Evil's Root

Chapter 1

Ernie Stark shovelled in a handful of peanuts and chewed thoughtfully as he watched the woman he considered the 'hot chick' working the bar. He knew, from a long time of observing, that her name was Sandra and that she was single and as far as he could tell, free. Each night after his shift at the toy store, Ernie came into the Bottomless Bucket for a drink before heading home to his bachelor room at the Nestor Inn, a twenty room flop house on the limits of the city core. He always just watched her, smiling when the opportunity presented and leaving more than generous tips for his two beers.

If business was slow, she sometimes arranged to be busy near his end of the bar, happy to pocket the tip, spending little more than a brief smile and bat of her brown eyes. This night, she was near him as he got up to leave, and he ventured a pleasant good night, and for the first time, receiving one in return. Encouraged by this first time exchange, Ernie strutted down the street to the subway, nodding congratulations to himself - patience had its own reward.

He tugged at his collar and patted his hair in place, winking back at the reflection in the store window, then skipped down the steps to the subway, humming My Way. At thirty-two, Ernie, assistant inventory manager at a large toy store, had gone about as far as he would ever go. Not blessed with an abundance of education, natural talent or brains - actually missing a few pages - he did manage to navigate the tougher end of some streets in the city.

His free time was spent shopping hot goods and doing a bit of dealing when the opportunity arose. Outside of that, few friends and little likelihood of acquiring more, his after work visit to the Bottomless Bucket, and a pitiful selection of DVDs, filled Ernie's life. That was why Sandra's sudden acknowledgement of him was sending rockets bursting in air. Things were about to change.

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Gwen Hollinger blotted her lipstick and tossed the tissue in the gold coloured basket beside her vanity. She sat back, turning her face this way then that, critiquing the application of her makeup; Ted promised an expensive dinner out and a juicy bit of news, and she was preparing herself for the inevitable post evening request.

The marriage they had wasn't bad, it just wasn't - anything. There was no flash, no excitement. They really only accepted one another because they vowed to - it was nuts, she thought. If it wasn't for the fact that Ted was a generous provider she might have dumped him long ago, after all, she still had plenty to offer the male marketplace. And Gwen made that offer whenever the opportunity arose.

Evidence of her proclivity first surfaced at his company Christmas party when the boss, Barry Stein, had danced her into an alcove behind a large artificial plant, and accepting her flirtatious behaviour as an invitation, made suggestions that were anything but subtle.

Barry was no film idol but he definitely showed a more willing approach to fun, and fun was exactly what Gwen was needing at this stage, however, she had resisted the impulse, leaving the door if not open, unlocked.He was stalled in a dead end marriage himself, a refrain often heard at company gatherings. His wife, Doris, certainly didn't detract from his complaints with her constant harping and exasperated, mother-henning. Gwen wondered if others held similar thoughts about she and Ted.

She stood, reaching back and patting her rump appreciatively, then adjusted her cream skirt and smoothed it over her hips. It went well with the aqua blouse, and the darker blue of her bra was just enough of a tease beneath the flimsy material. No need to dull down just because you're out with your husband. Who knows what opportunities might present themselves.

Ted really wasn't all that bad; he did make good money and on occasion, by her standards, could do justice to a session between the sheets. The most bothersome, and in her case, hypocritical aspect, was his fooling around. Not that he was doing it, that would have been gross hypocrisy, but that he was doing it with a bartender - an apparently well-used bartender at that.

Gwen had discovered his infidelity and also by accident his partner, and with preventative action in mind had mustered up the nerve to brace the woman at her place of work. Surprisingly, both women hit it off in a bizarre way, and after spending time over a couple of drinks together, came away friendly adversaries.

She stepped into her shoes, assessed the total look once more in the mirror, then gathered her purse and jacket and went downstairs to await Ted. The dining room table held a crystal vase of cut flowers, which she spent some time fiddling with, then she wandered around straightening pictures and ornaments; the entire setting was sort of like the marriage - nothing.

Gwen was bored. She wondered what his news might be, speculating on a raise or a bonus or maybe a promotion. Ted only talked about work so she couldn't imagine what else it might be. That was another major problem; Ted only ever talked about work.

A wash of light traversed the pale green wallpaper of the living room, and she heard the car tires crunch on the crushed stone drive. Gathering her things she went to the door, frowning at the classless toot of the horn while locking up, and went down the walk to the drive.

"Hey, Babe. Hop in." Ted leaned across and shoved the passenger door open.

"Such a gentleman." She slid onto the seat and smiled smugly to herself at his glance at her legs.

"Don't start, Gwen. This is gonna be a great night."

"I'm not starting anything, and it had better be great, I spent two hours preparing." She softened the comment with a wide grin and held it stiffly when he neglected to compliment her. "So what's this wonderful news?"

"Oh no. Drinks and dinner first and then talk." He backed onto the street, put the car in drive and sped off toward the road leading to the waterfront.

"Okay. Where are drinks and dinner?" She smoothed her skirt on her lap and made her voice sound cheery.

"The Sand Castle." He grinned and looked over for her reaction.

Gwen blinked. The Sand Castle was probably the most outrageously expensive restaurant along the beach front, and a place that Ted had previously shunned like the plague. His news must be more than good. She made the appropriate wow shape with her lips and gave him the full wattage look.

"Did you rob a bank or something?" Ted's face closed so suddenly she thought she'd hit the truth, and they both stared ahead, confused as to what to say.

"Why would you think that?" He asked, clearing his throat.

"It's just an expression, dear. What's the matter? You didn't did you?" She said it with a nervous laugh.

"Of course not. I just- it seemed. never mind. I'll tell you all about it at the restaurant."