Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2009 3:14:03 GMT -5
Continued from the previous entry: Strong Brew, Strong Crew
The brother in law… every man’s sworn enemy. At least that’s true for every man that has a sister, a sister that falls in love and marries some schmuck. Bobby Cairo knows what it’s like. His sister Rose is three years younger than him, a mere 23 years of age. Rose is married and has a four year old son with her husband Greg. Rose is working, attending college and running a household. She’s obviously a very mature young lady. All of that sounds well and good until you dig a bit deeper. The problem is Rose’s husband Greg. Greg is gainfully employed, which is commendable, but he doesn’t lift a finger to help around the house.
Greg is the type of guy that comes home from work and throws his dirty clothes all over the floor. He leaves a pile of unwashed dishes in the sink. He goes out with his friends to play football on weekends instead of watching his son. Rose is left to do all of the household chores, the cooking, the cleaning, the laundry, etc. Plus, Rose has to look after her son after she picks him up from day care, which Greg is too lazy to do by the way. Rose brings little Greggy Jr. to daycare every morning and picks him up after work. Yes that’s right Rose is working, and raising a child, and maintaining a household, plus she has to do her school work for college. Rose wants to earn her Bachelor’s degree so that she can own her own business someday, but Bachelor’s degrees don’t grow on trees.
It’s hard work earning a degree even if you’re not working or raising a child, but Rose must deal with all of these obstacles on her own because her husband is too lazy to help. Cairo helps his sister Rose when he can. From time to time Cairo babysits Greggy, washes the dishes, cooks dinner, picks up groceries, any little thing that he can do to help. Cairo has a lot more free time than he used to now that he’s unable to wrestle while he’s recovering from the injuries that he sustained in prison. In fact Cairo has a little too much free time these days. He needs a job, preferably full time but he’ll take what he can get.
The problem is that Cairo’s employment opportunities are somewhat limited. The economy isn’t exactly robust right now and Cairo’s only employment experience is inside of the wrestling ring. Sure, Cairo has owned a construction company and he’s had lucrative dealings with Japanese business moguls, but the global economic downturn combined with Cairo’s prison stint put an end to that gravy train. Cairo must now join the workforce as a regular Joe, but he’s at a disadvantage due to his lack of work experience and references. This is where Cairo’s brother in law comes into the picture.
Greg Polshevik is the night manager at a Federal Express shipping center in Connecticut. Greg is responsible for a staff of workers that receive and ship packages locally, nationally and internationally. Greg fancies himself a big shot, but Cairo reasons that if Greg was such hot shit then he wouldn’t be working the night shift. Still, Greg is a man with a certain amount of influence with his employer and Cairo is a man that needs a job.
After much soul searching and careful consideration, Cairo decides to put aside his personal animosity and ask Greg for a job. Cairo knows that he is about to cross the point of no return, but he views this moment as an opportunity for growth, personal growth and the growth of his relationship with his brother in law. Cairo is not going to beg Greg for a job and he’s not even going to threaten him. Cairo is simply going to approach Greg, man to man, and have a discussion regarding employment opportunities.
Cairo has not had extensive contact with Greg in the past, since they were both busy working their separate jobs on their separate schedules, but they know each other well enough. There were instances when Cairo wanted to confront Greg regarding Greg’s unwillingness to look after his son or help out around the house, but Cairo always bit his tongue. Cairo didn’t want to interfere in his sister’s marriage. Rose has always been a strong, intelligent and independent woman. Rose has generally made good decisions throughout her life, though Cairo strongly disagrees with her choice of husband.
Cairo has taken all of these factors into consideration as he draws closer to approaching Greg with his request for employment. Greg is a mystery to Cairo in some ways, a man who leaves for work every weeknight at nine o’clock and returns home at seven in the morning, sometimes later, right around the time that Rose is getting ready for her own job and preparing to take Greggy Jr. to the daycare. Greg keeps unusual hours, appropriate since Greg is an unusual man.
In addition to Cairo’s aforementioned gripes with Greg, Greg has other quirks and peculiarities. For example Greg doesn’t like to eat steak, he prefers food from McDonald’s, yet Greg is an athletic young man who plays football for a semi-pro team. Greg also doesn’t drink the same drinks as most people, he eschews popular beverages such as Coke and Red Bull in favor of case upon case of Mountain Dew Code Red, which he purchases at BJ’s Wholesale.
“How could Rose have ever married such a strange man,” Cairo asks himself.
Greg doesn’t even work a union job like a real man. How could Cairo ever respect such a man? The only thing that Cairo does appreciate about Greg is his steady criticism of the federal government. If only Greg backed up his words with actions, the actions of a real husband and father. Greg doesn’t even pay his share of the bills during most months, even though he’s pulling down eighty grand a year. Cairo often wonders why his sister doesn’t read Greg the riot act, but again Cairo made a decision not to intervene. Cairo does know one thing: Greg is the type of guy that he used to pick apart in the wrestling ring. In Cairo’s eyes Greg is a sinewy, young punk with steroids for arms and shit for brains.
Cairo sometimes wonders if he’s being too hard on his brother in law, ignoring some innate goodness that exists inside of Greg’s soul. Cairo chases such thoughts with a swig of Steel Reserve and remembers an irrefutable truth: The brother in law is the heathen that defiles your sister. The brother in law’s intentions are irrelevant. The brother in law could cure all disease and broker world peace yet he would remain public enemy number one. The brother in law forever brands your sister with a stench of inequity, no matter how pure and innocent her soul may be. This act of heresy can never be absolved.
These are the thoughts that run through Cairo’s brain as he sits on the front porch of Rose and Greg’s house at seven o’clock in the morning, awaiting Greg’s return from work, with a 40 oz. bottle of Steel Reserve in hand. When Greg’s Dodge Ram pulls into the driveway, Cairo doesn’t know whether to greet Greg with a punch to the face or ask him for a job. As it turns out Cairo approaches Greg with a calm and rational mindset despite his presently inebriated state and his hatred for Greg.
Bobby Cairo: “Morning, Greg. How’s it going, bro?”
Greg is startled by Cairo’s presence.
Greg Polshevik: “Uh… good morning, Bobby. What are you doing here this early?”
Bobby Cairo: “It’s been awhile since we’ve chatted. I thought I’d stop by and we could shoot the breeze. Hey, how about them Yankees? If Game 6 was Godzilla’s final game in pinstripes then he went out with a bang, am I right?”
Cairo is unsure if his brother in law is a Yankees fan, but he knows that Greg is a diehard New York Giants fan like most New Jersey natives, so it’s worth a shot.
Greg Polshevik: “I don’t watch baseball. Besides it’s very early and I’m tired. Do you think we could talk later after I get some sleep?”
Cairo takes a swig of Steel and places the bottle on the hood of Greg’s truck.
Bobby Cairo: “I didn’t come here to talk later, Greg. I also didn’t come here to talk baseball. I came here to talk to you about work, man to man because that’s the only way that I talk.”
Greg Polshevik: “Work is good. Busy this time of year with the holidays coming up, but busy is good when it comes to the shipping business.”
Bobby Cairo: “Oh, things are busy? So you’re probably looking to add staff, right?”
Greg Polshevik: “As a matter of fact we are hiring at the moment. Do you know anyone that’s interested in applying?”
Cairo pounds his chest with his fist and yanks down on the collar of his Deftones t-shirt.
Bobby Cairo: “Matter of fact, this dude right here needs work. I’m the type of man with a plan that never subsides. I bust my hump like a demon at a furious pace and I’m quick to learn. My brain soaks up knowledge like a sponge.”
Greg Polshevik: “Bobby, I didn’t know you were looking for work? I’d love to help you out, but we’re really only hiring people with experience.”
Bobby Cairo: “Oh, I see. So that’s what it’s like, huh, bro? You’re married to my sister. You don’t even treat her right and now you want to stab me in the back?”
Greg Polshevik: “You hold on one goddamn minute, Bobby. What exactly do you mean by that comment? You think I mistreat Rose?”
Bobby Cairo: “Well, let’s see. You leave your dirty socks and underwear all over the house like a four year old, and by the way you don’t even take care of your four year old son. Rose drops him off at daycare and picks him up every day. Makes his lunch, reads to him, plays with him, makes his dinner, bathes him. Hell, I spend more time watching Greggy than you do. You don’t lift a finger to help out around the house. You don’t cook, you don’t clean, you don’t do laundry. Hell, you don’t even pay your share of the bills most of the time.”
Greg has a look of pure disgust on his face, illuminated by the light above the garage.
Greg Polshevik: “Oh, boy… you’ve really grown a set, Bobby. You were away for more than a year after you disappeared like a thief in the night. Now you’re back and everybody’s supposed to kiss your ass like you’re some returning hero? You're not even working. You’re here at my home asking me for a job, and you want to tell me how to raise my kid and take care of my family? You want to talk like that to a working man? How dare you? Get the hell off of my property!”
Bobby Cairo: “The only reason that I didn’t say these things earlier was because I didn’t want to interfere. Now I see that I was wrong. I’m saying what I should have said a long time ago. You’re acting wrong and you’re too thick-headed to see that you’re wrong. You don’t have to give me a job, that’s your call, but you do need to man up to your responsibilities at home. I’ll crack you over the skull with an empty bottle of Steel Reserve if you don’t.”
Greg shakes his head in disbelief and smiles.
Greg Polshevik: “You’re some piece of work, Bobby. I would call the cops and have them haul your ass out of here right now if you weren’t such an audacious piece of shit. Besides, I don’t think Rose would forgive me for that.”
Bobby Cairo: “It doesn’t seem to me that Rose is too good at expressing herself when it comes to personal matters.”
Greg Polshevik: “I guess you prefer the ‘get drunk and threaten people’ approach, right?”
Bobby Cairo: “That is my prerogative and I’ve got nothing to lose right now. I’m single, no kids and unemployed. Now how about it, you’ve seen the fire behind these eyes… Are you willing to hire an ambitious young man who lacks experience in the workplace, but who's quick to learn?”
Greg Polshevik: “I said you were audacious not ambitious, but I’ll give you credit for the latter as well. Listen, Bobby, if you’re serious and not just plastered, we are hiring package sorters and truck drivers. I would recommend that you quit drinking hooch if you want to be considered for either position, but especially as a driver.”
Bobby Cairo: “Hmmm…. What does a sorter do?”
Greg Polshevik: “Do you know how to drive a forklift?”
Bobby Cairo: “No.”
Greg Polshevik: “Do you know how to operate a conveyor?”
Bobby Cairo: “No.”
Greg Polshevik: “Are you good with computers?”
Bobby Cairo: “I know how to find porn online.”
Greg Bolshevik: “You can’t be a sorter.”
Bobby Cairo: “Shit. Well I can be a driver. I want to drive a big rig anyway.”
Greg Polshevik: “You need a commercial certification for that.”
Bobby Cairo: “I can get one of those.”
Greg Polshevik: “I mean a real one.”
Bobby Cairo: “Shit… well, I guess that’s it for me.”
Greg sighs and rubs his forehead.
Greg Polshevik: “Uh… we do have an opening for couriers.”
Cairo’s ears perk up.
Bobby Cairo: “Oh really? Now what exactly does that entail?”
Greg Polshevik: “You would drive a delivery truck and deliver packages to people within the state of Connecticut. No commercial license is required for it. It’s pretty simple work but you do need to stick to a schedule. You would pick up the packages at the shipping center and deliver each one to the address on the form. Each truck is equipped with a GPS so it’s virtually impossible to get lost unless you’re a total…”
Greg looks at the beer and tomato sauce stains on Cairo’s shirt and the dopey, drunken expression on his face.
Greg Polshevik: “Well, anyway, I can set up an interview if you like. Just be sure to be punctual, clean shaven, well dressed and on your best behavior. If I’m going to give you a recommendation then both of our reputations will be on the line.”
Bobby Cairo: “Greg, that’s great. Thank you, man.”
Cairo extends his hand and Greg shakes it, albeit hesitantly.
Bobby Cairo: “I may have been a tad brusque earlier, but I do appreciate you doing me this favor. Seriously though, you should have a talk with Rose about all of that stuff I said earlier, because that’s still really important stuff, even more important than work.”
Greg Polshevik: “Oh yes… Rose and I will talk. I am sure of that.”
Greg sighs.
Greg Polshevik: “But first… sleep. It’s been… interesting chatting with you this morning, Bobby. Take care of yourself and go easy on the Steel, alright?”
Bobby Cairo: “Sure thing, boss man.”
Cairo playfully taps Greg on the shoulder with his fist.
Bobby Cairo: “You my bro man, broseph! You my bro man!”
Greg nods and smiles politely before walking away. Cairo stands in the driveway next to Greg’s truck while Greg walks up the front steps of his house, unlocks the front door and disappears inside, closing the door behind him.
After a few moments Cairo realizes that he can’t just stand there in the driveway all morning. Cairo grabs his empty bottle of Steel from the hood of Greg’s truck and begins the mile or so walk to his trainer Bolts Quackenbush’s apartment, where Cairo has been staying since his release from the hospital. The early morning light gently illuminates Cairo’s journey, but he detects a hint of perspiration in the air. Cairo lifts his hand to the sky and feels the slightest of rain droplets against his palm and fingers.
Bobby Cairo: “Aww shit… it’s about to start up on me. I better book it.”
Cairo hauls ass down the sidewalk, not wanting to get caught in a downpour. Cairo’s injuries have slowed him down some and he is drunk but he can still run pretty fast, like a washed up NFL running back, not as fast as his prime self or his younger counterparts but faster than any non-athlete.
The brother in law… every man’s sworn enemy. At least that’s true for every man that has a sister, a sister that falls in love and marries some schmuck. Bobby Cairo knows what it’s like. His sister Rose is three years younger than him, a mere 23 years of age. Rose is married and has a four year old son with her husband Greg. Rose is working, attending college and running a household. She’s obviously a very mature young lady. All of that sounds well and good until you dig a bit deeper. The problem is Rose’s husband Greg. Greg is gainfully employed, which is commendable, but he doesn’t lift a finger to help around the house.
Greg is the type of guy that comes home from work and throws his dirty clothes all over the floor. He leaves a pile of unwashed dishes in the sink. He goes out with his friends to play football on weekends instead of watching his son. Rose is left to do all of the household chores, the cooking, the cleaning, the laundry, etc. Plus, Rose has to look after her son after she picks him up from day care, which Greg is too lazy to do by the way. Rose brings little Greggy Jr. to daycare every morning and picks him up after work. Yes that’s right Rose is working, and raising a child, and maintaining a household, plus she has to do her school work for college. Rose wants to earn her Bachelor’s degree so that she can own her own business someday, but Bachelor’s degrees don’t grow on trees.
It’s hard work earning a degree even if you’re not working or raising a child, but Rose must deal with all of these obstacles on her own because her husband is too lazy to help. Cairo helps his sister Rose when he can. From time to time Cairo babysits Greggy, washes the dishes, cooks dinner, picks up groceries, any little thing that he can do to help. Cairo has a lot more free time than he used to now that he’s unable to wrestle while he’s recovering from the injuries that he sustained in prison. In fact Cairo has a little too much free time these days. He needs a job, preferably full time but he’ll take what he can get.
The problem is that Cairo’s employment opportunities are somewhat limited. The economy isn’t exactly robust right now and Cairo’s only employment experience is inside of the wrestling ring. Sure, Cairo has owned a construction company and he’s had lucrative dealings with Japanese business moguls, but the global economic downturn combined with Cairo’s prison stint put an end to that gravy train. Cairo must now join the workforce as a regular Joe, but he’s at a disadvantage due to his lack of work experience and references. This is where Cairo’s brother in law comes into the picture.
Greg Polshevik is the night manager at a Federal Express shipping center in Connecticut. Greg is responsible for a staff of workers that receive and ship packages locally, nationally and internationally. Greg fancies himself a big shot, but Cairo reasons that if Greg was such hot shit then he wouldn’t be working the night shift. Still, Greg is a man with a certain amount of influence with his employer and Cairo is a man that needs a job.
After much soul searching and careful consideration, Cairo decides to put aside his personal animosity and ask Greg for a job. Cairo knows that he is about to cross the point of no return, but he views this moment as an opportunity for growth, personal growth and the growth of his relationship with his brother in law. Cairo is not going to beg Greg for a job and he’s not even going to threaten him. Cairo is simply going to approach Greg, man to man, and have a discussion regarding employment opportunities.
Cairo has not had extensive contact with Greg in the past, since they were both busy working their separate jobs on their separate schedules, but they know each other well enough. There were instances when Cairo wanted to confront Greg regarding Greg’s unwillingness to look after his son or help out around the house, but Cairo always bit his tongue. Cairo didn’t want to interfere in his sister’s marriage. Rose has always been a strong, intelligent and independent woman. Rose has generally made good decisions throughout her life, though Cairo strongly disagrees with her choice of husband.
Cairo has taken all of these factors into consideration as he draws closer to approaching Greg with his request for employment. Greg is a mystery to Cairo in some ways, a man who leaves for work every weeknight at nine o’clock and returns home at seven in the morning, sometimes later, right around the time that Rose is getting ready for her own job and preparing to take Greggy Jr. to the daycare. Greg keeps unusual hours, appropriate since Greg is an unusual man.
In addition to Cairo’s aforementioned gripes with Greg, Greg has other quirks and peculiarities. For example Greg doesn’t like to eat steak, he prefers food from McDonald’s, yet Greg is an athletic young man who plays football for a semi-pro team. Greg also doesn’t drink the same drinks as most people, he eschews popular beverages such as Coke and Red Bull in favor of case upon case of Mountain Dew Code Red, which he purchases at BJ’s Wholesale.
“How could Rose have ever married such a strange man,” Cairo asks himself.
Greg doesn’t even work a union job like a real man. How could Cairo ever respect such a man? The only thing that Cairo does appreciate about Greg is his steady criticism of the federal government. If only Greg backed up his words with actions, the actions of a real husband and father. Greg doesn’t even pay his share of the bills during most months, even though he’s pulling down eighty grand a year. Cairo often wonders why his sister doesn’t read Greg the riot act, but again Cairo made a decision not to intervene. Cairo does know one thing: Greg is the type of guy that he used to pick apart in the wrestling ring. In Cairo’s eyes Greg is a sinewy, young punk with steroids for arms and shit for brains.
Cairo sometimes wonders if he’s being too hard on his brother in law, ignoring some innate goodness that exists inside of Greg’s soul. Cairo chases such thoughts with a swig of Steel Reserve and remembers an irrefutable truth: The brother in law is the heathen that defiles your sister. The brother in law’s intentions are irrelevant. The brother in law could cure all disease and broker world peace yet he would remain public enemy number one. The brother in law forever brands your sister with a stench of inequity, no matter how pure and innocent her soul may be. This act of heresy can never be absolved.
These are the thoughts that run through Cairo’s brain as he sits on the front porch of Rose and Greg’s house at seven o’clock in the morning, awaiting Greg’s return from work, with a 40 oz. bottle of Steel Reserve in hand. When Greg’s Dodge Ram pulls into the driveway, Cairo doesn’t know whether to greet Greg with a punch to the face or ask him for a job. As it turns out Cairo approaches Greg with a calm and rational mindset despite his presently inebriated state and his hatred for Greg.
Bobby Cairo: “Morning, Greg. How’s it going, bro?”
Greg is startled by Cairo’s presence.
Greg Polshevik: “Uh… good morning, Bobby. What are you doing here this early?”
Bobby Cairo: “It’s been awhile since we’ve chatted. I thought I’d stop by and we could shoot the breeze. Hey, how about them Yankees? If Game 6 was Godzilla’s final game in pinstripes then he went out with a bang, am I right?”
Cairo is unsure if his brother in law is a Yankees fan, but he knows that Greg is a diehard New York Giants fan like most New Jersey natives, so it’s worth a shot.
Greg Polshevik: “I don’t watch baseball. Besides it’s very early and I’m tired. Do you think we could talk later after I get some sleep?”
Cairo takes a swig of Steel and places the bottle on the hood of Greg’s truck.
Bobby Cairo: “I didn’t come here to talk later, Greg. I also didn’t come here to talk baseball. I came here to talk to you about work, man to man because that’s the only way that I talk.”
Greg Polshevik: “Work is good. Busy this time of year with the holidays coming up, but busy is good when it comes to the shipping business.”
Bobby Cairo: “Oh, things are busy? So you’re probably looking to add staff, right?”
Greg Polshevik: “As a matter of fact we are hiring at the moment. Do you know anyone that’s interested in applying?”
Cairo pounds his chest with his fist and yanks down on the collar of his Deftones t-shirt.
Bobby Cairo: “Matter of fact, this dude right here needs work. I’m the type of man with a plan that never subsides. I bust my hump like a demon at a furious pace and I’m quick to learn. My brain soaks up knowledge like a sponge.”
Greg Polshevik: “Bobby, I didn’t know you were looking for work? I’d love to help you out, but we’re really only hiring people with experience.”
Bobby Cairo: “Oh, I see. So that’s what it’s like, huh, bro? You’re married to my sister. You don’t even treat her right and now you want to stab me in the back?”
Greg Polshevik: “You hold on one goddamn minute, Bobby. What exactly do you mean by that comment? You think I mistreat Rose?”
Bobby Cairo: “Well, let’s see. You leave your dirty socks and underwear all over the house like a four year old, and by the way you don’t even take care of your four year old son. Rose drops him off at daycare and picks him up every day. Makes his lunch, reads to him, plays with him, makes his dinner, bathes him. Hell, I spend more time watching Greggy than you do. You don’t lift a finger to help out around the house. You don’t cook, you don’t clean, you don’t do laundry. Hell, you don’t even pay your share of the bills most of the time.”
Greg has a look of pure disgust on his face, illuminated by the light above the garage.
Greg Polshevik: “Oh, boy… you’ve really grown a set, Bobby. You were away for more than a year after you disappeared like a thief in the night. Now you’re back and everybody’s supposed to kiss your ass like you’re some returning hero? You're not even working. You’re here at my home asking me for a job, and you want to tell me how to raise my kid and take care of my family? You want to talk like that to a working man? How dare you? Get the hell off of my property!”
Bobby Cairo: “The only reason that I didn’t say these things earlier was because I didn’t want to interfere. Now I see that I was wrong. I’m saying what I should have said a long time ago. You’re acting wrong and you’re too thick-headed to see that you’re wrong. You don’t have to give me a job, that’s your call, but you do need to man up to your responsibilities at home. I’ll crack you over the skull with an empty bottle of Steel Reserve if you don’t.”
Greg shakes his head in disbelief and smiles.
Greg Polshevik: “You’re some piece of work, Bobby. I would call the cops and have them haul your ass out of here right now if you weren’t such an audacious piece of shit. Besides, I don’t think Rose would forgive me for that.”
Bobby Cairo: “It doesn’t seem to me that Rose is too good at expressing herself when it comes to personal matters.”
Greg Polshevik: “I guess you prefer the ‘get drunk and threaten people’ approach, right?”
Bobby Cairo: “That is my prerogative and I’ve got nothing to lose right now. I’m single, no kids and unemployed. Now how about it, you’ve seen the fire behind these eyes… Are you willing to hire an ambitious young man who lacks experience in the workplace, but who's quick to learn?”
Greg Polshevik: “I said you were audacious not ambitious, but I’ll give you credit for the latter as well. Listen, Bobby, if you’re serious and not just plastered, we are hiring package sorters and truck drivers. I would recommend that you quit drinking hooch if you want to be considered for either position, but especially as a driver.”
Bobby Cairo: “Hmmm…. What does a sorter do?”
Greg Polshevik: “Do you know how to drive a forklift?”
Bobby Cairo: “No.”
Greg Polshevik: “Do you know how to operate a conveyor?”
Bobby Cairo: “No.”
Greg Polshevik: “Are you good with computers?”
Bobby Cairo: “I know how to find porn online.”
Greg Bolshevik: “You can’t be a sorter.”
Bobby Cairo: “Shit. Well I can be a driver. I want to drive a big rig anyway.”
Greg Polshevik: “You need a commercial certification for that.”
Bobby Cairo: “I can get one of those.”
Greg Polshevik: “I mean a real one.”
Bobby Cairo: “Shit… well, I guess that’s it for me.”
Greg sighs and rubs his forehead.
Greg Polshevik: “Uh… we do have an opening for couriers.”
Cairo’s ears perk up.
Bobby Cairo: “Oh really? Now what exactly does that entail?”
Greg Polshevik: “You would drive a delivery truck and deliver packages to people within the state of Connecticut. No commercial license is required for it. It’s pretty simple work but you do need to stick to a schedule. You would pick up the packages at the shipping center and deliver each one to the address on the form. Each truck is equipped with a GPS so it’s virtually impossible to get lost unless you’re a total…”
Greg looks at the beer and tomato sauce stains on Cairo’s shirt and the dopey, drunken expression on his face.
Greg Polshevik: “Well, anyway, I can set up an interview if you like. Just be sure to be punctual, clean shaven, well dressed and on your best behavior. If I’m going to give you a recommendation then both of our reputations will be on the line.”
Bobby Cairo: “Greg, that’s great. Thank you, man.”
Cairo extends his hand and Greg shakes it, albeit hesitantly.
Bobby Cairo: “I may have been a tad brusque earlier, but I do appreciate you doing me this favor. Seriously though, you should have a talk with Rose about all of that stuff I said earlier, because that’s still really important stuff, even more important than work.”
Greg Polshevik: “Oh yes… Rose and I will talk. I am sure of that.”
Greg sighs.
Greg Polshevik: “But first… sleep. It’s been… interesting chatting with you this morning, Bobby. Take care of yourself and go easy on the Steel, alright?”
Bobby Cairo: “Sure thing, boss man.”
Cairo playfully taps Greg on the shoulder with his fist.
Bobby Cairo: “You my bro man, broseph! You my bro man!”
Greg nods and smiles politely before walking away. Cairo stands in the driveway next to Greg’s truck while Greg walks up the front steps of his house, unlocks the front door and disappears inside, closing the door behind him.
After a few moments Cairo realizes that he can’t just stand there in the driveway all morning. Cairo grabs his empty bottle of Steel from the hood of Greg’s truck and begins the mile or so walk to his trainer Bolts Quackenbush’s apartment, where Cairo has been staying since his release from the hospital. The early morning light gently illuminates Cairo’s journey, but he detects a hint of perspiration in the air. Cairo lifts his hand to the sky and feels the slightest of rain droplets against his palm and fingers.
Bobby Cairo: “Aww shit… it’s about to start up on me. I better book it.”
Cairo hauls ass down the sidewalk, not wanting to get caught in a downpour. Cairo’s injuries have slowed him down some and he is drunk but he can still run pretty fast, like a washed up NFL running back, not as fast as his prime self or his younger counterparts but faster than any non-athlete.
