Chapter Text
The first time Danny Ocean met Rusty Ryan, explained Danny to the poker table at large, Rusty was halfway out a window in the Kansas City alleyway Danny had chosen for a shortcut.
“So before you say anything,” said Rusty, glancing up at his approach, “I can absolutely explain this.”
Danny paused and contemplated the tableau. It was quite a small window, and the angles were evidently giving Rusty some trouble.
“Can I offer some advice?”
Rusty made an expansive gesture with the hand that wasn’t holding a diamond necklace. “Knock yourself out.”
“Never lead with ‘I can explain this’. You have to act like the other person is the dumb one for thinking something weird is going on.”
“I’ll bear it in mind.” He resumed the unequal struggle against the window. Danny stood watching for a while longer.
“You want me to hold that for you?” he asked, once he felt things had gone on long enough. Rusty gave him an unimpressed look. To be fair, it wasn’t the necklace slowing him down, but the bulky, clanking bag he was hauling behind him. Silver plate? Did people really still steal silver plate in this day and age?
“Look, man, if you’re seriously not gonna call the cops on me–”
“I’m not gonna call the cops on you.” There was, after all, a decent chance they’d recognize him as Michael Donato, the man behind the Denver Corp insurance fraud.
“Well then, do you wanna go round the front and distract the janitor? I can get out the fire door easy if you can just get him to turn his back for thirty seconds.”
Danny considered this for a minute. “I think I gotta give you some more advice.”
Rusty rolled his eyes. “Captive audience, huh?”
“Most people come up with their exit strategy before the actual exit.”
Rusty shrugged. The silver clattered. “I had one. She got cold feet. Ran off while I was inside.”
“That’s rough.”
“Look, thirty seconds is all I’m asking.” He gave Danny a sudden, brilliant grin. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
Danny took a moment to contemplate all the possible implications of that statement. Rusty waited him out, tucking the necklace into his jacket pocket.
“Alright,” said Danny eventually. It was a dumb idea, but he’d been meaning to skip town for a while anyway. This way, he might at least stand to gain something before he left. “There’s a diner at the corner of Fourth and Eighteenth; it’s called Jayne’s. I’ll meet you there in an hour.”
He walked on without waiting for a response. They’d have plenty of time to talk later if the guy’s plan came off, after all.
He was already at the end of the alley when Rusty called after him, “I appreciate it, Mr Donato!”
“What–” began Danny, turning on his heel, but Rusty was already out the window and running for his life.