(… continuing)

Getting to the steak house didn’t take long. The cart got them from the rig to the hyperloop station. The hyperloop got them to the village and the walk from the station to the restaurant pub took less than five minutes.
The place was busy. The tables were all occupied and there was a good contingent on the dance floor.
“More retro rock?” Marr commented as they made their way through the room.
“Can’t beat it,” Dukk said smiling.
They found Annee, Luna and Bognath at a table near the centre of the room. It was on a slightly raised area that overlooked the dance floor.
Suzzona came over the moment they sat down. “Hello, Captain and his lovely co-pilot. What can I get for you?”
Marr laughed nervously.
Dukk watched the exchange. He checked his emotions. “Jealousy,” he thought to himself. “That is interesting.”
Marr caught Dukk looking at her. She knew the look. She smiled cheekily back. “Who is jealous now?” She thought.
Dukk understood the expression and what was being said.
“Touché,” Dukk said quietly. They both laughed.
“’Lovely’?” Annee shouted in jest, oblivious to what was going on between Marr and Dukk.
Suzzona winked at Annee.
“I am interested in your best whisky, make it a double. To eat, I’ll have the largest steak you can find!” Dukk said smiling.
“Done. And for you?” Suzzona said smiling at Marr.
“I’ll have the same,” Marr replied confidently.
“Perfect,” Suzzona replied and disappeared into the crowd.

After eating, they packed up and headed to another bar. Suzzona had suggested they move venues as she wanted to have a drink with them, out from under the eyes of her colleagues. It wasn’t far and Suzzona joined them a short while later. She had changed into a cocktail dress. It fitted in well with the outfits the others were wearing.
Initially they found some stools near the bar. There weren’t enough seats so Dukk and Bognath stood back while the girls ordered.
It was an awkward moment. Dukk hadn’t really spoken to Bognath at all over the last eight days. It was the first time Dukk had even really looked at him.
Dukk knew from the passenger profiles that Bognath was eight years younger than himself and that he started out in Utopiam. He was slightly taller than average. He had complexion that was similar to Luna, in that it was warm brown with orange-red undertones. He had short black hair and brown eyes.
The moment was awkward because Dukk knew more about Bognath’s situation than he really should. He started at the only place he could think of.
“You are from Utopiam, originally, isn’t that right?”
“Yes. I started out as usual. Failed the test. Did the labour rotation. Got friendly with some of the contracting agents and moved into the protection business. Two years ago, I got noticed by the Atesoughton family and I have been working security for them since. Initially just escorting the staffers and more recently special assignments, like this one.”
“A straight shooter. I like that,” Dukk thought to himself.
“You seem young to have achieved all that?”
“I guess I applied myself,” Bognath replied smiling.
“Annee tells me you will be returning to Earth with us?”
“Yes, Dukk. I got fired, so I am returning to look for more security work. Perhaps I’ll go back into small time protection again.”
“Sorry to hear that. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help,” Dukk said sincerely.
“I will, thanks.”
“Here you go,” Luna said as she interrupted their chat to hand them drinks. “Suzzona has got us a table near the dance floor. Let’s go.”

They all followed Suzzona through the crowd to a table in a corner. Luna put down her drink and dragged Bognath over to dance. Annee and Marr took off to the bathrooms, leaving Dukk alone at the table with Suzzona.
“This is a lively place,” Dukk said to break the ice.
“It is like this every night. Such is a party place like Mayfield.”
“So, what is your story? How did you end up here?”
“I suspect my story started out not unlike your own. I got on a rig as an apprentice. I loved it. Would have happily continued.”
“What happened?”
“I got too self confident. Swapped around rigs too much. Tried to get ahead too fast. Ended up on the wrong rig. The captain was a drunken idiot. The rig got impounded here because she hadn’t kept up her payments. There were no other haulier jobs around at the time, so I found work where I could. Working in the port is mind numbingly boring. It is also frustrating at times seeing those living the life I once had. The work in the restaurant in the evenings keeps me sain.”
“Are there any other options?”
“Yep. I have found a love for cooking. Real cooking. With real food. I am putting some credits aside. One day, I’d like to have my own steak house.”
“Excellent. What would you call it?”
“Suzzona’s Place,” she laughed.
“I like it. It has a great ring to it!” Dukk laughed.

(to be continued...in the next chapter)

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 19 - Unloading (Passage 5 of 5)]

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