Two
Bobby said no more, and lapsed back into silence.
Dean: Looks like we’re going with the burning lady after all.
—————————————————————————————————
They head over to a nearby motel and start the search for more clues.
Dean: Finally - a great room.
Sam: From what angle is this a ‘great’ room? It’s beige. The walls are beige, the spreads are beige. It’s like one big…..beige thing!
Dean: (big smile..points to the mini-bar) That is why this is a great room, Sammy.
Sam: What kind of motel has a mini-bar?
Dean: This one. Now go get started on the research while I..uh… (grins) check the facilities.
—————————————————————————————————
Sam: I think I have us a lead. Magic City, Montana.
Dean: There’s a place called ‘Magic City’?
Sam: Well, the real name is Billings -
Dean: I prefer Magic City.
Sam: (louder) but the nickname - is Magic City. It was founded in the late 1800s and it literally did grow like magic - that’s where the name comes from. It’s still growing - the rest of that part of the state is in decline but Billings is just going from strength to strength. It’s had it’s share of disasters and general bad stuff but nothing of late. Oh, apart from when some KKK flyers started appearing in 1993 but the people behind it were outsiders and the locals drove them out. And uh.. (smiles) you’ll like this one. For every 100 females…there’re only 88 males.
Dean: I don’t know what you’re trying to say about me, Sam. It’s not true, whatever it is. (pause..fidgets) What say we go now?
—————————————————————————————————-
The boys are driving along a street in Billings. It’s a warm day - the townsfolk are out, enjoying the sun. They stop at some lights and a pretty brunette pulls up alongside.
Dean: (smiling) Y’know, Sam - this really is a magic city!
Sam laughs. The girl exchanges glances with Dean.
Sam: Okay. So I think we’re looking for some kind of jewellery store - the lady was showing necklaces to someone -
Dean: (leans out of his window) Uh, excuse me - is there a mall nearby? My brother here wants to buy some bangles.
Sam: Dean!
Dean: The way they make that jangling sound? He loves it - have to buy them from each place we go or he gets a little…y’know - cranky.
Girl: (laughs) Sure - the Rimrock Mall’s just over there, on your right.
Dean: Hear that, Sammy? Let’s go get you fixed up!
Sam: (grumpy pout)
The lights change and they head to the mall. A bored-looking man sits in the info-booth outside.
Dean: Hi. We’re looking for a jewellery store. Sells -
Man: (very bored voice) Second floor, by the herbal medication store. Thanks and have a nice day.
Dean: (to Sam) He’s way too happy for his own good.
They head up on the escalator and find the store.
Dean: See her?
Sam scans the room - none of the sales assistants look like the woman they’re after.
Sam: (frowns) No. She’s not here.
Dean: Well maybe there’s another place like this (looks around).
Sam: I think that’s the place (he points across to another shop, nearby).
They walk inside. It’s a New Age store, selling crystals, charms, tarot cards.
Sam: I see her, Dean. (approaches the counter). Hi (smiles, and sees her name badge) Cheyenne.
Cheyenne: Hi. How’re you doing? Looking for anything in particular today?
Awkward silence.
Cheyenne: Okaaay. Nothing specific - not a problem! We’ve just got in some real pretty necklaces (looks at Sam) - I’m sure your girlfriend would just love one. Here, take a look -
She holds up a delicate crystal necklace for Sam, but he’s lost in thought. He thinks of Jess…
Cheyenne: Me?
Dean: Yeah. Listen, is there anywhere we can go that’s more private? Can you take a break or something?Cheyenne: Pardon me? If this is your idea of a pick-up line then it really isn’t working.
Dean: I know it’s kinda sudden, and you don’t know us from Larry, but we really need to speak to you - it’s important. For you.Cheyenne stares at Dean, and then shifts her gaze to Sam. They both look at her intently, almost pleadingly. She softens.
Cheyenne: I uh…okay. I can’t come now but I usually take a break at 3. Come by then and we can go grab a coffee. (fiddles with her necklace, nervously). But I swear - if you turn out to be some sorta pervert then..Dean: We’ll make it a public place, alright? I understand. I do. And I’m not..y’know - a pervert. (Cheyenne forces a smile) C’mon, Sam - let’s go.
Sam: (on the way out) Liar. (the brothers exchange glances). You so are a pervert. (laughs)Dean: Shut-up. (Sam laughs).
———————————————————————————————They return later in the day, as agreed.
Dean: (looking around) Where is she?Sam: Must’ve just gone out back. (approaches sales assistant) Excuse me - is Cheyenne around?
Girl: Chey? She’s left already.Dean: Left?!
Girl: Yeah. Said she wasn’t feeling all that hot. She left about 5 minutes ago.Dean: Son of a.. Sam - you go round the back, see if you can catch her leaving.
Sam runs through the mall, looking for a way into the back. He spots a door marked ‘Staff Only’ - someone’s left it open. He runs through a maze of corridors and emerges outside, in the staff parking lot - just in time to see Cheyenne cycling out of the gates.Sam: (shouts) Hey!! Cheyenne!
She doesn’t look back. As she disappears around a corner, the Impala appears and Sam gets in.Sam: She turned left just up there - she’s on a bike.
Dean: No contest. (sees her up ahead, and tails her - keeping a short distance).They continue to follow her, block after block.
Dean: Oh great.Sam: What?
Dean pulls over. Cheyenne’s bike is parked up ahead. It leans against the wall…..of the local Police department. She stands next to it and looks back at them, firm stare, arms crossed.
