A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND OF WEED

Daniel pulled up to the front of a small white house. The paint was chipping off the siding and a few shingles from the roof were missing. Junk littered the unkempt lawn making the place look like a literal garbage dump. The flies swarming around didn’t help that comparison.

"Where are we?" asked Lauren. She watched as a rat scurried across the lawn into an overturned garbage can.

"This is a friend's house," said Daniel as he got out of the car. "He should be able to help us."

"You mean someone actually lives here?" asked Kitsie.

Daniel gave her an apologetic smile. The Misfits poured out of the car and followed Daniel up the sidewalk to the front door. Daniel pushed the button for the doorbell. When no one answered, he began banging on the door with his fist.

"Maybe no one is home," said Scotty.

Daniel looked in the driveway and saw an old, dilapidated van. "No, he's home. His car is in the driveway." He continued to bang on the door until he heard a voice on the other side.

"Yeah, yeah! I'm coming! Calm your tits!" said the voice before the door opened. A lanky young man with shoulder length brown hair stood in the doorway. It was Daniel's friend Andrew. In his hand was a marijuana joint. Andrew took a long drag off the joint before blowing smoke into Daniel's face. "What do you want?"

Daniel waved the smoke away and coughed. "Dude, we just talked on the phone."

Andrew took another drag off his joint. "Oh, Danny! Right man, come on in."

Daniel and The Misfits stepped inside and were greeted with a hoarder’s dream home. Towers of newspapers lined the walls. Random nick-knacks covered every exposed table or shelf. Empty bottles, paper cups, and old fast-food bags took ownership over the floor while dust took ownership over everything else.

"Welcome! To Casa De Andrew!" Andrew exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Sorry about the mess. I haven't had a chance to clean up."

Lauren kicked a pair of dirty underwear to the side with her shoe and leaned close to Daniel. "Are you sure this guy can help us?"

He gave her a reassuring nod. “I’m sure. Trust me.”

Andrew walked into his living room and plopped down on a bright red bean bag chair. "So, Danny, are these the guys who were at the club with you last night?" he asked while reaching for a bong next to him. He placed it to his lips and burned a bud of marijuana, releasing its skunky aroma throughout the room.

"Uhm, yeah," said Daniel.

The sound of bubbles escaped Andrew’s bong as he inhaled for what seemed like several minutes. He pulled the bong from his lips and let out a plume of smoke. He smiled and examined the group. He soon homed in on Lauren. "You were right, these girls ARE hot,” he said giving her a flirtatious wink. She raised her upper lip in distaste.

Daniel cleared his throat. “So, where’s Trish?”

"Who?" asked Andrew.

"Your wife."

"Oh, her. I decided that married life wasn't for me. We went our separate ways."

"She dumped you, didn't she?"

"Yep." Andrew got up from his bean bag chair and tromped over to Lauren. "It's okay though. I think I may have found someone new."

Lauren pointed to Andrew. "Is this guy for real?" she asked Daniel.

"I'm real alright. How you doin'?" asked Andrew. He smiled and took another hit of his bong before exhaling smoke into her face.

"Gross,” replied Lauren. She fanned the smoke away with her hand.

Andrew kept smiling and held bong out for the group. “Where are my manners? Does anyone wanna partake?”

"I thought you were going to quit?" asked Daniel.

"Nah man, it’s legal now remember?” Andrew said while shaking his bong in Daniel’s face. “Prop 64 was the best thing that ever happened to me. I no longer have to hide my love of weed.”

“You never hid,” said Daniel shoving the bong away from him. “You’ve been high since 9th grade. You once got suspended for skipping gym to break into the cafeteria on pizza day. Your munchies caused you to eat enough for 8 people.”

Andrew looked off in thought. “Oh yeah,” he chuckled. He paused a moment and smiled at the memory. “Those square pizzas were awesome.”

“I’m failing to understand how he can help us,” said Ava shaking her head. “This guy seems like a total dimwit.”

Daniel got back to the matter at hand. "Andrew, do you still have that gun collection your father left you?" he asked.

"Yeah. Why? Do you want to borrow a few?"

"Yes."

Andrew squinted his eyes and looked at each of them. He leaned in close to Daniel. "Hey man, are they trustworthy?"

Daniel turned to look at The Misfits. "Somewhat."

Andrew squinted his eyes again in suspicion. "You guys aren't going to do anything illegal are you?”

"Yes. What we’re going to do is very illegal."

Andrew stepped back and pulled a fresh joint from his pocket. He struck a match, lit the joint, and took a long drag. He held it in for maximum effect. "Okay,” he said through tight breath before exhaling. "Follow me."

The group weaved through the towers of filth and followed Andrew to his basement. Once they were all downstairs, Andrew turned on the lights and illuminated an armory of guns and an assortment of other weapons.

"Pick one," said Andrew.

The Misfits spread out and began picking through the piles of guns. Daniel walked over to a nearby table with several pistols staged for selection. He reached out to pick up a 9mm handgun and grabbed Lauren’s hand on accident. She had reached for the same gun. Daniel turned to face her, still holding her hand in his. They locked eyes and both let out an awkward chuckle. Daniel pulled his hand away in an apologetic manner and gestured for her to take the gun. “You can have it,” he said.

Lauren shook her head. “No, you were here first,” she insisted. “You take it.”

“I’ll take this one,” he said grabbing a random gun. He picked up a pink lady pistol without looking and held it up. He gave Lauren a nervous smile when he realized what he grabbed.

Andrew laughed. “Think you can handle yourself with something that big?” he asked.

Daniel rolled his eyes and placed the pistol in the hem of his pants. “I’m hoping I won’t have to use it.”

Rico picked up a submachine gun nearby. “Now this is nice,” he said while looking down its sights.

"I'm glad you like it," said Andrew. He took another drag off his joint. "What exactly are you guys planning to do?"

"We're going to rob a bank," said Scotty confidently.

Jett hit him on the arm. "Scotty, shut the fuck up.”

"Woah, are you serious?" asked Andrew. "Danny, I know you're hurting for money, but robbing a bank? That's not you."

"I don't have a choice. I have nothing in the bank and I'm behind on bills," said Daniel. "I could lose my house."

"What about that battery thing?" asked Andrew.

Daniel turned to look at Deandre. “Man, I said I was sorry!" said Deandre defensively.

"That battery thing is no longer an option," said Daniel. "I don't know what else to do."

"What about your parents?" asked Andrew.

"They barely have enough to keep themselves afloat. I can't ask them for money."

Andrew paused for a moment and a mischievous look took over his face. He smiled at them before stepping away from the wall. "I have an idea."

"What?" asked Daniel.

Andrew gave him a playful grin and grabbed a gun. "C'mon. We'll take my car,” he said as he ran up the basement steps. Daniel and the Misfits exchanged curious looks.

Daniel sighed. "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" he asked himself as he walked upstairs.