Dirk came into the main room where the party was being held. He had ditched his usual wardrobe of the coat and fedora for a regular, button-up shirt. He circumvented the party and headed for the door. Next to it, Blackwulf was talking to three strangers. "Dirk, comrade," the giant yelled while waving the gunslinger over, "I am introducing you to old friends."
Since they were standing in front of the door, Dirk had no choice to go over. "This is John," Blackwulf said while tapping the man with the backpack and five o'clock shadow.
John smiled before quickly turning his attention to his backpack. "Be quiet........ I'm sure you can take him, but now's not the time."
"And this," Wulf continued, "is Monkey Boy." The giant displayed a large smile as he put his hand on the shoulder of the guy wearing the flip flops on his unusually large feet.
The man returned the grin as he replied, "Sure thing......, Lassie." Wulf's smile dissappeared as he eyed his old comrade.
Turning to the man in the wrestler's mask, the Russian introduced the last man, "And this is The Luchador."
"Hi," the smaller man said as he lifted the mask up, over his mouth and quickly replaced it. He gave a quick wave and a smile before running off yelling, " LUCHA LIBRE, AWAY!"
"Why did he lift up his mask to say "Hi," when there was already a mouth hole in it?" Dirk asked.
"Is question we not having answer to."
"Man," the one Wulf dubbed as Monkey Boy said, "I hate telling you guys this; but this place stinks of fish. I mean, it's everywhere. It even covers up Lassie's scent. I think I'll get some air freshener from the car. I can't stand this much longer." He exited out the door.
"Nice party," John said. His attention went quickly back to his backpack, " I don't know if they have beer here. Give me a second to find out...... Don't threaten me like that. Especially if you want another title shot. You guys wouldn't happen to have anything to drink, would you?"
"Over there, John," Wulf said, pointing to the keg.
When Dirk and Blackwulf were standing alone, Dirk said, "What was that? The Mentally Handicapped League?"
Wulf's face got serious. "Is my old team, so to speak. We do lot together before I am becoming your weight trainer. There are some problems, yes; but Monkey Boy is having Ph.D. in head shrinking. He is making problems not as bad as they were." Wulf took a drink of a mug of a strange blue liquid. "Is good. Speaking of weight training, you are not as puny under that coat as I believed. But I am going to be making you stronger." He smiled and upturned the mug.
"I think I'll be going now," Dirk opened the door and began to head out.
"You not liking party?" Dirk just walked out into the night. He felt he needed a little time to think. Now was as good a time as any. Especially since he wouldn't have as muchtime for it later.
AN HOUR LATER, AT THE PARTY John was standing at the keg, pouring himself a mug. Ameristar walked up next to him to get a drink. "Hey," she said, "nice shaggy beard you got there." John looked confused for a second until he looked down at his chin. Then, he nodded. "How long have you been growing it?"
"Oh, all night. Which reminds me," he reached into his backpack and pulled out an electric razor. "Where's your bathroom?"
