Keeping An Eye Out: Chapter XX

Hugh Hamilton

And off they went.
"So," said Hugh, "have fun last night?"
"How do you mean?" replied Ben.
"Oh, nothing."
"Okay then."
"I didn't mean that literally."
"Then what DO you mean?"
"I was just wondering if you had – ahem – 'fun' last night."
"I may have."
"Really? Good. That's good."
An undescribed pause.
"Tell me, Ben, was someone else having 'fun' with you last night as well, or was it just you?"
"What are you implying?"
"I think you know what I'm implying."
"Yes, but it fleshes out the prose a bit."
"Oh I think you had quite enough flesh last night."
"Can we stop this please?"
"You'd like that wouldn't you?"
"Yes."
"Because you like it like that, don't you?"
"Stopped? Yes."
"I bet you enjoyed getting ‘stopped’ last night."
"I WILL hit you."
"Oh yes, I know all about that."
And he did.
"I hope you weren't as aggressive last night," said Hugh, nursing his bruise.
"Do you want another one?"
"Similar words were spoken last night, no doubt."
And he did again.
"So you're finally a man," said Hugh.
"If punching you is the initiation test, then yes."
"No, I was referring to last..."
And he did a third time.
"I hope you were responsible last night."
And a fourth.
"Was it cheap?"
And a fifth.
"Left or right?"
Half a dozen.
And Ben and vicarious Hugh and his six bruises arrived at the docks.