Next Door Neighbor

You've done a lot for me today. Not just the job and the apartment and the car and all that, but you've treated me like a human being – you and these lovely ladies, that is. It's been a while since anybody looked at me like anything but a bum sitting under a tree, and I've got you to thank for it. I want to promise you, right here and now, that you won't be sorry for giving me a chance.'

Lucy looked at him, and said 'Mark, I know Dan, and I know he's a good judge of people. There isn't a doubt in my mind that you'll do just what you said. And it was my pleasure to have your company with us for supper.'

Here, Sandra chipped in, telling him 'Yeah, we're glad you were with us tonight.', with Robyn adding 'Yeah – you're nice to talk to!'. I made eye contact with Lucy, and she got the message, telling the girls that they needed to get back up to the room. When they'd gone, I pulled out a couple of hundred dollars, and handed it to Mark, telling him 'Here, use this to get yourself some groceries. Tonight you should get some new clothes so you fit in a little better, too.

Nobody would say anything, but I know you wouldn't be very comfortable, either. Payday is only a week away, and if I know Jules, you'll get paid for the full two weeks. If not, don't be afraid to ask for an advance. You'll get it, without anybody saying anything – Jules doesn't work that way, and I know he wouldn't have people that did, either.'

He nodded, and accepted the money. I added my business card, and said 'I know it's going to be some time before you catch your breath – you're going to be kinda busy for a while. But when you get the chance, drop me a line and let me know how things are going, okay?'

Again, I could see him blinking away tears as he nodded before sticking his hand out. I shook with him, and his grip let me know how much he appreciated the chance he'd been given. I patted him on the shoulder and wished him well as he headed for the door. I watched as he left, and when he got to the door, he turned and gave me a small salute before leaving.

When I got back to 'my' room, I hadn't any more than closed the door behind me when I was ambushed by three crying females. It was a few minutes before they could start taking turns telling me how happy they were, and how proud of me they felt for me helping Mark get on his feet again. When the waterworks finally dried up, the four of us retired to my bed to watch a movie on TV while we cuddled.

About ten o'clock, I got a call from Clara, telling me that the news conference had been scheduled for three o'clock, and asking if I could be there a half hour early. I agreed, and let her know that Lucy had agreed to be there with me, but would answer only a few questions. Clara thanked me, and that ended the conversation.

The four of us were ready to head out for lunch when I got another phone call from Jules.

'Boomer, you'll never guess what happened.'

'Okay, since I'll never guess, why don't you just tell me?'

'Mark showed up this morning – no surprise there – but he did it a half hour early. Dressed in different clothes, and packing a sack lunch. He's got his paperwork ready, Shirley's got him in and out in record time. He's carrying around this notebook in his pocket, writing stuff down while he pays attention to*everything*. He's asking questions right and left, like you'd hope a new employee would. He talked with my engineers for a while, and they tell me he's definitely got his head on straight. I showed him where he'd be working, and the first thing out of his mouth is 'What do you want me to do first?'. It's lunchtime, and he's in there eating while he reads an algebra book.*Somebody* got him signed up for some college courses; school hasn't even started yet, and he's already in there studying for crying out loud. If his grades are as good as I think they'll be,*I'll* pay his expenses until he gets a degree. Anybody asks him, he's willing to help – he don't care*what* they want. I'm telling you, Boomer, you find any more 'bums' out there, you send 'em to me first, okay?'

'Sounds like he's off to a good start, then.'

'Good? Hell, he's off to a*great* start. Boomer, I thought I was gonna get to pay you back a little on this, but it just looks like I owe you another one. He's asking good questions, and paying attention to the answers. I admit, I tried to trip him up, told him to do something a different way than I told him the first time. He hears me through, and when I'm done, tells me 'you said to do it this way last time', repeats what I'd said before. Then he asks me 'I think either way would work, but which is best? Which way do you want me to do it?' I tell him, and that's how he does it, each and every time. He runs into a snag, he asks somebody how to fix it. I'm telling you, I wish I had a couple more of him, at least.'

I laughed, and said 'Hell, Guido, they're out there. Not all of them as good as Mark sounds, but I'll bet they'd give it a hell of a try.

Give them a chance, and see how it works out. Worst thing happens, you don't keep them past a probationary period.'

'You ever screw up, Boomer?'

'Sometimes. When I do, it's a beauty, though.'

He laughed, and said 'I don't know if I'd want to be around for something like that – but it's nice to know you make mistakes, too!'

I laughed with him, and after we said our goodbyes, headed out to lunch. By the time we'd finished, it was time to head for the FBI offices. It occurred to me to fake a flat tire or something, then I realized that even if I*did* have a flat, there'd be FBI agents right on the spot to help out.

We got there a couple minutes before the time Clara had asked, and a couple of agents met us outside and escorted us in through a side entrance to avoid the media crowd. Inside, we were led to the large conference room that had been set up. Inside, Clara told Lucy and I where we'd be sitting. Next to me, I heard a man say 'Hey, Freddie, get a shot of the teenyboppers. Maybe we can use it later.'

I turned to him and said 'I don't think the*young ladies* are part of the story. Why not leave them out of it?'

He gave me a dirty look, and said 'Listen, jack,*I* decide what's news and what isn't. Now get the fuck outta my face.'

Something about his tone and attitude just set me off, and I think everyone but me was surprised when he found himself pressed against the wall, my hand around his throat as he turned an interesting shade of purple.

I told him 'Listen, cheesedick – who you think you are doesn't mean *shit* to me. If your momma didn't teach you manners, I*damn* sure can. Got it?'

Behind me, I heard Clara say 'Ease up on him, Dan. That's Gus Kenney, lead muckraker for a local independent. They're the last ones that would have him.'

I loosened my grip a bit, and as the purple faded, Clara said 'Well, Gus, I see you still know how to win enemies and influence people.

You must not have paid any attention to the background info we sent out. If you had, you'd know that the man with your life LITERALLY in his hands is none other than Dan Andrews, the hero of the hour. You'd also know that Dan is formerly of the Special Forces, and TAUGHT unarmed combat.'

The little weasel visibly paled at that, and Clara went on 'And if you'd shown up when we asked you to, instead of twenty minutes late, you'd have heard us ask the media to respect the privacy of some of the people involved – most notably, a couple of young LADIES with Dan, here. Of course, I know that you don't have any idea of what a LADY is, but I'm sure your cameraman could have explained it to you.'

Seeing that his attitude had changed, I let go of his throat, which he started rubbing. It took him a couple tries, but he finally got some of his self-importance back and sputtered 'I… I'm going to SUE, dammit! That was a violation of the First Amendment! And assault! With a deadly weapon!'

Clara just laughed, and told him '*I* didn't see anything, Gus. Did any of the rest of you?'

Gus and I looked around, and all we could see was the grins of the other news people. Clearly, Gus had earned himself quite a following.

When I turned back to look at him, Gus stared at me a moment, then said 'Freddie, you go that on tape, right?'

Beside me, I head Freddie open up the camera, then felt him press something into my hand – a video tape. A moment later, I heard him reload the camera, before telling Gus 'No, Gus. Nothing happened.'

Behind me, I heard several cameras going into action – Freddie quietly told me 'Don't worry. They're rewinding, to make sure they tape over the girls – and anything else.'

With the realization that he didn't have any more cards to play, Gus all but collapsed inward on himself, and