Story 20 - Part 4 - Into the Sunset

Tech grinned as he leaned back on the lobby couch and finished wiping all of the stage makeup off. There was not much on, but that fake scar that stretched around his throat was being a little temperamental. Still, that was pretty fun. They had worked with the man for about an hour, just getting the convict in the right mood, and then Carmine managed to just get the guy to practically tell his life story.

At least Tech assumed that was what was said. The convict had spoken in another language that Tech recognized, but did not speak. Tech was definitely going to take a foreign language at school, never mind that he would not be able to speak it. He at least wanted to be able to understand it.

“So, let me get this straight,” Boomer laughed after Carmine had finished explaining their trick. “You got Salazar over there to convince the guy that he had ripped out Tech’s voice box? Man, that’s graphic.”

“He was not going to be intimidated by conventional force,” Carmine said. “He needed to be shown that the words were not empty threats.”

--Which is why you were the one that ended up with the black eye from the fake fight,-- Tech teased.

“Exactly,” Carmine grinned as he carefully rubbed the washcloth against his face, smearing the makeup everywhere. “Oh, ow. It’s in my eye.”

“Oh, let me help you two with that,” Mrs. Salazar said as she snatched the washcloth from Carmine. “You’re getting it everywhere.”

“I’ll help you,” Marissa said to Tech.

Tech tried to sign that he was all right, but Marissa did not understand and no one translated for him. She kept smiling and talking about how brave Tech must have been to help the government with such a dangerous criminal. Tech tried a couple times to thank her and take the washcloth back, but failed each time.

--She’s hitting on you,-- Jordan signed behind Marissa’s back.

--Why?-- Tech asked as he did his best to not look the younger girl in the eye.

Jordan just grinned and rolled his eyes, leaving Tech to fend for himself again. She was only two years younger than him, but that was not what was bothering Tech. They could not communicate. The only real girlfriend Tech had ever had was a pretty cute deaf chick he had met a few years back. They had broken up on friendly terms right before he and his mom had moved here.

Mrs. Salazar had finished helping Carmine get the black eye off his face and within seconds she had finished helping Tech. Marissa had definitely been taking her time. Tech stood up quickly, his face slightly flushed as he looked over at Carmine. His uncle was just grinning in amusement like everyone else.

--I’m going to my dorm,-- Tech signed. --See you all later.--

--Don’t worry too much about her,-- Carmine assured. --Or at least not yet.--

--What’s that supposed to mean?--

--She still hasn’t figure out you’re mute. Also, she just broke up with her boyfriend because he was a pansy, and you are not one at the moment.--

Tech rolled his eyes and quickly waved goodbye, ignoring Marissa’s questions about what everyone was saying. Within moments he was in his pinstriped car and driving away. The sun was starting to set and Tech had promised Don that he would be at their room in time for a concert that was happening on the campus quad. This was going to be a great, though probably very interesting, semester.