BAD INFLUENCE

The traffic signal was only a few metres away now, and the yellow light had just begun to blink. There were just four or five odd cars ahead, all of them small ones, and Randy knew he'd easily be able to dodge them and beat the signal if he stepped on the pedal a little harder. But that's not what he intended to do. This was probably the first time time he had ever wanted the lights to turn red before he could pass under. 

After all, it wasn't everyday that your car got hijacked. The man with the mohawk hairdo and the gun had been in his car since the time he had moved his car out from the mall's driving lot, or probably much before that. Ever since he had revealed himself, he had been holding his weapon against his ribs.

Randy was hoping that his "Emergency Alert" key on his brand new GPS-enabled Roth Cellular had worked, and that the cops would be ready. waiting somewhere along the way to rescue him from the weirdo in the backseat. Maybe they were waiting in the cabin under the signal-post. He began to slow down, eagerly hoping that the signal would turn red any moment now.

"What the fuck are you doin Shitface??? Go faster!", yelped the punk in a hurried, gruff, yet low voice.

"Err..I didn't slow down..."

*Thwack* - the gun's butt landed hard on his temple, but not hard enough to knock him out.

"I said Drive FASTER. You've got to beat that signal !!! "

"Oww! Erm..Yeah"

Randy pretended to lose a little control while moving a little fast. A good delay-tactic he'd learnt from one of the millions of Hollywood flicks he loved watching.

And just when they were a couple of metres away from it, the signal flared RED, and Randy's feet were quick to jump on the clutch-brake duo.

"Bastard"

"Its red dude, I can't jump a signal. We'll both get caught. You don't want that, do you?"

"Well, if I get caught, you'll be comin with me too shitface!!"

"You really think so??"

"You don't believe me eh? Don't try to be a smart ass, dickhead. If I hit the slammer, you're gonna gimme company!! Okay?"

"Yeah right"

Just then a couple of armed cops appeared as if out of thin air. Both came charging towards the stationary SUV. 

One of them barked, "Come out with your hands behind your head. Drop your weapons if you have any!!!"

Randy and the Punk both didn't say a word. Noth came out and did as they were told to.

The cops seemed to recognise the freak. While one of them spelt out the rights and handcuffed the Punk, the other looked at Randy as if he felt sorry for him. 

"You're not moving...OK?"

"Sure officer! I'll co-operate. thanks for coming on time. You've been really quick. Thanx a lot!!"

"Yeah", said the officer, followed by something that sounded like "Tsk Tsk". Then he pulled out his radio and quickly started barking orders.

As the handcuffed Punk was being led away, he laughed out loud at Randy and spat in his direction. 

"See you in jail DiCKHEAD!!", he spewed venom and laughed like a maniac.

'He's probably gone nuts', Randy thought to himself. 'Guess I'll make a move'

Just then a mean-looking traffic officer arrived on a meaner-looking two-wheeler. he got off real quick and ran towards Randy.

"You're coming with me pal !", he said in a gruff voice.

"For reporting formalities? Sure!! "

"Nope", said a cop who came up from behind the traffic officer, with handcuffs dangling from his hand raised high, "You're hitting the slammer"

"Huh? Why me??". Randy's face went red with both shock and anger.

"That Punk who hijacked yer car...."

Randy interrupted him, "What about him?"

"Well, his name's LICKER !!"

"AWW SHUCKS!!", said Randy as he held up his clenched fists.

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'NEVER DRIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF LIQUOR', OR ANYTHING THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT!!