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buy a bunch of flashlights and batteries?”
    “With what? Have you got a bunch of money that I don’t know about? We’re going to need whatever we scrape up just to buy enough gas to fill up Jordan’s truck.”
    “I didn’t think of that. I guess I figured we could ride bikes out there, but it would be too far.”
    Justin nodded. “Yeah, and if we’re going to be optimistic, you gotta figure we’ll have some rocks to carry back, right?”
    “We should get some backpacks or something too.”
    The door banged open. Travis came back out, followed by Carlos. He was slapping flour from his hands as he walked.
    “What’s up?” Carlos asked.
    “We want to talk to Joy about that caving equipment,” Justin said. “We figured we needed to talk to Kristin first, you know?”
    “Yeah? What? You need me to talk to Kristin? Go talk to her yourself.”
    Justin looked to Travis. This wasn’t going as he expected.
    Travis took over. “You know where Kristin is?”
    “Sure,” Carlos said. “She’s probably over at Downside like she is every Friday night. You know that.”
    Travis shrugged.
    “What do you guys need caving stuff for? You know all she has is those crappy carbide lamps, right?”
    “And helmets, and some ropes,” Travis said.
    Carlos nodded and tilted his head. “Why do you want that stuff?”
    “We’re going into Old Hang,” Miguel said.
    Carlos began to wipe his hands on his apron. He shook his head and frowned. “Is this that gold thing? Jordan was talking about that. Sounds like bullshit.”
    “That’s what I said,” Justin said. “But we’re going anyway, just to check it out.”
    “What time you guys going over there? I’ve got another hour here and then I’m off until Sunday.”
    Justin, Travis, and Miguel exchanged glances. Nobody had an answer.  
    Miguel finally thought of a response. “We’re going to try to borrow Jordan’s truck. You going home after? We could meet you there.”
    “Cool,” Carlos said. “I gotta get back.” He turned and left them.

    -o-o-o-o-o-

    “You guys stay here and watch him,” Justin said, pointing at Ryan. “Keep him out of trouble for ten minutes, okay?”
    Travis nodded.
    “Sure thing,” Miguel said.
    Justin pushed his way through the heavy door and stopped at a line that wound down the dark hall. For a second, he thought it was the line to get into the bar. It was all women—they were waiting for the ladies’ room. He excused himself as he worked his way down the line.  
    At the archway, he blinked and scanned the crowd. Most of the people were either crowded at the bar or along the stage. The middle of the room only held scattered people. Justin realized that the person he was looking for was the woman on stage. She was singing some karaoke version of a song he vaguely recognized.
    Returning to his search, Justin spotted Leslie, Kristin’s roommate and partner in drinking. She was at the bar. Justin headed to her. He squeezed in next to her, between stools.
    “Hey,” Leslie said.
    “How’s it going?” Justin asked. He had to shout to be heard over Kristin’s singing, amplified to drunk levels.
    Leslie leaned in to yell to him. “Where’s your cadre? Don’t you boys usually move in packs?”
    “We’re on a mission. We want to borrow some of Joy’s stuff. Her Dad’s stuff, I guess.”
    “So why are you here?” She held up both her hands, nearly toppling her drink.
    “Can’t go to Joy’s alone. Brit is an asshole.”
    “That’s so true,” Leslie said, slapping his arm. Some people had an inner beauty that shone through their exterior appearance. Leslie was the opposite. She was gorgeous, but had such a rotten disposition that she remained single. It didn’t help that she always hung around Kristin, who was both pretty and nice. The contrast was drastic.
    The bartender approached and claimed Justin’s attention. “What’ll you have?”
    “I’m good,” Justin said.
    “You have to order