Been sitting idle for seven years. Last night it was time to get the story moving forward. Here's a sample. Not a lot of editing has been done so excuse any issues. Needed to get the thoughts down before they disappeared! All thoughts and comments, critiques are welcome.
Mugsy’s
Grub House
Yale,
Oklahoma
Blackie and Poncho weren’t sure of
meeting Hughes, but times were tough and action needed to be taken, so they
accepted his invitation. Only problem, they and his hummer stood out like a
sore thumb in this small cracker town. Not only did the local cop notice them,
he followed them to Mugsy’s and made a point to turn on the lights when they
parked.
“Dammit, man. I knew this was a bad
idea. We’re gonna get busted just for parking.”
A loud voice boomed over the squad
car’s speaker. “Turn off the vehicle, then, with hands in the air, exit the
vehicle.”
“Let’s do as he says and see what
happens.”
They exited the hummer.
“Now. Turn around and get on the
ground.”
“Say what? No way in hell am I getting
on the ground. You come over here and tell us what the problem is.”
The officer removed his service
revolver and repeated the order.”
“I already told your cracker-ass we
ain’t getting on the ground. Now, you tell me what in the hell you pulled us
over. All we did was pull into this flea bag town to get a bite eat. Is that a
crime?”
“I won’t ask you again. If you don’t
follow my orders, I’ll be forced to shoot.”
“Bullshit.” Yelled Poncho. “You nothing
but scared little white boy trying to make points with the local hood. Like my
partner said, you ain’t got shit on us and we ain’t getting on the ground.”
“I’ll say it one more time. Get on
the…..”
“Whoa. Whoa. What’s going on
Billy?”
“Mr. Hughes. This doesn’t concern you.
I got these outsiders dead to rights.”
“What’s the charge, Billy?”
“Speeding. They was doing five miles
over the speed limit and they aren’t cooperating.”
Hughes let out a laugh. “Billy, I can personally
vouch for each of these fine gentlemen. They’re associates of mine and Darrell
reserved a table for us. So, if you don’t mind, lower the piece and apologize
to my friends.”
Billy lowered the weapon. “I still
don’t trust them Mr. Hughes and they was speeding.”
“It’s okay. What’s the fine for five
dollars over the limit?”
“I ain’t the judge, but from what I’m
hearing, it be about $200.00.”
“Two hundred dollars?” yelled Blackie.
“That’s nothing but extortion and I won’t pay it!”
“Don’t listen to him, Billy. Write me
the ticket and I’ll be handled it before the day is out.”
“Okay, Mr. Hughes. But if I were you,
I’d find some different friends.”
Hughes approached his accomplices.
“Let’s go inside. I have a table reserved for us.”
“Hey, I thought you said this would be
a low-profile spot and no one would hassle us.”
“I forgot Billy was working today. Fred
must have called in sick and forgot to pass on the word you two were coming to
town. Now, let’s go inside. We have a lot to discuss.”
* * *
The
owner Darrell and Hughes had become excellent friends over the past several
months. He escorted the men to their reserved table away from the local
patrons. Of course, everyone was talking about the spectacle as they went back
to their table, but that would die out in a week or two.
“What’s
on your mind, Hughes?” asked Blackie.
“Hey.
What’s good here? I’m starved after nearly shitting in my pants outside.”
“Try
the Pepper Jack Cheese Balls, BBQ Nachos with extra peppers and the 16oz
T-bone.”
“Damn.
That sounds like a winner. Get me a waiter.”
Mike
motioned and he came in to take their orders.
“Man.
Why you have to suggest Cheese Balls and Nachos? I got to ride with him back to
Tulsa and it ain’t gonna be pleasant.”
He
looked at Poncho. “Drop one of your nuclear farts in my ride and you’ll be
walking back home. So, if you feel the need, we pulling over. I can’t afford to
de-fumigate my ride right now. And that brings up, why, I hope were here, to
discuss our income or more to the point, lack thereof.”
They
placed their orders.
“That’s
exactly what we’re here for. I have it on good information Fowler and his group
are about to reopen the pipeline so we can start conducting business again.
However, there appears to be a fly in the ointment.”
“How
so? Is it the FEDS we’ve been trailing?”
“FEDS?
No. It’s not the FEDS. Appears there’s a wild-card out there.”
“Who?”
“Don’t
know. What I can tell you is….”
The
waiter brought their orders, then quickly departed.
Poncho
couldn’t wait to dig in and did.
“Damn.
These cheese balls are the bomb. Want one?”
“No.” they both responded.
“Hey, just trying to share.”
“Shut up, Poncho!” They both said.
“Where was I. yes, There’s a wild card
out there and it appears he has a bone to pick with Fowler.”
“How do you know this?”
“I received a letter two weeks ago. No
return address but it has a Tulsa postmark.”
“What was in it?”
“A note. All it said was, Fowler’s on
thin ice.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“From what I know of him and how he
conducts business, I’m positive he’s made a lot of enemies through the years
and they keep adding up.”
“Yeah, I don’t doubt that. Can’t stand
working for that cracker, but until our supply is turned back on, he’s keeping
us afloat.”
“Yes. But for how long?”
“Man. You guys need to stop jawing and
dig in. This is the best grub I’ve eaten in a long time.”
For once, Poncho had a good idea.
Mike dug into his Grub N Green and
Triple meat platter while Blackie attacked his Smoking Spud and 12oz Ribeye.
Poncho was right. It was the best meal
Blackie had in a long time and oddly thought about coming back, but only if
Billy wasn’t on duty.
* * *
“Whatcha think, boss? Hughes on
the up and up?”
“Why
wouldn’t he be? He’s in the same boat we are. Nothing going out and nothing
coming in. He’s marking time like we are.”
“You
really think someone’s gunning for Fowler?”
“Wouldn’t
surprise me. He’s a greedy mean bastard with no scruples.”
“We
still gonna work for him if he calls?”
“Hell,
yes we are. Not going to tip our hand or screw-up our income this close to the
shackles coming off.”
“Cool.
Uh boss, I need to…”
“Dammit
Mexican. You just shit in my ride?”
