Internet 24

The siblings make it through the mall with Mr. Olive's routine ingrained into them. He leaves for the movies after he plays cards, with the movie choice originally feeling random, until they notice it was whatever movie was playing closest to the time he arrived. They follow him far behind into the theater. Aly goes to grab snacks as Don takes a look at the movie he's watching and grabs their tickets. This day they add a twist. Don walks up to Mr. Olive and bumps into him.

DON

Sorry, man.

The bathroom door swings open as Don enters and enters the large handicapped stall. Don pulls out his cell phone and Mr. Olive's phone he "borrowed," and gets to work. From his phone, blue spiders made of light emerge from the screen.

They leap from his cell phone to Mr. Olive's and dig inside. No marks are left. In a few seconds, Don's screen flashes. He steps out of the bathroom to see Aly waiting nearby.

He walks over and trades her the phone for the food in her hand. Don sees Mr. Olive at the concession stand ordering and then turns to Aly.

DON

Your turn.

ALY

You wash your hands?

DON

I didn't use the bathroom.

ALY

You still went in there.

DON

Can you just hurry up?

Aly grabs the phone and hands him the food. She makes her way to the concession and up to Mr. Olive.

ALY

Excuse me; I think you dropped this.

Aly shows him the phone. Mr. Olive pats his jacket to find his phone no longer there.

OLIVE

Thank you. I don't know how that happened.

He grabs the phone. Aly smiles and turns around to head to the theater. Once inside, they sit in the top row. Three rows down and slightly to their left, Mr. Olive takes his usual spot. He snuggles into his chair with a bucket overflowing with popcorn.

DON

This is crazy.

Don says before stuffing his face with popcorn. He swipes through his phone and goes through the pictures. Unknown to Mr. Olive, Don hacked into his phone and has access to everything on the device. Whatever is on Mr. Olive's phone, Don can see, take, copy, and even alter.

Mr. Olive's photo gallery is filled with photos of random dogs he doesn't own, his wife, their dates together, and finally, what looks like a wish list of greeting cards that he wants. This seems simple but is far more disgusting than Don likes to think. Phones hold facial recognition, and fingerprints are used to unlock the phone. Bank information, credit cards, the ability to unlock other devices, his car, and even his home. His digital I.D card, passport, and medical information have all been unified on people's phones for simplicity nowadays. Wallets have become near obsolete, with the only function now to carry cash and nothing more. A cash clip works has fine.

Phones now carry thicker security than any other digital device. It would be easier today to hack into a Forb 500 corporation private server or break into a bank vault than to hack into someone's phone. Theoretically, Don can control Mr. Olive's life, run his credit, lock him out of his own home, empty all his accounts to zero, and see all his dirty secrets. All this, Don ignores and focuses solely on the information that will help him in his case. Nothing more or less.

ALY

What, the movie? I've never heard of it.

Either way, we're getting reimbursed.

Aly takes a slurp of her vanilla cola.

DON

No, that this is what he does.

I mean, look at this.

Don shows her the phone.

ALY

I don't get it. Seems normal.

Aly is focused on her surprisingly juicy concession cheeseburger.

ALY

Man, when did theater food get so good?

DON

Exactly, normal. I wanted something

more exciting. When that Roo gang member

tarted following him, I thought it

was going to heat up.

ALY

I thought Mr. Professional would want

a smooth first case. I'm happy it's

happening like this. I've had enough

excitement for one life.

DON

That's a lie. You're just as bored as I am.

ALY

Maybe, but I'm going to

enjoy the slow moments.

The lights in the theater start to dim as the trailers begin to pop up.

DON

Looks like we've got an honest

husband who likes a little alone time.

ALY

Shh, it's starting.

Aly says before Don can continue his thought. Maybe she's right, he thinks to himself. He gets comfortable as he digs into his cheeseburgers, attempting to enjoy the slow moments.

The movie finishes, and the target heads out.

ALY

After today are we telling the wife?

Don stands up, disappointed that this is what everything led to. It is clear to him that the 'Roos have the wrong man and Mrs. Olive's intuition was incorrect. They both make their way out of the row and down the steps.

DON

Yeah, telling her a lot of nothing.

When Aly and Don pass the last row and are ready to turn the corner, two men step behind Don and Aly. The heat of their breath hits the top of their heads when they speak.

VOICE

Don't turn around. Keep walking forward.

Don and Aly do as the voices say. Aly looks at Don's face as it morphs from bored to excited.

VOICE

I said, don't turn.

Aly is pushed in the back. She clenches her fists, ready to make a move, but she sees Don wag his finger no. Aly does what he asks, hoping he has a plan. They walk out to the hall to see Mr. Olive walk down the opposite direction they are being led to. Maybe this doesn't involve him, Don thinks. All he knows is that if he lets Aly do what she has planned, they may never find out.

This is a game of patience, and he has plenty. They are led to two double doors under an illuminating EXIT sign. There is a warning on the door stating that an alarm will sound if opened. Don and Aly stand there, hoping they are not expected to hold the door for their would-be kidnappers.

VOICE

Hurry and open up the door.

He shoves Don forward to get the door.

ALY

What about the alarm?

VOICE

Just do it.

Don complies and opens the door, blinded by a shining light.