Dual Story Telling pt1

[der meister 3,246]

               Before we continue down the route of what happened at The Jump House, I do want to take a moment to acknowledge the offensive success Seattle Bears' defender Ryuji Sakamoto is having so far this young season. While he has shown a propensity for offensive production at both the VHLM and VHLE levels, he has so far been unable to come close to replicating those numbers in the VHL. At least, until this season. Sakamoto is currently second in team scoring with 4 goals and 15 assists for 19 points in 17 games, trailing only Hulk Hogan 2, who has 22 points. His 15 assists are tied for fourth best in the VHL. It is also worth noting that Sakamoto is currently on the Bears second pair, a move that in the past I'd have expected him to be upset about, especially given the development of his skills, but I believe he is taking it as a challenge, to be the anchor on the middle pair and keep the team progressing throughout the game.

 

               But that is all beside the point. As exciting as Sakamoto's start to the season has been, helping the Bears to a winning record, there are, unfortunately, bigger issues to deal with. That's where The Jump House comes in.

              

               Last time I reported in, I shared with you the rough physical details of one of the employees at the bar, a woman who identified herself as Cherry. Oddly, given our age differences, Cherry seemed to catch my eye more than Sakamoto's, though that is rather beside the point. After placing our drinks upon the table, Cherry added a small piece of paper, barely larger than a page from a memo pad, folded in half. For a moment, I thought perhaps she was giving us the bill, but we had just walked in and separate bills for each drink order would be an odd practice for patrons at a table. Perhaps it was my imagination, or wishful thinking, but I swear Cherry gave me a quick wink before pivoting on her heel and returning to the bar. In my mind, that wink was the filthiest comment I'd ever heard.

              

               Sakamoto, for his part, busied himself with his drink, apparently not noticing the paper Cherry left behind. I followed suit, sipping on a particularly earthy scotch, and took the paper from the table. The note read simply, "Back table. Black hat. Make some real money. Mr. Johnson."

              

               I let my eyes wonder around the bar, looking for this Mr. Johnson character. When I spotted him, it felt like my stomach dropped out from under me, like the first plummet on a roller coaster. He was nondescript, but there was an air of danger and darkness about him that made me queasy. I was about to crumple the note and do my best to usher Sakamoto from The Jump House when he suddenly noticed the paper held between my fingertips.

 

               "What's that, man?" he asked, snatching it from me before I had time to answer.  I watched his eyes flicker across the page, and the smile bloom on his face, with a sinking sensation.

 

               Looking back, I wish I had never unfolded that note.

 

Edited February 4, 2023 by der meister