Time and Again(49)
“Where do we put it?”
Randy led them to the room on the right. The vast open spaces seemed odd for only one box, but they did as they were told. It took both of them to lift it. They placed the crate by the center pillar on the far side of the room. The silence, except for the squeaking cart wheels and the two men’s footsteps across the wooden floor, was unsettling.
Randy seemed to walk like a ghost. “Please take the cart with you. I have your money in here.” The two men followed, leaving the cart in the hall. Randy pointed to the table. A desk lamp shone on the two envelopes next to the bottle. The tall one said something to his comrade, in Greek. Randy guessed it was regarding the bottle, as they both seemed happy, and the smaller one patted his friend on the back. “Please, count the money. As you will notice, there is a bonus. You have suffered much on your trip, and earned it.”
***
The one who could speak English translated what Randy had said to his friend. Both men opened the envelopes and thumbed through the bills. The tall one turned around, grabbing the bottle. They were alone. He opened the bottle and took a pull, then handed it to his friend. They both walked towards the door, the bottle passing between them. “Hey, tell your boss that we appreciate the…” The shorter one poked his head into the other room, expecting to see the man inspecting the massive box, but he wasn’t there. The room was empty, no sign of the man or the box. He tapped the taller one on the shoulder to show him. They shrugged their shoulders, grabbed the cart, and got on the elevator. The Greeks were glad to be done bearing gifts and couldn’t care less where it had gone.
Chapter Forty
It's hard to say how many people showed up to The Dublin Rogue, but they all had the same solemn look on their faces. A look Mickey would not have tolerated. At the end of the bar, a large photo of Michael Thomas Moore greeted the guests. It was the same with each person, the moment they saw Mickey's goofy expression – a smile and a heavy sigh.
Tommy Dorsey’s version of “I’ll Be Seeing You” brought a roar from the crowd. It was one of Mickey’s favorite songs and his favorite argument. Half the regulars preferred “The Ink Spots” with Bing Crosby’s version, and Mickey would routinely rally the other half in a rousing debate. Tonight, the Bing Crosby supporters, led by officer Thompson, raised their glasses and toasted. “To Mickey and Tommy Dorsey, forever number one, always in our hearts, we will be seeing you whenever this song plays.” A great cheer erupted from the bar.
Throughout The Dublin Rogue, tiny groups laughed as they shared their favorite Mickey stories. One by one, people made their way to the booth in the back to give Henry their condolences.
Luna and Sylvia listened as Henry and Mike told their most loved stories of Mickey. Much as everyone was filled with sorrow, it was impossible to feel sad when remembering such a wonderful and full life.
Mickey had a sense of humor few could top. First and foremost, he always thought about the story, and often did things because it would make the tale more fun to tell. After one particularly funny story, as the laughter died down, Henry took a drink of his beer. There was a silence, which needed filling.
“I think Mickey would have liked the party you threw in his honor. The food, picture, and beer are perfect.” He looked at Luna, then Sylvia and Mike. “It’s perfect.”
Luna grabbed Henry’s hand. “I'm sorry I never got to meet him. He sounds like the most wonderful man.”
***
Katarina had not come with Henry but had taken a cab from Brooklyn. Earlier in the day, she had gathered her belongings from the hotel and settled into Henry’s place. Kat, wearing black, made her way through the crowd. She came up behind the booth and saw Luna’s hand on Henry’s. She put her hand on Henry’s shoulder and leaned down, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “I am so sorry, Henry. Mickey was always kind to me. He will be missed.”
Luna’s eyes flashed. Henry stood up from the booth and introduced Katarina to everyone. When she had a chair, Henry slid back into the booth next to Luna. The tension was slight but unmistakable.
Mike told a story about the time Mickey had hit two trifectas at Aqueduct, went on a whiskey binge, and basically got abducted by circus folk. “The best part was that he woke up three days later, passed out in the clown car. He was wearing floppy shoes and a red nose. Henry had to drive to West Virginia to retrieve him. Not only had he been adopted by the clowns, they had convinced him to join their troop!”
Henry, laughing so hard he was crying, said, “When I arrived, the conjoined twins were begging him to stay, and the midget clown, she was sobbing. They let him keep the nose. He wore it to the bar that night.”