orangetoughguy | log post II

What's there to figure really?

[To live, to love, and to do the fucking best a motherfucker can in this shit hole. First good long sip after the kid's. He looks over to see that crowd of three.]

It's good to not be them.

[A smile, a laugh.]

I play my fiddle the best I can. Keep my bosses happy. [It's an acceptable answer. Doesn't Orange know he's a bad man.] You don't like the ponies do you?

[He has an idea and he isn't afraid to show it, but he also likes White so a modicum of appreciation for his company keeps Orange from openly discussing the rights and wrongs of what a man like White might do. As for the ponies though...he shakes his head.]

I don't make enough to be a gambling man. Do you?

I like what they can get me.

[A love of money is a love seldom filled with disappointment if you know all your getting is bullshit. Bullshit that doesn't talk back and doesn't leave. But White has come to realize that it doesn't sit beside you for a drink and ask about your day.

Fuck.]

And you. Drinks are on me this time.

[If it'll be allowed from a tough son of a bitch here. He finishes his cigarette.]

Rather you or anything like them. [A nod to the threesome.]

[What? Really? The kid eyeballs the old man before leaning in towards him.]

Are you sure?

[Freddy asks, not because he's being polite company or because his pride won't let another man pay for him. He's asking because he jokingly wants to know if White knows what he's getting into by being generous with the booze around Orange. It's sweet. Oh shit, did he just think it's sweet?]

I'm sure. So don't go drinking like a fish, hear me?

[His sincerity is in his smile too. That is if Orange has any faith in sincerity coming from a guy like White.]

Today was a good one. Don't spoil it.

Tell me.

[Don't think he hasn't noticed White avoiding details. He's still taking the guy up on his offer though.]

I know folks down at the casino. All I was told was to show up because today was gonna be big. I dunno what was happening behind the scenes but they sure as hell were right.

[Know folks is only a round about way of saying he had friends, maybe more. Friends that ought to steer clear of this friend.

White leans over. He wets his bottom lip slowly and looks into those caramel green apple eyes.]

Can you keep a secret?

I can keep secrets.

[Orange's look shifts from entertained to something...something different. The way White leans towards him, the smell of secrecy and the gleam of the uncanny, all of it excites him. There's something about White and his world that feels alive to Orange. This doesn't necessarily mean he will keep White's secret though, whatever it is. Anything that violates Orange's principles and code of ethics goes. Yet somehow he trusts White not to make him compromise that...too much.]

[Voice low and still leaning White can take a good look at Orange's face. Clean shaven suits him especially at the jawline and cheekbones.]

Word is that they're using special oats. The kind that don't get detected easily. I dunno how many people know... but a guy can get pretty rich off of that. My guess is that the dough coming in has covered enough funeral fees to keep it this quiet.

[Pulling back a fraction he can look into the man's face and get a gauge of it. Will he really keep it mum? Guys at the races are a dime a dozen on Orange.]

It's enough to get a person out of this city.

[Orange's first reaction is to once again call bullshit. Special oats? Don't people just inject their ponies with steroids if they wanna go about it that way? Doped up race horses aren't anything new, but special oats? Get out of here. The ambivalent humor leaves this youthful face when the old man says it can get a man out of this place.]

Do you wanna get outta here?

[The kid has a love-hate relationship with the city. The second he has a chance to go he finds himself looking back, looking back for so long the bus that could have taken him out has already left.]

[Believe it or not, that's the story. Steroids, downers, uppers, whatever it is is getting results in a big way. White pulls back completely now to his drink.]

Sometimes. A brand new start, a brand new place. It's tempting. There's so many reasons to leave. [A long drink before brown eyes go to the man] And plenty good reasons to stay.

A guy like you rollin' the way you do and you got reasons?

[He's not trying to belittle White's response, but he really would like to know what kind of reasons he could have. To leave and to stay. Orange changes an empty bottle of Corona for a fresh one. Just because the drinks are on him doesn't mean he'll drink top shelf, unless White invites him to.]

Any living person's got reasons.

[White works on catching up as far as drinks go. His Corona is about finished. The kid can have whatever it is he wants. If it's the same ol' same ol' then that's what it is.]

People depend on me.

[Employers and Orange. One bad and one good.]

Sounds important.

[That cigarette's done. He rubs it out in the tray before sipping on his fresh bottle. Orange believes White but he can't help asking.] So what can I depend on you to do?

It is.

[A matter of life and death. Well, depending on the errand or time of day. Men like White are in neck deep and sinking. He's come too far to shake apart with nerves alone. There's only one choice: get the job done. Escorting special guests, taking out a motherfucker in more ways than one, being the gorilla at the door...whatever it takes.

For Orange though? What he wouldn't do for the man.]

I can be an extra set of eyes or ears. I can be a lotta things.

[Eyes darken a moment as he takes another long sip.]

An extra set of hands too I'll bet.

[Whatever for well the kid just doesn't specify. It's part of the strange intense dance they've been doing meeting after meeting after meeting. How long can it go on like this? How long are you gonna hide and wait, Newendyke? That ain't like you (yes, it is).]

[That is a magic phrase.]

Yes, yes I can.

[White considers another cigarette as he half turns to face the man.]

All you gotta do is say the word.

[His cigarette's gone and Orange doesn't have the time to light another and make smoke rings in White's direction.]

I swear you got me caught in some fuckin' trap and I just don't know it yet.
[What would he do without a man like White? Probably live to grow old and bitter over living hard and dying fast. Though, White's no spring chicken either.]

If you were really in a trap you could leave anytime.

[Or maybe he doesn't want to. White hopes for that.]

Besides, you haven't asked anything of me.

[Yet. Why not? Is it because the old man is too old? Orange is a decent age. He can get anything he wants from anyone he wants in either direction if he was set on it.

Now that's another empty drink right here.]

[Maybe he doesn't want to but Orange sure as hell isn't gonna say it aloud. That's beyond showing his hand, that's like laying the cards out face up right in front of White. Too much. He's not ready for that (yet).]

You ever think maybe I've got something in mind but I'm waiting for the right moment to tell you so you can't say no? [Sip.]

Don't you know that I wouldn't refuse?

[Fine then. Someone's gotta tip their hand just a bit. Aren't they on the same side? Whatever side that maybe. White isn't completely held up on his own ideas. Orange cannot be entirely free from the scum.]

[For a quiet moment these caramel green eyes just study him, every angle and curve of his face, every line, those brown eyes, his age, his chiseled features. Everything. All of this wouldn't refuse a young man in jeans, t-shirt, jacket, and with a profile like a big tropical parrot?]

You drive a hard bargain.

[Brown eyes are looking right on back. Sure the kid isn't in a suit of his own with all the trimmings but it's what's underneath that counts. And in their meetings he's caught glimpses of what this man is about. Even though he's letting all the bullshit and filth harden his heart there's still pieces that just cannot be replaced.]

It's a standing offer.

[Though a no is a no. Would he be willing to offer again if refused? Sure. He can take his hits.]

[Again he's watching, then the kid downs the rest of his beer at warp speed. So the bill's only four beers? Kind of like pocket change considering his offer, but Orange has another idea in mind.]

Let's go for a walk. You do walks right?

[That's another quip, a little joke at the high roller's expense seeing as how he's in such a fine suit, who would mistaken him for rabble?]

[Four beers it is and a tip for the girl working the bar. White raises an eyebrow and looks Orange from the tops of his shoes to the tips of his hair.]

I got legs don't I?

[And so he stands.]

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