The year, 1936, the city, New York...The night is hot and torturous to the skin, almost electric.  A reminder of the heat wave grasping the nation leaving none to find solace even after dusk.  Dereck Nimbus Johnston stands alone with his thoughts outside the local pub, casually smoking a cigarette.  He responds to this tumultuous heat by exhaling in relief as he wipes the sweat from his brow.  A few beads of sweat cling loosely to the old pocket square retrieved from his tattered coat pocket, they mix in with the grime of the busy day's work for all to see if they wished.  A showing of the day's efforts earning the dime he makes to call his own.  Years have passed since his arrival to the shores of North America.  His children now in grammar school along with his wife back at home with child on the way help serve as constant reminders in his subconscious that his deeds have their merit.  Still, in the back of his head, are thoughts of the mortgage on his house, the failed restaurant from two years past, and the medical bills from his daughter's ongoing struggle with polio.  All these thoughts cloud his head and bring his eyes to close as he thinks back to the events of earlier that evening, of his time spent in the office, of being layed off after plant closing.  With even more bad omens on the horizon soon to come he faces his future uncertain as he asks himself audibly. "How will I have enough?" His words land on deaf ears for the night has none, the night does not care, but it is there for him.  He stands there a few moments longer considering his options as he watches traffic travel before him passively on what most would consider to be typical residential street.  Not long after a familiar voice rings true in his ears removing him from introspection.

"Well, well, Dereck Johnston!  Of all the rat holes in all o' Manhattan...Ye' auld Dobber.  Why so blue!?  I thought ye'd be happy to see me at least!"

Nimbus opens his eyes as he shuffles himself around to be greeted by a familiar face.  His old friend Alan Ballard stands before him, arms spread open, grinning from ear to ear, looking just as unkempt and squirrely as ever.  They were high school buddies a decade back and friends before then, dating back to his arrival to this new home.  Memories of Lenox Hill, nights spent carefree without the demands of responsible living jump back vividly in his mind as his face turns smug and he taps his old friend on the shoulder with force for old times sake.

"Whose the auld dobber!  Alan ya bass!, have yea looked in a mirror lately!?"  He quips with a gleam of mischief in his eyes. "Of all the inbred cunts in all the world ye'd be the last person in the world I'd expect to run into!"  He laughs loudly and grins as the two trade complimentary blows.  For the moment it is good, for the moment is about living. The parlay lasts a brief few moments before Alan wraps his arm around his good friend's shoulders and the two enter Darcy's, the local pub.

Upon entering the bar the two men make no waste of their time as they get themselves sorted occupying the nearest booth by a window. The dimly lit bar adds hue to the grainy, smoke laden atmosphere as various bar patrons can be seen drinking their liquor of choice.   A feeling of comfort and welcome pervades the area as most of the customers seem at home in their second home.  This was the place people grew up knowing after all.  And afterwards, It was the place they continued visiting. Darcy's was practically a member of the community in and of itself, it had just yet to be given citizenship.

The two men relax and settle into their seats, exchanging smiles as a familiar face approaches.  Lilly, the barmaid, working herself through school as is the the norm assuming she's still going.  Dereck had known her for years since this was his usual watering hole.  "Evening 'lass.  He says warmly. "Still seeing Bruce?  I remember last time ye told me things were going a bit on the down and down."  Lily rolls her eyes in response as she sets two fresh pints in front them.  "Oh, you know I always have a saying about the men in my life DeDe."  Before uttering another syllable, she turns around walking away quickly leaving the two men gasping with laughter. 

"That's the old lad I remember! 'eh!  I real charmer.  Although now married I hear?"  "Aye."  Dereck says plainly.  "8 years now." He lifts his hand showing the ring on his finger as Alan has a sip of his pint nodding slightly.  "Cheers.  I always figured you for the settlin' down type.  Not for me I'm afraid, not for me."  Alan shakes his head back and forth as he purses his lips.   "Heh...well, I've had my fill." Dereck takes a moment to drink from his glass again as he looks out the window, traffic on the street across from them had started to slow as the night grew later.  The heat still remained all the same.  Ceiling fans whirred slowly overhead in vain attempts at relief, their efforts remaining fruitless only serving to swirl the smoke further around the room. 

"So tell me, what brings you out here ol' boy?" Derek finally pops the question to his old friend. "It's good to see you after all this time, but really, not a hide nor hair of you I have heard or seen since school.  What have you been up to?"  Alan continues to nod as always was his custom when at a loss for words before finally giving in.  "Oh you know.  A few jobs here and there, they really help make ends meet, more so than you'd probably realize." "Is that so?" Dereck flatly asks. "Aye it is lad.  And to be completely honest with you...it is partly the reason I'm here tonight...heard about the plant closing...shutting down...I know about you and your family.  Have yourself a nice slice of American pie you do, dream completed except for one thing." "The money." Both men say simultaneously. "Aye lad the money...you know...I have some friends downtown that are currently picking up some people for job openings.   Nothing major to start with, doing a few errands, other odds and ends we call them.  It could be the start of a good future for us all.  And I know you after all, ye'd be perfect for the business."  A few moments pass before Dereck asks his friend,"What exactly are you referring to when you mention, 'odds and ends'."  "Eh, it's hard to explain really." Alan shrugs off the question with his usual vagueness he was remembered for. "You'll just have to come with me and see it first hand, it'll make sense then.".

"I see." Derek remarks slightly bewildered as Alan slides him a note across the table with an address written on it across town.  "Be there tomorrow at 8 O'clock in the morning.  Don't be late, it's an amazing opportunity, one you are cut out for." With that said, Alan finishes his drink before standing up from his seat. "Well Nimbus, it was great seeing you again...after all this time...  You're still a dobber." He says with a grin and a wink as he starts towards the door before saying his parting.  "Tell the wifey I said hi."