NARRATOR: The Hotel room was moldy and small. Hollus could barely use the little dinner table to clean his gun.
HOLLUS: What are you writing? We’re five hours away from the damn thing.
THATCHER: I’m a hostage right? I should have a story written to prove I was working.
HOLLUS: I’m no computer guy but I’m pretty sure your computer will tell on you.
THATCHER: That’s where you change the time and take it off wifi. Stick with wife killing I’ll stick with computers.
HOLLUS: I’m just saying that’s all. You bring any good food with you? I’m getting a bit hungry.
THATCHER: Yeah I got Ramen from the vending machine outside. I figured your last meal should include some MSG.
HOLLUS: That’s awfully kind of you.
THATCHER: Southern manners. You want that now? Give’s me something to do besides look at my screen.
HOLLUS: Yeah I guess, did you get any seasonings for it?
THATCHER: Uh, they got some salt and pepper.
HOLLUS: Could I get some pepper for that?
THATCHER: Of course, you’re a kidnapper and a connoisseur.
NARRATOR: Thatcher took out his mini stove and began to cook.
HOLLUS: You really don’t have an issue with this? I mean I know you’re a journalist but still.
THATCHER: Yeah I mean I’m not big on you killing your wife, but you’re gonna do it no matter what right?
HOLLUS: Yep.
THATCHER: See! So what’s the hurt in tagging along?
HOLLUS: I could see that. You have to admit though it’s a strange mentality.
THATCHER: As much as killing your wife is I imagine.
HOLLUS: You’re watching the whole thing, getting rich off it. How removed are you from me in that case. Hell! You’re making my final meal.
THATCHER: Maybe being moral beings isn’t our best strong suit. Now eating I can agree with you on.
NARRATOR: Hollus cleared his table for his Ramen.
HOLLUS: What’s the plan?
THATCHER: For what?
HOLLUS: After I’m dead.
THATCHER: Well probably after my lengthy press tour, a multi million dollar netflix deal, and tie in book deal. Politics. I could make a decent senator.
HOLLUS: You got the moral compass of one. What’s the story for your wife? You’re gonna tell her the truth?
THATCHER: No, I love her too much to do that
HOLLUS: You should tell her, secrets tear up a marriage. Even something big like this could sneak in and ruin everything.
THATCHER: Personal experience?
HOLLUS: I cheated on her. Back in the first year of our marriage, I thought I had a pass since we were fighting every day. Then Fred was born and he just glued us together. Some days I forgot what I did. Others I told myself never again. Then of course I tell her one night years after Fred left the house. Oh! It was a dumb fight, something about her sister staying at the house. She starts talking about my failed gold business and my depression and I just needed to hurt her. So I screamed at her about cheating on her. And I can’t tell you how quickly I wanted to die right there. I wanted, no, I needed God to take me away from her. He didn’t and then I lost everything.
HOLLUS: It wasn’t quick; it was years of losing fancy cars and pets to gambling. She never took a cent from me but she still found a way to take my life away. She kept growing and finding her best life. I never felt happy since. Gosh! She just rebounded like I was a small part of her life. I just loved her so much! How could she, just drop me?’
THATCHER: I don’t know. Funny how it works out like that.
HOLLUS: No one prepared me for this. No booklet or talk. How is a man supposed to relearn to walk at sixty? I thought I was done, my path was set you know?
THATCHER: Why take her with you? Why not just go out by yourself?
HOLLUS: And let her win?