Magic World (working title): Chapter 9 part 17

When the GPS showed that he was approaching Paris Street Bernard slowed down, and looked around, spotting a gravel parking lot next to a short brick building. The only other car in the lot was a newer model silver sedan with rental plates parked alongside the building.

He parked behind it, so that the rental car would be between him and the club, then got out and jogged across the street looking for the van in question, spotting it near the back, facing away from the street. He could see the two guys  in the front seats, just as Jackie had said, so he found a place among the remaining cars and squatted down.

Henry and Jackie hadn’t started up the block just yet, but the door to the club opened, and a skinny guy in a nice looking suit came outside with one of the dancers, a petite thing with dark hair. They were standing in the street speaking in hushed voices, when there was a roar from inside, and a crash.

The two thugs in the van roused when they heard the commotion, and after a few seconds two more bikers came out of the bar, wearing leather jackets with a stylized goats skull on the back, and started walking menacingly toward the guy and the stripper.

The men in the van looked at each other, but made no move to get out, so Bernard took the opportunity to sneak closer to the van to try to flank them while they were distracted. Then the door opened again and out came a pink-haired, tattooed stripper holding what looked like a police issue tazer in each hand.

Bernard thought this book a little ridiculous, only amateurs ever tried to use two guns at once, but the two thugs in the van must've decided that this constituted enough of a threat, and got out to go help their compatriots. 

As Bernard circled around behind them he heard the stripper shout something followed by the loud grunting noises of the two men being tazed.

When he got around behind them he noted that thug number one was holding a sawed-off pump shotgun.

"Great," he thought, "So, no guns, eh Jackie?" 

The two goons seemed to be trying to keep a low profile, but they were intent on the activity in the street, the smaller dancer seemed to have driven off in the rental car, so they didn't notice Bernard sneaking up behind. 

Then, finally, Bernard heard the sound of Henry and Jackie's motorcycles approaching. The skinny suited man and the stripper had also noticed, and the girl was squaring off, as if getting ready for a fight.

The thugs took this as their cue to make their move, and Bernard used that to make his move.

He saw thug #1 notice him in the mirror of a car, so when he tapped him on the right shoulder he wasn't surprised when the right elbow swung toward him. He grabbed thug #2 and pulled him into the path of the flying elbow, which impacted solidly sending teeth and blood flying, and thug #2 reeled away.

Thug #1 tried to swing the barrel of the shotgun around to aim at Bernard, who obstructed his forearm with his own upraised right forearm. He then simultaneously rolled that arm over the thugs, and thrust upward with the heel of his left hand, striking the elbow. It didn't break, but he did feel it as the elbow dislocated. He scooped the sawed-off into his own hands, his left on the grip, and the right on the barrel, then jabbed the butt of the gun at the side of the thugs head, just above the ear. 

The biker dropped like a stone. 

The other thug had recovered by then and faced Bernard, spitting blood on the ground which then also dribbled down his chin, and looking murderous. Bernard took the shotgun in his right hand and pointed it at the thug, who stopped short looking at it then back up at Bernard, dubiously.

"You know," said Bernard in a cheery voice, "I'm not exactly great with guns. I don't know, for example, if there's a shell in this chamber right now or not." He let his eyes go wide and crazy. "In fact, I don't even know how many shells this this gun holds, or how wide of a spread the bullets will make. I couldn't even tell you if this thing has a safety." He smiled maniacally at the biker. "Isn't it fun, not knowing?"

The thug glowered and took half a step back.

Henry and Jackie had just pulled up and were now getting off their bikes. Henry had a look on his face, like Christmas has come early.

"Whoo-whee!" He whooped loudly. Looking at the stripper he said, "Darlin' where did you come from, and are there any more at home like you?" 

She grimaced, but seemed to relax a bit, seeing now that no attack was imminent.

"Aw, aren't you cute," she said sarcastically. "Has that kind of line Ever worked for you?"

He grinned and winked at her. "Only once kitten, and then I married her. Which reminds me...." He turned to Bernard. "After THAT kind of performance I might just change my mind and let you fuck my wife after all!"

Not taking his eyes off the thug in front of him, Bernard rolled his eyes, but couldn't help smirking. Just a little.