Linear Shift, Part 1

Chapter 8

"What do you mean I can't have another drink?" Peter exclaimed loudly, while standing up so quickly his bar stool tipped back and crashed to the floor, grabbing the attention of everyone in the bar.

"I'm cutting you off, Pete. You've had enough. I can get you a cup of coffee or you can find another place to get a drink." Joe winked ever so slightly.

"No, no. It's fine. I was losing my fondness for thish plashe anyway. I think I'll take my hard-earned money to Charlie's over on Seventeenth. He never turns away my money." Peter grabbed his glass and took the last swallow and tossed the glass to the floor, breaking it into dozens of pieces. "Now, I'll leave."

Peter peripherally glanced around the bar, ensuring he had the appropriate eyes on him before he turned for the door and stumbled out. Once the door closed, he ran straight for the alley and ducked out of sight. Standing in the shadows of the dark alley, he leaned around the corner to get a good view of the front of the bar. Moments later, the couple burst out of the double doors in pursuit of Peter. He held back until they crossed the street and got into a nondescript black sedan before he turned and walked down the alley. Peter entered the back door of Herb's, completely unnoticed.

Through the back door, he found himself face to face with Stella.

"Oh Peter, what have you gotten yourself into?" cried Stella, with an overly concerned look on her face.

"Gotten myself into? What are you talking about?"

"Those two! They cornered me in my booth and they really gave me the willies. They kept asking me questions about you and how well I knew you. What's going on, Peter?"

"I've never seen those guys before in my life. I caught them watching me earlier, and then when Joe and I noticed that they were talking with you, we devised a plan to get them out of the pub. I'm not sure who they were, or what they wanted, but I'm glad they're gone."

"Oh, Peter!" exclaimed Stella as she thrust herself into his open arms, hugging him. "I was so scared."

Not knowing exactly how to react to Stella hugging him, he lightly patted her on the back and said, "There, there. It'll be all right."

She continued the hug for a few moments, but when it became a little too awkward, Peter began to pull away. "Not yet, baby." Stella said. "I like feeling your warmth."

"I should at least go check with Joe. Make sure he's not pissed at me for breaking his glass."

"Okay, baby. Come back to my booth soon," replied Stella, and then walked into the ladies' room. Peter realized he also had to pee, so before heading back up front, he stopped in the men's room to take care of business.

When Peter emerged from the back hallway, he was met with a round of applause from the entire bar, and Joe was grinning ear to ear. He must not have been too bent about the broken glass. Peter gave an embarrassed wave to everyone, and the applause began to die down. With everyone returning to their own devices, he made his way back to his bar stool and sat back down. Joe made his way over to him, then pointed to the booth where the two strangers were seated earlier. Peter's eyes followed Joe's pointed finger and found Benny sitting alone, staring back at him.

"Benny!" Peter called out across the crowded bar.

"The one and only. I hear I missed quite the performance from you."

"Joe, another scotch for myself and whatever Benny is drinking. Oh, and a couple shots of whatever you got handy. Can you send the drinks over to the booth?"

"Sure thing, Pete." Joe started mixing fresh drinks.

Peter walked over and slid into the empty seat across from Benny. "How the hell are you, buddy? It's been way too long."

"I can't complain. The powers-that-be at work have been keeping me busy. Just when I think I'm getting ahead of things, I get a new load of crap dumped on my plate."

Benny hadn't changed. It had only been four months, but Peter thought everyone was going to be different when he came in tonight. Everyone was exactly the same. Maybe it was just him that was changing.

"Well, at least you've got a job, you schmuck," Peter teased.

"Yeah, sorry 'bout that. Any luck on the job front?" Benny's look became a bit too somber for Peter's liking.

"I've got some things in the works. Great things, Benny. That's kind of why I came in tonight. I wanted to talk to you about some things. Where the hell have you been?"

"Long story, buddy. Short version, I was having a few drinks at, uh... hold on." Benny paused as Joe brought drinks.

"Hey Joe, could you bring us a few more shots? Tequila this time, and no training wheels either," asked Peter.

Joe nodded and returned to the bar.

"Shots? Peter, I'm already a bit too liquored up to have shots."

"Trust me, with what I've got to say, you'll need these, plus a few more. So, you were telling me where you were before?"

"No, no. No changing the subject like that. What's this big news you've got to share?"

Peter leaned back, looking at Benny, wondering how much he should share about the mission. He had to talk to somebody about it, and Benny was his go-to guy. He'd been there for Peter through all his troubles the last few years. Benny was his best friend and had a good head on his shoulders. He couldn't tell his kids. Stella wasn't bright enough to understand what the offer meant. Yes, it had to be Benny.

"Tellme, Benny. What do you know about 1942?" asked Peter, before he tossed back ashot.