SWNOVELS Chapter The Olde Swan 6th June 2017 evening
Clacton-on-Sea
This was both Reg and Barney’s favourite pub, well locally anyway. No big screens showing varieties of sporting accomplishments. No loud music. No artisan lagers with poncey names. Just dark wood, dim lighting, polished brass and good beer.
Sitting at their usual table, they both chugged down the first half pint of best bitter.
Barney gave in first.
“Ok Reg. No buggering about. What do you want this time?”
Reg ran his finger down the side of his beer glass and proceeded to draw a series of circles onto the wooden table-top with his dampened finger.
“You know you’ve always said you couldn’t manage the paper on your own. Not chasing every little story that comes your way, as well as laying it out, chasing up advertisers, getting the pictures ...”
“We’ve spoke about this before,” Barney interrupted. “I know I struggle, but you know as well as I do that there’s nobody about who would be willing to help me out on the money I’ve got to pay.”
Reg looked at Barney. He knew what was coming.
“That and have what it takes to do the job,” Barney continued. “It might not seem much, but I take this paper bloody seriously. I don’t want to bugger it up by sending out some oik from your Job Centre list. Someone who can’t read, can’t write, and has the manners of ... well, I don’t know.”
“Yeah, I understand that,” said Reg.
“Well, what was the name of the last kid you sent me?” growled Barney.
“Yeah, sorry about that,” replied Reg. “His name was Tony, and I hoped he would work out better than that. I know he wasted your time, Barney.”
“Yeah, well. I know you try to help these guys. I know you do it for the best, but you also know that I am already stretched to the limit. I’m trying to keep this paper running, but I am running on empty. I don’t think I’ve got the energy for any more of your lame ducks.”
Reg sighed. “You know Barney, I was hoping that maybe ...”
“For God’s sake, Reg.”
“Look, Barney ... just this one more time, please. I’m sure that he’s a good kid underneath, and he has had a truly shit time so far. I just feel that maybe ...”
Barney took a gulp of his beer, and then stared into his glass, as if looking for guidance.
Reg looked away. He didn’t want to see his old friend looking so pressured, and he knew it was a big ask.
“OK mate,” Barney muttered, in a voice so low that Reg could hardly hear him. “Let’s give it one more shot, and let’s hope that he’s a fucking sight better than your last one. Tell him to come ’round to my office. Give him my number, so he can arrange a time.”
Reg looked up at Barney, trying hard to keep his composure.
“And please ... please tell me that this one can read, write, looks some way sort of presentable, and has the gumption to follow directions.”
Reg smiled to his old friend and caught the eye of the girl behind the bar. He pointed to their nearly empty glasses, and she mouthed back “same again?”
Reg nodded back to her.
He very much hoped that he hadn’t put misplaced hope on Gabriel.
He also fervently hoped that he hadn’t dropped the baton that he was sure had been given him.