Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

by Brennen Tammons

  Brian while still on the floor responds to Victor.

  “Okay, I won’t. I promise.”

  Brian then gets himself up, laughing and shaking his head. He then walks over to his bed, and starts to go to sleep. A few minutes later, Victor turns off the television, and falls asleep on the couch.

  Chapter 11

  NOTHING BIG, NOTHING SMALL

  The following morning, Russell begins to wake up. As he’s waking himself up, still feeling slightly tired, he slowly stands up from the sofa. He then turns his head and notices that Kevin is deep asleep on the sofa. Russell smiles to himself and starts to walk inside of the bedroom. He sees that Jesse is also sleeping, and smiles at him as well. Russell glances over at his alarm clock, and it says it is 10 A.M. He proceeds towards his closet to pick out an outfit to wear. He picks out a black polo shirt, and some blue jeans, with some black Adidas shoes. He then sets his clothes on the side of his bed, where Jesse is still resting, and takes a towel and heads into the shower to bathe himself. When Russell is finished bathing, he returns to the bedroom and puts his clothes on. Immediately after that, he walks into the living room, and sees that Kevin is still sleeping. He then starts to jolt Kevin back and forth on the sofa, and screams at him.

  “Kev, get up man. We have to meet the other guys remember? Get up.”

  Kevin wraps his arms around his eyes and ignores Russell. When Russell notices that Kevin is still not getting up, he continues to bother him until he does.

  “Kev, I said get up. You gotta get up now. You have to wake up man.”

  Kevin then composes himself and starts to wake up. With an angry and irritated look on his face, he reaches for his glasses on the table, and begins to snap at Russell.

  “Russ, okay I’m up. Shit. You didn’t have to go through all of that. Damn. I’ll be back Russ, I’m going to go to my place to change, and I’ll be right back.”

  Kevin then gets up from the sofa, and proceeds to walk towards the front door. Russell who is walking towards the bedroom, stops to yell out to Kevin.

  “Kev, come straight back here once you’re done. I’m not playing with you Kev.”

  Kevin before turning the doorknob, moves his head towards Russell and responds.

  “Yeah Russ, I’ll be right back, I’m only going to change clothes man. Be right back.”

  Russell shakes his head at Kevin, and Kevin leaves the apartment. Russell then immediately walks into the bedroom. He sees that Jesse is still asleep. Likewise, with Kevin, he also forcefully wakes him up. Russell grabs one of the pillows on the bed, and starts to bop Jesse with it very violently and roughly, screaming at him while doing it.

  “Sleeping beauty, get up. It’s time to get up now. Wake the hell up.”

  Jesse then immediately wakes himself up, and gives Russell an aggravated look. He starts to walk himself out of the bedroom, and while he’s walking out screams at Russell.

  “Was that really necessary Russell? Damn, I don’t understand you sometimes.”

  Russell laughs at him. Jesse walks into the bathroom to freshen himself up. Russell at this time goes into the living room and picks up his phone. He starts to call Brian and lets him know he, Kevin and Jesse are on their way, and they will be there soon. Russell then takes a seat down on the sofa, and turns the television on. He begins to flip through channels, before finally settling to watch a tennis match. Jesse minutes later comes out of the bathroom and walks straight towards the bedroom to get dressed. Jesse picks out a light green button up shirt, and some black shorts with a pair of boat shoes. After getting dressed, he walks into the living room, and joins Russell on the sofa. The both of them look at the tennis match on the television. Ten minutes later, Kevin starts to knock on the door. Jesse lets him in.

  Kevin then proceeds to the sofa, and sits with the rest of the men. Kevin is wearing a gray polo shirt, with denim jeans and sneakers. All three men sit in an awkward silence for a while, before Russell pulls up his phone to look at the time. He then puts his phone in his pocket, and walks towards the kitchen area to get his keys and his sunglasses. Kevin and Jesse watch him, and start to get the hint that it’s time to leave. They precisely get themselves up from the sofa. Jesse turns the television set off, and grabs his tote bag from under the coffee table. Kevin and Jesse then put their sunglasses on, and all three men walk out of the apartment. They head towards the elevator. While inside, Kevin starts to complain.

  “Russ, I’m hungry. Can we stop and get a bite to eat? I’m really starving man.”

  Kevin and Jesse turn to look at Russell who’s shaking his head and looking down. Jesse looks back at Kevin who seems upset, then exclaims out to Russell as well.

  “Russell, Kevin and I haven’t had a damn thing to eat. If it isn’t going to trouble you, would you mind if we could go and eat something?”

  Russell continues to look down at the floor remaining silent. Kevin and Jesse turn their heads away from Russell, and stay silent as well. They get inside of the car, with Kevin sitting in the passenger seat and Jesse sitting in the rear seat. Russell starts the ignition of the car, and Kevin then turns his head towards Russell, screaming at him.

  “Russ, I’m hungry. I need to eat something. Have some heart man, please?”

  Russell ignores Kevin as he drives out of his complex, and heads down the road. He notices the weather is clear and looking very fantastic and moderate today with the sun out. Jesse cries out to Russell in defense of Kevin.

  “Russell, can you stop somewhere to eat please? Kevin is hungry and so am I. Please?”

  Russel reaches a stoplight and turns his head to look behind at Jesse, and gives him a defeated look. Russell then looks across towards Kevin who looks upset, and talks to him.

  “Where do you want to go Kev?”

  Kevin then begins to rub the back of his head with his hand, and starts to think. He then looks out of the window, still rubbing his head. He then responds to Russell.

  “Russ, can you stop at “IHOP”? I really have a taste for that. That sounds really good.”

  Russell while he’s still stopped at the light, quickly claps back at Kevin angrily.

  “Kev, hell no. “IHOP” is going to take too damn long. I can take you somewhere else though. Not “IHOP”, because we have an agenda and I don’t want to go against it.”

  Kevin shakes his head at Russell and fires back at him.

  “Russ, please. I’ll pay for you and Jesse. It’s on me. I really want “IHOP”. I know we are supposed to meet Brian and Victor at “Home Base”, but that’s still miles away on the other edge of town. There’s gotta be an “IHOP” in that area, I just know. I’ll check right now.”

  The light changes and Russell continues to drive, while Kevin pulls out his phone and starts to find an “IHOP” location near their destination. He then is able to find one.

  “Okay Russ, there’s one only a few minutes away from where Brian and Victor are. So we can eat, and head right there after. Come on Russ, there’s no reason to say no now.”

  Russell puts his hand under his chin, and turns his head towards Kevin.

  “Alright Kev, you win. We’ll go to “IHOP”, but after we’re done eating we leave. We don’t have a bunch of time to kill or waste. We’re gonna eat and leave. That’s it.”

  Kevin smiles at Russell and beings to laugh. He turns up the stereo volume which is playing urban pop music, and then responds to Russell.

  “Thanks Russ. Damn right I win. I always win against you Russ. You always lose. Ha.”

  Russell shakes his head at Kevin, and continues down the road. Back at “Home Base”, Brian is at his work station, organizing his mechanic tools. Brian is wearing a blue polo shirt, and blue jeans and black shoes. He looks at the sofa area and sees that Victor is still asleep. Knowing that Russell, Kevin and Jesse are on their way there right now, Brian walks over to the sofa, and then begins to wake Victor up by pushing his body.

  “Hey you, the guys will be here soon, so get dressed man. Alri
ght?”

  Victor then aggressively rises from the couch and pushes Brian to the ground.

  “Don’t fucking touch me. I’m a heavy sleeper, and I’ll get up when I’m ready to get up. I don’t need you touching me. I warned you about this shit last night, don’t make me do it again.”

  Brian then looks at Victor in shock, and nods his head very reluctantly. Victor then gives Brian an evil smile, and remains sitting on the couch feeling anxious. Brian then starts to walk back to his work station, talking to Victor while doing it.

  “I have some cereal here if you want some. I don’t know if you’re hungry or not, but just in case if you are. I want you to eat something. Don’t be afraid, I’m a nice guy.”

  Victor looks around for a few seconds, then he gets himself up and starts to dress himself. He puts on the same clothes he picked out the night before. A black t-shirt, with khaki pants. After he’s finished putting his clothes on, he walks over to the kitchen area and pours himself a bowl of cereal. He then sits down at the table and silently eats his cereal. As he’s eating, Brian looks at him and starts to smile. He then talks to him.

  “I wanted to say sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable Victor. I want to be your friend man, that’s all. You have to chill though, I’m a cool guy. I don’t know your history, and don’t give a fuck. I want us to be friends, and I need for you to calm down a bit. Alright? Oh and another thing, I didn’t like you kissing me like that. Respect me and I’ll respect you. Okay?”

  Victor continues to eat his cereal and looks over at Brian to reply to what he said.

  “Well, I don’t want you touching me first off. Next, I’m working on friendships and dealing with other people. It’s very difficult for me, so I’m sorry if I come across as creepy to you, but as long as you don’t touch and don’t sweet talk me, I’ll be cool with you Brian. I did kiss you, and you’re a handsome man Brian, but I only want to be friends for now. Okay?”

  Brian continues to organize his tools, and softly responds to Victor.

  “That’s just fine. If you’re cool with me, I’ll be with you. I won’t touch you, but I don’t want you kissing on me either man. So you can touch other people, but I can’t touch you?”

  Victor continues to laugh looking at Brian, while eating his cereal. Brian becomes annoyed at this and starts to frown at him in disappoint. Victor then responds.

  “Yes, that’s exactly right. What I get to do, you aren’t able to do. If I want to touch you, it’s okay. But If I don’t want you touching me, then I don’t want you touching me. If I want to kiss or touch you Brian, like this…”

  Victor then runs up from the table towards Brian’s work station, and grabs one of his wrenches. He intentionally aims and throws it at the wall startling him. He then forcefully starts to kiss Brian; the same way he did the night before. Brian pushes Victor off him and starts to smile at him. He then responds to him.

  “Victor, go over there eat your cereal man. You’ve proved your point, I get it. If you want to touch me or do what you just did, it’s fine. I’ll also respect you, and not touch you. That makes zero fucking sense, but whatever I can do to calm you down. I’ll take one for the team I guess.”

  Brian then returns to what he was doing, and Victor returns to his seat. Victor continues to eat his cereal while staring at Brian, laughing and smiling to himself. A few minutes later, Victor finishes his cereal, and walks over to the area Brian is. He speaks to him.

  “I don’t know much about repairing cars, but I do know that you’re not lining these tools or socket wrenches right at all. They are supposed to be sized up like this. Here I’ll show you.”

  Victor then proceeds to help Brian out with his task, and they both manage to develop a closer both with each other. Brian then softly speaks to Victor.

  “Thanks man, see I told you that you weren’t a bad guy. You’re misunderstood.”

  Victor smiles back at Brian, and he continues to help him arrange his tools.

  Meanwhile, Russell, Kevin and Jesse arrive at “IHOP” and walk inside. There are not that many people inside, and they are immediately seated at a booth with Russell and Jesse sitting adjacent from each other, and Kevin sitting across from them on the other side of the booth. The waitress arrives and gives them their menu. Russell then gives his drink order.

  “Can I have a coffee please?”

  Kevin while looking at the menu, then gives his drink order.

  “Hmm…Yeah, I guess I will just take a Coke Cola, thanks.”

  Jesse then immediately gives his drink order after that.

  “I’ll go with an Iced Tea. Thank you.”

  The waitress then leaves the table. While he’s still looking through the menu, Kevin then begins to speak to Russell in a whispery tone.

  “I can’t decide what I want, it all looks so good. Hmm. This is gonna be tough.”

  Russell keeping his eyes towards reading the menu, responds to Kevin harshly.

  “Kev, make your mind up and pick something. We don’t have all day to spend here.”

  Kevin continues to skim through the menu, and replies to Russell.

  “Okay Russ, I’ll will figure something out I suppose. I have to make a choice.”

  The waitress a couple minutes later returns to the table with their drinks, and then begins to take their order. Russell goes first and gives his order to the waitress.

  “I’ll take the hotcakes, scrambled eggs, bacon and hash browns. Thanks.”

  Kevin who’s still indecisive about what he’s wants, gives his order to the waitress.

  “Ah, this is tough, but I’ll go with the chocolate cream filled pancakes. I’ll take sausage, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and I also would like some toast as well. Thanks.”

  Jesse then directly after that, gives his order.

  “I will go with the strawberry and banana pancakes. I’ll have hash browns, sausage and scrambled eggs. Thanks.”

  The waitress then leaves the table, and Russell begins to put cream and sugar in his coffee. Kevin while sipping his soda, decides to quietly talk to Russell.

  “Hey Russ, so we’re gonna meet up with the rest of the guys after this right? What for again? Is it for the ‘you know what’? That’s still going down? We’re gonna so that still?”

  Russell takes a sip of his coffee, and gives a cold stare towards Kevin ignoring him. Jesse listens to Russell and Kevin interact, but doesn’t to respond them. When Kevin notices that Russell is not paying him any attention, he starts to throw sugar packets at him. Russell throws the sugar packets back at Kevin, and confiscates the sugar container. Russell becomes fed up.

  “Kev knock that shit off, it’s not funny man. Knock it off Kev.”

  Kevin laughs at Russell, then behaves and composes himself. All three men sit at the table in silence for a few minutes. The waitress then eventually returns with their food, and they begin to eat. While they are eating, Kevin takes a piece of Russell’s bacon.

  “I forgot to get bacon Russ, let me have some of yours man. Thanks, appreciate it.”

  Russell lets Kevin pick from his plate without any care. They continue to eat their food quietly. The waitress around this time comes and drops of the check, and sets it at the corner of the table. As they are all finishing their food, Russell grabs the check and gets his wallet out. Kevin then snatches the check out his hands, and pulls his wallet out.

  “Russ, I’d said take care of it, and I will. Don’t worry. This one is on me.”

  Russell laughs and shakes his head at Kevin and puts his wallet back in his pocket. All three of them get up from the table, and head to the lobby of the restaurant where Kevin pays for the check. They then walk out of the restaurant and get inside the car. Russell then drives directly to “Home Base”. They get out of the car, and Russell takes out his phone to let Brian know that they are outside. Brian quickly unlocks and opens the front gate, and greets them.

  “Hey guys, good to see you again. Come on in.”

  As Russell, K
evin and Jesse walk in, they notice Victor on the other side of the building walking around in a circle looking down at the ground, laughing to himself. Brian sees that Russell, Kevin and Jesse look puzzled over this, and he then explains.

  “He’s been doing that for the past ten minutes. I ignore it, because as long as he’s comfortable that way, I’m not going to bother or disturb him. Anyways guys, I’m going to tell Max we are all here. Russell, can I speak to you outside for just a second.”

  Russell raises his eyebrows and nods his head. He and Brian then walk out of the unit. Brian closes and locks the door behind them, and he quietly speaks to Russell.

  “Hey, I don’t know if we should let Victor be involved. The guy is really damaged and out of control. I was talking to him last night, and also dealing with him this morning. I don’t know. I mean, he can be a nice guy when he wants to be, I’m just worried that’s all.”

  Russell looks at Brian, and puts his hand on his shoulder. He then responds.

  “Well, it’s not fair to single out Victor. All five of us are crazy in some shape or form. We are all in this together, and we have to all be included. Think of it that way.”

  Brian shakes his head and looks out to the distance. He then quickly replies to Russell.

  “I suppose you’re right. He deserves the same amount of equal treatment as the rest of us. He is still weird, and you can’t doubt that. I’m not ideal and perfect either, but he’s different. I mean, he kissed me twice though. He says that he can touch me all he wants, but I’m not allowed to touch him. I don’t understand that at all. Ha-ha. Crazy guy.”

  Russell and Brian both laugh. Brian unlocks the unit door, and Russell goes inside the building. Brian then walks away to go and get Max. Minutes after this, Brian returns back to “Home Base” with Max. As Max walks into the warehouse, all of the men gather around him. They start to greet him and shake his hand. They then stand by him, as he begins to talk.

  “It’s very good to see all of you again. This only proves to me that you guys indeed are serious with this venture, and you all want to rebel against the world. I’m just a man with no legs, so who am I to judge? As I promised you all yesterday, I want to show you my collection.”