In 2001 Jim totaled his car in front of the entire youth group. Bad news. Eh, he didn't have to give rides any more. So comes along The Ole' 88. This 1988 Toyota Cressida LE was bomb! 2.8L inline 6 (same as a non turbo supra), Sunroof, A/C, power windows/locks/seats etc, leather interior, ample trunk space, basically, a Lexus. This was of course before being totaled twice. Once by the previous owner and once by his father. When he came into possession of The Ole' 88 she had 60,000 miles (not bad), no A/C (that's ok, He's never had it anyway), a sunroof that merely squealed in pain (hey press that button), and a slight tilt that ate a set of tires every year. Each of them were able to look past the other's flaws and fell deeply in love. For the next five years they would be inseparable. Three years ago she would become a bit hesitant on acceleration during the summer. Jim tried everything to help her and felt the problem had finally been solved.
One boring summer day, after opening a store that has yet to pay him, Jim decided to get another job. Cooking at a new restaurant across the street? no. Selling knives? no. Delivering Chinese food? Hell yeah! He began taking deliveries for The Golden Dragon Cafe 3 days a week.
On his third day, Jim is sent to deliver two orders. So he puts them in his front seat and roars out of the parking lot. pftll chuga chug. The Ole' 88 completely dies for the first time ever! Jim throws it into neutral and turns the key. chugga chug. He manages to reach the end of the block and pull in to the Rib Crib parking lot. "Oh no! This has never happened before!" he cried in frustration. No, it was more a string of "!@#&" words really.
He opens the hood and looks around. All the fluids are fine. The hoses look ok. The wiring seems in good shape. Nothing is dripping. The food is getting cold.
"OK, I'll try starting it up again."
He gets in, turns the key, and it starts just fine. "Hmm. That's weird. I should get this food rollin." He pulls around the back of the parking lot and is heading back toward the street.
Chooka chk ch... 88 chokes out again. "Come on baby. Please don't do this now."
neutral, turn key, go... !!!BAM!!! "What the.."
The car immediately stops. Jim hits it into park just as he notices the thick black smoke emitting from 88's hood. "Uh oh, this is not good."
His feet felt really warm. Something flashed out of the corner of his eye. "Oh my God!"
The driver's window was gray and orange. Flames were shooting up from under The 88 all along the door. His feet felt hotter.
"OH CRAP! The pedals are on fire!!!... grab the keys... oh no, they won't come out!!!... oh man, more fire... duh, press the button and turn... why did I just grab the keys... who cares, just go... damn, can't go that way. too much fire... gotta go out the passenger side, ok go... I'M STUCK... oh God, I'm gonna die... wait, I'm tangled in the seat belt... ok free... oh man, it's so hot in here... open the door"
Jim rolls out onto the pavement. "Oh no, the deliveries!!!" He turns back, reaches into the fiery blaze and grabs the sacks. "It's ok, they never want the receipts anyway." At this point he finally gets a good look at the nine feet of inferno quickly consuming the driver seat.
"Oof." Two guys grab him under the arms and pull him to his feet away from the fire.
"Geeze man, you barely got out of there" says one of them.
"I know"
"Dude, that really sucks" says the other.
"I know"
"At least you got the food out" says his manager.
"Yeah" | 
