The Hitman's Last Job(46)

“Hey, I need the bathroom. Will you be ok for two minutes?” Carl asked.
“I guess,” she spoke optimistically.


The last thing she wanted was to be left alone with these creeps. And as Carl disappeared into the restroom her fears were confirmed. The guy closest to her was eager to take Carl’s seat and he leaned into her close. She could smell the disease from his rotting teeth and the way it mingled with cheap beer. She imagined his dirty hair to be crawling underneath his trucker hat and she prayed he would leave her alone. Of course he only leaned in closer.

“Hey… pretty lady,”
“Oh God,” she looked to her shoes hoping her rudeness would make him go away.
“Hey, pretty lady, I said. You sure are beautiful,”


Anna shuddered and zipped up her coat to hide her body.

“Don’t go hiding from me pretty girl. You can show me your fine body any time,”
“Fuck sake Larry leave the girl alone,” the bar manager came out from the back. “I’m sorry miss. This loser has never seen a lady before,”
“Oh it’s ok,” she sipped at her drink and winced.


The manager came out from behind the bar and shooed away Larry like a mischievous cat. Anna looked up to his friendly face and felt safe in his company. His furry eyebrows framed a chubby face. And he appeared to be in a perpetual state of sniffing in order to stop his glasses from falling off his little snub nose.

“You look too nice to be working in here. You actually don’t smell of anything,” Anna laughed.
“And you definitely look to nice to be drinking here and far too young I may add. Do your parents know you’re here? You need a ride somewhere?” he asked seriously.
“Oh no. I’m fine. My boyfriend’s just in the bathroom,” and as she spoke he strode back over to the bar and the manager shrunk away in his company.
“I see you’re getting creeped on again. I can’t take you anywhere!” he ran a hand through her hair.
“You don’t know the half of it,” she huffed and attempted her drink once more. “I’m sorry this is just rancid. It’s yours,” and she pushed it over to Carl.


He knocked both his and Anna’s drinks back in seconds. Then fumbling in his jacket pocket he pulled out a little bottle of Vicodin and took two.

“For my back pain,” he explained to the manager who was eyeing the couple suspiciously. “But…” Carl continued. “I’m gonna find us a cab to town. Hey you!” he pointed at the manager who seemed to be grossly offended at his behaviour. “You have a payphone?”
“No. We do not. But there’s one around the corner. Just on your left there,” and he pointed towards the back wall of the bar.
“Thanks buddy,” and Carl got up to leave.
“Don’t leave me again. Please!”
“You’ll be fine! I’ll only be gone two minutes. You don’t mind watching my stuff do you?”
“No, that’s cool,” and she grabbed hold of the briefcase.


Carl swaggered out the bar and headed to the payphone with the manager glaring into his back as he left. Anna thought he wanted to come back and talk to her but was too afraid. Carl had that effect on people though. His size always seemed to mean no one chanced their luck.

Meanwhile outside, Carl meandered to the payphone and rifled through his pocket for change. But before he reached the booth someone stood in his way.

“You lookin’ for a good time honey?” he looked over at an attractive, blonde girl who would have been of average height if it wasn’t for her eight inch heels.
“I don’t pay for it,” he spoke sternly and moved to dodge passed her.


But she wasn’t going anywhere and she stepped over to block him.

“But you’re so sexy baby. I can show you a real good time. And cos you’re so hot I could always give you a discount?” she was pushing her luck.
“No,” he answered firmly. “Not interested,” and he tried to edge around her again.


But it only made her more determined. Zipping down the first few inches of her dress she exposed the top of her fake breasts.

“You like?”
“Not really,”
“Oh you talk lies honey. Everybody likes!” her voice was gravelly and intoxicated.


And once again he tried to get around her. And once again she blocked his path. This time she pushed right up close to him and caressed his face with her long acrylic finger nails.

“I can take you to the moon and back,” she whispered into his ear.


But Carl stood as straight as a board, scared to move in case she did something else. He hoped if he didn’t react at all then she’d get bored and move away. But he had no such luck. Instead she leaned in and kissed his lips grotesquely with her tongue writhing wildly. He thought for a moment he would throw up as he smelled her toxic breath. Eventually he regained his senses and pushed her away.

“Are you stupid? I said no!” he lost his temper and the woman stepped back upset. “Just get the f*ck away from me immediately. Seriously, just go!” and his face was beet red.


With a deflated ego the girl scurried away and Carl saw her approach another man in the distance. He shook his head sadly and finally reached the phone booth.

~

Anna was waiting at the bar for what felt like forever when she decided she couldn’t escape the other customers’ flirtatious glances anymore. Sliding Carl’s backpack onto her shoulders and gripping onto his briefcase she ventured back outside to find him. She was sure the bar manager said to go left so she followed the sidewalk around the corner hoping to see Carl on his way back. But instead her stomach churned and her heart felt as though it stopped.