pretty lies

-

“I don’t dress up, Winny.”

~

“Fine, be boring, whatever. You’re gonna be my date, right?”

.

“That’s alright. You can look pretty to make up for my scary.”

“I can see you driving along with a little friend in the passenger seat. Have you ever owned one before? I had a little terrier growing up. Cute as shit, except he chewed all my fucking shoes.”

“Just make sure you don’t get a chewer.”

~

“I’ve never had one before, but I wouldn’t be able to handle the chewing of the shoes. I’d probably need to secure all of my handbags, shoes, accessories. But maybe I could just stay away from terriers? Maybe it’s breed specific. I have no idea, but owning a dog can’t be that rough... right?” 

Winny pulled out her phone, scrolling through the Google results for local animal shelters.

“And I have great genetics. Doesn’t mean you should pretend the threat isn’t still there, just waiting for the next furrowed brow to freeze into place. Just. Like. That. And I say that from the heart.”

“Relax, okay, no one will get hurt. I’m not going to shoot anyone unless they deserve it.”

~

“Well, I know a great plastic surgeon, so I think I’ll be fine.” 

“Alright, alright, fine. I’ve got a warehouse on the east side of the city you can destroy.”

~

“This is why you’re my favorite boyfriend.”

.

“Why, thank you.”

“Yeah, but I have to be pretty for work, every day. I’m tired of that. I wanna be monstrous for once! Scare some people.”

“Okay, wait— are you gonna get a little dog to be Bruiser?”

~

“You’re welcome, sunshine.” 

"Okay... I guess I support it. Not that I really understand it, though...”

.

“I think you’re just overthinking things. Don’t worry so much, you’ll get wrinkles.”

“Winny, let’s be real here. Even with hired security, I’d be able to handle things a lot better than most of them if not all of them if it comes down to my own safety. Besides, having a real gun will make the whole costume come together much better.”

~

“Well, that’s literally impossible. I have an incredible skin care routine.”

.

“What are you even talking about, Winny? I thought we were just having a nice conversation about the Halloween party. I don’t know what would make you say something like that.”

“Would you prefer we all be completely unprotected with our guards down? What do you think the likelihood of someone causing shit just for fun is with me packing versus me not?”

~

“I just... your Trevor’s little sister. I want us to be friends. Great friends. And sometimes, the way you say things confuses me.”

.

“Any man that doesn’t forgive a smile like that is a dummy. Even if … there’s some stained furniture.”

“I was kinda thinking a dislocated jaw might be cool. Oh, see! You’d be the perfect Elle. You’ve got that natural pep n’ everything.”

~

“Oh, I think you’re my new favorite person, actually.” 

.

“Is he a neat freak? About his place? Might limit us on fake blood splatters. Or real ones.”

“Been … procrastinating. Worst comes to worst I’m just gonna be a Bratz doll. If I actually get my shit together I thought it’d be kinda cool to go all out— get some kinda gorey prosthetic?”

“What about you, Miss Hayes?”

~

“No, not really, I think he just ... doesn’t want anything to get messed up. Not that it would, but it’s a party, y’know? Shit happens! I do think I could be forgiven though.” 

“Whatever you say Winny.”

“Elle Woods, how cute. I’m thinking probably something along the lines of Lara Croft. Have an excuse to keep my gun upholstered to my thigh, you know?”

~

“Sometimes I think you don’t like me very much, and I’m not really sure why.”

“That’s nice that you think that. I’m sure whatever you put together will sure be an event, then.”

“Do you already have plans for a costume? I might have to post something to social media soon so there are no repeats for whatever I choose. That would just be too embarrassing for them.”

~

“Well, a lot of people think that about me, Scarlett. Your brother does.” 

.

“Two words: industrial warehouse.”

“Imagine how creepy it would be at night. You could hang shit from the rafters.”

~

“I think my boyfriend would be willing to spare one of his locations. Maybe.” 

“Like cute little skeletons, or some sheets to look like ghosts! But I guess we wouldn’t want them to be cute. We’d want them to be creepy.”

.

“There’s tons of Cohen front houses I’m sure Trevor would be willing to lend for the night. I’m just concerned you’d be…. over your head without a hired planner to help you.”

~

“Over my head? Please. I’d throw an excellent party. I’m very organized and neat, you know. I’m very ambitious. And I have wonderful taste in decor. All great things for a party planner.”

.

Bennett marches up to the bartender and presents several bills.

“A double, of whatever this little lady wants.”

It was a harsh world, this criminal underbelly, and Bennett found it important to make friends wherever her travels led her. Winnie, however. Winnie was very easy to befriend, in a very genuine way. Something about the twinkle in those eyes.

“Mm. Well. That one’s not really prince charming, though. He’s just a drunk toad.”

The alleged baseball player was now being yanked towards the exit.

She drums a nail on the counter, considers their situation; all this wealth, pouring out around them, powerful men and their powerful money. Powerful men like the Cohens.

“Most rich men are trouble.”

~

Winny ordered a Hawaiian Hammer for herself, turned to face Bennett as she explained that the drunk man was, in fact, a drunk toad. She could see that. Maybe Winny wasn’t the most put together drunk, but she always found it to be such a turn off whenever powerful men lost themselves like that. 

“Hm. Maybe. Some aren’t so bad though.”

Winny reached for the freshly mixed drink, giving it a sip.

“I think some of them can be exciting. As long as they can handle a few drinks... and have a nice ass.”

.

Bennett’s head tilts; she squints, assessing the ass of the now belligerent customer. He was trying to wrestle with security.

“That’s why he hasn’t been called up to the big leagues, I guess. Tiny cheeks.”

Winny was right— though off-duty herself, she’d made an astute observation. Leave it to another stripper to notice something like that. There’s a wider smile now. A moment where Bennett flaps the wad of bills playfully at the other girl’s face.

“Sadly he can’t afford a BBL because he spent his payroll on moi.”

~

“The love of your life is being escorted out by security and you’re just gonna stand there, flaunting his money? Not even an ounce of emotion?” Winny feigned a frown, shook her head in obvious disappointment. “Ugh. Gold digger.” 

She nudged Bennett playfully. It was obviously a good night to be working.

“I’ll judge you a little less if you buy me a drink.”