Taking the Measure of a Man #2
Simo sat back, shook his head like he was trying to clear it, and yelled, “I fucking don't get you!” Simo threw his hands up.
“You don't want to see her, or talk about her? Yet you want to play Secret Service bodyguard to her? Make me understand this?” Xander began to speak, and Simo stopped him.
“Wait, never mind! I don't want to know… I think you have brain damage from the sun or from blood loss.”
“Is it a deal?” Xander asked Simo.
“Just understand this: You fuck up? I'll put another hole in you. Katalaveno? Kyrios Kominos?” Simo growled.
“Uh, it’s Kostinos.”
“Is it, then?” Simo mumbled.
“Yes, and I do understand.”
“Xander, about the…” Ari started and stopped when Simo held his hand up, then stood and walked over to Xander.
“Here is an advance on your salary. Take it and shut up,” Simo barked and set the briefcase on the table in front of him.
“Uh, what?” Xander stood and moved back from the briefcase.
Ari began laughing, stood up, and gave Simo a little clap. “Simo, well played! Xander, your boss just paid you. A deal is a deal.”
“Gentlemen, er, whatever. This is a ridiculous amount of money...”
Simo rounded on him angrily, then sighed and brushed his black leather coat off with his hands. “Listen. Trust me on this, ok? Take it; you are going to need it.” He clapped Xander on the back, then left the room.
Xander turned to Ari, then plopped back down on the chair. “Ari? I have to know. Where did this money come from?”
“From all of us, Xander. How about this: when I come asking to buy your story for a movie, you may consider it a deposit, if that helps.”
Xander nodded, still not wanting to touch the briefcase.
Ari shook his head in bewilderment. “Xander? I would think you would be ecstatic, or at least a little excited...”
Simo cleared his throat from the doorway. “Ari, when you gave me your card after the hijacking, I almost threw it away. Like this guy is thinking of this money.”
Ari looked up at Simo, who had a half-eaten apple in his hand, and asked, “I was not aware of this, Simo. Why?”
Simo took a huge bite of the apple, nearly finishing it off.
With his mouth full, he answered, “My marriage was all but over. Marina was unhappy; she wanted a husband who was home safe every night.” He eyed Xander, then continued, “She deserved that much... your card, Ari? I knew it would signal the end, a change… and it did. With it, I was able to leave Greece to start over.”
Ari stood up and looked sadly at Simo. “My dear friend... I did not know. If I caused you pain, I am truly sorry.”
Simo shrugged. “It was for the best for everyone. Marina is happy with four children at her feet.” Simo turned to Xander and eyed him up and down again. “She has a good husband who is there for his family every night.”
Xander didn't know what to make of what was going on here... he stared at the briefcase. “Gentlemen? This is cash... what am I supposed to do with it? It's not like I can really just deposit it in the bank?”
Simo chuckled, walked over to the briefcase, opened it up, and stacked ten bundles of one-hundred-dollar bills off to the side.
He closed the briefcase and slid it over to Ari.
“If you would, sir, please get Kyrios… Kostinos a receipt for his deposit.” He picked up nine bundles and slid them over to Xander and held up the tenth.
“Since you are a temporary contractor, you get to pay for your own gear, rent, and, ah... yes, training costs! Yes, ten thousand should do good. Take the rest for Athena....”
Xander nodded, and asked seriously, “You sure that's enough for you?” He saw Simo's eyebrow raise up.
Ari laughed. “Xander, stop! Yes, it's enough. You don't know Simo like I do. I'll get you a receipt for your money. You can call Deepa or Sagar at any time of day or night for your money. Or you can call me.”
Xander nodded and slowly began putting his ninety thousand dollars into his pockets. “This is a lot of money to be carrying around.”
Simo grunted and held open his jacket, showing the massive handgun nestled in its holster. “You are safe.”
“Holy Mother of God...” Xander exclaimed. “What is that thing?”
“I'll tell you on the way back. You can handle staying at JJ's,” he said, rather than asked.
Ari handed Xander a fancy-looking receipt and two business cards. “Good day, Xander, we will speak soon. Go and get some rest; you look like you need it.”
“Thank you, Ari,” Xander replied as Simo directed him to the door.
On the way down in the elevator, Simo turned to Xander and smiled. “Nice move. I was waiting for your jacket in my face. I like your instincts, Xan. I hope they serve us well. While you are working with us, we will be calling you Xan. I hear that you are good with blades...”
“Oh, you mean my pocket knife.” Xander shrugged.
“No. I mean with a machete. Never heard of a leg amputation done like that. Halo told us.”
“Are you freaking kidding me? She took a video of that too? Jesus H...” Xander looked up at the ceiling of the elevator. “What the hell else did she video?”
Simo smiled, then pointed down at Xander’s crotch. “I didn't know Halo liked small psolees.”
“What the hell! Hey now, I am Greek after all.” Xander chuckled dryly.
Simo held his thumb and forefinger out, making a small gesture.
“Half Greek!” Simo let out a deep belly laugh and clapped Xander on his shoulder hard.
“I am joking with you, Xan. If she did record your psolee, she didn't tell me... but maybe you should ask Jessie what she thinks.” Simo guffawed again as the doors opened and he walked out, leaving Xander open-mouthed and red-faced.