Crazed and Defused - Part II

Since this is Part II, you might want to read Part I, below, first...

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“Jake, my man, we are gonna take care of business,” he said, grinding his right fist into his left palm. “Now, as I was saying, Slot left, 21 Y absolutely rules.”

“No, man,” interrupted Sean Peppers. He was the tallest of the group. And he resented his height. He just wanted to blend in, and his height made him stick out. So his shoulders stooped and his knees bent. And he was usually quiet. But a slip regarding football meant something to Sean. “You were talking about Slot one, Y package, dude. 21 Y is when Mallarky hooks in between the linebackers. Get it right, dude.”

“Whatever,” hissed Toby. “Anyone see Sarah Cluney’s little skirt today? Sweet. Reminded me of Kitty.” Now Toby had a misty look in his eyes. “Remember Kitty? Man, she had the most incredible body ever.”

“I heard she goes to Cornell now, dude.”

“Yeah, whatever. She’s probably making some dude very happy up there. I sure do miss her.” Toby had a far-away look in his eyes.

Mitch kept listening. He knew they’d brag about one thing or another before too long. He wasn’t disappointed. He shifted his book as he switched the crossing of his ankles to make himself more comfortable. He scratched his back a little on the tree. Still listening.

“That puke is in for a big surprise tonight, man,” began Toby. “My brother says he works over at Town Pizza, over off Lancaster Street. You guys know where I mean?” They all nodded. Here it comes, thought Mitch.

“His buddy Tee told me that puke delivers all night starting at seven. He goes out. He comes back. He goes out again. And –”

“Sounds like you’re doin’ the deed, man!” shouted Neil King. Neil was constantly thinking about sex. Anything you said could be construed to have a sexual meaning or contain sexual content. And when the connection, real or fictitious, was made in Neil’s head, he blurted out his findings for all to hear. “In and out and in and out. Awesome! Momma’s got a squeeze box! Daddy never sleeps at night!”

“Shut up, Squeal,” said Toby. Neil shrunk back to where he had been sitting. If he’d had a tail he would have pulled it between his legs. But he was still quietly humming his little tune.

“Anyway, this dude starts at seven and delivers all night. He usually finishes up around eleven, except on weekend nights, when he goes ‘til one or so. I say we catch up with him at eleven tonight and take care of business.” Toby was seeing it all in his mind now.

Mitch made a mental note of the address and time. He kept his head down and kept reading.

“What’s the point, dude?” Jake asked. Jake was shorter than the rest of the guys, but made up for his lack of height with sheer power. He was a wrestler and nobody messed with him. He was powerfully built and slow to anger. He always asked what the point was. His wide face belied a calm soul. Mitch could never quite figure out what he was doing with these morons. He seemed like a good guy.

“The point, numb nuts,” began Toby. Jake slowly turned his eyes to Toby. Toby backed up a step.

“Sorry, dude. What I meant to say was… the point is that this a-hole, this bucket of puke, this piece of garbage has crossed the line.”

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'til next time...