Miami, Florida

November 2001

Tina Mendeena had decided to do it on her own after she'd always been in a gang before. She felt keen and confident in her ability when she pulled up outside the bank that afternoon. The adrenalin rushed around her body and she sat in her expensive car motivating herself for robbery. The twenty-six-year-old stepped onto the sidewalk revealing her long slender legs and short-short mini skirt. Tina had a shapely figure and completing her robbery dress code with a tight top was her way of attempting to distract male guards and employees alike in banks.

A murderously humid day had started in downtown Miami as the sky prepared a tropical deluge for the city. Tina didn't notice the darkening sky as she strutted into the bank with a replica semi-automatic pistol after putting on an Oliver Hardy mask.

"This is another fine mess I've gotten you into," she shouted.

People nervously moved aside as she sauntered into the middle of the floor with madness in her eyes, after yelling her Laurel and Hardy catchphrase.

"This is a robbery." She pointed the gun around the room. "Everybody stay calm," she added and then aimed her gun at the security guard. "Drop your gun please, sir, or you will die today." Tina's bluntness worked and the guard dropped his sidearm.

"Thank you, sir. Now I want you to collect all the cash, if you don't I will begin executing members of staff," she continued while handing the guard a bag.

She looked at the terrified customers. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry for the inconvenience and this'll all be over before you know it." The control made her feel important.

A female customer stared at Tina without flinching in fear and the two women began staring at each other while the security guard filled the bag with money. Tina broke the staring competition as the guard handed it over.

"Thank you for your time everyone, have a nice day," she said in an arrogant tone.

She sauntered out looking at the woman customer who she thought appeared calm and studious. The woman followed Tina out of the bank.

The Florida sky had unleashed a rainstorm during the robbery and Tina coolly strolled onto the rain lashed sidewalk, and after checking that no police cars were in sight, she got into her getaway car and removed her mask. The studious woman from the bank rapidly climbed into the passenger's seat pulling a gun on Tina and ordered her to say nothing and drive. Tina slowly and confidently put on her expensive, fashionable sunglasses as the stranger pointed the gun at her chest.

Fifteen minutes later, the car pulled over near Orange Bowl Stadium after an incident free getaway.

"I don't take kindly to having a gun pointing at me," Tina said calmly. "Who the hell are you and what do you want?" She animatedly switched the engine off and sighed loudly.

"I'm Roxie Porter. Who the hell are you?" Roxie asked as the rain caused a loud din on the car's metal roof.

"You get into my car, point a gun at me and then have the bare-faced balls to ask me who I am," Tina complained vigorously.

"Just answer me," said Roxie, aiming her gun between Tina's eyes.

"Okay, I'm Tina Mendeena. What the hell is this? Are you gonna steal the money and kill me?" Tina asked the last question in a sarcastic tone.

"How much did you get?"

"About twenty thousand dollars, I guess."

When a police car passed them, they both stooped quickly out of sight and Roxie put the gun back into her jacket pocket as they sat upright again.

"Not bad, not bad," Roxie said. "The good manners while pointing a gun at everyone was a nice touch because it was menacing and confusing to the idiots working there. I love the Oliver Hardy mask and catchphrase."

"Just who the hell are you?" Tina yelled.

"I told you, I'm Roxie, and I rob banks for a living." Roxie's reply came in a calm even tone. "I was planning to rob the bank you've just taken ... you beat me to it. How about you and me become partners? I was very impressed with your work."

"You've seen me work, but I haven't seen you work," said a thoughtful Tina not wanting to do another job on her own.

"You will, and I promise you I'm good. For instance, your gun is a replica."

"How did you know?"

"I could just tell. You were very convincing with it and I like your style."

"Thanks. And you'd better be good."

"I am," said Roxie with confidence.

"You'd better be. You've got yourself a deal."

Tina liked her confidence.

"Just one other point," said Roxie. "Why are you wearing sunglasses when it's pouring with rain?"

"Because they're my favorite sunglasses," Tina answered shrugging her shoulders.

"Reasonable answer," said Roxie, although she thought that Tina had put them on outside the bank to show how cool she could be under pressure.

They stayed in a Miami hotel that night and enthusiastically discussed their past thieving exploits.