Stargazers

2. A Dire Situation

     Despite an overwhelming urge to want to get completely shitfaced, Eric managed to resist the temptation to take care of business the way his old man used to. He sat there with a few long necks, and was actually quite curious to hear what the young woman had to say. Samantha was an attractive looking woman, but she didn't tickle Eric's fancy. She was far too young for his consideration. When looking for an ideal mate, Eric was more interested in someone his own age. He wanted someone to hang out with someone that wouldn't make him feel like he was babysitting. Eric had a rule that he would never date someone that was more than five years younger or five years older than himself. Since he was born in the middle of a decade, that meant Eric would only date people who were born within the same decade he was, which made the math rather easy for him. Samantha looked to be at least fifteen years his junior, possibly twenty. Far too young for his liking, that was for sure but she wasn't in the bar to be his date. She was there on business, and based on the tone in her voice Eric could tell it was something quite serious that demanded his immediate attention.

     "Well then," Eric said between slugs of brew "Let's have it."

     "Excuse me?" Samantha asked, as she was somewhat distracted.

     "You said this was important," Eric said, growing rather impatient, "Spill your guts, and let's hash it out."

     "I can't." Samantha replied, "It's classified. You can't be notified of what's going on unless you've been given the highest clearance."

     "So that's the line you're going with, eh?" Eric said, feeling kind of cheated, "So basically I can't be told anything about this testing until I agree to some sort of confidentiality, right?"

     "Yes Sir," Samantha confirmed.

     "Shit," Eric said, taking another slug from his long neck, "So if I agree to this, when will I get briefed on the situation?"

     "We can take you to a private location for briefing now." Samantha suggested.

     "No, not today," Eric said as he raised his bottle, "Tonight I'm going to get seriously smashed, in honor of the old man. Do you know where I live?"

     "Yes," Samantha replied, "I have your current address."

     "Then pick me up tomorrow, at noon." Eric ordered, "Bring two coffees, both with two sugars and two milk. Then we'll go in for a briefing."

     "Seriously?" Samantha said as she could hardly believe it.

     "You should be able to clear me by then," Eric said, nodding to her, "Whatever is bugging you, it can wait until tomorrow."

     "Yes, Sir," Samantha said, standing up to leave, "I'll make sure your clearance is ready for tomorrow's briefing."

     "Excellent," Eric said, "Now piss off."

     Samantha was tempted to toss something at Eric, but good judgement got the best of her. She stormed out of the bar, huffing in disgust as she walked out the door and slamming it behind her. The entire bar was amused by the display but quickly shrugged it off when they realized whom she had left behind.

     "You alright, Dr. Saunders?" the bartender called out.

     "I will be," Eric replied as he gestured to the table, "When you bring some shots out here for me."

     "Coming right up, mate!" the bartender called out.

     Eric spent the better part of the night drinking anything he could get his hands on. People in the bar were buying him drinks to help the mourning process, and when it was all said and done, Eric was too wasted to get home by himself. The bartender ordered him a cab and carried the doctor out to the yellow car when it finally arrived. The bartender gave him a twenty and told the driver where to go. He turned to Eric after putting him in the back.