Brain Vs. Brawn

Photo by Jeremy Beadle on Unsplash

“You there?”

“Yeah, I’m here.”

It takes a long time for him to get the phone in his hand. That’s mostly because of the concussion, and he feels a bit weak. A beating always wore him out.

“Good. We got him.”

He was excited to deliver the news. Clients happy, he’s happy, but he has to figure out a quick story to give to his wife. She hasn’t seen him like this in a long while. She always gets queasy at the sight of blood.  That’s the only thing that surprised him; he wasn’t expected so much blood. He can probably get it cleaned up well before she gets home, but it is disappointing.

It does suck getting old.

#

“You’re so funny.”

Chuck doesn’t know how he got here. He’s getting coffee with a beautiful woman, 10 years his senior, who’s engaged with him. She knows so little, so it’s not like she’s in it for the money. Besides, dressed in cheap clothes he ordered online, no jewelry, and nothing in front of him but a drip coffee, he couldn’t prove he has any. He would never bring out the duffle bags full of blue bills, flaunting his stockpile of wealth, but he would always know he is taken care of. It was his reward for living a hard life.

He’s glad that’s over.

“I’m not that funny.”

“You are. You really are. Tell me—how long have you been stalking me at work?”

His face warms. He looks down at his coffee and doesn’t speak. She laughs.

“I’m kidding.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t want you to think I’m stalking you.”

“Well, I did notice you when you first came in.”

She was being honest. It’s really hard to miss at 6’7” man, build like he could carry the world on his shoulders. He comes in everyday, ordering the same singular drip coffee. He’s always alone, and leaves after an hour.

“Plus, you never stopped coming in.”

“The coffee’s really good.”

“I put a lot of work into it.”

“I can tell.”

“No way­— I don’t even do anything. It’s drip coffee.”

“I’m serious. I can tell when someone else makes it. It’s not as strong.”

“I’m a pretty strong woman.”

“I can tell.”         

She like how sweet he is. He hasn’t stopped looking at her since they sat down. She does recognize why, because she’s gorgeous, but she hasn’t held a man’s attention this well, since…ever. He’s really into her, and he’s not afraid to show it.

“Are you sure this is okay? I don’t want to bother you.”

“It’s okay. I clocked out.”

“Oh, good. Please, let me know if I’m bothering you, ma’am.”

“Sarah.”

“Sorry, Sarah.”

Chuck doesn’t want to think of this as a first day. It’s foolish, but Chuck has always considered himself a fool. He bought her coffee, even after she insisted on using her discount. He clarifies it being the act, not the actual cost. He wanted to show her a little gratitude, even if the coffee is a bit expensive. She felt the kindness.

They had more dates like this, but soon the dates left the café. They ventured to dinners, diners, movies, and nights under the moon. They took time to learn about each other, and give him a chance to re-explore the city he grew up in. She showed him how it changed, and he took her to old places that were still around. They both embarrassed the other of how much they enjoyed the company.

Walking side by side, there is a two feet difference in height. She starts to hold only his pinky and ring finger, on the accountant feeling like he was swallowing her hands. His hands are quite large, and that’s was one of the elements that made him good in his previous career.

They liked going to the movies the most. She enjoyed the comfort, feeling the most secure she’s ever felt, and they both got a hoot at action movies and the comedies. Other films required a vulnerability that would expose themselves to each other too quick, so they avoided them. She always got a large popcorn, and fell asleep an hour into the movie. It didn’t matter if it were action or comedy; it didn’t matter if she loved it or hated it. Almost to the minute, she would be cradling into Chuck’s arm, sound asleep.

He asked her about it a few times, and after she dodged it with success a few times, he dug in.

“I’m serious. Do you not like the movies?”

“No, I do. I really do.”

“Is it too late?”

“No, it’s just.” She responds, blushing in her hesitation. “I just…I’m really comfortable. I don’t…I don’t get that kind of sleep when I’m not with you.”

She grabs his whole hand, allowing it to completely engulf hers. She looks down at the embrace, not ready to see he face quite yet.

“It feels…silly to think that, but it’s true. You give me so much solace. I don’t know how to explain any other way.”

“Do you really mean that?”

She kisses him.

“I really do.”

That was the first night she slept over. It was also the last time they slept alone.

#

She was supposed to call him an hour ago.

She’s on this big trip, a call from corporate, and they were going to have her and a few other field employees go over some suggestions for the stores. They do this every year, she told him, and that this is the first time someone from her store got selected. She didn’t think it would mean much, but when she got the news, she was ecstatic. She packed her things immediately. She was going to be gone the whole week.

She was very adamite about the calls, and was going to be upset if Chuck didn’t pick up. He promised her that he would, and that he would have nothing else to do with her away for the week. He felt it when he sat around, staring at his phone, waiting for the call.

He rang, and he leapt to it.

“I was so worried, I thought you weren’t going to call, but then I calmed myself because you might not have had service, and now I feel super silly. I’m just happy to hear your voice.”

There was not voice on the other end. Not immediately.

“Meet at the café in 20 minutes.”

The phone hung up.

He got dressed. He knew what kind of call this was. He debated for a second on bringing his pistol, then thought against in. This wasn’t an amateur. This wasn’t a moment to intimidate his way into figuring out what’s going on. He needed to collect all the information he could when he met with this…whoever. He had to be smart, or least pretend to be.

Walking to the café, he notices that nobody was tailing him either. They didn’t know where he lived, which was good, but the fact that they had his phone number was discouraging. He had to get a new phone, then explain why he has a new number. Chuck didn’t expect somebody was going to drag him back into this, especially after so long why they waited so long.

At the café, he ordered his usual and waited. He was early. He didn’t recognize any regulars either at the store, meaning that he could be approached by anyone.

His phone rang again. He answered.

“We have the girl.”

It’s a ransom then.

“I’ll be there to give you instructions in 5 minutes.”

The man hung up again.

The assumingly same man takes a seat in front of him. It was a bit out of character. He was dressed like a suit, like a guy working for a big finance firm talking his lunch break. He looks like a guy Chuck could beat down easily.

“Here’s what’s going to happen. I need a job done, and I’m going to give you instructions. You come very heavily referenced, and we have a string of alleged activities that you’ve done in your past, which is very impressive. I also understand your retired. Sorry to pester you, bringing you back into the fold, but my usual guy unfortunately likes prostitutes, and isn’t very bright. You up for the task?”

I nod.

“Great. I’ll call you with the details.”

He gets up, and leaves.

Chuck wonders on how something like this can sneak up on him so quick. He knows how to keep himself quiet and stay out of trouble, but someone always has a plan for him. He’s always somebody to be played, and he never knows what game is in. He spent in his whole life like this.

His past did teach him a few things. He spotted the man’s cover down the street, watching him watch the conversation the entire time. He even noticed the sniper on one of the rooftops, which spoke to the confidence of the business man. Chuck can’t help but to notice these things. It’s the only reason he got to live this long.

Trailing him was easier than he thought. The covers fell back. They expected the intimation to mute him. Chuck couldn’t see the bigger plan. He couldn’t stop himself from getting deeper, tangling himself more in the web that was spun for him. Love can make one miss a lot of things.

#

The knuckles on his pinky and ring finger start to swell.

“You’re married and have a son.”

Chuck throws his left fist into the business man’s face.

“He’s back on Winter Break from the Ohio State University. He’s a piece of shit.”

Chuck tenderizes the man’s face again, this time with his right.

“Both are currently getting drinks at the Pub down the street. He’s hoping to talk to his former high school sweetheart.”

The following left breaks the business man’s jaw. He could feel it crack, which was always satisfying. It validates that he still has it. Through he’s been staying fit, he hasn’t applied his previous techniques in a while and worried about rust. It looks like stuff like this will never go away.

“I ain’t doing no job.”

Chuck strikes him again.

“I don’t know or care who you are, and what you do.”

Chuck aims for the nose this time.

“And you’re going to tell me everything you know to make sure Sarah’s okay.”

The suit laughs.

Chuck stops his assault. This is not the response he was looking for. He waits as the suit has a laughing fit, coughing up blood every so often, then falling back into the laughing. Chuck stumbled into something, but he doesn’t understand what.

“You think she’s okay? You think I’d bring you in her, and not have her taken care of?”

He didn’t think of that. He didn’t realize that he could be that quick. It’s already over. Is she really gone?

“Hell yeah, she’s gone, and before you get cute and start punching, just think that she has a family too, who she loves very, very much. Do you want them all taken out?”

Chuck’s hand finally starts to hurt, along with his chest, his soul, his everything.

The business man wipes some blood of his face, and leans forward, talking to Chuck very carefully.

“You’re going to get the fuck out of here and wait for more instructions. Nod if you understand.”

He complies.

“Good. I’m going to clean this up, so you’re dismissed.” Chuck heads to the door, defeated, piecing together the events that brought him here.  

#            

The week was wonderful.

Sarah went through a few seminars about customer service, different best practices with certain drinks (which she had trouble with anyway) and she was about to provide some feedback. She heard previously that the past sessions did come up with some fruitful ideas, but she didn’t realize how thorough the questions would be. She was surprised about how specific they wanted her answers to be. She was excited to leave in such good spirits.

She was excited to see Chuck.

When he answered the door to his apartment, which took him long to answer, he stared at her for a long time before saying anything. He hugged her for a long time when she finally answered.

“I can’t believe it.”

“Don’t be silly, Chuck. It’s only been a week.”

He looks at her, so happy to see her, and she is so relieved to see him as well. He doesn’t think of a way around explaining everything that just happened. She was dragged into his past, with no way out. He wants to put her on the first plane out of here, but he knows what won’t be enough.

He tells her everything.

Her hands cover her mouth for the entirety of the explanation. She starts crying half way, but Chuck pushes though. He holds one hand as she covers her mouth with the other, and by the end, she looks numb.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t want you to see any of this.”

“How much they know…about me, about us?”

“In situations like this…it’s best to assume everything. How elaborate was the trip?”

“I don’t think that was a set up. Everything we did…it was planned and budgeted for. They do it every year. I’ve seen the pictures.”

Chuck realizes how connected the business guy is.

“I just have to do what he says.”

“Will you hurt anyone?”

“That doesn’t matter. As long as you’re okay.”

She touches his face, and forces herself to look at the scars. They’re deep, plentiful, and these are just the ones on his face. She’s seen the ones on his hands, and refused to look for them on his body. It was cute when told her that he was a fighter, because it was such a blatant lie. She knows what a fist can and cannot do. He’s been through a lot.

“We’re going to get out of this.”

“We are. I just don’t know how to not get tricked again.”

“We’re going to have to work that out.”

“How?”

“We’re going to out-plan them.”

“I’m not sure I can do that.”

“You don’t have to. We can do anything.”

#

“It was great. All I had to do was get my assed kicked.”

“Thank you a million. I owe you one.”

“Make that two.”

He hangs up, and starting to clean himself up. The alcohol burns, and places a knocked-out tooth in a class of milk. The amount he’s been paying his dentist makes him wonder if he should just open up a dentistry himself. It would sure feel a lot better than writing the checks he’s been writing for a guy to just drill his mouth.

The plan worked better than expected, and with the expectations he filled, the brute should work just enough jobs to keep this client satisfied for the next two quarters. Chuck may even walk away from this. The misinformation tends to be leave people less salty when they realized he lied. It’s worked enough to convince that it’s more effective than straight killing people. He’s never been afraid to, but this way is cleaner with less variables. It makes the deceived convinced that this will act in his best interested, and the humble ass whooping always hook them extra hard, giving them a taste of victory before snatching it away.

It’s plans like this that afforded him such big payouts for this kind of work. This is the kind of industry that traditionally didn’t pay out well to people like him. Ruthlessness was the only way to pay dividends, but then again, a lot of people are stupid. Pride runs most organizations.

Profit is the only thing that drives this one.

It serves him that Chuck’s little girlfriend gave him a million-dollar idea in the seminars as well. It’s going to work through redesigning all the major locations. She’s getting a bonus and a raise for her contribution. He almost feels bad that her grandmother passed away. He’ll make up for it by making sure she and a plus one get to go out and attend the funeral. She’ll appreciate being able to see her family all together, especially with the special new man in her life.

All he has to do is wait for her to get the news.

I wasn’t sure if he should do it, but there’s no harm in being thorough. Customer satisfaction is the name of the game, and it’s what drive all markets—the wall street and the shady. Grandma even got a peaceful exit, which is something we all want anyway.

In the perfect plan, everybody gets what they want.