Chapter 5: Jack At Work

Jack goes into the pot

    The good thing about being in a high tech field was the close knit comradery one felt from seeing again and again familiar faces no matter where you went. It was even better once a person left the military as they could always count on being hooked up with a nice job by a friend who had already gotten out. The bad news came when said friend or friends had girl friends. Girl friends who hit it off with your girl friend could be even worse. Girl friends who opened up to one another could be the down fall of mankind itself. There was nothing sacred after that.
    "....so she ditches you for American Idol? Oh, man that's...well I don't know what to say."
    Jack stared at his friend and wondered for the eight thousandth time that day why God was such a cruel man. "Rob, come on man. Show me some mercy. Bad enough the whole office knows. Just tell me know one has placed any bets." Judging by the way Rob ducked his head as he laced on his sneakers, Jack knew that he had joined an infamous pantheon.
    "You let them place bets?" He almost shouted. "Now I'm up there with Greasy Larry and the Drooler? Oh, man. This can't get any worse!" He laced up his own shoes and sighed irritably.
    "Well..," Rob said with a sheepish look, "If you could keeping asking her out two more times on an Idol night I win." He held his hands up defensive at the look on Jack's face. "You know the rules of office betting. If I hadn't done it I'd be banned from the next pool. Besides remember when Wendy dropped my hamburger by accident and you bet with the others that I wouldn't eat it?"
    "That was high school! Ok just forget it. Let's focus on winning the game. I can figure out ways to get you back after we get creamed."
    "Don't be too sure of that," Rob said. "I've been practicing my jump shot. Sure they beat us 40-5 the last time, but I was off my game. Not to mention I almost blocked one of Mike's shots."
    "Well that's good, Rob," Jack said sarcastically. "Now if you could just learn how to dribble or make a lay up then Mike and Carl wouldn't stand a chance against us." Jack ignored Rob's grunt and sat down on the bench to wait for the others to arrive. He had a feeling he'd only lose by thirty today.

Author's Note

Constructive criticism is always welcome.