JACK
Colorado Springs
Jack walked into the base's local watering hole for a little company and a drink before going home to his empty house. He was alternately freaked out about this new job and anxious to get started - forming a team and having a mission, a purpose.
The place was usually pretty tame except for game nights. But tonight there was a noisy crowd around one table with two people, whom he couldn't quite see. He could see cash changing hands.
Seeing a fellow special operator Jack pointed at the crowd and asked.
"What's up, Harlan?"
"She's just about cleaned out every one playing pool. Now she's taking the rest of their lunch money arm wrestling."
"A girl, these guys are letting a girl beat them?"
"She's drop dead gorgeous. I think they get distracted and lose concentration. You must have a few bucks, Jack, wanna try your luck?"
At that half the crowd groaned and the other half cheered as money changed hands. The defeated man stood up and wandered off to the bar.
Jack got a look at the 'girl' and said "Girl? Harlan, that's a woman."
Harlan was right about one thing, she was drop dead gorgeous. What the hell was she doing in this bar? Was she trolling for fly boys?
She looked up at him and smiled, a dazzling smile. He shook his head and loped off to the bar. He was here just for a beer.
His life was beginning to gel and he wasn't ready for any entanglements. And that 'girl' looked like trouble.