The Bodyguard.

Eric sat at the back of the bar, nursing the pint of Magners he had ordered. His back was to the wall, and he observed everyone coming in and leaving the pub. A tone-deaf blond attempted to deliver a karaoke rendition of "It's raining men". Her singing was atrocious and nasal, but the short miniskirt she wore, and the near- transparent blouse that revealed her ample breasts, made the experience more bearable.

"Well you look like shit" a condescending voice beside his shoulder said. Eric blinked, he had been completely lost in the bosom of the squeaky blond that, he had not noticed the young, well-dressed gentleman, who now pulled up a chair and sat opposite him. This was a lack of judgment on his part. He would make note of this for the future.

"Up yours" he replied amiably "That's any way to talk to your older brother? And do sit down, why don't you" he added sarcastically.

"Half- brother" the younger man corrected. He was at least 6 feet 4 inches tall, short cropped blond hair, and broad- shouldered. He was clean-shaven and dressed in a crisp, white shirt and an expensive black suit. Eric himself was barely 5 feet 10 inches tall, stocky , dark- haired and sporting a thick gristle of a beard that obscured his facial features. He was dressed in worn overalls, and dirty-blue jeans.

" So we already starting to get arsey" Eric said as he took another sip of Magners." That's fine, I suppose I deserve that, since the last time, so I'll let that one slide. So what you drinking?"

" I am not, I go on duty in a couple of hours, so I haven't got time to socialize" He said the word as though it left a bad aftertaste in his mouth. "So what do you want?" he asked directly.

"What do I want? That hurts bro' " Eric replied, sincerely." Do I need to want something, to invite my younger brother out for a drink? "Do you really think so low of me Alan?"

"Cut the bullshit Eric" Alan replied unconvinced. "I haven't seen or spoken to you in over a year, then you suddenly send me a text asking me to meet you in this seedy place?"

"Seedy? Whatever do you mean? protested Eric. I would have thought you liked these kinds of places. Eric insinuated. "I chose it to make you feel more at home, but then again, it's not the 'high class brothels', you frequent with your clients" he added acidly.

"Funny Eric" retorted Alan." I am a bodyguard, my job is to protect my client, wherever that said client goes, and whatever establishment said client wishes to frequent is of no concern to me, as long as the principal is safe. It's called 'responsibility' Eric, but I doubt you would know anything about that , would you? he insinuated.

"Unlike you" he said pointing a long finger at his brother." What is up with that get-up? You working as a janitor now?" I thought you were working in IT?

"I'm not a janitor, I am a cleaner " Eric replied sternly. There is a difference.

"Cleaner, janitor? What's the difference? replied Alan nonchalantly .You still cleaning up other people's shit and piss at the end of the day."

"And blood, don't forget blood" Eric cocked his head and smiled at his little brother.

Alan pretended not to notice the sardonic smile on Eric's face, though the subtle threat was understood.

"What the hell happened to you?" Alan regarded his brother. "Why are you wasting your time on doing these demeaning manual jobs anyway?" Alan asked. He leaned in closer to see a half - obscured name tag on his brother's chest and read it loud "Stavros? Seriously? What, you using someone's second-hand overalls?" Alan laughed.

"Something like that" replied Eric, as he slowly sipped his cider. His mood shifted, and Alan saw the change.

"You should be a bodyguard like me, or at least some other form of private security." began Alan " When we were in the army together, you use to be one hell of a sharp- shooter, not as good as me, but-"