Post by drewdangerous on Jul 9, 2021 10:40:00 GMT -5
”Another beer kid?”
Drew Dangerous looked up at the bartender and shook his head almost forgetting where he was at. The background noise he had drowned out while deep in his thoughts slowly started to fill his ears. The music in the background did a significant job of covering up peoples personal conversations as some sat at tables enjoying their drinks, while others cut loose and showed off their moves on the almost non existing dance floor. Bars, clubs and social gatherings weren’t usually Drew’s cup of tea, but knew that if he eventually wanted to join the family business in the future he would have to get over his fear of being in public, one of the main reasons he chose to join Level Up Wrestling.
”Sure, but I will have a whiskey if you don’t mind.”
Most individuals enjoyed luxury while having a night out on the town. The best food, expensive wines and liquor, but Drew was different, he wanted nothing more than a cheap greasy calorie filled hamburger and cheap drinks. Drew spun around in his chair and looked out amongst the other patrons. Most of them were already three sheets to the wind and barely able to stand up, and in the corner near the juke box two elderly men were arguing and bickering about how unjust and unfair their life’s had been. The air was thick with cigarette smoke mixed with a dingy smell that was more than likely mold due to a water leak in the roof of the establishment. Puddles of beer and food was littered all over the floor and Drew could only imagine the state of the bars bathroom situation. It was more than likely a masterpiece of artwork filled with graffiti and different phone numbers to call if you were looking for a “good time”.
”One whiskey.”
Drew spun back towards the direction of the bar as the large, tattooed and bearded bartender slid him a shot glass full of dark whiskey. Drew said nothing as he took the shot glass and tilted his head back downing the shot in one huge gulp. The bartender smiled already knowing Drew would ask for another and generously filled the shot glass up to the brim.
”So how long you been out kid?”
Drew looked at the bartender seeming confused by his question as he reached for the shot glass one last time. The bartender smiled and pointed towards Drew’s forearm noticing his flannel shirt and rode up his arm revealing one of his many tattoos. Drew quickly pulled the sleeve of his flannel shirt down covering up his arm to hid the tattoo.
”75th Ranger Regiment, Charlie company.”
Drew flashed a quick smile finding it somewhat comforting he was in the company of another military veteran.
”160th Special Operation, Delta Company.”
The bartender reached over the bar and extended his hand. Drew grabbed the shot glass and downed another shot and then took the bartenders hand shaking it.
”Been out a couple years now, how about yourself.”
The bartender laughed as he pointed around the bar.
”About ten years now. You don’t think an establishment as beautiful as this one just springs up over night do you. This bar took years to perfect.”
Drew let out a soft laugh over the bartenders obviously sarcastic statement. He knew the bar wasn’t the most aesthetic looking place in town, but it was his bar none the less and he was proud of it.
”Cheap booze, hot dogs that I am wondering how long they have been on that rotating grill? This place is right up my alley, reminds me of home actually.”
”New York?”
Drew nodded.
”How did you know?”
”The accent kid, there is no denying your from New York.”
Drew laughed knowing that his accent was probably one of the most distinguishable in the entire world.
”So what brings you to town?”
”Just joined a professional wrestling organization known called Level Up Wrestling.”
”I’ve seen that on the tv a few times, colorful bunch that place employs. You don’t strike me as someone that would fit in there.”
”I can’t deny it has its fair share of odd characters, but after the military I didn’t have a lot of options to be honest.”
”You’re preaching the choir kid. That’s why opened up this place, not many jobs for door kickers like us once we get out.”
”Amen to that. Our talents don’t really convert over to day to day jobs.”
”You both are selling yourself short…”
A woman’s voice said from behind Drew as he saw the bartenders eyes grow larger flashing a flirtatious smile. Drew spun around in his chair surprised to see Dr. Penny Thompkins walking towards the bar and take a seat next to him.
”And what can I get the beautiful woman to drink tonight, or maybe she would like to leave this dump and have dinner with me.”
”A beer is fine thank you.”
Dr. Penny Thompkins said smiling and shooting down the bartenders weak excuse for a pick up line. That bartender smiled and reached behind him grabbing a beer handing it to her.
”Dr. Thompkins, I’m surprised to see you here.”
Dr. Penny Thompkins frowned causing her forehead to slightly scrunch up.
”Penny please, and why do you find it so surprising? I travel with Level Up place to place, and with the amount of wrestlers I deal with on a day to day basis it’s only natural I would want to cut loose and have a beer every once in a while. I’m not one for nightclubs or fancy places, dive bars sell some of the best and cheapest drinks.”
”I will drink to that.”
The bartender said pouring himself a drink and taking a shot of whiskey as he flung a white rag over his shoulder.
”You two kids have fun.”
Drew remained quiet as Dr. Penny Thompkins took a drink from her beer as she tapped her foot to the AC/DC song playing in the background. He scanned her body out of the corner of his eyes, torn blude jeans and purple spaghetti strapped shirt no where close to the same business attire she had worn earlier that day during their brief session. Her arms like his were covered in a series of tattoos, one he took a considerable amount of interst in.
” Veritas Omnia Vincula Vincit? Is that a….”
”Intelligence Support Activity, Grey Fox to be exact.”
”I had no idea you served.”
Dr. Penny Thompkins snickered before taking another drink of her beer.
”It’s actually why I chose to be a therapist after getting out. Truth conquers all bonds, that was the ISA’s motto, so after I got out of the military I decided to try and help veterans who struggled with truth to help find themselves again.”
”That is very admirable of you to continue helping your brothers and sisters.”
”I went through my own personal struggles, so I know the demons you’re fighting inside. Not just because of your time in the military, but with who your father is as well.”
Drew Dangerous looked around the bar ensuring no one was eaves dropping on his and Dr. Penny Thompkins conversation. His family, the Dambrosio, may have been a crime family out of New York, but they were known all around the United States. There we multiple news stories with police and federal agents trying to bust them different charges like petty crime, racketeering, money laundering and even murder for years. Unfortunately for law enforcement personnel they never had anything concrete.
”If you don’t mind Dr. Thompkins I would rather not discuss my family.”
Drew said checking her petite frame from the corner of his eye again.
”I told you my name is Penny. And if you don’t want to discuss your family then maybe you would like to discuss how you keep checking me out.”
Drew felt a lump develop in his throat as he swallowed hard. He opened his mouth to respond, but nothing except stammering incoherent words spewed one after another.
”I….well….um….I”
Dr. Penny Thompkins laughed letting out the most embarrassing yet perfectly adorable snort. For the first time in a long time Drew laughed out loud as he motioned for the bartender to bring him 2 beers pointing at what Dr. Penny Thompkins was drinking. He obliged as he reached into a nearby cooler and pulled out two coronas and popped off the tops handing one to Drew and the other to Dr. Penny Thompkins who thanked him with a simple smile. Drew couldn’t explain why, but there was something intoxicating about her smile.
”It’s okay, you don’t have to answer me, I just wanted to make you squirm a little.”
She laughed as she gently touched his arm sending a electrostatic shock down his entire body causing him to shiver.
”There is something about you Doc. I’m not sure what it is, but I know it’s comforting.”
”Well let’s do something less comforting shall we?”
Drew swallowed hard again, his mind wandered trying to figure out what she meant. He as a man who often thought with the wrong head immediately assumed she was speaking about sex, as she stood up and grabbed his hand pulling him up from his seat.
”Let’s dance.”
Drew tried to pull away, but Dr. Penny Thompkins wouldn’t let up as she grabbed his hand again and dragged him towards the middle of the bar where others were swaying slowly back and forth as the song switched over to Journey’s I’m forever yours.
”I’m afraid I’m not much of a dancer. Plus it makes me a little uncomfortable”
Dr. Penny Thompkins flashed a quick smile and pulled Drew in close wrapping her arms around his neck.
”I know and that’s the point. Sometimes it’s therapeutic to do something out of the ordinary, something you normally wouldn’t do.”
Drew gently placed his hands on each side of her hips as she nuzzled her head into his chest.
”Do you normally dance with all your patience Doc?”
Dr. Penny Thompkins looked up at Drew with a smile, her eyes wide and gently bit the bottom of her lip not answering him. The rest of the night was filled with flirtatious smiles, laughter and a huge consumption of alcohol that they both would surely pay for the next morning.
Drew Dangerous looked up at the bartender and shook his head almost forgetting where he was at. The background noise he had drowned out while deep in his thoughts slowly started to fill his ears. The music in the background did a significant job of covering up peoples personal conversations as some sat at tables enjoying their drinks, while others cut loose and showed off their moves on the almost non existing dance floor. Bars, clubs and social gatherings weren’t usually Drew’s cup of tea, but knew that if he eventually wanted to join the family business in the future he would have to get over his fear of being in public, one of the main reasons he chose to join Level Up Wrestling.
”Sure, but I will have a whiskey if you don’t mind.”
Most individuals enjoyed luxury while having a night out on the town. The best food, expensive wines and liquor, but Drew was different, he wanted nothing more than a cheap greasy calorie filled hamburger and cheap drinks. Drew spun around in his chair and looked out amongst the other patrons. Most of them were already three sheets to the wind and barely able to stand up, and in the corner near the juke box two elderly men were arguing and bickering about how unjust and unfair their life’s had been. The air was thick with cigarette smoke mixed with a dingy smell that was more than likely mold due to a water leak in the roof of the establishment. Puddles of beer and food was littered all over the floor and Drew could only imagine the state of the bars bathroom situation. It was more than likely a masterpiece of artwork filled with graffiti and different phone numbers to call if you were looking for a “good time”.
”One whiskey.”
Drew spun back towards the direction of the bar as the large, tattooed and bearded bartender slid him a shot glass full of dark whiskey. Drew said nothing as he took the shot glass and tilted his head back downing the shot in one huge gulp. The bartender smiled already knowing Drew would ask for another and generously filled the shot glass up to the brim.
”So how long you been out kid?”
Drew looked at the bartender seeming confused by his question as he reached for the shot glass one last time. The bartender smiled and pointed towards Drew’s forearm noticing his flannel shirt and rode up his arm revealing one of his many tattoos. Drew quickly pulled the sleeve of his flannel shirt down covering up his arm to hid the tattoo.
”75th Ranger Regiment, Charlie company.”
Drew flashed a quick smile finding it somewhat comforting he was in the company of another military veteran.
”160th Special Operation, Delta Company.”
The bartender reached over the bar and extended his hand. Drew grabbed the shot glass and downed another shot and then took the bartenders hand shaking it.
”Been out a couple years now, how about yourself.”
The bartender laughed as he pointed around the bar.
”About ten years now. You don’t think an establishment as beautiful as this one just springs up over night do you. This bar took years to perfect.”
Drew let out a soft laugh over the bartenders obviously sarcastic statement. He knew the bar wasn’t the most aesthetic looking place in town, but it was his bar none the less and he was proud of it.
”Cheap booze, hot dogs that I am wondering how long they have been on that rotating grill? This place is right up my alley, reminds me of home actually.”
”New York?”
Drew nodded.
”How did you know?”
”The accent kid, there is no denying your from New York.”
Drew laughed knowing that his accent was probably one of the most distinguishable in the entire world.
”So what brings you to town?”
”Just joined a professional wrestling organization known called Level Up Wrestling.”
”I’ve seen that on the tv a few times, colorful bunch that place employs. You don’t strike me as someone that would fit in there.”
”I can’t deny it has its fair share of odd characters, but after the military I didn’t have a lot of options to be honest.”
”You’re preaching the choir kid. That’s why opened up this place, not many jobs for door kickers like us once we get out.”
”Amen to that. Our talents don’t really convert over to day to day jobs.”
”You both are selling yourself short…”
A woman’s voice said from behind Drew as he saw the bartenders eyes grow larger flashing a flirtatious smile. Drew spun around in his chair surprised to see Dr. Penny Thompkins walking towards the bar and take a seat next to him.
”And what can I get the beautiful woman to drink tonight, or maybe she would like to leave this dump and have dinner with me.”
”A beer is fine thank you.”
Dr. Penny Thompkins said smiling and shooting down the bartenders weak excuse for a pick up line. That bartender smiled and reached behind him grabbing a beer handing it to her.
”Dr. Thompkins, I’m surprised to see you here.”
Dr. Penny Thompkins frowned causing her forehead to slightly scrunch up.
”Penny please, and why do you find it so surprising? I travel with Level Up place to place, and with the amount of wrestlers I deal with on a day to day basis it’s only natural I would want to cut loose and have a beer every once in a while. I’m not one for nightclubs or fancy places, dive bars sell some of the best and cheapest drinks.”
”I will drink to that.”
The bartender said pouring himself a drink and taking a shot of whiskey as he flung a white rag over his shoulder.
”You two kids have fun.”
Drew remained quiet as Dr. Penny Thompkins took a drink from her beer as she tapped her foot to the AC/DC song playing in the background. He scanned her body out of the corner of his eyes, torn blude jeans and purple spaghetti strapped shirt no where close to the same business attire she had worn earlier that day during their brief session. Her arms like his were covered in a series of tattoos, one he took a considerable amount of interst in.
” Veritas Omnia Vincula Vincit? Is that a….”
”Intelligence Support Activity, Grey Fox to be exact.”
”I had no idea you served.”
Dr. Penny Thompkins snickered before taking another drink of her beer.
”It’s actually why I chose to be a therapist after getting out. Truth conquers all bonds, that was the ISA’s motto, so after I got out of the military I decided to try and help veterans who struggled with truth to help find themselves again.”
”That is very admirable of you to continue helping your brothers and sisters.”
”I went through my own personal struggles, so I know the demons you’re fighting inside. Not just because of your time in the military, but with who your father is as well.”
Drew Dangerous looked around the bar ensuring no one was eaves dropping on his and Dr. Penny Thompkins conversation. His family, the Dambrosio, may have been a crime family out of New York, but they were known all around the United States. There we multiple news stories with police and federal agents trying to bust them different charges like petty crime, racketeering, money laundering and even murder for years. Unfortunately for law enforcement personnel they never had anything concrete.
”If you don’t mind Dr. Thompkins I would rather not discuss my family.”
Drew said checking her petite frame from the corner of his eye again.
”I told you my name is Penny. And if you don’t want to discuss your family then maybe you would like to discuss how you keep checking me out.”
Drew felt a lump develop in his throat as he swallowed hard. He opened his mouth to respond, but nothing except stammering incoherent words spewed one after another.
”I….well….um….I”
Dr. Penny Thompkins laughed letting out the most embarrassing yet perfectly adorable snort. For the first time in a long time Drew laughed out loud as he motioned for the bartender to bring him 2 beers pointing at what Dr. Penny Thompkins was drinking. He obliged as he reached into a nearby cooler and pulled out two coronas and popped off the tops handing one to Drew and the other to Dr. Penny Thompkins who thanked him with a simple smile. Drew couldn’t explain why, but there was something intoxicating about her smile.
”It’s okay, you don’t have to answer me, I just wanted to make you squirm a little.”
She laughed as she gently touched his arm sending a electrostatic shock down his entire body causing him to shiver.
”There is something about you Doc. I’m not sure what it is, but I know it’s comforting.”
”Well let’s do something less comforting shall we?”
Drew swallowed hard again, his mind wandered trying to figure out what she meant. He as a man who often thought with the wrong head immediately assumed she was speaking about sex, as she stood up and grabbed his hand pulling him up from his seat.
”Let’s dance.”
Drew tried to pull away, but Dr. Penny Thompkins wouldn’t let up as she grabbed his hand again and dragged him towards the middle of the bar where others were swaying slowly back and forth as the song switched over to Journey’s I’m forever yours.
”I’m afraid I’m not much of a dancer. Plus it makes me a little uncomfortable”
Dr. Penny Thompkins flashed a quick smile and pulled Drew in close wrapping her arms around his neck.
”I know and that’s the point. Sometimes it’s therapeutic to do something out of the ordinary, something you normally wouldn’t do.”
Drew gently placed his hands on each side of her hips as she nuzzled her head into his chest.
”Do you normally dance with all your patience Doc?”
Dr. Penny Thompkins looked up at Drew with a smile, her eyes wide and gently bit the bottom of her lip not answering him. The rest of the night was filled with flirtatious smiles, laughter and a huge consumption of alcohol that they both would surely pay for the next morning.