Tony arrived at Esposito Auto Repairs, exiting the last expensive Taxi ride he hoped he would have to take for awhile. Entering the gaunt-looking building Hal used for his office area, Tony encountered the girl he had spoken to on the phone. Her name was Rita, so it said on her name-tag, and she looked sort of Hispanic, probably Porto-Ricon, and couldn't have been more than 20. "Where's Hal ?", Tony asked, then added, "I called earlier."
"Uh, he's out back", the girl indicated, vaguely pointing to a side door. Tony nodded, and headed that way, exiting a door that led to a sort of pathway. While the front of Hal's business was clean-looking enough, with his Autoshop and the Office Tony had just left, the rear area, behind a tall, coagulated steel fence, was a different matter. Tony followed the path to an open gate, which opened up on the biggest Auto Junkyard in Liberty City. Hundreds and Hundreds of junked cars were stacked on top of each other in rows upon rows almost as far as the eye could see. The ground was littered with old car parts and tires. Tony picked his way through, and began calling Hal's name. After a bit, Hal responded, yelling back "Over Here !"
Tony made his way through the rows towards the sound of Hal's voice, and found him in an open area. Here, the cars weren't stacked on one another, waiting for the Crusher. Rather, the were lined up in a neat row. For the most part, they were older, tired looking nondescript cars, like Ford Tauruses and Chrysler Sebrings. Not flashy, but dependable vehicles to fulfill their primary pourpose, to get from one place to another with a minimum of hassle.
Hal emerged from behind the row and greeted Tony. "I'se just checkin' out what I had back here fer yuh."
"Good to see you too, Hal", Tony answered absently while looking over the line of cars, searching for something passable. "How's Angie and the Kids ?"
"Good, all good", Hal replied. "She's got another in the oven, like a coven."
"No kidding ?", Tony replied. "Karen does too. Guess I'm gonna find out what the family life is all about soon enough."
"That so ?", Hal guffawed. "I'se tells yuh, the eat a lot onced they gets bigger....A whole lots."
"Figures", Tony replied. "Well, like I told you on the phone, I need some wheels. This what all you got ?"
"Depends on how much you be willings to pay", Hal countered. "How much yous got ?"
Tony named a figure, which amounted to just what he had left from his Fight Club winnings. Hal clucked and said, "Wells, t'ain't much, but...I could let one of dese here Tarus' go fer dat, I suppose..."
But Tony's eyes were drawn to a car further down at the end of the line. "Say, is that an old Camaro ? How about that one ?"
"Wall, I dont's know, Daddy-o", Hal said, but Tony was already walking down to the end of the line to take a look. Hal followed along, saying weakly, "It be a bit outta yer price range dere, dont'cha think ?"
But Tony was already survaying the car. While the paint job wasn't so hot, the car seemed clean. Tony popped open the hood, and saw a clean 400 CI motor. "How's it run ? I want to hear it."
Grudgingly, Hal produced some keys, and slipped into the Driver's seat and started it up. The engine came to life with a sudden roar, throaty and strong. Hal revved it a few times before shutting it off. "It sounds perfect...I'll take it !", Tony exclaimed.
"Now, holds on", Hal said, exiting the car, "This here is, like gonna takes twice as much as what yous got there."
Tony looked down at the dirt and stuck his hands in his pockets. "Ah, shucks, Hal...I just noticed, on my way in here, those little pools of oil and anti-freeze here and there...Tell me, has the EPA ever run an Inspection of this place ?"
"Oh, man, dont's be sayin' dat to me", Hal said. "I thought we was pals...Aint's we ?"
"Hey, I'm just trying to buy some wheels", Tony said with an innocent look on his face. "I don't really care about all that stuff, just looking for a deal, y'know ?"
"Man, youse killin' me, man", Hal grumbled, then sighed. "All rights, it's a deal. I'll take what you gots fer it."
A smile lit Tony's face. "Excellent ! Um...You DO got a clean title for this...Don't you ?"
"Aw, couse I do's", Hal returned, "You oughtta knows better dan to asks dat."
"Right, right", Tony said absently, "Sure you do. Don't know what I was thinking there. Com'on, let's go get this finalized up at the Office, whatta say ?"
Tony slid into the driver's seat of the Camero while Hal took the passinger seat, and they drove out of the Junkyard to the gate by the Office. Inside, Tony gave over his money, and Hal gave him the title and a temporary tag. Soon, Tony was off, leaving Esposito Auto Repairs, enjoying his new toy.
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