“I really can’t believe I’m thinking of breaking this guy out,” James says to himself. “He’s only getting 12 years for a homicide though.”

James is coming to grips with the harsh reality of his diagnosis.

It’s Saturday afternoon and James’ family are not home. They are with their grandparents. James is alone in his house with nothing to do so he makes his way to the basement. He turns on the lightswitch.There’s a chalkboard covered in dust in the corner. “Perfect,” he says. James’ wipes the dust off it with a cloth and hangs it on the wall.

After many hours of brainstorming on his chalkboard, he decides to steal the I.D. Tech software off the computer at the station and also a couple syringes of liquid. This will not be an easy task. There are 10 cameras alone in the basement of the precinct and they cover multiple angles. The liquid can be detected at every doorway in the station because every entrance and exit has a scanner that detects the liquid. James begins to think this will be an impossible task.

However James recalls a conversation one of the security guards had with another officer.

"I lost 3 grand playing poker the other night. I keep trying to make it all back but I keep going further in the hole… soon I won't be able to put food on the table. This security job isn't paying very well."

"Maybe you need to rob a bank Francis," the officer says in a joking manner.

James decides he's going to bribe Francis. "I'll pay him whatever he asks for. He simply has to deactivate the security system."

But then there's another dilemma. The syringes of liquid are all audited once a week on Friday evenings. This means they will know if any of them are missing.

"Simple I'll just buy the same looking syringes and fill them with water. After all the I.D.Tech looks like water…."

But James realizes this is not going to work. He recalls that they scan every syringe to detect the I.D.Tech.

"I have a buddy that works in a laboratory in the north end of the city. Maybe he can analyze the liquid. If he can reproduce it maybe I'll get lucky."

Thomas is a bio engineer and chemical engineer. He is also a supervisor and has all the security clearances in the laboratory. Longtime friend of James, he owes James many favors.

James calls Thomas on his cellphone. The phone rings 10 times and after that an automated voice of Thomas plays. “You’ve reached Thomas Moore. I’m not available so please leave your name and number and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks.”

“Listen Thomas. I can’t discuss too much on the phone but we have to meet in private. Remember that time I saved you from drowning and you told me you owe me your life. Well I need to ask for a huge favor from you. Meet me at the graffiti tunnel at 10pm tomorrow.”

Sunday comes fast. Hours go by and James pulls out of his driveway in his navy blue SUV. It’s 8:50pm and James is kinda hungry so he decides he’s going to Tim Hortons first. He pulls up into the drive thru.

“Oh it’s my favorite customer. How are you doing James?” says the lady.

“I’m fine sweetheart. It’s been a rough week but I’m getting through it. I’d like my usual please.”

James pulls up into the drive thru window. The lady hands him his coffee along with a plain donut. “Thanks a bunch,” James says.

James idles his SUV in the parking lot for half an hour listening to the radio. His favorite song It’s A Long Way To The Top If You Want to Rock and Roll by AC/DC is playing. He plays the air guitar at the guitar solos and mouths off whenever Bon Scott is singing.

It’s now 9:45pm and James is heading to the graffiti tunnel. The place is famous because graffiti artists all over the city show off their works in the tunnel. Some of the most famous artists have left their work there.

James stands in front of the tunnel for 5 minutes until a figure appears in the distance. The figure makes its way towards James. Soon it becomes apparent it’s Thomas as he waves and smiles.

“James I haven’t seen you in months. How’ve you been.”

“Well I could be better. I mean I’ve not been entirely bad. We caught my father’s killer. But there’s something else. I have cancer and it’s not looking good.”

“Damn. He’s finally caught eh. Glad to hear buddy. As for the cancer, how bad is it?” Thomas says in his usual deep voice.

“The doctor gave me 5 months to live…. Anyway the Judge handed him a 12 year sentence for Eric’s death, but that will most likely be cut in half for good behaviour. My father’s dead. Michael, his killer is only 45 years old. So he will be around 53 or something when he’s released. He’ll get to live the rest of his life while me and my dad are 6 feet under.”

“James you’re not actually thinking… oh my god you are…. Listen you’re not thinking straight.”

“You’re right I’m probably not. He’s going to be in jail for another 4 days starting tomorrow. I was just thinking this would be the best opportunity to get a hold of him. I mean once you’re in maximum security there’s no getting out.”

“James listen to yourself. So what will you even do with him once you have him anyway? Let him be in prison. It will drive him crazy being in that tiny cell.”

“I’ve thought of that. But honestly Thomas, there’s no easy way of saying this but I work with a high end technology that is supposed to be classified. There’s no way you are supposed to know it. It’s a liquid… maybe I’m saying too much. Is there a way you could analyze it in the lab?”

“No way in hell I’m getting in trouble. I’m glad you’re father’s killer is behind bars, but what you’re seeking isn’t right. I mean it’s true anyone in your position would think what you are thinking right now.”

“I saved your life though.”

“Damn you James… I mean it’s true I would do anything to repay you. I mean I guess I could analyze this liquid or whatever the hell it is you are talking about if that’s all you want me to do.”

“Well there is more to it actually. I need you to reproduce it. And when I say that, I mean if I get my hands on this liquid, you have until Friday to recreate it.”

“So you’re only giving me like less than 4 days to analyze this mysterious liquid and reproduce it? That’s insane James.”

“I’ll give you an incentive. Your boy wants to be a cop right? Well I can recommend him for employment anywhere in the province. That’s how much pull I have with the precincts.”

“That’s kind of you. Alright. I’ll do my best.”

Both men shake hands.

*Monday*

Before James’ shift starts he makes his way towards the guard’s office.

“Where are you going?” says Derrick.

“I’ve got some business,” says James.

James stands in front of the plexi glass that separates himself from Francis.

“Listen Francis I’m going to make this short. I overheard of your financial struggles. Let’s just say I want to cover your debts and maybe give you a little extra.”

“I’m listening,” Francis says.

“All I need you to do is deactivate the security systems at 4:00pm today and 4:00pm on Friday.”

“Are you freaking crazy? I could get fired… I mean I could actually go to prison for that.”

“I know. But if you don’t want the money then okay.”

James begins to walk away until Francis shouts “wait!”

James turns back. He pulls out $5000 in 100 dollar bills wrapped in purple rubber bands, the kind you’d find wrapped around asparagus. “Consider this a down payment. You would receive the rest at the end of the week.”

“Okay I’ll do it. Quick just hand that over before someone sees you with it.”

James puts the cash in a brown envelope and hands it to Francis under the plexi glass.

“Thanks for your cooperation.”

“There’s one thing though... the security system can only be deactivated for one and a half minutes.”

“Well that's no good… I mean that should be enough time but that’s pushing it.”

“The stuff you see in movies where the bad guys deactivate the system and replace the live video feeds with a normal video as if everything is normal… well I can do that. Let’s just say it will be sketchy but it will definitely pass.”

“Okay if that’s everything let’s do it. Remember 4pm.”

James walks away with a smirk.