Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
whether he'd had an accident with a forklift. He certainly had a terrible attitude and a big
chip on his shoulder. “Maybe Armchair Steve pulled a knife on him too,” quipped Gavin
one time.
“Most likely Armchair Steve learnt that from old Grumpy,” I corrected.
We earned our reputation as being the dock busters and in two days had dismantled the
dock back to the bare wall. John Anderton came by in the afternoon and generously gave
us the afternoon off early at full pay.
“You guys have earned it. You have worked a damn sight harder than a lot of the older
hands here at the yard. What's today, Friday? I heard you were thinking of moseying over
to Dirty Dan's to snare some women, you African twins, you may as well borrow my truck.
Don't go farther than that; I know neither of you have a driver's license; just try to have it
back first thing in the morning guys.”
“Wow thanks John, that's really very nice of you. We certainly will take care of your truck,
and it will be returned this evening.”
“Well! Fancy that! Most unexpected and very cool of him, no wonder he's so popular and
gets the yard hopping along. That is one very good guy,” I said, grinning as we rowed back
to the boat. Gavin was excited about going to Dirty Dan's, more so than I. I was over-
whelmed by Liz, and while I really didn't think I had any chance of ever dating her, I hadn't
much appetite to hang out at in a seedy strip bar. I had never been to one though and thought
the novelty might be fun.
We had to return to the yard after changing into our best night attire to pick up the truck.
As we walked into the yard, we almost stumbled over the body of a man lying near the
entrance gate. The yard's security night lights were on at this stage, but it was hard to tell
who this person was or if he was even alive. He was a white man in his mid forties, so it
appeared, and he was alive but very drunk. This was obvious from the noxious fumes is-
suing forth from his open mouth, and he had evidently soiled his pants as well. He looked
very seedy, and his clothes reminded me of someone who slept wherever he'd passed out
the night before. We were at first repulsed by this spectacle, but this feeling gave way to
pity when we considered that his fortune must have turned sour at some point in his life.
He was obviously a very unhappy person. There was nothing we could do for him, and we
made our way across to the truck. We found the keys behind the sun visor and, with Gavin
driving, headed off in the general direction of Dirty Dan's Dancing.
We finally found the place; one could hardly miss it amongst all the industrial buildings
and squalor. It was brightly lit with neon, flashing lights, a picture of a naked cowgirl, and
advertising for Budweiser beer. It was busy, and we had some difficulty parking. It was a
