Cracks

19.8 Frank Cage

Spring 1998, The Rattlesnake

The bar was full, stuffy and noisy. Almost all Oasis Springs had gathered here to watch the game.
"Ten bucks against you!", Dina yelled over the table towards Paolo, which sat on the other side.
"No way they will win! Just look at them!", He yelled back.
"Sorry Dina, but this time luck's not on your side!" Frank added.

"She's soooo gonna lose those!", Paolo laughed at him.
"Impossible, that..." Frank started, when he noticed a faintly familiar perfume. And a faintly familiar voice just behind him asked politely, "Uh, could I get a beer, please?"

He looked on his other side, seeing Linda trying to get the barkeeper's attention.
"You have to be a little bit louder here!, he said to her.

"Oh!", she had noticed him now, and her face lit up. "Hello, Frank!", she smiled.
"Hi! What are you doing here?", he asked her. This was maybe the last place he would have expect her to be.

"Uhm. I think I just broke up with my almost-fiance, and I found I need a drink", she said casually.
Frank was about to make a joke if that one didn't want to leave, too, but decided otherwise when he saw her face.

"Shit happens...", he said instead. "Also, try a Whiskey Cola rather than beer."
"Sounds great."

"Shhh! I cannot hear the game!", Paolo hissed from the other side.
"I cannot believe they are really winning!", George cried out.
Frank almost had forgot the game.