CHAPTER TEN

 

CHAPTER TEN

  

 

Too intoxicated to drive, Levi Osama left his cab parked by McQuade’s tavern and walked home.  He usually parked his cab on the street in front of his one room apartment located in the basement of a three-story building.  It was a sectioned off area of the basement by the plumbing pipes, electrical wires, and heating system.  Two one-foot-high windows created the dim lighting and a view of the sidewalk.  One room with a cot, stove and shower made up his living area.

Even though he had more than enough money to live better it was all he wanted.  He had no need to keep the room neat or even clean.  His few pieces of clothing were hung on a stand under one of the windows.  He only changed what he was wearing, when necessary, usually if they became too stained and smelly.  There was no need for the stove because he only ate out at a fast-food restaurant or a pub.  For Levi this was home.

Earlier that night when Levi took Tom to McQuade’s tavern he followed Tom in.  Levi ordered a beer at the bar before going into the dining area on the other side of the tavern where it was dark and hidden.  He was comfortable in the dark where he could watch without being seen.

Tom was on the other side of the bar having dinner with Angela.  Levi watched.  If Tom was not with Angela, he might have taken a chance on following her outside.  There would be no need for small talk.  What he wanted was simple and straightforward.

Levi did not understand why anyone would ever want to get married.  Trying to have children baffled him.

“Why go through all that trouble just to get laid?”  He always said.

He was not sure if he wanted to go to a strip club or rent a porno disk.  He was too tired to visit one of his prostitutes.

“Hey dumb ass, how much are you going to soak me for tonight?”

The waiter reluctantly came to his table with the bill.

“Here, take this and keep the change.”

“Thank you.  This is very generous.”

“Shut up.  Stop the bullshit.  Easy come, easy go.  I make so much money I have no idea how to spend it.  I don’t have to go around kissing everyone’s ass to pay the bills.”

The waiter could not understand how Levi made so much money driving a cab.  He was sure there was more to it.

Levi pushed the waiter out of his way as he headed for the door where he paused for a moment, then walked back to his table and sat down.

“Hey dumb ass, come join me for some conversation and hard drinking.”

“I’m not allowed to drink while I wait tables.”

Levi got up knocking the table over with his belly.

The door leading to the tavern office was at the back of the bar.  Levi pushed the locked door open bending the hinges and cracking the doorframe.

“Here’s some money.  I’ll be drinking with your dumb ass waiter so don’t fire him or I’ll come after you.”

The manager thought it best to humor him.  The money helped make up his mind.

Back at his table, Levi ordered drinks for his waiter and himself.  After a short while, both slurred their words and had difficulty keeping their eyes open.

“Listen…Ah…What’s your real name?”

“James.”

“Well James, if you make me happy, I might be able to let you in on what I have.  I mean how I make my living.  There’s plenty of money and very little effort.”

“What is it?” James asked.

“Are you a religious man?”

“I’m about as religious as anyone.”

“You’ll have to give it up if you want to do this work.”

“I don’t think I can."

“Well let me explain how it is with me.”

Both men were quiet for a while until James spoke.

“You were going to explain something to me.  I forgot what it was, but I think it had something to do with church.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right.  Now this is how it is for me.”

Levi paused for a moment to collect his thoughts.

“Why did God make me big, fat and ugly; with no control of my emotions?”

James raised his eyebrows.  He was not sure how to answer.

“Well, I say fuck him.  I’ll stay with the ones who understand and accept me as I am.  They put me in an important position, to help Lilith.  She’s my beautiful companion, not a girlfriend but someone important who needs my protection.  I help her eliminate the newcomers who refuse to keep their promises.”

“Newcomers for what?  Is this a club or something?”

“If you want to be part of whatever it is we’re doing you'll have to renounce your religion and join us.”

“But I can’t give up God.”

Levi passed out, his head on the table.

“I need some help here,” James called out to the bartender.

“I see your companion has had enough for the night.  Do you know where he lives?”  The bartender asked.

“I have no idea.  Listen, can you help me get home?  I can’t drive like this.”

“Sure, I’ll take you.  But what do we do with him?  We can’t leave him here,” the bartender said.

“How about if we leave him in his cab?  When he wakes up, he can drive himself home,” James said.