"So how do you charge exactly?" asked Rev Nielsen as he drank some wine.
"It all depends, Father." answered Jason as he threw back a beer, "If its transporting you need, I charge four grand a day plus expenses of course, for Robbery I charge Seven-Percent of the value of the loot with a minimum of Eleven Grand plus expenses, assassinations are a difficult billing process, depends on species, weight, ranking.."
"Assassinations?"
"Demons of course, I don't kill humans, unless they sold their souls for nefarious reasons or cross me on a bad day. What's the score?"
"Some Bottles of blessed Elixir, in New Delhi. Guarded by Sholack Demon."
"Sounds like a hard one, I'd roughly charge ... Eighteen thousand a day, with a two day estimation, expenses included."
"Thirty-Six Grand?" said The Reverend with a gasp, "Oh Son, I'm just a humbled man of the cloth."
"Well a Sholock demon isn't bribable, actually they are but I reckon you're not willing to feed him babies. I'll have to kill it and then steal the bottles."
"Well once you kill the demon the rest would be simply lifting the fuckin' bottles."
"Good point, Vicar. I'll ask for Fifteen Grand."
"Wouldn't the knowledge that you've aided the church be much more rewarding?"
"Have I mentioned that I have TWO stomachs?"
"Ewwww!"
Niles and DeMill were having a heated discussion about The Rolling Stones, the later defending them as artists and the first labeling them as sellouts. While Angela talked on her cell phone to some man.
John and Ellie walked in and said, "Everyone?"
They all turned their eyes to the Newcomer. Angela finished her phone call
"This is Ellie, she's a good fr- er, We go back a quasi-long way," said John, as the alcohol started to slur his speech, "This is Rev Nielsen, Jason Bauer, Niles Parker, Gene DeMill and Angela Dodson."
"Hey." she said.
"Hey, Ellie. Where do you know John Fro?" asked Angela, trying to break the ice.
"Excuse me?"
"We were all saying how we met John a while and go and you really should give us an idea." said rev Niles.
"I used to be his sex partner. We met at a Kiss Concert." said Ellie casually.
"Hmm." Angela said, shocked by the brutal honesty.
"Spunky! I dig her." said Jason with a grin; he then turned his head back to The Reverend to continue the bargaining.
"Look, Vic Rick, I'll give ye' a special Constantine-Friend discount and bring the price tag down to twelve grand a day."
"Twenty-One Grand total, and a sword that belonged to King David. That's my final offer."
"King David, eh? Done, drop me a line this week and I'll get cracking'."
"May the lord Jesus Christ bless you, Son."
"Yeah yeah, just pay the bill and we'll be square."
"Of course, do you take checks?"
"Sure, No Problem. Now excuse me as I try to get in Ellie's pants."
"The Rolling Stones sold out when they started doing Ford Commercials!" Niles barked as he unsealed a bottle of Guinness bear.
"What if? They're all in it for the dime, Child. Do you reckon The Beatles could have done it for twenty-thousand dollars a year? Were all in it for the dime!" answered DeMill with passion.
Constantine started talking to Rev Nielsen who was still talking to Jason. This left Ellie and Angela to have a girl talk of their own.
"So, Ellie-" started Angela, obviously not used to having friendly conversation with demons.
"So you're the one, huh?" Ellie interrupted.
"What?"
"You were the one had fought his way through dozens of demons to get to. I was in Raven scar, some two years ago."
"Oh," said Angela as she understood, "You were trying to bring Mamon unto earth."
"I'm a Demon, sue me. So, how did it work out?"
"We broke up."
"I figured so. What happened caught him one day with his pants around his knees and his hands around some neighbor?"
"John is the sort of guy that you really hate when you first meat, then you start to get fond of him, and then he starts getting under your skin again."
"I know. And of course you only fell for him as a sign of gratitude for helping you with your sister, right?"
"Something like that."
"Gene," called Constantine, "Psst."
DeMill glanced at John who stood by a window, and then turned back to Niles and said, "I'm not done with you."
"I'm not a kitten, John. You had me at Gene." said DeMill as he joined John.
"Gene, you know women, right?" said John as he lit a cigarette.
"I'm familiar with their kind, why?"
"I'm thinking of starting things over with Angela."
"Why?"
"I don't know, I'm getting old, I'm forty for Christ's Sake!"
"Don't be dissin' the age of forty. I'm getting more Cheres than a Pimp."
"My point is, time is runnig out, I can't keep fighting like this, at some point I'll have to drop the sword and live like a sane person."
"You can't just be quittin', John. Hell's not leavening you alone till you buy the farm or join them."
"Whatever, I just can't keep on going like this; alone."
"Well, you have my blessing. Go right ahead."
"Do you think it would work out?"
"I donno, John. What, is the great Constantine scared of rejection? Anyway, I don't think she dropped by over a year after you two broke up just to congratulate you on being on top of the hill."
"Right, thanks."
After managing to finish discussing the mystery that is John Constantine, the girls had started having a normal conversation.
"I like your necklace," commented Ellie as she took notice of an antique choker Angela wore, "A gift from your fiancé?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"Your ring finger has a little mark where an engagement ring would be. Don't worry, I won't tell John."
"Thanks, I don't want to bug him, not tonight."
They were silent for a minute, watching Jason, Niles and DeMill discuss something apparently serious, which was actually a debate over the best size of a woman's bust.
"He still has feelings for you, though."
Angela didn't show a sign of surprise, she knew the moment John saw her.
"You know, Jason has a feeling for you too."
Ellie didn't show any signs either, she knew when a man fancied her, for it was part of the job description.
"I always was a sucker for a Demon with red eyes." she said with a smile, particularly aimed at Jason.
Jason made his way to Ellie while Angela got up and head to John.
"Hey, John."
Angela stepped onto the fire escape where John stood, smoking a cigarette.
"Didn't you quit?"
"Yeah, twice."
They stood silent, gazing at the sparkling lights that were a part of Los Angeles.
"It's a beautiful night." said Angela.
"The company is nice too."
"Why aren't you inside enjoying it?"
"I'm not used to being with so many people at the same time, it's great though. I'm glad to see so many people would take the time."
"Chas was right, you have many friends. You just have to know where to look."
They took a few moments to enjoy the Serenity again.
"Angela, you know I'm not much of a talker. I can out curse anyone and talk my way out of most situations, but I never did have much practice with talking from the heart. So I'm just going to come out and say it."
"John.."
"Angela, I miss you, I know I'm not the easiest going guy there is, but I miss you. I was wondering if we could get back together, you know, Rekindle the old' flame. I know I can get annoying, but whenever I get your skin crawling, tell me and I'll knock it off."
"John, I'm getting married."
John's face didn't flinch at all.
"I didn't see that one coming."
He flicked the cigarette over the rail and crossed his arms.
"Who is he? Where did you meet?"
"His name is Garth; we met while I was working on the Serial Killer case."
"Where is he from? What does he do? "
Angela smiled nervously, "He's English and he's a Musician."
"He's a Musician?" scoffed John, "Like that's a real job!"
"You should talk, Exorcist!"
"You know, most recording labels have Demons on the board of directors. He probably sold his soul for a record deal. Fuck! He probably is after a green card, Son of a Bitch!"
His outburst was over and he went to light a cigarette but found that the pack was empty.
"Great, this is the worst birthday ever!"
Angela resisted an urge to smack him in the head, and put a hand on his shoulder as he faced away from her.
"John, there will come a woman who not only will accept the madness that is your life, but find you absolutely charming, shell fall in love with your smoking, your taste in furniture and your insistence on taking every jab you can at Tony Blair. But that woman is not me."
She turned away and said, "I hope we can still be friends, John. God knows the likes of us need friends. Goodnight, John. Happy Birthday."
John was alone.
"Worst Birthday ever!"
-----------------------------------------
Ellie shoved Jason against the door of John's storage room. She planted her lips on his and they engaged in a violent, lustful kiss. His hands wandered under her shirt and hers pulled him closer to her.
"Blimey!" said Jason as they broke the kiss, "This is the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!"
-----------------------------------------
John walked into the apartment, where he was met by three sympathetic faces.
"Cigarette." was all he said. Niles handed him his pack of 'Yellow River' Cigarettes. He took out a single one and lit it with a wooden match.
"We heard what happened, John." said DeMill, "I'm sor-"
"Don't be."
"We'd understand if you wanted to be alone." said Rev Nielsen.
"No. Stay."
"Do you need anything?" asked Niles as he ran a hand through his long hair.
"Yeah." he said and walked to the table, picked up a bottle of Wine and said,
"Gentlemen, let's get pissing drunk."
