Scrap 21

SCRAP 21
Jason arrives just before the hour to find Frank waiting for him outside in the 4litre R. He is almost unrecognisable, having washed, shaved and changed into normal clothing. He indicates for Jason to get in and they drive off towards the Bridge onto the mainland.
‘You scrub up well,’ comments Jason. Frank gives him a mock-hurt glance. ‘You don’t do so bad yourself. Now, when we get to the dealer, we say that we are looking for a little run around. Follow my lead and don’t say anything that might give a clue to who we are or where we’re from.’
‘Won’t they ask us?’ Jason has a lot to learn about the business of nicking motors.
They arrive at the car sales lot and park up the road out of sight of the office. As they casually approach the line of cars, a man in a cheap Burtons suit strides from the office and approaches. ‘Good afternoon gentlemen, may I help you?’
His oily smile is met by a friendly one from Frank. ‘We’re after a little run around for young Terry here,’ he indicates towards Jason, who is keeping back a few paces. ‘Only just passed his test so we don’t want anything too fancy.’
‘I see,’ says the salesman. ‘How about the Morris Minor? A nice sturdy little car, one careful lady owner.’
Jason frowns, Frank smiles at the salesman and explains that he was hoping for something a bit more modern. ‘We have a nice Alfa Romeo over there,’ he says.
Frank has moved closer to the minivan. ‘How much is this one?’ he asks. ‘This would be more suitable for you, wouldn’t it Terry? Get a nice mattress in the back, eh?’
Jason blushes and the older men laugh at the joke. ‘That one is 495,’ he says, pointing to the sign in the window. ‘Only six months old and in perfect condition.’
‘Hm,’ Frank ponders, ‘Maybe. What do you think lad?’ Jason mumbles something inaudible. ‘Can we take it for a run?’
The salesman happily skips off to get the keys.
‘Make sure you clock the key numbers,’ says Frank. ‘But don’t let him know.’
There are only two seats so Frank climbs in the back. The salesman drives a mile or so up the road then stops to let Jason take over. He has not asked for any details or seen a licence, but this is normal practise. As he leaves the driving seat and makes his way round to the other side of the van, Jason takes a quick look at the keys which are hanging from the ignition and notes the numbers.
He drives back to the car lot and parks the van. They get out and have a good look at the vehicle. The salesman even shows them the engine. Frank and Jason agree it is a good buy and say they have a few more to look at before deciding which to have. They thank the salesman and leave, feigning interest in one or two different motors as they pass by.
On the way back home Frank seems pleased with Jason’s performance. ‘That wasn’t difficult, was it?’ Jason agrees that it was easy to get the key numbers. Frank now has a full set of them so he only has to search through his collection later to arm himself with the means of having the van away.
‘When will we do it?’ asks Jason. He has entered into the spirit of the enterprise a little too eagerly. ‘We’ll have to leave it a few days so he forgets about us,’ explains Frank. ‘But what if it sells in the meantime?’ Frank seems unperturbed; ‘That’s a chance we have to take.’
They arrange to meet two nights later. Frank tells Jason to wear ordinary clothing, nothing that can be remembered by any unfortunate witness who may happen by. At one in the morning that is unlikely but it’s best to be prepared.