[Freddy blurts out in a panic and he already knows it could be taken so many different ways it'll probably be taken the worst way when really the kid just doesn't want either of them to have to see the work on his belly.]
[So much for trying to remain neutral, shirtless he turns. There for the kid to see is his City given tattoo. Somehow he's got some scars from a shooting that didn't happen. Might have happened. It's all confusing.]
Yeah I'm serious. A shower. You know to bathe? You got wax in your ears? I'm not gonna fuck you while you're like this.
[That was not what he was expecting. Not after the outburst, the reiteration of where the old crook stands. He's floored.]
Fine.
[Turning away he heads into the small, small bathroom. Larry already feels smothered on his own in the space with his thoughts. Before anything else crosses his mind to say he drops trow and shuts the door. Part of him thinks Freddy will change his mind.
But he said he didn't feel like it.
The water takes a bit to warm up. What sort of satisfaction would really be had by wanking in the shower at this point. He wonders, oh he wonders.]
[Freddy sure is nursing his drink (soda) all quietly to himself. Minimal conversation. But his senses are alert (as alert as a healing man can be) he's paying attention to the comings and goings in this cantina. Being a (former) cop on the run though he's had the forethought not to sit in the farthest corner facing the door. That would be obvious or something.]
[Larry has ditched soda involving anything. Beer is going down his gullet at a decent pace. Not that he's trying to emote or anything. He keeps his conversation attempts at a minimum. This one he has to bring up.]
[Really? Larry turns his attention to the bowl of chips that is at the bar with them. It's easier to talk to right now.]
I mean I feel like the establishment's got a different feel.
[He doesn't want to make a comment on how many women are around them. Larry takes his cervza and does a vague gesture around the bar. Let the cop do some detective work.]
[Freddy doesn't say it that loudly but clearly he's not catching Larry's drift so either his detective skills are getting dull or he's just not quit on the old man's train of thought.]
[Up nod, up nod to the bathroom. There are a few boys hanging close there. Guapo chicos with their hair slicked back and their jeans fitting rather snug for this side of the nineties. Hips out or toward the wall, brown eyes scoping the cantina like heat seeking missiles.
[To a cop like Freddy Newendyke and a crook like Lawrence Dimick. Nothing doing. After what they've been through the kid really doesn't fear a bunch of punks who might want to start trouble. If only he understood the kind of trouble Larry means.]
[Harmless in a way that would be annoying, maybe even a little pay back of the old man were to hold bitter sentiments like the other night. Except they're across the room. That's just fine. Larry wants to shake his head. Best drop it. One thing is for sure, Freddy can handle shit himself.
Except a glance is all they need. Two scatter from their post to coast through their territory. Sniff out and see who's taking. These creatures do like money but they do it for the action itself, the ballsiness of it. The satisfaction.
Part of what drove the old man to Mexico those years ago. He'd like to talk to someone about that day and that time. Instead Larry drains his drink. Tonight he'll ask for another.]
Don't pay them any mind then they'll clear out sooner then later.
[Because of that Larry doesn't show a look. Right now he can't hide his lying eyes. Besides, he already got into trouble once before.
Don't look now, Freddy. He's being scrutinized from how he's dressed to what he's drinking. The hoodlum decides it is worth a closer look. He bellies up to the bar right between Freddy and Larry. At least the prostitute went to the far side.]
[Freddy noooo. Larry practically hears it in slow motion. The young man gives Freddy the eye and waits for the bartender to take his order for replying.]
Where you want me to buzz to?
[Hip out and tilted to Freddy, he loops a through his belt loop.]
[Isn't his bristling a warning enough? The kid is not one to be messed with, not one to be pick pocketed or conned. Freddy's unaware even a man of his stature and looks, testosterone-laded aggression can come across as exciting.]
[Say what?? In his condition?? No way?? Er. Not that Freddy isn't flattered in some aspect, he just doesn't know how to express it. He's totally caught off guard by this man's behavior, the words, the glance, the lipsmacking. Doesn't he know they're two intimately involved men on the run from the law. Ain't nobody like them got time for trash. Freddy's so caught off guard and insulted that he instinctively reaches out to give the guy a shove to the shoulder. Nothing too rough (yet).]
[A shove? What's a shove? He turns to Larry, his back and rump to Freddy which he pretty shamelessly tilts toward him. By now it should be known that it isn't an accident. Just multitasking.]
I wasn't talking to you yet, I was talking to him.
[Even knowing that this might happen, the old man is pretty unhappy. Small, string bean of a think that this chico is with no threat to pose it rubs him the wrong way.]
I'm talking for him.
[Which their unwelcomed guest finds funny. He presses back into Freddy and looks over his shoulder. Even if he doesn't get laid, chico is enjoying the provocative. All that masculine aggression.]
[Freddy yaps at Larry, growing more resentful by the second until he finally acknowledges the ass that's practically in his lap. His side is starting to hurt.]
I said fuck off!
[One hand goes for the guy's wrist to pull it tight and high behind chico's back. Then without warning Freddy gives him a tough push. At least he lets go before doing that.]
[A vital, unfortunate second slips away. The old man could have taken their company away physically before he is slammed into the bar. Apparently it is wrong for him to have tried to shoo away the pest.]
Hey! What the hell?
[Like it is out of the blue. The burst of action gets more attention around the bar. Larry feels eyes on em. Good thing he let go of his cop move before then.]
Both of you--quit it.
[Speaking as his own separate party now. The bartender is no longer part of the furniture. He says the two fag bashers gotta go. Meaning them. Chico's friends have come on close. Fuck it is like they're sharks.]
[With all those eyes on them Freddy still finds the time to glare at Larry with characteristic near boyish resentment: you don't tell me what to do. Oh but they're causing a scene now and...what??]
I'm not a fagbasher!! That cocksucker started it!
[A point at chico...who is quickly being surrounded by chico's friends. To Freddy they're more like piranhas than sharks. Yeah, better get out of here.]
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