Paul Gillebaard - USSR Hoax

Chris turned, irritation in his voice. “What do these guys want?”

“An apology,” Tom spat out.

“Screw them.” Chris assumed an air of invincibility as he casually turned back around and called for the bartender.

A deep burly voice cut through the crowd noise. “Hey you! Scrawny little man!”

Chris turned with a surprising smirk. “That’s the best you can come up with? What’s your problem?”

“You astronauts are my problem. You come in here and think you own the place, stealing our girls.”

Chris arrogantly held a hand out in the direction of the crowd. “I can’t help it if the local ladies know a real man when they see one.”

Tom couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Either Chris had a death wish, or he was just acting like an idiot. Though Tom wouldn’t mind seeing Chris taught a lesson, NASA couldn’t afford any bad press before a launch. Tom had no choice but to step in. He cut the men off. “Hey, we’re sorry. We didn’t mean to cause any trouble. Tell you what, how about we buy you guys a drink?”

The husky man placed his hand hard on Tom’s chest, easily pushing him aside. “Back off, spaceman. I want a piece of your friend.”

Now Tom was ticked, especially since Chris wasn’t his friend. He gathered himself and stepped right back in front of the man. “Let’s be adults about this.”

A sly grin appeared on the brute’s face. Tom felt a hand on his shoulder, causing him to briefly look over his shoulder back at Chris, which was a mistake. When Tom turned back around a massive fist was fast approaching his face. With only a split second to react, he quickly turned his head, insuring his nose wasn’t hit. The punch landed squarely on Tom’s jaw, snapping his head back hard, making him wobble on his feet for a moment. A flash of dull pain shot through his face and he briefly saw stars. Disoriented, he did his best to hold his ground. After a second he straightened up slowly. The thug’s face was red with anger, his eyes bulging out. All movement around them had stopped. Tom suspected all eyes were probably on him, everyone wondering what his next move was going to be. He couldn’t lose his cool and risk his career. Not for Chris, and certainly not for this bastard in front of him.

Tom rubbed his chin and was about to crack a joke when a loud voice broke the stillness.

“Knock it off, Donald!”

All turned to see a tiny, balding man push right through the crowd and jump between the two. With his back to Tom, the small man shoved both hands up against the burly man’s chest. “What the hell are you doing? I’ve told you no more fighting in here.” He pointed to the exit. “Get out!”

The giant wilted from the words. He threw up his hands in frustration. “Those guys started it.”

“I don’t care who started it. I told you no more fighting, and if it happened again you’ll be banned. Now get out of here!”

As the beast retreated, he pointed at Chris. “You’re one lucky cat.”

Chris flashed a cocky grin as he gave a condescending wave.

The small man kept pointing toward the exit until the brutes were gone. He then removed his glasses and said, “I’m so sorry about that, gentlemen.” He put his hand on Tom’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”

Tom’s head was still reeling. “I should be okay. I might be a little sore tomorrow.”

The bar began to come back to life.

“Believe it or not, those men mean well. I’ve known them since they were little boys.” The little man turned to confirm the men were gone, then turned back around. “I’m the manager here, and the rest of your drinks are on the house. I’ll send a waitress over to your table.”

Tom rubbed his chin again. “Thanks. We appreciate that.”

As the two walked back to their friends, Chris said, in an apologetic tone, “Sorry about that, Tom. Especially for that blindside punch. When I put my hand on your shoulder, I was trying to move you over. That should have been my fight.”

Irritated, Tom stopped in his tracks and angrily turned. “Chris that should have been no one’s fight. I’m not sure if you care about your career, but I care about mine, and the last thing I need is to be arrested. You need to be smarter on how to act in public.”

Chris lost his smug grin. “You’re right. Sometimes I lose focus if I’m challenged. Thanks for stepping in.”

Chris’s problem was his obnoxious, cocky attitude, which Tom knew would never change. Tom simply shook his head in frustration as he headed back to his seat.

Everyone at the table was staring at Tom as the two men approached.

David was the first to speak. “What the hell was all that about?”

Without hesitating, Chris said, “Couple of brutes tried to pick a fight, but Tom stepped in and saved the day.”

Sitting in Tom’s seat, smoking a cigarette, Connie looked concerned as she offered up the barstool with a knowing smile.

He signaled for her to stay as he rubbed his jaw. “Yeah, and I paid the price.”

Chris excitedly announced the prize for Tom getting punched. “The drinks are on the house. A waitress will be over in a second.”

Putting a hand on Tom’s arm, Connie said softly with care in her voice. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. One of your local boys decided to test out his fist with my chin.”

“I’m so sorry. They can be absolute asses.”

“They say we’re stealing their girls.”

Her coy grin returned. “Are you?”

Tom smiled.

After a few more rounds of drinks, all were feeling loose. Some of the group had paired off and were kissing, including David, who was all over the brunette.

Tom was enjoying Connie’s company but still being a complete gentleman. He suspected the blonde was getting frustrated. She had been dropping hints over the last hour, trying to get Tom to make a pass, but he wasn’t biting. He was about to call it a night when, surprisingly, she snatched her purse and jumped off the barstool.

“I need to step out and get some fresh air.” Without waiting for a response, Connie turned and headed for the patio.

Enticed by the aggressive maneuver, Tom couldn’t fold in his tent quite yet, not as he watched the beauty walk away. He turned to David, who was in a tight embrace. “I’m stepping out to the patio with Connie.”

Continuing his assault on the brunette, David raised his hand, signaling he understood.

Tom chugged the last bit of his scotch, slammed down the glass and hustled to catch up.

The nighttime temperature was perfect as the two sat side-by-side on a comfortable padded bench. Whenever Connie leaned back to stare into the clear night sky, Tom couldn’t help himself from stealing discreet glances at the curvature of her perky breasts.

The night stars seemed to inspire Connie. She started quizzing Tom on his space mission. He was happy to share the experience, leaving out the mishap when he flew the jet pack.

After fifteen minutes outside, David stumbled over with his arm draped around the brunette. Obviously intoxicated, David informed Tom that everyone at the table was calling it a night, which he suspected meant most were taking their companions to their rooms. Tom reminded his friend they were scheduled to meet the VIPs for breakfast at 8:30. David acknowledged the appointment before escorting the young beauty from the patio.

All of a sudden pain returned to Tom’s jaw. To relieve the pressure, he opened and closed his mouth. Connie noticed. “Does your jaw still hurt?”

“Yeah, I think my buzz is wearing off.”

“I have some nursing background. If you like, we can go up to your room and I can work my magic.”

Tom knew what that “magic” would be, and he knew he should say goodnight. But something prevented him. Convinced he could stay in control, he decided to have a little fun and tease himself. “I have a bottle of scotch in my room.”