Alphas (4 page)

        Anthony sat down beside his boss,
just as the CEO of AMAN, David Corson, came in, joined by some track officials
and his personal assistant.  It was precisely 9:00 am and of course Jimmy
was nowhere to be found.  At 9:10 David told his assistant to call Jimmy
on the phone.  I could not hear the conversation, but when his assistant
was off the phone, the expected message came through. 

        “Jimmy is caught up in traffic and
will not be here until 10:00.”

 
        Everyone nonchalantly stood up and
walked out of the room.  Anthony watched with his mouth hanging open, as
no one seemed angry, shocked, or otherwise.  He thought,
what the fuck
is wrong with these assholes, his complete continued disregard for anyone goes
unnoticed!  Why do they pander to this asshole!  Why don’t they cut
him off!
The answer was obvious, it was the money, it was the look,
it
was everything about Jimmy Spade.  He brought so
many fans to the
series, that
it was almost impossible
to let him go, so they put up with him.  

        Anthony continued to spin himself
around like a whirling dervish until the 10:00 am timeframe came.  He went
into the room again, sat down like everyone else and waited.  Jimmy
arrived at 10:15, on his time, as he did everything else.

       
        “Sorry about that folks, hell of a
traffic jam.”

       
There was only one way to get to our office, everyone knew there was no traffic
jam, but this was after all, the famous Jimmy Spade. David began to speak,

        “No problem Jimmy.  Jimmy, I
think you know why we are here, yet again.  Your behavior on tour is
reprehensible, we hear reports of you drinking, fighting, and pissing everyone
off.  Why does it have to be this way?”

       
“What do you mean?”

        Anthony finally got excited, it
looks like the CEO was mad this time.  It looked like he was going to
really give it to Jimmy. 

        “C’mon Jimmy, you know I am screwing
with you!”  Replied David, “How could I stay mad at this guy.  In
fact your little stunt, with the punch, got us a lot of attention on TV. 
I think this may have even been good for us.
        Everyone in the room began to laugh,
Anthony was not laughing,
he
found none of this funny
and could no longer hold back his ire.

        “Excuse me gentlemen, if we have no
intention of doing anything about Jimmy’s dangerous behavior, can someone
please tell me why we are here?”

        All eyes immediately turned to
Anthony, there was an uncomfortable silence in the room, no one moved. 
David stood up, walked closely to Anthony, bent down and began to speak.

        “What is your name young man?”

       
“Anthony Sir.”

       
“Well Andy, the reason we are here, is the racing sanctioning body requires
that after any type of altercation or questionable behavior, we complete and
investigation, hold and inquest ,and return them the results.  This, is
how we stay in business.”

       
“So why exactly do you need me?”

        “You are
asking me why you are
here?
  Perhaps you should
tell me. Why exactly
do
we need you?”

       
        Not only had he got his name wrong,
but David had drawn a very clear line in the sand.  Anthony now realizing
what he had done, froze in place and was left with no air in his lungs to say
anything, his morals had gotten him in trouble.  Jimmy began to speak,
       
        “Now now, David, you know we need
everyone in this room to be here.  This does not need to be a pissing
contest, I am sure that Anthony is just trying to ensure that he does what is
best for the AMAN series.  His job is to stand for what is right and true,
by investigating all of the important events that happen.  So let’s all
just take a step back and not do anything irrational.”

       
“Well Jimmy, Anthony now has me wondering, we don’t really do anything here,
why do I need a Lawyer
and
a Paralegal?”
        Anthony’s heart began to race, he
was on the verge of tears because of the public humiliation and then it
happened.  Jimmy stood up and pointed a finger at David,
        “Now listen here David! I have
worked hard to get where I am, and I am sure this young man has done the same
and I will be damned if anyone is going to get fired, based on something that I
had done! If Anthony isn’t here, while I am still alive and driving, I am going
to be one unhappy driver!”

       
        “OK, OK Jimmy, relax.  Of
course we need him, Andy is a very detail oriented guy,
I
am sure.”

       
        “Damnit David, his name is Anthony,
AN THO KNEE!”

       
“My apologies, AN THO KNEE!  Now let’s be done with this mess, and go get
some breakfast. Anthony, please let the record show that we have talked to
Jimmy and fined him $10,000.00, which will be donated to a charity of your
choosing. Thank you young man.”

        Everyone began leaving the room and
Anthony had been saved by Jimmy.  He felt dirty by the notion that such a
goof ball had saved him.  Then again, he felt thankful that Jimmy had that
power, and was glad to still have a job.  A sickening feeling came over
him, when he realized that the right thing to do, would be to thank Jimmy,
somehow. 

        As the room emptied out, Anthony’s
boss looked at him and said,

       
“What the fuck was that?”
        “I am sorry, I know I shouldn’t have
done that.”
        “Really Anthony, if it was not so
important to Jimmy, I think that we would have been having a serious
chat.” 

        Anthony’s boss packed his bag and
left without saying another word.  Anthony’s mouth had gotten him into
trouble on more than one occasion, and he wished sometimes he had the power to
say nothing.  Up to this point in his life, that power had evaded
him.  He packed his things away, with tears in his eyes, and was the last
one out of the room.  Anthony slowly walked back to his desk, to continue
on with the doldrums that were to be the rest of his day. He didn’t have to
stay, today was only supposed to be for the hearing, but he really had nothing
to do anyways.  Nothing like a Saturday at the office. 

       
The only nice thing about being at work on a Saturday, was the office was
completely hers.  No one else stayed behind.  Anthony said to
himself,
this is a good chance to get ahead of my work.
He sat at his
desk and diligently piled over scores of the frivolous lawsuits being brought
against AMAN.  The organization being what it was, people were always
taking a run at them, in one way or another. 

       
        Anthony began talking to himself
aloud, “Why would Jimmy stick his neck out for me? Well I guess he wasn’t
really sticking his neck out, he wouldn’t have been fired.  I was the one
in jeopardy. My god, if I didn’t hate him so much I would fuck him 6 ways from
Sunday. 

        “You talking about me?”

        To Anthony’s surprise, shock and
terror, it was Jimmy.  He was not sure how much Jimmy had heard, but he
definitely heard the last part.  Anthony was stunned and unsure how to
respond. 

        “No, I was
not
talking about
you.  I don’t want anything to do with you.”

        Anthony had very strong feelings
about Jimmy, they were stronger now that he had to defend his position. 
Jimmy stood in front of Anthony with his good looking, I know you were talking
about me grin.

        “Well, that is too bad, because
really…. You, are a good looking guy!”
        Anthony could not help his smile,
yet he still found the strength to fight it back.  He hated this asshole,
he caused him no end of trouble.  Anthony started to think,
yes he
saved my job, but he also put my job into jeopardy, by being such a careless
fool.  However, he also did save that guy from the fire.  The other
driver, surely would have died had Jimmy not rescued him, but he would never
have been in that mess if those two weren’t using their cars as weapons. 
However, his eyes were like blue fire, his lips full and pouty, his hands big
and strong, but he was and asshole, plain and simple! Was it even possible that
he was gay? I want nothing to do with him!

       
“Listen Jimmy, I am sure that routine works on the star struck blondes that you
no doubt use every weekend, but I am not a woman and these tricks won’t work on
me.”
        “No problem, I understand.  I
didn’t mean anything by it, not that I wanted to anyways.”
        “What do you mean, not that you
wanted to?”
        “Well I was just being polite.”
        “So now you’re saying you were just
assuming because I am gay I want you?!”
        “No, not exactly.  I am more
interested in a man that is not as tightly wound as you.”
        “Oh. No offence taken. I am
interested more in men, then little boys.”
        “OK, OK, let’s not do this.  I
am not here to offend you.  Let’s just say that neither of us are into one
another.  Which is to say that I am sometimes interested in men, I mean,
let’s be honest, you are a beautiful man.   I just think that you are
not the type, to let yourself go and enjoy life.  You know what I mean.”
        “Actually, no I don’t know what you
mean, I have fun all the time.”
        “Oh ya?!”
        “YA!”

        The conversation became a little
heated as Anthony found a deep seeded desire to defend himself - again. 
Jimmy was standing leaning on Anthony’s cubicle wall.  He leaned in
further, so he was uncomfortably close to him and began to speak,

        “When is the last time you have ever
done anything exciting.”

       
“I do exciting things all the time. I go rollerblading, go for bike rides,
walks in the park.”
        Jimmy began to laugh, he was bending
backwards and forwards laughing, ensuring the Anthony knew how foolish he felt
that statement was.  Anthony was not impressed and gave him an angry
glare. 

        “Well Jimmy, I am sorry I am not a
RACE CAR DRIVER!”
        “Ha ha, that’s not what it is about,
but this is what I am saying, you gotta live a little. You, are not the type to
live though.  You are the type to work on a Saturday, go home, watch a
movie, and go to bed. That’s OK, it is just not for me.”
        “I know how to have fun, I can let
loose anytime.”

       
“Anytime?”
        “Yes, anytime!”
        “How about now?”
        “How
about
now?” Anthony
retorted
        “Take a ride with me in my Corvette,
around the track.”
        “Are you crazy, I wouldn’t drive
with you, I have seen how you
drive.
”
        “See. You’re not one to have fun.”
        Anthony postured himself forward and
said, “I couldn’t go even if I wanted to, I have work to do.”
        “Really?  You’re the only one
in an office on a Saturday.  Who are you exactly working for?”
        “Listen Jimmy, I am flattered you
want to play these games, but the adults need to keep working, so you have a
job.  So if you will excuse me.”
        “No problem, go back to your
desk.  I am sure when you are old and grey, you will remember fondly the
moments,
you
spent pushing papers on a beautiful
Saturday.”

       
“Get lost Jimmy.”
        “OK. Let me know if you change your
mind, Chicken Little.”

        Jimmy turned and began walking
away.  The words that he said penetrated deep into Anthony’s psyche, why
was
he working so hard? What
had
he done in the last 10 years that was
exciting? He racked his brain for an exciting time he could pull out, but
nothing came to him.  It was now apparent to Anthony, he was becoming old
before his time.  Jimmy was right, he needed something exciting in his
life,
maybe
he needed to go for that ride. 
Before he could think any further, Anthony jumped up out of his seat and yelled
down the long hollow hallway. 
        “JIMMY!”

       
Jimmy had not gone that far, in fact he was sitting in the cubicle at the other
end of the room. With his evil smile he said, “Ready to go for a ride, are we?”
        Anthony rolled his eyes, knowing he
had been duped, but still wanting the experience none the less, he quickly
responded.  “Let’s go.”

               
        Anthony stayed in one spot,
paralyzed with fear, now he was committed.  Jimmy squinted his eyes and
began walking over towards him.  Anthony watched as he swaggered his way
back to him and hoped that by the time he was close enough, he would have
thought of something to say, that would get him out of this mess. 
        Jimmy had a powerful stance, he
looked like he was ready for action at any time. His chiseled cheekbones could
have been cut out of stone by an artist.  His hair was carefree and
bounced fluidly as he walked.  His eyes were of the sharpest blue, Anthony
felt as though they penetrated deep into his soul.  Jimmy ended up beside
him and began to speak as casually as he walked.

        “Follow me.”

        Jimmy grabbed Anthony’s hand, and
whisked him out into the parking lot, where his black Corvette was.  He
led him over to the passenger side, opened his door, helped him in, then ran
back to the other door and got in.