A PENNY For My Thoughts

April 2013, Washington State
Armed robbery is one hell of an adrenaline rush. My blood was pumping hard and fast. Sweat is literally pouring down my body, mostly due to the added heat from the Kevlar vest I wore beneath my Nike sweat suit. The ski mask over my face didn’t make it any better, but it was the only way to remain unidentified.
My senses were as sharp as razor blades, as I eyeballed the five employees of the check-cashing office. Three minutes ago, they were each at their desk getting ready to open shop. Now, they lay face down across the dirty-ass carpet. Three women, two men, all white.
My partner, Curtis, was rushing to fill up the duffle bag with the stacks of money we had retrieved from the safe. I guard, he stuffs. Next hit, he may guard while I stuff. I checked my watch.
"It's been four minutes. Let’s get the fuck outta here!" I told Curtis.
"Yeah, I'm ready. We’re done here." He replied.
I led the way, stepping over the frightened employees while Curtis followed. I took my eyes off of the employees when I was a few feet from the exit. That’s when the shit hit the fan.
One of the male employees reached out and grabbed Curtis by the ankle, tripping him. Curtis fell into me, knocking me into the wall next to the door. The same male employee retrieved a snub-nosed 38 Special from his ankle holster and had rolled under a desk. I watched as he aimed his gun at Curtis, but I pumped two quick shots into his chest before he could pull the trigger.
The man dropped his gun and fell to the side. He was motionless, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I moved rapidly to his still body and popped another bullet in the center of his forehead. Curtis had regained his balance, ripped off his ski mask, and was busy kicking the other guy in the face, even though the guy hadn’t done anything. Blood shot from the guy’s nose, but Curtis, now in a rage, kept stomping him until the man passed out.
"FUCK!!" I shouted.
This was supposed to have been a quick and easy hit. In and out, just like the last ones. I scanned the room, making sure there were no more surprises. Everything appeared to be in place at first glance, and then I looked down at the ladies. The two young women were there, one shaking like a wet kitten, the other one lay calm and motionless. A quick scan of the room and I found what I was looking for.
“MOTHERFUCKER!” I exclaimed.
I swiftly moved to the desk where I could see a woman’s black shoe sticking out. Manhandling the desk, I flipped it over like it was a toy. I was hyped up and very pissed off.
The little old white women stared up at me, completely unable to move nor speak, the phone still pressed to her ear. Her eyes became as big as silver dollars when I pointed my Glock at her face. The metal touched her forehead, and my arm began shaking, as I restrained myself from pulling the trigger.
Her mouth formed the words, oh my god, but no words came out. I didn't want to smoke an old lady, so I lowered my Glock and snatched the phone from her hand, then I pointed for her to get back to the others.
When I placed the phone to my ear, I heard a female saying,
"Hello? … Hello? … Ma’am? Are you still there?" It was most definitely a 911 operator. I needed to know how much the old lady told her, so I cloaked my voice in an attempt to sound like the old lady,