Read Online Shorts: The Furry Years by John Van Stry - Free Book Online

1911.”
    “But that’s so old !”
    I shrugged, “It got that way for a reason. Parts are plentiful, ammo is common, they’re easy to clear, and it’ll knock the biggest tiger, lion, bear, or bull flat on his ass. And they won’t be getting up quickly either I might add.”
    “Oh pu-lease” whispered George, and Bill nodded in agreement.
    “Hey, he asked.” I grinned and pointed at Harvey .
    They then went into a long discussion on stopping power and other such things, most of them seemed to be sold on 9mm. Though Sal was defending .357 magnums pretty well. I added a few things when asked. For the most part I don’t think they really valued my opinion, but I didn’t care. The city was pretty safe, especially this part. None of these guys, or gal, probably owned a gun anyway.
    They all drifted off about 11. Except Harvey . He hung around a bit later then the rest.
    “Why do you always say things like you know from personal experience? The others think you’re just a braggart.”
    I looked at him and had to smile, “Then why is it one of you are always so quick to ask?”
    “Because they think it’s funny. Like the martial arts stuff you said last week. Jeff and George both work out pretty regularly, and they found some of what you said hard to believe.”
    “Actually I think they said it was Bullshit.” I chuckled again, wiping the bar down.
    “You heard them?” He gaped.
    “Hey, alcohol hurts the senses, and while you all are sucking down the beers, I’m sober back here. Your whispers tend to be a tad loud.” I snickered.
    He kind of blushed then. I guess he did have a thing going for me after all. “Why didn’t you do anything then?”
    “Why should I? I don’t care what you guys think. I enjoy chipping in to the little bull sessions when asked. I have to admit I get a kick out of what you think. But that’s about it.” I looked up at him into his eyes. He shrank back a bit, so I smiled to make him relax.
    “But still...”
    “But nothing.” I cut him off lightly, “I’m not here to worry about what the patrons think.”
    “Then why are you here?” He asked looking very curious.
    “Why to serve drinks, what else?” I laughed.
    He finished his beer and left after that, looking very confused.
    I closed the bar later that night, turning the chairs up and sweeping the floors before heading out. It was a quiet stroll home through the empty city streets. Very peaceful.
     
    Friday night was busy, busier than normal. We had a band in, some kind of three piece local electric folk band. Jane, the weekend bartender was in to help, and Doris was running around trying to keep up with the demand. We had the full group of regulars of course, and about another couple dozen for the band. It was loud and busy, and the band was pretty good. Their music was pretty fast with a strong beat. It got the blood pumping and the beers flowing, business was pretty good.
    As the night wore on I had to settle a few disputes. Nothing major, but some of the newcomers were pushing the edge of acceptable behavior. I’m big enough that when I stand between two people and give a little push with a growl, that they tend to get the message.  One Lion gave me some problems twice and I told him third time I’d toss him out if he didn’t tone it down. He harrumphed a bit at me, but he did behave better after that.
    When the band finally packed up and left at ten, I was fairly happy to see them and about half the crowd go. But it was still fairly busy. My regulars were holding their typical court down at one end of the bar.
    I was just popping a pizza out of the microwave when the commotion started. That same lion had started in again, only now he was picking on Jeff and George. From the tone of it, it seemed he disapproved of their lifestyle, narrow minded sort I guess. But it was starting to get physical, and while there were two of them, he was probably as heavy as the both of them combined, and a good foot taller than