"Yeah. That's me.”
The ringleader stared Mickey down for another moment, surveying him carefully. "You really are Micky Malibu, aren't you?"
Mickey smiled. "In the flesh.”
“Holy shit, bro! You’re a living fucking legend.”
Mickey smiled again, and a modest shrug tugged his shoulders.
The ringleader lowered his weapon and stepped forward. “I gotta shake your hand.”
The two exchanged pleasantries, and I breathed a relieved sigh.
“It’s not every day you meet a pioneer,” the ringleader said. “That was some pretty crazy shit you pulled back in the day. Is it all true?”
“Most of it. We’re actually developing a movie about it now.”
“That’s really fucking cool.” The ringleader stepped back and raised his rifle again, taking aim. "So where's the money you stole from Pepe Sandoval. $150 million, right? That's what they all say."
Mickey chuckled. "That's just a rumor, unfortunately. It was nowhere near that amount, and that money is long gone now."
"Then what the hell are you doing out on this island in the middle of the night with a metal detector?”
"Just out for a little midnight treasure hunt. That's all. Just like my man said."
"Bullshit. You're out here looking for that money.”
"Kid, that rumor is 40 years old. You really think that money would still be out here after all this time? Do you think I would just now come searching for it?"
"I ain’t a kid, old man. Don't talk down to me. I'm 22 years old."
"I'm telling you, I don't know where that money is. How about I sign some autographs, and we’ll get out of your hair?"
"The fuck I need your autograph for? What I need is $150 million dollars. So, how about you tell me where it is?”
Mickey’s mouth tightened. "Okay, look, you got me. We are out here looking for the money. But truthfully, I don't know where it is. Your guess is as good as mine. Someone kidnapped my daughter, and I need that money to get her back.”
"You expect me to believe that shit, old man? I don't give two shits what you need that money for. I want it. And I want it now!”
"I hate to disappoint you, but you're not going to get it.”
The ringleader didn't like that.
He tightened his grip around the rifle and solidified his aim. The barrel stared at Mickey's face. "I don't think you want to saynoto me.”
"Maybe I didn't make myself clear,” Mickey replied. “They're going to kill my daughter if I don't come up with that money.”
"That sounds like ayouproblem, not ameproblem.”
"Until I remember exactly where it is, it's a problem for both of us.”
The kid adjusted his aim again. "I think it's a bigger problem for you.”
There was a long silence as the two stared each other down.
"It’s somewhere on this island, or you wouldn't be here looking for it," Ringleader said.
"I'm telling you. I don't remember where I hid it.”
