Dispensary Heist

It was 10:00pm, an hour after the cannabis dispensary closed its doors to customers. Every employee besides Emily had already gone home thirty minutes earlier, leaving her to finish the closing procedures. This meant she had to make sure the safe was locked as well as the product in the store, and to check on the plants they were growing in the climate-controlled warehouse behind it. The dispensary also had an overnight employee to check on the plants and to feed and water them as necessary, but they wouldn’t arrive until midnight.

The warehouse was split into several large rooms; one large greenhouse for sativa strains while the other was an indoor climate-controlled room for indica strains, also a room with male plants for the purpose of breeding new strains, one for auto-flowering ruderalis strains, and another for hemp and CBD-dominant strains. They had fluorescent lights for seedlings, LEDs for plants in their vegetative stage, and high-pressure sodium lamps for the flowering stage. It was fair to say this company was the Amazon of cannabis dispensaries. They also delivered to local customers that ordered online, which Emily did mainly during the earlier hours.

Emily had gotten hired right out of school at the age of eighteen. She was the only employee there under twenty-one, but they made an exception since she was approved for medical marijuana by a doctor.

“Would you mind givin’ me a grand tour of the facilities, miss?”

“I’m sorry, we don’t,” Emily began, then stopped mid-sentence.

“I was askin’ out of politeness. Don’t let my pleasant demeaner fool ya now.” Dale, a man with a cowboy hat replied to her.

Emily swallowed hard, eyeing his Colt 45 revolver nervously.

“Please.” She uttered, with a voice as small as a mouse.

“Just to the safe then, seein’ as you’re in quite a hurry to get home, miss.”

“But!” Emily began, then gulped when he pressed the hammer back on his revolver.

“I’ll speed things along if necessary, miss. You need to get off your shift on time, so we don’t arouse any suspicion.” Dale said, his smile never wavering.

“They never gave me a code to the safe!” Emily protested.

Dale stood before her and stooped down to her at eye level. She squeaked nervously.

“Do I strike you as someone who works as a jester for the local circus?” Dale asked.

Emily quickly shook her head, starting to tremble. He took hold of her right hand, making her gasp.

“This here establishment uses a fingerprint scanner for the safe. These fellas has done their research.” Dale said, as two masked men emerged from the shadows. “Would you prefer it if we pluck off your index finger and dispose of you, miss?”

Emily’s nerves went numb as a corpse.

“N-n-no.” She stuttered.

“No…what?” Dale asked.

“No s-sir.”

“That’s a good girl.” One of the masked bandits said, spanking her.

Emily’s face fumed red. Dale fired his revolver immediately, and the man dropped to the floor at an instant.

“That ain’t no way to treat a lady.” Dale said, then pressed the hammer back and aimed his revolver at the other masked bandit.

“You want to tell the devil who sent y’all, or take his share?” Dale asked.

The bandit put his Glock back in its holster.

“Show this fine gentleman to the safe, would ya kindly?” Dale said to Emily.

Her mouth twitched. She was too shell-shocked to reply. It all happened so fast, and her mind was still reeling from the events. Dale snapped his finger in front of her face, startling her from her trance. Emily quickly led the bandit with her to a nearby hallway. Dale stayed behind and started collecting samples off the shelves.

2

Emily placed her thumb on the scanner and took a swift slap to the back of her head as a result.

“It scans your index finger. Play dumb again and I’ll waste you right here.” The bandit said.

Emily gulped and quickly pressed her index finger against the scanner. The bandit let himself inside and started gathering cash. Emily leaned against the wall and saw something stashed in a hole behind it. She kept her eyes on him as she reached for it. Her eyes widened.

A deafening pop echoed through the safe. The bandit whirled around, and a bullet plunged into his neck, leaving him to choke on the consequences of his life decisions. Emily quickly turned away. She stepped out into the hallway and didn’t make it far before she hurled.

Emily rested her head against the wall and sank to the ground as dots clouded her vision like television static. She had to get a grip. Fast. Where was he? Emily didn’t want to cross paths with him. If the outlaw got his hands on her before she could escape, who knows what form of torture he would put her through for the death of his comrade.

The lights suddenly cut off, and Emily screamed. In the darkness, she panicked. He was waiting for her at the end of the hallway. She could feel it. There had to be another way out of here.

Emily opened the next door she could find. It was dark in there too, except for the EXIT sign illuminating above her. There was no way out of this room besides the hallway, but it could be a good place to hide out until someone from night shift arrives.

A beep echoed through the building from the intercom speakers, freezing her in place. What sounded like a cheery sixties tune boomed over them next. It started out instrumental, with a psychedelic sound of an organ, swirling along with an electric guitar. What fucking mind game was this? Then came the lyrics…Emily tries but misunderstands…she’s often inclined to borrow somebody’s dreams till tomorrow…there is no other day! Let’s try it another way! You’ll lose your mind and play! Free games for may…see Emily play! Syd Barrett and Richard Wright sang menacingly over her.

Emily pressed her hands over her ears and started hyperventilating. He knew her fucking name! If she were lucky enough to escape, that likely meant he knew where she lived too. This likely wouldn’t end until one of them was dead, and she didn’t know if she had the stomach to kill anyone else. She knew how to shoot a gun and had decent experience at a shooting range where her deceased father taught her. But shooting targets and living people were two different things.

After the song concluded, all was quiet again. Emily was crouched underneath a table with her knees drawn up to her chest. The room had rows of tables with plants standing on top of them. Something tickled her nose, and she quickly sneezed into her arm. The sound echoed across the room, startling her. It was the strain-crossing room; filled with male plants that spewed their pollen everywhere. Other employees teased her about how she seemed to be allergic to this room. She had to get out of here.

Emily stood up, trembling. A sneeze suddenly took her by surprise again, making her panic. She rushed over to the door and went back out into the hallway. The next room was the same, only illuminated by an EXIT sign above the door. This room was warmer and humid however, and her nose was met with a sweet mix of fruity, piney, and peppery scents. It was the sativa room, where several classic strains grew; Haze, Durban Poison, Maui Waui, Thai, Columbian Gold, Acapulco Gold, Jack Herer, Sour Diesel, Green Crack, and Panama Red, to name a few. This is where Emily spent most of her time when she wasn’t out delivering online orders. These fussy plants needed more care than the others in the warehouse, and it was up to her and the overnight employee, Jazmine, to keep them alive.

The only interaction Emily had with Jazmine was during the hiring orientation. Emily was running late and had rushed into a parking space when she arrived. Although, she didn’t realize that her car was crossing over the right line a fair bit, taking up two parking spots. There was a line of new hires waiting in front of the building, where she rushed over to. Jazmine had seen Emily’s parking job while pulling in a few spots away with her nineties Civic.

“Look, I know you’re used to guys filling your holes for you, but you gotta park better than that Chica!” Jazmine said, and the new hires erupted in laughter around them.

Emily’s face fumed red with embarrassment. Her reputation would be doomed if she didn’t recover from that.

“At least my car doesn’t sound like a saxophone whenever you open it.” Emily huffed back.

“Woooo! That little girl bites back! Watch out!” one of the new hires said, as they cracked up at her comeback.

“It is too early for this shit, c’mon y’all.” Darryl, the warehouse manager said, opening the door.

3

“Psst.” A voice hissed in the darkness, snapping her back to the present.

Emily whirled around and pressed the trigger, aiming directly at his cowboy hat. But all that came out was a clicking sound.

“Wh-wh-what!?” She stammered in disbelief.

“Well, that ain’t good.” Dale mocked, then returned fire.

“Fuck!” Emily cried out and fell, holding her right foot.

The bullet had only grazed her shoe, but it still stung.

“I am so sorry miss, but you got a little carried away there.”

“Get away!” Emily squealed, trying to push herself underneath the nearest table.

“You need to cool it and put your weapon down, miss.” Dale said.

Her eyes grew wide as he approached, and she flung her gun at him. He ducked and fired another shot, hitting the table, just inches above her head. Emily flinched and screamed, covering her eyes. A trickle of shame ran down her legs.

“Appears you wet your knickers, miss.”

“Fuck you!” Emily snapped back.

“There’s no need for such foul language, miss.” Dale replied.

“Just take the money and leave me alone!” Emily cried.

“No can do, miss. I wouldn’t dare have my back turned after how you wasted that other fella.” Dale replied.

Emily whimpered and she scrambled under the table. He grabbed her by her ankles before she could crawl any further.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” She squealed as he yanked her out.

“You think murder can be forgivin’ by sayin’ sorry? Tell that to the judge and see how that works out for ya.”

Emily swallowed hard, not knowing how to respond.

“Not to worry. I should be thanking ya. I won’t have to share the score with em’ now.” He said.

“I won’t say anything if you let me go. I s-s-swear. Just take what you want from the safe.” Emily said.

“Just like ya promised to behave before committin’…what was it, murder?”

“W-why are you doing this?” Emily stuttered.

“Look around you, darlin’. What effect do ya think warehouses like this have on us farmers up north in the emerald triangle? I’m just here to even the playin’ field and take back the share they stole from us. Nothin’ personal.” Dale replied.

“I understand, just…please don’t hurt me.”

“That strictly depends on whether you got anymore tricks up ya sleeve.” Dale replied.

“I don’t. I swear.” Emily replied.

“I’d hope not. Certainly wouldn’t risk my life for a minimum-wage job either.” Dale replied, then led her back to the safe.

There was a rolling cart from the janitor’s office, next to the body.

“Get yourself a mop and start cleanin’ up your mess. Not a drop of blood should be left when you’re done.

Emily went pale at the sight of the corpse. She wasn’t sure if she could do this. Emily gagged and quickly covered her mouth, swallowing down the acrid taste in her throat.

“Whatever you cough up, you’re cleanin’ up. Tough it out.” Dale said, taking the bag from the corpse’s hand and stuffing it with cash.

Emily took a deep shaky breath and started mopping. When she finished, she sat down and rested against the wall. If she had to stand any longer, she would faint. When Dale finished packing two burlap sacks of cash, he turned to her.

“What time nightshift get here?” He asked her.

“Midnight.” Emily replied.

Dale pondered for a moment, then took out a vape he found on one of the store shelves.

“Inhale.” He spoke, holding it out to her.

“Please, I need to be able to drive home. I won’t say anything about this.”

“Do ya want to be fertilizer like this fella?” Dale asked, making her nerves go numb as a corpse.

“N-no. No. I’m sorry.” Emily stuttered, taking a small hit from the vape.

Dale took hold of her chin and forced her to keep inhaling until she broke into a coughing fit. Her heart started pumping like an out of tune dubstep beat, and his smirk unsettled her even more.

“Look at yer face. Yer bout’ to explode.” Dale said, paraphrasing that rotten attorney from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. “Ya took too much, girl. Ya took too much, too much.”

Emily’s knees drew up to her chest as gravity weighed down on her like an anchor.

“They’ll deem ya as too intoxicated to be a reliable witness. Sorry sugar but I had to cover my bases. Jus’ pray ya still have a job when all is said and done.”

A frightened moan emitted from her mouth. Emily was used to mellow weed, with enough CBD in it to keep her grounded. She was not used to vapes, let alone something that was pure THC.

“I can see my reflection in them glazed peepers.”

Emily started hyperventilating. Was this the end? Would her heart give out on her?

“Naw. You ain’t dyin’.” Dale spoke as if reading her mind.

Or did Emily say something out loud? She didn’t know.

“Just ride it out. Side’s, you’ll have company by midnight.”

Emily flinched when he knelt to face her.

“Long as I remain free, your secret’s safe with me, little killer.” Dale said, kissing her forehead.

Emily squeaked.

“You’ll be alright darlin’.” He continued, patting her shoulder and placing a water bottle next to her.

Then he disappeared into the night like a phantom.

4

Emily grabbed the water bottle and eyed it suspiciously. What if he drugged or poisoned it? Her stoned brain got lost watching the ripples of water soon enough, as she turned the bottle upside down and back up. Emily’s pupils dilated with awe while watching it. There was an entire ocean in there. She could almost hear the roaring waves. Tears rolled down her eyes. It was beautiful.

The door to the safe suddenly opened and she yelped. The water bottle flew out of her hands and spilled all over the floor. Her good vibes evaporated with it.

“What the hell are you doing in here!?” Jazmine snapped.

“Just…lost track of time.” Emily chuckled nervously.

“Are you, you’re high as fucking giraffe nuts!”

“No!” Emily yelped sheepishly

“Funny coincidence that it was also 4/20 yesterday.” Jazmine said.

Emily swallowed hard. She didn’t like where this was going.

“You started sampling stuff off the shelves when everyone left, didn’t you?”

Emily shook her head immediately.

“Girl, I can see my reflection in those glazed mirrors you call eyes.” Jazmine said.

“Um, I, I’m allergic to the pollinating room, remember?” Emily replied.

“Oh really? Stand up then.”

Emily tried, but her feet had no feeling left in them. She stumbled backward and fell on her bottom.

“Ha! That’s what I thought. And the manager thought little Wednesday Addams was all innocent.” Jazmine said, turning to leave the room.

Emily quickly latched her arms around Jazmine’s ankles.

“Please don’t. W-why do you hate me so much?” Emily whimpered.

“You think I didn’t notice the missing cash you little thief?” Jazmine said.

“He made me!” Emily blurted out, then quickly regretted it.

“Who?”

“He drugged me then stole the money.” Emily replied.

“You need to eat more fiber.” Jazmine said, then shoved her off.

Emily choked back a sob and wiped her face off with her sleeves. It felt like an eternity before Jazmine returned with the security guard. By then, Emily had accepted her fate.

“Fine, I admit it. I’ve been bad. Bad, bad Emily.” She said, placing her wrists together as if she were about to be arrested.

“We’re going to the breakroom.” The security guard said, taking her wrists in his hand.

“No…” Emily moaned sarcastically as he dragged her down the hallway, her feet dragging limply behind her.

“You forgot to read me my Miranda rights, now I must go free.” She snickered.

“Keep being a smart ass and someone will be reading them soon enough.” The security guard replied.

“I sowwy Paul Blart.” Emily giggled.

When he dragged her into the breakroom, her heart skipped a beat.

“Uh oh.” Emily spoke involuntarily.

“That’s right. You’re with the wolves now you snickering sheep.” The security guard said, then gave her a light shove and closed the door behind her.

“Have a seat, Emily.” One of the police officers said.

Emily squeaked and took a seat where she stood.

“In a chair, at the table.” The officer replied.

“Right. Silly me.” Emily chuckled nervously.

She struggled to stand when gravity suddenly shifted and yanked her to the right. Emily stumbled into the wall. The officer stood up and took out a small flashlight. Emily turned her head to face him and swallowed hard.

When he turned the light on her mouth opened and hung agape. Emily followed the light in a trance, like a raver watching a glover at an EDM concert. A Pink Floyd record playing in the background would sound so rad with this light show right now, she thought. This was going to be a long night.