choppers
At the shipment location, Kazimir rested alone against the truck watching the two large troops carriers lined up nearby.
"Hey, what are you looking at?" Alfred approached him.
"choppers" Kazimir said, as Alfred sat next to him, on one of the truck's rear expandable seats.
"Yeah, that's a big one." Alfred said. "Holds what? 20-25 people,"
"22."
"Oh yeah, You used to fly one of these, Didn't you?"
"Different model." Kazimir said.
Alfred half-smiled as he remarked, "It was a loss when you left the war. We would have won with you at the stick."
Kazimir chuckled. "Sure, I could've taken the whole army alone, with my mighty chopper filled with tomatoes and canned fish,"
Alfred laughed.
"If it wasn't for that woman," Kazimir's voice trailed off.
Alfred spoke softly, "Yeah, if it wasn't for her."
A pause stretched. Then Alfred tried to shift the subject. "So—Charlotte. How was the day?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, three hours together, you must have talked or... had a moment,"
"I mean," he hesitated,"Nothing special. It was fine. Neutral."
"You know, she's not exactly bad looking. Some might even say she's very attractive."
"Yeah, she looks nice." Kazimir said.
Alfred leaned in with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Come on. you were a hell of playboy in college. Three words and you banged — What was it?"
"Alaina... something. That was years ago."
"don't give me 'something', you two fucked for 3 years." alfred said. "no need to play cool man. I know what your capable of."
"3 years? it wasn't that long."
Alfred paused, recalling the memories. "Ever wonder happened to her?"
"Not really. We haven't spoken in like, 15 years?"
"I heard she had a kid," Alfred said casually, "an ugly one,"
Kazimir quipped. "must be the dad. She wasn't ugly."
Alfred chuckled. "But seriously— you should give charlotte a chance. It's been, what, half a year now?. That's not good for your reputation."
Kazimir sighed. "Now that I'm better, maybe it's time to find a good woman."
"a good SEXY woman," Alfred added.
"Naturally." Kazimir smiled faintly. "Otherwise, it'd hurt my reputation."
Alfred hesitated for a long moment. "me and wagner are heading to the city. For a few days, maybe more. They need man power."
"what for?" kazimir asked.
"Complications in the process," Alfred said vaguely.
"Fine. I'll make a move before you come back."
Alfred got up and turned to leave.
"Be careful around the rocks." Kazimir told him. "You don't wanna face one of them again."
"They can't hurt me. If they could you wouldn't be breathing right now." alfred said back.
"You're fractured, Alfred. Stone doesn't get stronger it cracks. It only breaks easier."
"Don't worry about me." Alfred brushed it off. "I can take care of myself."