[S65] When Jerks Collide

[Todd Thorne]

Unfortunately for Wes his description of his profession did not deter Todd in the slightest. If anything it made him more interesting to him, "Ooo really? That sounds fascinating. What kind of diseases? Are you like HOUSE? I love that guy!"

Todd scooted closer eyes shining, "Your job sounds so intense! Did you get those scars from a rabid monkey with Ebola or something?"

[Wes Uccello]

Wes was only half-surprised that Todd found his job interesting and not intimidating, but still annoyed by the wholehearted enthusiasm.

"Ha ha ha," he laughed, forced and sarcastic. "No. Not like him. I don't cure diseases, I study them. In animals."

He took another bite of his meal, then looked over at the (annoyingly getting closer) blond man pointedly as he added, "Things like pigs with foot and mouth disease." In truth, this wasn't something he was studying, but it was yet another hint.

"No, idiot. It's really none of your business, but because I know you won't shut up, I got them from a bird." Baring his teeth, he added, "If you pry much more you can say that yours came from this guy at the bar who smashed your face with a beer bottle."

[Todd Thorne]

Todd held his hands up, "Okay man! No more questions about your wicked cool scars. I promise!"

He thought for a moment and said, "It's really cool you work with animals and you know birds are pretty awesome, especially eagles and hawks! Those are my favorites, by the way. They are so a majestic! When I was younger me and my sister nursed a baby hawk we found lying hurt in our backyard."

Todd smiled lost in a fond memory, "He was so regal looking so we called him Prince and for years he was our unofficial pet always coming by the house looking for treats. That is-until my second year on the force."

His face became very grave and he shook his head. His jovial attitude from before quickly evaporated. "One of the local hunters shot him. My little sister, Jane, she- well both of us were upset...well Jane was actually inconsolable for weeks. It really broke my heart."

Todd took a swig of his beer and then stared at his hands.

[Wes Uccello]

That seemed to have gotten the point across, Wes thought, taking a sip of his beer. He remained silent during Todd's pause, staring at his plate.

As the man continued, he did catch Wes' attention, though he still didn't look over. Eagles and hawks, hm? That sounded awfully familiar. Conveniently suited to him. He started wondering if Todd didn't know more than he was letting on, but something like sympathy flashed across his face as he listened to the story.

"That's... all well and good, but you really should have contacted a shelter instead of pretending you were a vet." He didn't sound quite as harsh as before. In the back of his mind he was still suspicious, but he thought that the story was sincere enough. "Birds aren't stupid. If they figure out that you provide them food, they'll come to get it."

His shoulders raised a bit as he mentioned the hawk being shot. "You should've found a dog the hunter liked and shot him on accident," he noted spitefully. Of course, he was positive by now that Todd was a cop and probably wouldn't have done this.

"The hawk that clawed my face was kind of a pet, too. I was fairly close, but dad wasn't very happy with her for trying to take my face off and shot her." It felt a little strange for him to be sharing a story with a guy he'd just threatened for asking, but it wasn't anything he considered sensitive information, and he was actually starting to be pulled into conversation. It was funny; the first normal, in-person chat he'd had in quite a while, with an obnoxious stranger at the bar.

[Todd Thorne]

Todd was startled out of his revelry by the stranger's remark and smiled. "Yes you are right about that but we didn't have to go far for a trained vet. You see my mother was a veterinarian and even helped run the local animal shelter. Really my sister and my "nursing" only consisted of getting things she asked for and keeping the bird company." Todd laughed, "I tell you Bob, at the time it felt like we did a lot more!"

"As for the hunter, a thought like that did cross my mind but I could never bring myself to hurt an innocent dog. Just wouldn't be right, ya know?"

Todd scratched the back of his head and hesitantly said, "A real shame...what your pop did though." He then focused on picking and peeling the label off his empty bottle of beer, unsure of what else to say to Bob's admission about his scars.

[Wes Uccello]

Wes almost didn't believe what Todd had said about his mother; again, it sounded awfully convenient. But it did explain why they would've taken in a bird in the first place, so he mostly let it go. "That's convenient, then. You were lucky." After a brief pause, but before Todd moved on to the hunter comment, he quietly added, "It's Wes."

"Yeah... I guess so." He took a quiet bite, nearing the end of is meal, contemplating his previous comment. An eye for an eye... he'd sounded a bit like his father.

"Could've at least shot his tires, though."

Noticing that Todd sounded a bit uncomfortable with his story, Wes went on to answer, "I guess so, but at least it proved that he cared about protecting me..." He stopped, looking away and becoming awkwardly silent.

[Todd Thorne]

Todd gave a wary smile, "I guess you can see that as a silver lining...if you squint."

The conversation had taken an uncomfortable turn but Todd was happy to finally know "Bob's" name.

Wes huh? The name suits him. I wonder if it's short for Wesley? It would be funny if it was there would be two Wesley's in Greenvale. This Wes actually looks more like the type to sell guns then the one from Panda Bear...it must be this guy's aura.

Todd hope he could move their conversation back to a happier topic.

"So...Wes, how are you liking Greenvale?"

[Wes Uccello]

"Well, if that wasn't the case, he'd probably have died then and you just wouldn't have cared. Whether that's an improvement or not depends on you, I guess," Wes said, shrugging and taking another sip of his beer. Though he'd pretty much finished his meal, he was drinking slowly; he didn't look like he was in a hurry to get out of here now. Shifting slightly, he glanced over, trying to see out the window.

He didn't seem too thrilled with the new, happier topic, and responded with a bit of a growl. "It works. Plenty of space and not too many people. I'm not in love with the rain, though."

[Todd Thorne]

"Yeah the rain is a bummer, but you get used to it after awhile!"

Todd sipped his beer and began to munch on some peanuts.

"Ya know...considering how often it rains here it's funny so many are nervous so about it. All because of some silly folklore. My sister and I never saw what the big deal was but hey we didn't mind that it meant free days off from school!"

[Wes Uccello]

"Folklore?" Wes' interest was piqued; he had noticed driving through town earlier that there were very few people out and about. The best explanation he'd come up with was something about driving conditions; this was much more interesting.

"Care to fill me in?" he asked, lightly swishing what was left of his beer around the bottom of the bottle. Maybe he could at least learn something helpful or interesting from the conversation, besides the fact that Greenvale apparently had a very annoying police force.

[Todd Thorne]

Todd smiled, "Yeah well-you see back in the fifties there was this serial killer roaming the streets of Greenvale. He would wait until it rained and then go on a killing spree with a big axe wearing a red raincoat. His victims were usually those wandering outside during a storm. In the end a hundred or so people died and it was rumored that the US military was called in just to help take this psycho guy down! But it was all very hush hush, you know. If you try asking any of the older residents they'll deny the military were ever here."

"Anyway once the military was in town I guess that scared the pyscho because the killings suddenly stopped.." Todd paused, took another sip of beer and lowered his voice to a spooky whisper, "Unfortunately the killer was never caught!" He wiggled his fingers and said "OooOoo- scary right?"

"Well, there are some that believe the military did get their man while others are convinced the killer is just biding his time and eager to continue the killing during each rainstorm."

Todd smiled and threw up his hands, "Personally I think it's a load of crap! I mean really! If the killer is still alive and around he must be ancient and in no condition to lift an axe or be a threat to anyone! I think it's just an convenient excuse to not have to drive in the rain."

[Wes Uccello]

Wes listened to the story quietly, still swishing the last of the beer around the bottle. He occasionally glanced over at Todd, as if to appraise him, and towards the window again.

It was an interesting story. He tried to decide how much of it was fake. A hundred or so people? That many people, and the government never caught him? It sounded ridiculous to Wes, but his train of thought led him on... How many people had his father killed? Couldn't be that many... but... how many crimes?

He rolled his eyes at the spooky voice, but still sounded a bit somber in his response. "Hm. Well, there's always the chance that someone could use the story as a cover. People might not convict you if they thought the victim was killed by some legend... Of course, you probably have a better chance of dying cause your car hydroplaned than of being murdered by a copycat killer with an axe."

Quickly, he drunk the last of his beer and set the bottle back down on the counter, as if to punctuate his statement.

[Todd Thorne]

Todd nodded, "True man..." He looked at his watch and saw it was rather late. He still had to get home and catch up on City Lights. If he didn't go now there would be no way he could wake up at 5:45 to go work out!

He smiled and put out his hand, "It was great talking with you Wes, but I have to get going. I unfortunately have an early morning tomorrow!" Todd gave a sigh and then fished in his back pocket a bit and took out one of his Greenvale Sheriff Department business cards. He turned it over and scrawled him person email on the back and handed it to the scarred man.

He clapped him on the shoulder and said "I would really like to hang out sometime and shoot the breeze with you again. Give me a call any time or an email if you would like to meet somewhere. SWERY's is one of my usual hangouts so I hope to see you here again soon!"

With one last wave to his new friend Todd turned and left the bar.

[Wes Uccello]

Wes watched Todd's hand as it it were a fly buzzing in front of him, and didn't take it. The card, on the other hand, he did take, though with some confusion. Did everyone in town always pass out cards? This was the third... He stuffed it in his coat pocket with the others.

"If I'd known that, I would've made sure that you left a lot more drunk," he said with a smirk. The blonde man then touched his shoulder, which he endured but didn't look happy about in the least. Annoyed and slightly dazed, he only offered a jerky wave as the other man exited.

What just happened? He threatened to smash a guy in the face with a beer bottle and was told that he'd love to hang out again sometime. It was odd, surreal; someone had decided to be Wes' friend with absolutely no effort on his part. He wanted to believe that there was something sinister going on, but it really had felt earnest.

What was the deal with this town?

Wes pondered his new "friend" as he payed for his meal and left the bar.