Sakos Bar

It was Sunday night, October 4th, 2003. The Bar was loud and most of the customers were having good time. It was an upscale place with top shelf liquor and premium beers going down like water. This was Sako's Top 20 Bar. It was for the elite and only the elite. The Juke box was blasting "We are the Champions".

Caravan was by himself at the end of the bar. Avoiding most of the clientele, he was quietly putting away shots of Jack with Bud as a chaser. He had a ring on each finger and looked beat from the long weekend.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the bar, the bartender, Sako, was having a heated discussion with some of the more inebriated customers, Greyhound, Crusader and Corsair.

"I don't see why he can't stay..." Sako was saying.

"He's gotta go..."

"Get rid of him....."

"C'mon man, if it was me you wouldn't give me the time of day..."

"Rules are rules..."

Sako sighed. "Oh alright...fine. But that could be you down there..."

"Just do it!"

"Yeah, cry me a river!"

Sako turned from his clients and walked down to Caravan.

"Hey old buddy....." Sako began

Caravan looked up from his drink. "What's up?"

Sako looked at his old friend...hesitating...finally: "Look man, I hate to tell you this, but ah...you gotta leave.."

Caravan looked at Sako through his bloodshot eyes...wondering if he heard what he just thought he heard.."You're kidding, right?"

"I'm afraid not...you can't stay..."

"Sako, this me you're talking to, Caravan..I been coming here for years! Look I know I've had a tough weekend..but -"

"Is there a problem Sako ?" - interrupted a big blue and red Mustang.

Sako turned and put up his hand.."No, don't worry about it...I've got it.."

Caravan glared with hatred at the Mustang as he walked back to his table where he'd been sharing drinks with another Mustang. An orange and green one. They'd been watching the events at the bar with smug grins on their faces.

"Uh..like I was saying...." Sako started again, snapping Caravan out his stare..

"Now look Sako, I gotta tough schedule...I'm playing half the guys in this bar! And just who the hell is that over there..." Caravan pointed at a Bengal standing over the juke box..."And don't even get me started about the Greyhound !!"

Just then Celtic walked up (He'd been in the john) . "Hey guys...wassup ?"

"Sako says I gotta go..."

"No way! ", Celtic looked at Sako, "Really?"

Sako sighed again..."I'm afraid so..."

Celtic shook his head..."Man, that is so wrong...."

"Hey Celtic! Mind your own business!" It was Crusader. It been years since he'd been allowed in. The way he acted, you'd think he was the one with all the rings....

Celtic clenched his fists. He took a step toward Crusader, but just then Corsair, Greyhound, and both Mustangs stood up and walked behind Crusader. "Don't even think about it! ", said Corsair. (He'd spent most of the evening down at the USA bar...and had drank more than usual).

Bengal stared wide eyed from the Juke box. This was his first night ever at Sako's and he was surprised at the animosity. Porter walked past him and told him, don't worry it was just the City guys -they always act up like that and why don't you have a drink with him at Panther's table. So off Bengal went, looking over his shoulder at the two groups.

Caravan put his hand on Celtic.."Forget it man...", He looked at Sako. "Fine, I'm outta here.."

Celtic turned back to Caravan, "Yeah, me too, Let's go across the street to Tucker's Super 25...."

The big Blue and Red Mustang smirked, "No I don't think so...Tucker told me if I saw Caravan, to tell him he wouldn't be welcome tonight...And as for you Celtic, I think your days are numbered here too!"

Caravan and Celtic stared at the crowd. They used to own this place. No one ever talked to them like this. Caravan wondered vaguely where Hilltopper was...

Finally, Celtic said, "Oh heck with it, let's go down to the Southtown...you know we're always welcome there!" The Southtown was a little dive bar at the end of the street. Not many people went to the Southtown.

"Okay, lead the way...", Caravan mumbled, and they left Sako's for the cool night air out on Ranking street.

They'd walked a few feet, when suddenly they heard Sako, "Caravan! Wait up..."

They turned to face Sako, wondering what he wanted...

"Hey I'm sorry man, it wasn't me, you gotta believe that...Look, take care of Crusader next week, come back and we'll talk. Maybe I can get you back in then...."

Celtic and Caravan just turned away and headed south down Ranking Street towards the Southtown. They tried not to look at the two Bulldogs sitting in the alley with a brown paper bag between them......