Tangent Episode Six

6 | Playing Games

Brian Stephens walked into the diner and sat on a stool at the counter. The Sheriff sat several stools down from him. He was having eggs and bacon and a glass of Dr. Pepper. Brian gave him a smile out the corner of his mouth and turned towards the lady behind the counter and ordered an omelet.

"You know what's funny about this town?" The Sheriff said out the left side of his mouth as he bit a piece of bacon with the other side.

"You talkin' to me, Sheriff?" Brian had turned in his stool and held his finger to his chest.

"Yes," he drank the Dr. Pepper. "Yes I am, Brian."

"Okay," he turned back towards the counter, "what's so funny 'bout this town, John?"

"How killers and drug offenders just stick around."

"Just what the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Watch your tongue and I'll tell you," Lima swallowed the Dr. Pepper. "You see, no matter how many times a man gets incarcerated in this town, its like he's stuck here. Sure he gets out of jail and such, but he never leaves. He sticks around. Goes for another round. Like Monopoly or something."

Brian began laughing.

"I say somethin' funny?"

"No, Sheriff. Its just you comparin' all that to Monopoly and all."

"Yeah. Guess Monopoly ain't the right game. I guess that's why its a game all in itself."

On that note the Sheriff stood up left his money for breakfast on the counter, "You have a good one Brian."

"You too, Sheriff."

Sheriff Lima began to head for the door, but stopped behind Brian and bent down and leaned towards him as if to whisper.

"Oh and Stephens."

"Yeah, John."

"I will get you you son of a bitch. You remember that."

The Sheriff began to leave.

"Soon as you watch your tongue," Brian started, "Sheriff."

The Sheriff left. Brian finished his breakfast after about twenty minutes and got up to leave after another five. He walked out of the diner to find three squad cars and five officers, including the Sheriff waiting for him.

"Where'd you get them, Sheriff?" Brian had his tongue behind his upper lip.

"Oh, around."

Brian smiled and then took off running around the side of the diner. The Sheriff quickly followed with the other officers. Brian got to the other side of the diner and began running uphill. The Sheriff stopped at the corner of the diner and held his revolver high. He fired a round into the air and Brian stopped. He turned and held his hands high.

"Brian!" The Sheriff wailed.

"What?" Brian said in a rough, defiant tone.

"Get the hell down here, boy!"

Brian descended the hill with his hands behind his neck and stopped in front of Sheriff Lima. One of the officers began to cuff him.

"Damnit boy, what in the hell's the matter with you?" The Sheriff shoved his revolver back into its holster.

"What difference does it make to you? I ain't your son."

"No, you're not. But you could at least show me some respect and stop callin' me 'John'."

"Well what the hell should I call you?"

"Well Jesus, Brian, I am your God damned uncle."