Part IV

The aftermath

Tuesday could only have been an anticlimax. Nobby and Rhodri stood as always in the door well discussing events and their implications. The mood was relaxed and cautiously triumphant as Nobby purred softly,

"You know Roddy, we did well last night”

"Oh how so?", Rhodri replied bemused.

"Alwyn has been bound over to keep the peace, he cannot touch either of us even if he wants to", Nobby replied, his words satisfied by a smile of self-satisfaction.

"Which he does of course…”

"Yes I know!", laughed Nobby, his countenance suddenly became severe. "He has disgraced himself Roddy!" His triumphal anger became still as he whispered to his partner in deadly earnest, "Do you know he went to Lloyd's to fetch a baseball bat for me?"

"Really!" Rhodri exclaimed, astonished.

"Yes that's right! Can you believe it? A baseball bat. Honest to God Roddy! A third degree black belt, and he has to get a baseball bat to deal wiv’ me!", then his concern gave way to a brave laugh to hide his evident fear.

"Sweet Jesus he is dangerous!"

"Yes Roddy he is!", Nobby nodded and his voice softened to a reverential whisper, "Do you know, he even attacked Obi last night, because Obi, he tried to stop him coming after me!"

"Jesus Lord!"

"You know he was in such trouble with the police, if he attacked anyone else they was gonna put his ass away in prison for five years!"

The conversation about the aftermath of Alwyn's reprisals continued later that same evening when the two addressed more arcane matters. Rhodri was unsure quite how to phrase the question or whether even to raise it at all, but as ever his curiosity got the better of him,

"Where did you go off to last night Nobby after Alwyn attacked you?"

Nobby seemed lost for words for a moment before his eyes glazed over in fond recollection,

"I went to see a friend, a very special friend who will always be with me", his answer was dreamy as though he were conversing with the stars,

"Good evening gentlemen, could we have a tie next time please Sir?" Rhodri opened the door as though it were a passing gust of wind.

"Certainly, no problem"

"What friend?" Rhodri persisted.

"A universal friend".

Rhodri let it go, he knew when Nobby did not wish to divulge a secret, no matter how trivial or important, and how it angered him when he did so.

"What was your date of birth Roddy?" Nobby changed the subject with a shrewd smile,

"Second November, sixty seven"

Nobby paused for thought, and Rhodri watched as the astrological permutations swept through his mind with attendant whispers and mutters. Then his lips became motionless and he face lit up in astonishment,

"Honest to God! An Aryan Scorpio! Warlord!"

Rhodri gave him a superstitious look,

"What's an Aryan Scorpio when he's home?"

"Fire of warrior spirit, water sign of love and strong emotions, perception of water sign… and poison of scorpion!", and with these last words his face darkened. Fortunately a friendly door man from the Jackson’s Night Club came by at that moment and grinned at the two of them as he entered,

"Evening Nobby, I hears you' two been havin' a bit of a run in with Alwyn of late?"

Nobby grinned, revelling in his new found notoriety.

"Well played there Roddy you got Alwyn there good!"

"Why thank you", he acknowledged the compliment with a smile. He had seen the door man at Jackson’s many times on his visits with Mark or Nobby, but they had never been properly introduced.

"Any time you boys want to come and work for me!"

Nobby laughed and returned the sentiment,

"Any times you want to come and work for us!"

The gentlemen laughed and went on his way, and Rhodri meantime returned his gaze towards Nobby,

"That reminds me how are Tim and Cyril?"

"Both looking forward to Friday, Cyril starts on Thursday, I took them both to get their bow ties yesterday".

"I was quite impressed with Tim"

"Yes tall, handsome, polite and very well mannered, a perfect door man".

"Cyril has the authority of a head doorman.” Nobby inhaled with pride and continued, “Tremendous presence, firm with a polite manner", Rhodri added complementing Nobby's selection.

"He was raised in Nigeria, we are all raised that way Roddy!", and Nobby beat his chest proudly with his fist.

"There must be an inexhaustible supply of quality door men available in the student market", Rhodri suggested after a moment's consideration.

Nobby nodded and beamed,

"Yes Roddy, you know you are right".

Word had spread quickly through the City’s back streets and underworld. Rhodri had entered the Crwys inn, just around the corner from his lodgings, for his cherished holiday steak and kidney pie that Wednesday at lunchtime, and ventured to sit in his usual quiet spot in the leather clad corner. Many of the regulars he had known from the Claude were at the bar, some of them sporting the pale brown skin shades of their Docks' heritage. The Claude had been one of the many public inns he had worked in whilst serving under Wyvern, and Raymond, a tall, pale Creole with a bizarre sense of humour was one of them. At the Claude he had tested Rhodri's nerves by holding a closed flick knife under Rhodri's chin whilst he watched them play snooker, only to burst out laughing as Rhodri had called his bluff and ignored him as though he weren’t even there. Now his scarred face was a picture of concern as he saw Rhodri's downcast and pensive expression overhanging a freshly split lip, and he and his three friends came over to express their concern and exorcise their curiosity. Raymond placed a paternal arm across Rhodri's shoulder and asked,

"What's the matter my friend?"

"I think I upset Alwyn".

"Yes so's me and the boys heard".

"Did he hurt you?"

"Just a nick" Rhodri displayed a solitary stitch. Raymond laughed out loud,

"Hah! A big third degree black belt and that's the best he could do?"

His friends sniggered. Raymond drew the scar on his face closer,

"We heard you's was ready to have a go at him, didn't we boys?"

Rhodri nodded with the expression of one who had only just missed his commission for the battle of Balaclava,

"Well don't you worry my son", and Raymond's cheek came down in parallel with his and he spoke into Rhodri's ear,"We won't let Alwyn get to you will we boys".

The corner resounded to a unified chorus of comradely resistance.

That Wednesday evening two unexpected visitors came to Henry's. Rhodri had wondered whom Nobby had had in mind for his Wednesday companion since the departure of Wyvern, and inevitably Gary. The evening was deathly still, and Rhodri felt quite vulnerable to the hauntings of hungry ghosts in the City’s sometime quiet backwater at Park Place. At eight o’clock his hour’s musing was answered when a tall, dark stranger walked up to the door dressed with the pre-requisite green bow tie and a well worn tuxedo. No ordinary man, but a giant of a man, he loomed long, rangy and powerfully over Rhodri, wearing over thirty years of experience upon his dark West Indian features. However, the gentleman was neither debonair nor did he carry an air of grandure, as his every motion, his every muscle oozed confidence and style. Waltzing through the door he handed Rhodri his coat and gloves and spoke abruptly,

"Good evening my man, you must be Roddy"

"Err Yes?"

"Pleasure to shake your hand Roddy, mmmm...say this is a nice place! You wouldn't just place my nice coat over that nice coat rack over there in the corner now would you?"

"Of course, you must be the...new door…man?"

"That's right my man! Owen Summer's the name!"

Rhodri's face lit up in realisation as he tried to place a name,

"Owen Summer?” Rhodri delved into the shadowy recesses of his memory, “Yes that's right…Owen Summer the Welsh heavyweight karate champion?"

Owen smiled down upon him through his elegant round spectacles,

"That's right Roddy, that's right my man and Nobby asked me to come around here tonight to look after your good self and make sure that no harm comes to you".

Owen was quite a conversationalist. By the time John Falcon had arrived they had covered most everything, from dietetics and karate, to his motor business and the lifestyle of one of the Princes of the Docks. Finally the conversation turned to the events of the holiday weekend.

"So's Roddy, my man", Owen's tone took on a more serious aspect, "I hear that you had some manner of altercation wiv Alwyn over the weekend?"

"Somewhat yes".

"He actually went and hit you?"

"Yes I'm afraid so".

"Dear oh dear! Mmmm-Hmm! Alwyn's going to get nowheres at all with that attitude, nowheres at all"

"You's scared Roddy?"

"Nope", Rhodri was yielding none of his new found status, even if he were.

"No, I didn't think’s you was. Nobby cames and saws me on Monday night, he looked pretty shaken up".

"Alwyn charged after him".

"So's I heard, so's I heard. But don't worry Roddy, we's protect you from Alwyn".

Somehow Owen's six foot six inch frame and confident manner managed to reassure him, at least for the moment.

John strolled up to the door a few minutes after nine wearing a bold, bright smile and a rare suit and tie.

"Good evening John", Rhodri acknowledged the champion with a sartorial bow.

"Hello Roddy, can I come in and talk with you?"

"Most certainly John, please by all means"

"Would you excuse us Owen?"

Owen raised his head majestically, and nodded,

"By all means young master Roddy, by all means".

"Ah just one minute", smiled John and he disappeared inside where Ray awaited him outside the office, an event that did not escape Rhodri's notice.

"How's you getting along with John?" asked Owen curiously, scratching his tall chin with a long finger.

"Okay as far as I know?" Rhodri shrugged to indicate the extent of his awareness. He returned to watch Ray and his red tie and suspenders, busy casting aspersive glances from his gaunt and pallid features before engaging in whispered conversation. John grinned and nodded, before noticing Rhodri's interest and swiftly ending the discussion. With a laugh and a smile John moving forward again to meet with Rhodri.

"Excuse me?" Rhodri bowed and Owen nodded, sharing Rhodri's inferred look of suspicion. Rhodri led them onto the carpeted platform and gestured to a table next to a yucca plant.

"That's right this table here" smiled John as Rhodri drew a chair from beneath the small empty table.

"Can I get you a drink?" queried Rhodri.

"Uh-uh", whispered John, "I's get you one, what'll it be?"

"An orange juice"

"Okay I'll be right over".

Rhodri sat down far too trusting of the arrangement, and made himself comfortable. After an unusually short wait at the bar John returned with a pair of short, colourful glasses.

"Here's you are then Roddy", and John gently pushed the orange glass across the glass table.

"Much appreciated thank you John".

"You knows Alwyn was very upset on Monday night".

"I can imagine" John smiled at Rhodri and his eyes sparkled.

"You know Roddy, Nobby owes Alwyn a whole lot of money", Rhodri raised his eyebrows to acknowledge the revelation. John nodded, and Rhodri could discern from the glint in his eyes that he was telling the truth. John's face became motionless and his brown eyes traced a line up from the red cocktail he was drinking and met Rhodri's and he opened his soul. What he saw in his eyes was not human, and he peered deeply into his spirit. Then John spoke softly and with a warm tone,

"You know Rhodri money is the root of all evil", and he nodded.

"Radix malorum est cupiditas", echoed Rhodri. John exhaled with a smile and nodded in appreciation,

"That's right Rhodri it is". He cast his eyes downwards again at his drink and his features changed subtly, as he became more personal,

"Alwyn treated Nobby like a son you know Roddy. He felt kind of close to you too. He remembered that day you and I and he wents shopping together for the clothes and how fond he was of you".

Rhodri smiled at John's subtle portrayal of Alwyn as a big hearted man with a bad temper, but decided to keep silent.

"So why did you do it Roddy? The money? The hours? What?"

"Alwyn's attitude", coming straight to the point, "The hours were a factor, but it wasn't the money. Give me a fifty pound note right now and I'll burn it in front of you, and give you another one tomorrow and you have my word".

"Okay Roddy". John laughed and nodded in understanding. Then his face darkened a glimmer and he spoke softly, "You knows Roddy Alwyn could lash you if he wanted to. He could just come here, take you outside and lash you".

"I'm not afraid of Alwyn John. If Alwyn kills me tomorrow it will be as the Lord wills it. I simply don't care for fear and I'm not frightened of him at all. He simply has to learn that he can't treat everybody the way he does", John nodded, his sunny expression now overcast,

"Okay Roddy I believes you"

As the onset of the summer term and the exams drew nearer Rhodri struggled to concentrate. It was Friday morning and he sat in his room struggling with an immunology textbook on antibodies and the clotting cascade when he felt an intense agony in his head and dropped his textbook, clutching his temples with his palms. Alwyn's image came into his mind's eye and it felt as though a mighty force were crushing his mind and his body and he screamed with the pain. Collapsing onto his right knee he fought to resist the pressure, forcing his energies upward and outward in reaction to the physic assault. With one final effort he focused upon Alwyn and exploded outwards from his fallen form and screamed the name of the offending spirit,

"Bayter come and face me! I do not fear you!"

And the pain and the pressure were gone and he stood alone in his room seething with rage.

Friday evening was an altogether more relaxed affair, and Nobby and Rhodri were now able to take care of the front door without taking alternate tours of duty inside. Matters were now well in hand and it had been agreed that Nobby would take care of financial matters, assuming the title of director, whilst Rhodri willingly volunteered to be responsible for employment, marketing and planning, a division of labour suited to their personalities. Tim was stationed on the front left platform, his handsome head looming high above the crowd whilst Cyril was stationed back right. They were the perfect image for Henry's, smart, handsome and eloquent. Cyril was a man of modest height and frame, but was the owner of a superlative smile. His ebony skin seemed only to serve to enhance the flash of his white teeth, and the evening light shone off his smooth forehead as if it were polished. Nobby soon established a strong rapportwith Cyril and the two could quite happily be left for hours on end exchanging proud details of their Nigerian school days. Masterful tones eminated from Cyril's lips, and Rhodri did not mind taking the occasional marching order from some so bold, fair and confident of speech. Tim was a fellow graduate engineering student with Cyril, and save for his black hair and dark eyes he might well have served as a symbol for the Aryan youth. A dedicated bodybuilder, Tim was well over six feet in stature and his awesome form and symmetry provided an irresistible lure for the many single ladies who frequented Henry and his court. Strangely, despite his intelligence, charm and physical prowess, there was an inner doubt, a strange deficit in self-confidence that Rhodri could not fathom. It was a self-doubt that haunted his conversations and lent him an alluring modesty that made his talents all the easier to live with. In short the four door men formed a happy and compatible team at the weekends, and most importantly of all Mark was delighted with the image the four gave the weekend club. Ever the strategist Rhodri had set a simple system into motion for the weekends, with Cyril and Tim stationed on smiling watch inside Henry's and Nobby and Rhodri acting as the filter and reception committee at the front door. In principle the system worked quite well, with Rhodri communicating the urgency of a situation with one or two fingers to Tim stationed behind and to his right on the elevated platform, and Tim's collosal frame indicating to Cyril the urgency of the second finger. The only successful ingredient necessary to help the system to flow effectively was that most prerequisite of attributes a door man must possess; attentiveness.

The tribes of Llanelli and Neath poured into the City on Saturday for the Schweppes Cup Final to decide the rugby champions of Wales. Black and red and white regalia flooded the streets, the bars and pubs of the Capital as the long beer march to the Temple of Welsh rugby started in earnest at eleven. Rhodri and Nobby manned their posts with a smile in readiness for another thirteen hours of merriment and mayhem. Nobby had bought a mobile phone, on company expenses of course, and Rhodri reluctantly had been persuaded to rent a pager from a fledgling company so that he could be summoned when and as necessary. The two friends stood side by side in silence watching the barbarian hoardes trample by. With a proud sniff Nobby took his mobile phone from his pocket and polished it lovingly, opening its speaker and then closing it again before returning it to his pocket. Gazing with an air of nobility towards the Park Hotel, he did not appear to want to be disturbed as Rhodri periodically opened and closed the cafe doors for customers. Rhodri returned up the flight of wooden steps and perched himself opposite his partner. The lull in the storm was an opportunity to discuss business and Rhodri thought that Nobby might be rather more receptive to the topic of money,

"I hear that Stamps are looking to tender their contract soon. From talking to Keith he seems pretty sick of Wyvern and it would be easy to secure and hold two cafe bars a third of a mile apart".

"You know Roddy you are right! We should set up a meeting with Keith pretty soon. I have already been talking with Premiere Leisure about a new restaurant that they are opening by the Holiday Inn. We should meet with them in a couple of weeks".

"Well spotted Nobby! Have you noticed the new American style theme bar that is under construction in the City centre along St.David's Way?"

"Oh I did not realise that it would be a bar and not a night club. That does not fall under cafe bars and restaurants really".

"Well the word is that it's going to be a fairly upmarket affair, and it doesn't really fall into any category really, so we might as well go and take a look".

"You know you are right Roddy. I'll go and investigate tomorrow morning, we need to find out who's behind it so we can beat Wyvern to the contract".

"We have a flagship Nobby, he doesn't", added Rhodri with a wry smile. Nobby grinned at his partner and nodded,

"I know you Roddy, you are very cunning"

"Why thank you Nobby, you're no innocent spring chicken yourself".

Nobby laughed willfully, a laugh which carried the sweet sickly scent of unseen intent into Rhodri's subconcious. Rhodri became uncomfortable and prefered to change the subject,

"So we agree that every....Good morning gentlemen, I'm sorry we'd like to let you in but it's shirt and tie today Sir, yes I know it's a lovely Llanelli scarf, but I'm a Neath supporter so that won't get you in today! Okay and you have a good day too! Neath thirty seven, Llanelli three!"

"Up yours and have a good day yourself!", replied the Llanelli supporter.

"Thank you gentlemen!", Rhodri cleared his throat, "Anyway, as I was saying we agree that basic is four an hour, and five for the head door man even if there is only one door man?"

"Ah-hah, Roddy as we have discussed yes".

"This makes all establishments self-regulating, as all responsibility for pay and security can be delegated to the head door man".

"No not pay!", Nobby's voice became blunt and forceful, "I already have a nice girl, a good girl who I have lined up for Saturdays. Sharon will collect the money after she has paid the door men for their week's work from the previous week's takings".

"Mmmm.."

"Honestly Roddy!", his speech became quite emotive,"It is much better that way than annoying the bosses all the time looking like you're grabbing their money. If you send a pretty girl with a pretty smile then she relaxes their mind from the big bills and you keep the contract for longer".

Rhodri stared at Nobby in amazed silence impressed by his clear reasoning and logic. Eventually he found his tongue again,

"How much are we paying her?"

"Fifteen a night, but only when we have more contracts".

"Okay that's reasonable. Still fifty fifty?"

Nobby's face darkened and he muttered in a tone that was barely audible. After a scowl he perked up and looked out through the window in deadly earnest, and then spoke authoratatively almost as if Rhodri was not listening,

"I have consulted with the spirits, they tell me I need you. Anyway trust is essential for good partnership, and if you betray partner then the spirits will punish you. For it is written if you harm an innocent man the spirits will repay it upon you five times over", and his hand gripped the railing as though he were dispensing an anger.

"Excuse me?", replied Rhodri, scarcely believing his ears.

"Oh it is nothing", answered Nobby in a low tone.

The boys from Llanelli were certainly enjoying their day out. At two o'clock the managers from the neighbouring rival cafe bar at Dillans came around with their caps in hand looking most sorry for themselves. A young man whose face was pale and terrified stammered his address with two juniors in tow,

"Excuse us gentlemen? We have a problem we were wondering if you could help us with?"

Rhodri replied as Nobby wore a smug expression of content over his face,

"What is the matter? And how precisely may we be of service to you gentlemen?"

"We need some help to clear out some hooligans from Dillans. Come with us please, we'll show you".

Nobby agreed to stay behind whilst Rhodri was offered a most entertaining spectacle. Dillans cafe bar with its ornate chandeliers and balconies was deserted with the exception of a dozen red and white scarves who were busy ransacking the establishment. Pouring pints of beer over one another and throwing the remainder for sport, the red and white youths were dancing on the bar and tables singing their tribal anthems. As some swung from the chandeliers, others danced upon the hard polished veneer of the bars and one lay under the beer taps whilst they were opened into his mouth. It was a surreal sight, and Rhodri rushed back excitedly along Park Place to share the news and the spectacle with Nobby and Ray. Five minutes later Ray and Nobby returned in stitches of laughter, as they tried to recount what they had seen to their colleague. The young manager of Dillans rushed after them, imploring their assistance, but Ray turned around and responded firmly,

"I'm sorry these are Henry's door men. I can't have them going around risking their necks to sort out your problems when they're supposed to be safeguarding this establishment. I'm sorry gentlemen, it seems as though you've been penny wise and pound foolish!"

At three o'clock that afternoon Rhodri was afforded a break along with the kitchen staff and sat enjoying his plate of risotto as the Cup final was being played out. By and large Rhodri got along with the staff. They found him awkward, but respectful and more importantly they knew he had the ear of the manager so they left well alone. Pleasant murmurings of conversation passed between the humble and the meek dressed in the official creams and Sherwood greens of the establishment. Some minutes later Ray happened down the stairs with a football, his face a picture of malice. With a malevolent grimace in Rhodri's direction, he started to throw the ball violently against the basement wall. After a few beats of the ball he paused and turned his head towards the dining table,

"I hear Alwyn's going to break an iron bar across your head", his tone was venemous and it provoked murmurs from the assembly. Rhodri decided to play him at his own game replying nonchalently to his taunts,

"Well I don't suppose I'd be around to cry about it?" The timing of the reposte drew a wave of titters and giggles from the staff.

"We'll see who's laughing soon enough!", Ray sneered in response, reverting to his Lancastrian accent.

"Fraternising with the opposition again Ray? Tut-tut-tut. How unprofessional!"

"You little smart arse, just you wait until Alwyn gets his hands on you".

"How cheap, how common, how squalid".

"Alwyn will deal with you. You wait an' see!"

"Que sera, sera. But then again that's a little over your head isn't it Ray?"

Ray hissed in contempt and threw the ball against the wall a few more times before jettisoning it into the corner and storming off,

"Temper, temper little boy!", Rhodri called after him. The staff stared at him in amused disbelief and started to talk as he returned to his meal with apparent unconcern.

The red bow tie made its customary appearance at the appointed hour of eleven. The creole features, wiry black hair and goatie beard bowed courteously as the door was opened for him. Rhodri averted his eyes to avoid his penetrating gaze. The Rose Seller stood still in front of him piercing his soul with his eternal question. At last he spoke quiet and clear,

"Hello Sir, I see you're still strong after ten months, a true lionheart if I may say so", and then he paused as if there was a but, "I hear that you've gone into business with Nobby here, trouble looms ahead I understand?"

"Yes it's true that we're in business, trouble? That's largely a product of the imagination and is part of the job".

The Rose Seller looked through him and spoke quietly,

"People says as there is a witch in town. Awitch who can fly and possesses magical powers, and can fight like the devil himself! But I turned around and answered, yes but you are forgetting something very important. There is black witches and there is white witches, and the one's I am thinking that you's are referring to is a white witch. Without the white witches, I told them, there would be only black witches. And if there were only black witches then all of nature would die as there would be no white witches left to undo them, and greed, hate and disharmony would rule the dying earth".

Rhodri stared him impassively in the eye, but the Rose Seller could read into his soul,

"I was like you after twelve months and then my leg started shaking, I just couldn't stop it. My heart and spirit wanted to continue fighting, but my mind had run its course. Because it lacked the essential sustenance it withered in the fire, for where there is no water there can be no life". He paused and smiled gently with his eyes and offered Rhodri a rose.

Revelations

Mark came towards the front door wearing a frown. He found Nobby and Rhodri busy resting on their laurels gazing through the gold and green lettering of the Henry's shop front on one cool Monday evening in early May.

"I just couldn't believe it! Ray, I said, how could you threaten a door man in front of the staff! I told him that there was no place for that kind of behaviour in this establishment. You're supposed to set an example to the rest of the staff!", Mark paused, looking genuinely exasperated,"The tender for the contract was my decision taken on a competetive basis and you have no right to take personal sides over this issue! Fighting and exchanging threats and insults with a door man in front of the staff! You're lucky this isn't going to head office!"

"Honest to God!", exclaimed Nobby,"You mean with Roddy!"

Rhodri sighed, "Well he started it".

"And I can well believe it! I tell you Ray Merson is going to have to start watching his step around here!"

After work that evening Rhodri and Nobby descended upon St.Mary Street in search of a meal and an answer to their questions. They settled inside the warmth of the little kebab house at the mouth of Caroline Street and after they had ordered their kebabs they got around to talking,

"Honest to God Roddy! I pay enough tax already! I already have one job teaching mathematics as a tutor to people with learning disabilities, that's enough aini!"

"Look Nobby it's not a question of feeling but of fact. You cannot take contracts with the company name and receive money off their books and pretend that you don't have an income. It's in black and white!"

"I dini like it! It's not fair! All I seem to do is work Roddy! And I have no money to show for it! I pay one lot of tax already and that's all I want to pay!"

"As you wish, but I want my money in cheque form so that I have receipts!"

Nobby was taken aback and almost choked on his mouthful of doner kebab.

"What d'you mean?"

"I mean that I want a registered account of my earnings!"

"No Roddy, don't be silly. You can have a look at the books anytime you want", his voice had softened to an apology.

"You're missing the point Nobby! I don't want to handle the accounts, I'm the consultant not the financial director. Just give me my wages in cheque form".

"Okay Rhodri as you wish, but tomorrow morning we have to go to the bank to deposit the first week's earnings, and after that we have our meeting with the owners of the Fizz!"

"The Fizz?"

"Yes, yes, where have you been? It's the new American style theme bar you told me about!"

"Nobby you are brilliant!", exclaimed Rhodri, managing a rare laugh.

"Yes I know I am!", and Nobby indulged himself laughing between mouthfuls of his kebab.

The next day a big silver Rover shimmered in the haze of the early morning sun as it made its way softly along the quiet enclave at the top of Woodville Road. A horn sounded at the hour of ten and a familiar red tie and shiny blue suit could be discerned waving through the angled windshield. Surprised and amused Rhodri dropped his basic Immunology textbook and worked his way down the stairs in his black shirt, tie, suit and shoes, checking his watch as he went. Ten o'clock, he was only half an hour late. Unusually punctual for Nobby. The passenger door flew open as he approached the silver barge, skirting around it to check the specifications. Six cylinders, apposed, two point six litres, middle of the range trim, C registration plate, it was only three years old. He worked his way around to the passenger door,

"Good morning Nobby! Almost on time! Nice wheels!"

Nobby giggled,

"Oh sorry I'm late, I was busy last night", and his face revealed an impish look of pleasure,"We had better get moving Roddy, we have meeting at eleven thirty with owners of Fizz".

"Well don't let me keep you Nobby...", Rhodri added with playful sarcasm,"This car yours Nobby?" Rhodri paused as if surprised.

Nobby laughed,

"Yes I bought it from a friend of mine".

"In Grangetown?"

"Yes"

"Very nice! Quality fabric, smooth ride and a quiet engine too, good deal?"

"Very good", and Nobby's face beamed with pride and satisfaction as he lived his dream.

"I thought you didn't have a driver's licence?", asked Rhodri pushing his luck, but Nobby was unruffled and just laughed it away, as was usual when he just didn't want to answer a question.

The luxury barge came to rest along the single yellow lines of Westgate Street, a mere stroll from the power axis of St.Mary Street. Nobby breezed out of the car door and sprang onto the pavement with zest. Producing his key ring he pressed the remote central locking device and giggled joyfully at the resounding dull and heavy click. Laughing to himself, he walked over to a nearby red Toyota and whisked the parking ticket from beneath the windshield wiper, placing it cheerfully under his own. Pausing for moment he then exhaled with pleasure as he admired his car from fifteen yards and then turned towards his partner who stood staring at him in surprise,

"Nobby are you quite sure that's ethical?"

Nobby just beamed in the sunlight, and admired his car from another angle. Brandishing his mobile phone he gestured to his partner to follow him,

"Come on you head case!", he called after him in affection, laughing skillfully to show his humour, "Let's go to the bank aini!"

The two colleagues walked the remaining stretch along St.Mary Street chatting amiably, before they turning right into St.David's Way. They stopped outside a sawdust and timber strewn doorway in the middle of the street where the Fizz could be heard ascending from down the stairs and they paused to view their intended bride with exultation. Less than a hundred yards further along the same side of the street they entered the Barnaby's cafe bar as the sun penetrated the heart of the little pedestrianised street. At eleven thirty a tall handsome man and a long-haired brunette descended the stairs of the cafe bar. Rhodri and Nobby had taken the liberty of choosing a discrete corner of the cafe where they could savour the sun and not be seen from the street above. Politely, Rhodri and Nobby rose to their feet smiling from ear to ear as the tall elegantly dressed man bowed his head to avoid the low ceiling, and then as a gentleman removed the chair from beneath the table to seat his partner.

"Hello, I'm Nobby, director of Palace Security, and this is my consultant Roddy", and he finished his positive introduction off with a warm gurgle and a furious shake of the hand.

"I'm James, regional manager of Orion Entertainments whose project Fizz is, and this is Andrea, my section director"

"Hello pleased to meet you gentlemen"

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance"

"Hiya!"

All members of the party promptly sat down and Rhodri spread his papers as James laid his document wallet on the surface. What a showman Rhodri thought, as Nobby rested his chic little mobile phone in front of him as a mark of his and the company's importance.

A youthful waitress promptly came up to take their order, and Nobby reached theatrically for his wallet,

"Oh don't worry", remarked Andrea,"This is compliments of Orion. What are you gentlemen having?"

"Oh I'll have a cappuccino please"

"Strawberry milk shake", bubbled Nobby.

"Two regular black coffees please, thank you".

The sunlight poured in from the streetwalk above onto the cream walls and pine furnishings that lent the establishment its clean and airy beauty, its virgin walls punctuated only by the small prints of yachts adorning its walls.

"Okay let me start with a little bit about Orion Entertainments", announced Andrea,"We are an American Company that is extending its leisure operations into Europe, and one of our biggest projects is the American style theme bar". Her eyes lit up with glee as she pressed the play button and went into the commercial propaganda that she had rehearsed a dozen times, "We have a bar with dancing girls and we're recruiting the brightest young talent from Cardiff at the moment. We feature a stage extension from the bar where various acts come to perform throughout the weekend and weekday evenings and keep the customers entertained. There is a dance floor, three side bars and one central circular bar and American style and neon light decor. It's very tasteful and we think American culture will go down as a big hit in Cardiff!"

Nobby laughed with rehearsed excitement as Rhodri struggled to force a smile. Andrea continued enthusiatically as she saw her receptive audience,

"We're looking for security coverage at the main door and in the interior, as most of the young girls wear only a bathing costume and need constant monitoring. We've had many problems with customers getting overly friendly with our girls and we need to give them adequate protection. James and I were thinking we needed eight door men a weekday night and twelve at weekends to begin with, and the hours will be from six until twelve during the week, six to two Thursdays and Fridays and from two to two on Saturdays".

Nobby's jaw dropped in astonishment as he mentally calculated the sums involved, and Rhodri accidently nudged him as he lent forward to speak his piece,

"Yes of course, at the very least", he agreed giving them a generous nod to applaud their shrewd judgement, "Palace Security presently covers Henry's and...."

"The Park Hotel", grinned Nobby, toying with his mobile phone.

"...Er yes", and Rhodri shot him a brief glaring stare,"We specialise in the upper end of the security market, covering cafe bars, restaurants..."

"And theme bars", Nobby added giggling.

"Yes thank you Nobby... and we supply quality door men in the uniform of your choosing at seven pounds an hour.."

"Six fifty for larger clients", grinned Nobby.

"Yes that's right, dividends from economy of scale. We are more cost effective and enjoy a better reputation than our competitors in the security market. For instance we distribute dossiers with photos of all the door men currently on our books, and here are six examples for your scrutiny", and he slid six elegantly typed and laminated sheets with photographs into range of scrutiny.

"All our door men have ID cards and numbers indicating establishment, rank and responsibility, and are answerable to the management and your head door man who organises the rota and establishes our recommended security system....any questions so far?"

James stared in awe and Andrea appeared suitably impressed as the waitress delivered their order breaking the focused concentration,

"No, no it all sounds rather good so far", responded the wide eyed Andrea.

"Very good, client satisfaction is our primary goal, and all our clients receive weekly performance sheets along with the invoice to ensure that all the highest standards are rigourously maintained. Any questions?"

Andrea's face darkened,

"Yes and we want no Docks' boys! Your's is one of the few establishments which doesn't have them and it is thriving. We're employing you only because we know that you want to keep them out"

"It's done", replied Nobby proudly.

"Any further questions?"

"Yes we want to see your system in operation", asked James, his hazel eyes adopting the stare of a business man with acumen beyond his tender years.

"Why of course! Why not pop round to Henry's on Friday or Saturday night to see our system in operation?"

"What a good idea!", Andrea perked up, "We'll bring Alan and Michael around on Friday night to check your operation?" Rhodri was gratified that she had been impressed by his sales pitch.

"Actually", James interceded,"I've already done my homework and checked your 'system' out. I must say I was most impressed. Very professional gentlemen. We'll discuss arrangements for the contract at a later date" Andrea stared at James adoringly.

"Well that seems to be it gentlemen", James stated with an air of finality, rising and extending a hand, "We'll give you a call next week to view the establishment in its final stages of construction and to give you guys an idea of planning arrangements for your Fizz system".

"No problem boss!", laughed Nobby plunging his hand into James', and after a formal exchange of papers, smiles and handshakes all around Nobby and Rhodri led the way into the still brighter world outside. The partners waved goodbye as they turned away from Fizz and Nobby's face turned to a picture of astonishment,

"Honest to God Roddy! You have the gift of the gab!"

"Park Hotel! Honestly!", Rhodri returned with a smile and a stern look. Nobby laughed it off with a deep-throated purr.

"Any way. Good job all round I say, I've got a Biochemistry practical to attend so I must shoot off".

"See you later partner!", waved Nobby joyfully.

Rhodri breezed into Dr. Basford's practical class a little after two. He rushed to join Terry and Wynn in action solving a problem on Edman protein degradation.

"Hello Rodders we're looking smart today!"

"Absolutely Wynn my main man! Daddy's hot and the contract's boiling!"

"What are you on about you nutter?", quipped Terry.

"Quiet Terry please! Wynn and Rhodri are about to solve the twenty amino acid peptide test!"

"Well he is anyway!", added Wynn, combining his skills of ironic humour with the flexibility to swing with any mood.

"Why are you wearing a black suit?", asked Terry looking at him in disbelief with his carefully nurtured slashed jeans,"You look ridiculous!"

"Got to look smart for Dr.Basford's practicals. I'm hoping he might want to give me a degree!"

"Well I'm sure he'll give you one, but I'm not quite sure what kind!", retorted Terry playfully. "Well if I add my marks to Wynn's here we'll share a first!"

"That's right Rodders!"

"Two threes make six!", quipped Terry.

"Ah fuck off Terry!", responded Wynn.

Friday night hurried along and Nobby greeted Tim and Cyril as they attended their eight o'clock shifts. They were a picture of sartorial elegance, their smiles adding lustre to the evening shine of their lapels and green silk. Nobby basked in the warm yellow glow that lit up his team, and if he was ever more proud his face could not have shown it. Nobby glanced frequently over his shoulder to admire his two new recruits standing head and shoulder above Henry's throng. Unfortunately they were not the only smart people to visit Henry's that evening. They did not have to wait much past ten before trouble visited them.

"Oh friggin' heck!", cursed Nobby, heralding the arrival of six of the Docks' boys assembled in their finery. He was clearly not in the mood and his expression reflected his frustration.

"Yo 'bro", called the tallest Somali from behind the front line, "We's come to say hello again this evening!"

"Sorry gentlemen! Proof of age twenty five and ID please!", declared Nobby, adopting the tried and tested method of deflection.

"I's sorry you said that 'bro! We ain't twenty five and neither's he!", he said pointing at Rhodri, "Or her pointing to a pretty little thing in the front row, or's half your pussy in there!"

"I'm sorry not tonight gentlemen!", stated Rhodri, tired of the repetitive psychology.

"Oh the honkey wants to mess wiv us does he bros!", and the tall Somali fell forward displacing his brothers with his fist raised, and then promptly rebounded backwards after time honoured tradition. But this was the moment they had planned for and Rhodri raised his right hand, clicked his fingers and lifted two to summon the assistance of Cyril and Tim. They waited in silence as the tension grew, each Docks' boy feeding off the attitude of the others. The haunting little creole just stood to one side of his darker brethren and stared at Rhodri coldly with no emotion reflected in his face, just the quiet, determined essence of hatred burning within his eye. Rhodri grew impatient and he sensed that Nobby shared his sentiment,

"Where the friggin hell are they? They're supposed to respond within thirty second!", Nobby whispered loudly. Rhodri risked a sharp glance over his right shoulder breaking the deadlock of eye contact and repeated the signal to Tim. But Tim was otherwise engaged. An hour glass figure with a long flowing black mane stood before him flirting with every gesture and movement of her hips.

"Oh Jesus!"

"What's the matter?"

"Our line of communication is broken", Rhodri muttered returning to stare darkly at the offensive line. Nobby hissed back to him,

"They's supposed to be looking at the front door all tha friggin' time!"

Rhodri looked around angrily, and then motioned furiously with his hand, but the signal was in vain. The six Docks' boys sensed their stress and anxiety as wolves smell the blood and fear in their prey, and their tall leader pressed forward,

"What's the matter honkey? Getting shaky in the arm 'bro?"

Rhodri will to fight was challenged and Nobby assisted him in removing his jacket to prove that there was no bluff of intent. Rhodri stared fiercely back at the six impassively as he strapped on his black leather fighting gloves and Nobby hung their two jackets over the brass handles of the door.

"D'you wanna dance wiv us bro'?", came the drawling provocation from one of the younger Somalis with dilated pupils.

"Roddy will kick your little ass!", cried Nobby in frustrated anger, taking a stance. Rhodri started a slow, undulating rhythm, swaying backwards and forwards allowing his arms to dangle loosely by his sides. All except the little creole took a step back as he shuffled forwards, before they regrouped, with the taller boys at the front. At that point the massive frame of Tim appeared at the door closely followed by Cyril, and the mood on their faces quickly changed as two more green bow ties emerged to balance the odds. The lead boy nodded and took a step back and his brethren likewise.

"We'll sees you later bros'! We's sees you later!"

"Any time you haveda balls!", Nobby called after them resiliently.

The little creole did not move from his spot and stayed behind, continuing to stare through the void at Rhodri. He slowly drew his finger across his throat and at last he spoke, murmuring,

"I's going to serve you bro!'"

Rhodri took a step forward and stared him in the eye. He grinned unapologetically and slowly walked backwards saying,

"Soon, bro', soon!"

Nobby turned on Cyril and Tim,

"Where the friggin's hell were you boys!", stammered Nobby, "We almost got our arses kicked out here! Please pay more attention to the door next time!" Tim bowed his head.

"Tim had a pleasant preoccupation I think!", smiled Rhodri, believing the distraction an exception to a promising rule.

It was business as usual on Wednesday when Andrea and James came by Henry's together with an Irishman with long, unkempt black hair and unironed casuals.

"Can we come in?", asked Andrea smiling.

"By all means!", insisted Rhodri opening the door.

"Oh what a lovely place! Come along James, do let's have a look inside!"

James' towering form followed obediently, whilst the grinning Irishman leant against the door, his relaxed approach and worldly experience exuded by his aura,

"Sa tell me Rhodri, which parts are ya coming from?"

"Oh all over", replied Rhodri, always suspicious of questions and questioners. The Irishman wore a haggard expression, but his eyes still smiled, and four buttons undone on his shirt suggested that his love for life had not yet left him.

"I feel like I've known you for years Rhodri".

"I have the same strange feeling. But you must excuse me, I don't believe we've been formerly introduced".

"I'm Michael, I'm the manager to be of Fizz",

Rhodri's manner quickly changed, having been masterfully tricked by the deception,