The old man collapsed. Both got stunned. Neither had done anything. Seventeen quickly dismantled his rifle and left the building. Carter immediately left his car and retrieved his toy. Both disappeared within minutes. The son became the new head and a gang war ensured between the two gangs, leaving a blood bath on the streets. Seventeen retired after that and Carter retired an year later.

Ten years had passed since that failed job. As Carter and Seventeen talked for hours, the conversation turned to their last assignments. When Seventeen told about his, Carter let out a cry, "That job, you got that job. Hell, I was supposed to finish the old man." Seventeen asked in shock, "You too, the same stupid competition thing?" Carter replied, "No, I was paid for that assignment, and I was not the one who killed him." Seventeen said, "Well neither did I. The old man was poisoned."

The bartender came to their table, "Will there be anything else? I am afraid but I'll be closing in a few minutes. You guys seem like old friends, what say a last round on the house." This cheered them and both nodded their heads. "Do you mind if I join you for the last drink?", the bartender asked. Carter replied, "Sure, why not?" The bartender brought their drinks and then sat down with his glass of rum.

"So how long have you guys known each other?", the bartender asked Seventeen. He smiled and replied "Quite many years, though we have not been the best of friends". Carter chuckled on hearing that. "And how's the job going on?", he asked again. "Retired, both of us", Carter replied. "That's a shame", the bartender said.

"Let me tell you guys a story", the bartender continued. "I was a bartender at a party some years back. It was a party for an old man, you know, he was still working even at that age. It was his birthday party. He was not supposed to retire that day. But as fate would have it, it was his retirement day. He had lived long and worked hard. Now that's what I would like to call a good age to retire. You guys retired way too early."

"And yeah, he was the Paulo mafia head. It was nice of you guys not to kill him that day. It built my reputation as the one who stole your thunder. Now even if you don't bother finishing your drinks, that's fine. There is enough poison in your blood right now that in another 30 seconds you'll both be finished. It was nice of you two to meet up and share your experiences, the bug in that ashtray enlightened me also", the bartender said and then slammed down his empty glass on the table.