken are not smiling upon him, because one cheap-ass combo later, the enemy fighter strings Tiago's imaginary persona out, utterly destroying him.

Tiago does not take to this kindly. He lets out a cry of frustration, throwing his hands into the air in his temper and even going as far as to kick the machine an angry kick. "What the fuck, that was bullshit! God, fuck you, what did I do ta deserve this! Why isn't anythin' goin' my way taday!" Yes. He is indeed throwing a temper tantrum better suited for a thirteen year old. In the midst of fuming and stomping and scaring the little children with his Godzilla impression, he finally catches sight of Kayley. And then, he kind of freezes. What follows next is the suspicious, defensive move of "What?"

The temper tantrum that Tiago throws doesn't do anything to dislodge Kayley from her spot by the machine. In fact, she doesn't even flinch at the punching the air and kicking of the arcade game. When the man lets loose the flurry of swears and cursing at his lot in life and how the gods of video games have deserted him, she just watches him with something akin to amusement and curiosity. Then, when he focuses on her, she merely gives him a slow smile. His suspicion and defensive actions are greeted with non-plussed expression. If Tiago's blustering phased her, she wouldn't have survived Level 5, or past that, it's escape. "I don't think you're very good, are you?" Perhaps this is Kayley baiting the lion, but that's the sort of thing that she can't help herself from doing.

Tiago is slightly flustered by the simplicity and the honesty behind Kayley's comment. His face takes on a faint sheen of color, and a wrinkle appears between his brows, an expression of petulance on his face. "Shut up," he grumps, though you can literally see the fight being drained out of him. His shoulders happen to be deflating, and his posture is shot as the man reverts to his boyish past, lips pursed. He just looks tired, resigned. "I /used/ ta be good…I am good, I am. Jus'…not taday." Cue a long, self-pitying silence. "Uh, you can go ahead, if you were waitin' ta play. Sorry 'bout the…yeah."

Calling people out on their insecurities seems to be the best way to break them down. Kayley has realized this over the years and when she doesn't care about the consequences of her actions - even if it's against her - then it's a viable option for just about any situation. Taking a slow sip from the straw of her drink, she leans her head against the game and allows him to ramble on much longer than a kinder person would. Instead, even after he trails off, she doesn't say anything and simply smiles at him again. "Oh no. I think video games are silly. All these people wasting their money for fleeting, virtual glory. It's much harder to rip out someone's heart in real life, you know. The rib cage is specifically meant to guard your important internal organs and is hard to break through. Also, the jugular is surprisingly strong. Wouldn't you agree?"

There is just something about Kayley's age and appearance that allow Tiago to take her seriously. Really, he is only half-listening to her at this point, as his eyes are busy scavenging the room for what his next technical victim is going to be. A hand is shoved into his baggy pockets, and he glances down to the money he manages to pull out of there. "Mhmm. Well, yeah. But it's not like I've got anythin' better ta do with my time and money. Might as well settle for virtual glory or somethin'. Here - come with me. I'll pay for you if you race with me, what d'you say?" He is in a strange mood. A strange, lonely kind of mood, which has him looking for the companionship of anyone - even a sixteen year old girl freak. Err, in a non-creepy way, that is. The mention of all that gore is give a curious look though. "Well, yeah and no. I've had my ribs broken couple o' times. It can happen. I mean, not like in the game, but whatever, you know? Reality sucks sometimes, so might as well make it cooler in the videogames. C'mon, let's go grab a couple of seats."

The fact that Tiago isn't taking her seriously, or perhaps not seriously enough, amuses Kayley. Most people can't wait to get out of her presence and this guy is inviting her to play a racing game. That deserves some more investigation. And it certainly adds something better to her day than watching all these other freaks play games. "Okay." Pushing away from the arcade game, she keeps a hold of her large drink and follows after Tiago when he moves to go find some racing game seats. "Enough force will break anything." But, that the only reaction she gets to her diatribe on pulling a heart out of a chest is his rather odd reply causes her to smile just slightly. "Reality does suck sometimes." While it may not be the most eloquent reply, it certainly is the truth. "Video games merely distract people from the real violence of every day life."

Tiago plucks out the necessary coinage to fund two separate games, licking his lips thoughtfully as he carves his way unforgivingly through the crowds of children. He is like a moving brick wall to them, and the melancholy twenty year old is certainly intimidating enough to keep any of the little buggers out of his way. Eventually, with a sigh, he slides into a car seat, rolling his head against the back of the head rest and staring blankly at nothing before turning to offer Kayley her change. "That ain't true, is it? Aint there like, some rubbers and shit that don't break? They jus' give and give and give. Maybe that's the secret ta life, huh? Jus' give and give…but, that'd still mean life'd suck, 'cause everyone'll be bendin' you everywhich way." With this insight given, he frowns to the screen and pays his dues, before going through the painstaking process of picking out the coolest looking muscle-car available. "Oh yeah, that's for sure. Jus' a distraction. That's the beauty of it, aint it? Everyone needs a distraction every once in a while." He glances over to her out of the corners of his eyes. "You too, I bet. Right?"

Stepping in behind Tiago so that she can follow in his wake - it's easier than trying to forge ahead next to him. Unbeknownst to her companion, it's the same ride that she was watching him from before. With a smile, she sets her drink down on the floor next to her seat and takes the coins from him. "I'm not old enough to drive," she tells him. At fifteen, she's never even been behind the wheel of a fake car before. Luckily, video game driving is nothing like actual driving. This way, nobody can fault her for running over fake people when she doesn't know how to steer. "Nope. You can freeze rubber and then it'll break when you bend it. Even if you just bend and bend and bend, it's still possible to break." Not an optimist, this one. "Distractions are only good when you have nothing better to do." Flipping her blonde hair behind her shoulder, she inserts the coins and puts her hands on the steering wheel. "Now, how do you do this?"

"Whoa, really? Shit!" Tiago drops the depressing comments altogether, deciding to focus on his incredulity instead. "Yeah, okay, but you played these kinda games right? It's real easy like. Jus' turn the wheel when you wanna turn, and press down the right pedal with your foot. Don't let up on it. Ever." Break pedals mean NOTHING in these games. "Aha…I drove my first car when I was younger'n you, I think. Eleven. I snuck inta my buddy's car and jus' went for it. And then I got caught and my ass was kicked, but it was fun while it lasted. /Totally/ worth it. I had a van, too, but I sold it when I moved up here. Okay!" So he pauses giving her his abridged life story, turning to smile at the girl wryly. "Got your car chosen? Okay, I'll pick the easy level for ya. It's jus' fun, so don't worry about how you do!"

"I haven't." Most of Kayley's childhood wasn't what many would call 'normal' in many different ways. There were no arcades and not many games. Testing the pedal and the wheel when Tiago mention sit, she nods her head once to let him know she's ready. "No need to put it on easy just for me. I like a challenge." She likes to break things, too, so it being hard is no problem. Losing isn't quite the same issue for her as it is for Tiago. She'll just keep at it until she wins. "Interesting." The idea of stealing a car appeals to Kayley and she waits for the game to start before she tells him, in a completely deadpan tone, "We should do that. If you're so eager to find things to do." Because why bother playing a game about driving when they could actually be doing it?

The game kicks off with a bang. Immediately, Tiago shifts gears (he was on manual, the arcade freak) and he squints at the screen with interest. He is positively distracted by the game, and gives it the same religious attention he offered the Tekken one, but his eyes swivel over to her in express surprise when Kayley's suggestion is registered. He is rather slack-jawed, and he misses when his car veers off-course and crashes into fiery death, putting him in last place. "Do what? Fuckin'…steal a car? No, way, you're crazy." But, he's almost playful about it, seeing as he can't deny the fact that he would like, very much, to just take one and run with it again. Even if only for a little while. "Kid, who /are/ you, anyway? You aint like normal girls 'round here. And…well…were you like, /serious/?" This last question is asked with a bit too much curiosity, as if he's trying to gauge her intentions.

Not knowing how to change the game from auto to manual, Kayley is playing in automatic. It suits her style, anyway. Not really caring about how well she's doing, she keeps her foot on the pedal and just twirls the steering wheel this way and that with a soft laugh when she runs into other cars and over the pixelated spectators. Tiago is quite right, she is crazy and she isn't like the normal girls around here. "Yes. That's what I just said, didn't it?" Spinning her virtual car in what should be a tire squealing manner, she starts going backwards on the track, the screen flashing 'Wrong Way' in bright letters. Boring of that, she moves the wheel again and doesn't much care when it goes careening off into it's own demise. "I'm Kayley." That should be enough for him, as far as she's concerned. Moving so that she has pulled her feet up under her and is now facing him on the parallel seat, she adds, "I don't make jokes very often. You'll know when I do. So, do you want to play?"

Tiago is over the game at this point - he's just staring at Kayley with a considerable amount of interest. "Well…yeah but…/why/?" This is a better question to ask. "Aint you like, afraid of the police and shit?" He prompts further, licking his lips thoughtfully before pursing his lips. When she offers over her name, it prompts some manners to ring up within him. "Oh! And right - I'm Tiago. Chi-Ah-Go. Nice ta meetchya, Kayley. Err…do I wanna play this game again, ya mean? I mean, sure…" But for some reason, he's got the impression that this was not what she meant.

Never having really been interested int he game in the first place - it was Tiago that Kayley was more involved in - she doesn't give it another thought. "Why not? I've never driven a car before, and I don't have one. Where else would I get one?" The thought of stealing something as big as a car doesn't really seem to have any noticeable consequences for Kayley. As for the police, she just shrugs. "Why would they matter to me?" She's been jailed by authorities far worse than the police. "No, I mean, are you in or are you out?" Realizing that she may need him to do this - she has no idea how to wire a car - she puts a hand on the fake steering wheel to her side.

Tiago glances around the arcade, as if trying to make sure that there's no one around to hear this. Confusion is written on his features. "You're not like…some undercover cop, are ya?" Beat. "Okay, that was a dumb question. 'Course you're not. And you aint tryin' ta rat me out either…But, okay. Like…jus' for a joy ride, I guess. We'll put it back after, 'cause if not my g-roommate's goin' ta be pissed, but fuck, you gotta learn somehow. Yeah!" He's clearly trying to convince himself to take action. "Whoa, wait a second. Why're you so willin' ta head off with a complete stranger? You can't do shit like that, I coulda been a rapist or some shit." Like he's one to talk - he's about to head off with a murderer.

"I can handle myself," Kayley tells him, completely straight faced. She's not bragging, nor is she saying it flippantly. She can handle herself, and if Tiago doesn't realize it now, then he'll find himself in some trouble later on down the road. "I've got nobody to rat you out to. I just thought it'd be fun." Plus, driving is supposed to be a useful skill. One that she should learn for herself, right? "It'll be just a joy ride." Turning away from him, she slips off the seat and waits for him to join her on the opposite side of the driving game. The words 'joy ride' roll off her tongue in a strange way, as if she's never used the phrase before and is over pronouncing it. "If you were a rapist, you would have stalked me out and known who I was before. You would have approached me casually. I'm the one that sought you out." So, in this case she could be the rapist. But, she's not. Nor is she planning on murdering Tiago. She just wants something to break up the monotony of her days. "Ready?"

Tiago squints in Kayley's direction thoughtfully. "Well…I mean, if you're up for takin' a damn car, then you're probably right. You can take care of yourself. And…I guess I was out runnin' the streets by your age. You're what, fifteen?" With a grunt, he pushes himself off the seat and shoots her an impish smile. "Alright. Let's do this shit. C'mon." With a new (devious) purpose, he moves to leave the arcade rather quickly, practically crackling with excitement. "Huh…Well…yeah, I guess. But - wait a second. /Why/ were ya soughting or whatever me out?" Beat. "It's 'cause I'm handsome, huh? Aint it?" This last is clearly a jest.

Once again, Kayley follows in Tiago's wake, allowing him to part the crowd and her to use the space to move far more easily than she could herself. When he guesses her age, the blonde is a little put out by that. For the first time, she acts a bit of her age and her lower lip sticks out just slightly. She likes people to think she's older than she is. And, so, she lies. "I'm older than that." But, she doesn't say specifically what age she is. To the jest, she merely looks at him with her pale blue eyes and replies, "You were interesting." Not handsome, persay. That's not how Kayley thinks. "So were should we find our car?"

Tiago glances up, then down the street at first, before turning to smile at Kayley. "Interestin', huh? I'll take that. And oh - sorry. That was my bad, man. How old are ya, then?" He starts moving down the street, inspecting one car after another while he tugs out a couple of items from his pocket - more specifically, the tools associated for picking locks to those who are familiar. "Okay," this is hushed, a bit softer, and he offers it to her under his breath. "You're lookin' for an older car, yeah? Older the better. Look like a piece o' shit. And you're lookin' for a car that /doesn't/ have a red light flashin' around the dashboard - ones that do got alarms."

"Old enough," Kayley replies cryptically enough. Since Tiago already guessed her proper age, she doesn't want to go about lying and having to come up with some elaborate backstory about where she came from. Though Tiago is going about his business in a hushed and collaborating manner, the younger girl doesn't seem to care who hears them talking. It's when people start whispering that they get suspicious. As long as they talk in normal voices, she's sure they won't get in trouble before they start. "Gotcha," she nods, absorbing all this information. "Old cars. We can find one of those." The place is swarming with all different sorts of cars and people.

Tiago stops, squinting in Kayley's direction carefully before letting out a sigh. "Yeah, you know, that's fair enough I guess." And thus, their epic journey to find a car begins. Tiago is quite skilled in practiced at keeping a curious eye on the vehicles and the people driving by. "Anyway, you from here? New York and all? I used ta live down in the south, Miami. Moved up here recently. Me and my - aha! I think we've got one!" His eyes a sparkling with mischief as he approaches an old volkeswagon, moving towards the driver's side with his tools out in place. What follows is craft perfected, and soon enough, the door clicks open, prompting Tiago to slip inside it and scoot to open her door as well.

(FADE to car stealing glory too crazy for the screen)

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