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WILD ROVER
PART ONE
This was the time of night Dave enjoyed. Home from a good gig. The fire on, a cold can of bud and a good night of cards ahead. Although it was midnight in Scotland, it would only be 7 pm in the US so this was the time of night most of the team would be starting to log in. Hopefully one of his usual partners would be in, he played a serious game and expected his partner to play to win, it really pissed him off when he had to play with some of the other teamies who were more interesting in chatting and having a laugh than winning. He was usually a high scorer, but some of the females in the team could really bring your ratings down with their silly chattering, too busy talking and not paying attention to the cards. On the other hand it was a great team to play in, nice and friendly and sometimes it was good just to have a fun game, so either way, so long as he was winning, he enjoyed his game.
It was ok tonight though CLINT was in and so was RAMBLINGMAN and BONEY, so he knew he was in for a good night. He zoned his first choice of partner;
Hi p, fancy a game?
And waited for the answer, which soon came back;
K
And he smiled to himself. CLINT was a man of few words, in fact in the first year or so that they had been playing together, they never had a conversation about anything other than the game in hand. Now that they had been teaming up for a while he was beginning to get a bit more from him, although he didn't want to pry, he appreciated people's need for privacy. He had learned that the man was in his sixties and that he lived in L.A. with his dog, he enjoyed trips to Vegas and he liked a wide range of music. As a keyboard player he and Dave had found that they had a lot in common. People always made reference to CLINT's nic, joking that he was "the man with no name" and asking if his poncho needed a wash and stuff like that. Well they would, wouldn't they. But if the guy was an Eastwood fan, that was ok by Dave, he was too. And besides, CLINT always took it well, sometimes encouraging the banter, which was all in good humour anyway.
He read the typing in the lobby, looking for a table that had called for opponents and typed back to CLINT;
T7 p gl
The game had begun and Eric settled himself down for a good night of cards.
Six thousand miles away across the ocean in Florida Joanne sat down at her computer to log in to the Spades rooms. She had been captain of The Wanderers team since she and joe had retired from their real estate business, it was a rewarding job and kept her active mind occupied almost full time. There were forty people on her team, which she had hand picked and she enjoyed the friendship and comeraderie that had developed over the years, although teamies came and went, and some had more time to play than others, there was always a nucleus of regular players who helped keep the team profile high. Her team played the most games, and were ranked top team on a regular basis, which gave her a sense of pride and achievement. But more than that, she loved the friendships she had made with a lot of her members, and the friendships that they had made between themselves. It was fun to watch who played with who on a regular basis, she knew which of them came in for a serious game of cards and which ones just came in to keep in touch with each other and have a game and a laugh at the same time. It really could give you a sense of belonging.
She prided herself on the fact that it was a wide mixture of people, she had members from all over the world, a couple of players from the UK, one in Korea, and one on some spanish island off the african coast somewhere. She had schoolteachers, bankers, bikers, musicians and retired folk all playing together like old friends.
Tonight there were quite a few teamies logged in so it should be a good night. There was WILDROVER and CLINT playing on table 7 with opponents from the Holy Cows team, and TEXAS_GIRL and POISONIVY playing on table 10 with opps from Sizzling Spaders. Two more teamies were at table one waiting for some opponents to join them, so the tables were rocking, she was just going to check her e-mails, make sure there were no problems and then she'd see if any of her Wanderers wanted a game.
Beth laughed out loud. She loved playing with TEXAS_GIRL, she was so witty and always had a quip or a back answer for the opps. She didn't take the game too seriously and never gave her a hard time if they lost. Well not that anyone was ever nasty to her, but she new that a lot of the team were better players than she was and hated to lose. Although it was good for her game to play with the stronger players because it made her concentrate and it set her mind to work, she had certainly improved her game a lot, it was still a relief sometimes to just have a fun game and not have to worry too much about dissappointing your partner.
Beth worked as a personel manager in a big company on Wall Street. It was a stressful job with the pressure turned up full most days so coming home to a game of spades with your buddies was a great way to unwind. Especially if you could have a laugh with TEXAS_GIRL at the same time.
So bud, m or f?
TEXAS_GIRL had typed into the chat bar.
All man here hun
Had been the reply from BUDMASTA
Hhmm. With all those bags u collectin I was startin to wonder lol
"I don't know where she gets the nerve." Beth was thinking to herself smiling. And you never know we might win this one.
CLINT was pleased that WILDROVER had just logged in, he enjoyed playing with the guy, although they lost some times, more often than not they won and WILDROVER's game had improved no end since they had started to play together regularly. He had a good mind and it was rewarding to watch him grasp the finer points of the game, in a way WILDROVER was his protégé. He didn't indulge in the idle chitchat at the table, he just concentrated on the cards. The kind of guy CLINT enjoyed playing alongside of. As usual the opps were giving them a run for their money, but that was ok, better to win against tough opponents than walk over a couple of weak players. Besides the game was in the bag now and they just had to wait for it to be reported on the ladder before they could move on to the next one. While the games were being reported people would have a little chat and WILDROVER always wanted to know where people were from. I suppose being stuck in a small Scottish town made the guy curious about the rest of the world. Scotland was a great place, but he wouldn't want to live there. CLINT had been to most places in the world in his time.
These opps were from New Zealand. Great place.
So clint, with a name like that there's no point asking where you are from…lol
He smiled to himself. It was always the same. What a great nic he had chosen for himself, the perfect disguise. He typed back
Yup, nice and sunny here in Hollywood
Which always got the same type of response;
Shot any baddies lately? Lol
No in a while, hung up my smith and wesson long ago.
Lol
Lol
Then the match was reported and everyone left the table. He would see if WILDROVER wanted another game, which he always did, the guy was insatiable.
Back in Florida Joanne was checking out her e-mails. There was always loads of admin involved in running a spades team in this league, but she didn't mind. It was usually trivial things like a teamie changing their nic or a query about a game played the night before, sometimes there were complaints about cheating. Not nice but inevitable in a game played long distance on the Internet. There was always the possibility that two teamies had web cams or head sets, it was a draw back but it was rare. What's the point in cheating, she always thought, it's just a game, you'd only be cheating yourself. But it had happened on another team a couple of months ago and the players in question had been banned from the league.
It was only one week until the convention and there was a lot of work to be done, but luckily her co cappy would share some of the load, GETUPANDGO was a great help as well as a great friend. Between the two of them they had ensured that over half of the team was able to make it and everyone was getting really excited about it. The convention had been two years in the planning. With people from all over the world in the league there had been much debate about the venue, but with the majority of players being in the U.S. it had finally come down to Florida, which was great as it was Joanne's hometown. She had spent weeks negotiating hotel prices so everyone planning on coming could have a discounted room if they wanted it, now all she had to do was pin everyone down and get a definate yes or no so that she could finalise the booking. Well she had a week to go, she would just tell everyone that if they wanted to take advantage of the offer they would have to let her know by tomorrow night or find their own accomodation. That wouldn't be hard in this area.
Back in the lobby, the convention was the main topic of converstation, it was the first time that this sort of thing had happened in the league and people were looking forward to meeting each other in the flesh and finally putting names to faces. Dave had been saving for this holiday for a year and a half now and was really looking forward to it. As a mucician he had travelled all over the world and seen some great places, he had been a thousand miles up the Amazon, across the Arctic Circle, he'd been to St Petersburg in Russia as well as the Carribean and the Greek Islands. But he had always been payed to go to these places, muso's don't get payed all that much (unless they're famous) and so he had had to save. He knew lots of his teamies would be there and couldn't wait to see them especially POISONIVY and TEXAS_GIRL, those two girls were a laugh a minute. CLINT had been very reticent about it not really deciding if he was going or not, but then CLINT wasn't a very outgoing fella so maybe it wasn't really his thing. He'd have another go at persuading him tonight.
So have you decided if you're going to the convention next week or not p?
The answer was always the same,
I don't think I can P. commitments
"God" thought CLINT, It would be great to meet all these people that he had been playing with all these years, but he just didn't see anyway that he could make that work and still keep his confidentiality. If he turned up there things would never be the same again and this game had been a Godsend since he had discovered it a few years ago, he didn't want to lose it for the sake of one weekend of madness.
It was WILDROVER's answer to that that threw him
"I bet he's skint" Eric was thinking to himself. He knew that CLINT was retired, although he didn't know what he had done for a job, so what about trying to alleviate the financial burden for both of them, so he asked
I've booked one of those discounted rooms from Cappy, if you want you could share with me, if that's any help.
When there was no immediate answer he typed in
Sorry p. didn't want to insult you, just thought it might be a good idea. I know how much you enjoy the game.
CLINT nearly choked on the coffee he was drinking. "He thinks I can't afford to go." What a nice guy offering to share his room with some old man that he had never met, just so the old guy can get a short break doing his favourite thing. Sheesh. It really was tempting, but impossible.
Ty p for the offer, would love to come and meet up with everyone, but I just can't make it. Sorry.
Dave had been thinking about this for a long while. He knew that CLINT probably couldn't afford to get to Florida but couldn't admit it, and he didn't want to insult him any more than he probably already had, he had known what the answer would be, but thought it worth a go. So he had been looking on the Internet at flight prices and found one from Florida to L.A. as well as a hotel room that he could afford. He had taken no gigs for that whole month and had been saving so that he could enjoy himself without worring about money too much. He didn't want to impose himself, but he had never been to L.A. and so if CLINT wasn't happy about the two of them meeting up he could wander around quite happily on his own, he was a seasonned traveller after all.
Well look p, if you can't get over to florida I could come out to L.A. for a flying visit, if you're not too busy.
Again there was no immediate reply so Dave typed in
I can book a cheap internal flight with a down down hotel at half the price and so if you are up for it, I could come over there and we could meet up for a beer one night and I can tell you all about it. But hey if you're busy, don't worry. Np
And that was when the idea began to form in CLINT's mind.
The next night as Dave was settling down for his nightly game he noticed that the lobby was buzzing with excitement about the up coming convention. It was the first time that this had ever been attempted and people from all the teams were going to be there. People who had been playing against each other in opposing teams had formed friendships too and there was a lot of banter about looking forward to beating each other in the flesh. Cappy had confirmed with everyone on The Wanderers where to meet up in the convention centre and all the hotels were booked, flights arranged and this would be his last night playing cards by the comfort of his own fireside. Tomorrow he was heading to America. He had been to the States a few times and had always enjoyed himself, so the prospect of a whole months holiday across the Atlantic was very appealing.
CLINT hadn't logged in yet so he was playing with one of his other teammates, and although they were losing, everyone was in high spirits. Half way through the game CLINT appeared at the table to watch.
Hi CLINT
He typed in, he got no reply but that was nothing unusual, he smiled to himself when he read that the opps as usual were ribbing the old fella
Hey cowboy, play misty for me lol
Lol
When that game was finished the two friends had a game together. Dave would be away for a while, so he didn't know when he'd get the chance to play with CLINT again for a month at least. After the game CLINT asked
So p. you still planning to get out here to L.A. to visit with me?
Well imagine that, he thought.
Sure p. got the flight and hotel all booked.
Ok give me the flight no. and arrival time and I'll meet you.
Bloody brilliant, thought Dave with a smile of satisfaction. I'll get to meet the old bugger after all. And get in a visit to the West coast to boot. Well things couldn't get better. He gave CLINT the information and wished him goodnight, he wanted an early night tonight if he had to get to the airport on time and he still had some last minute packing to do. So making arrangements to meet up in a couple of weeks time in California the two men said their goodbyes, each looking forward to actually meeting the other after all this time.
PART TWO
He breathed a sigh of relief as he stepped off the plane and into the airport terminal, it had been a long flight from Florida and he was looking forward to a cold beer and a good kip. The convention had been great fun. What a shock it had been to meet everyone after all this time just typing to them, no-one had been as he had imagined them, and he had been withdrawn at first, finding it all a bit intimidating. But Cappy had taken him under her wing and made sure that he met everyone and he had soon settled into it and ended up having a ball. Just as he had thought the two girls POISONIVY and TEXAS_GIRL had been an absolute hoot, just the same as they were in his computer, so had RAMBLINGMAN another of his regular partners. The guy had turned out to be just as amusing in the flesh as he had always been on his computer and he and a friend of his from their home town of Sidney Australia and Dave had become firm friends. They had spent a lot of the time in one of the many bars in the convention hotel meeting up with fellow spaders of their own and other teams, and had shared a few hangovers in the mornings.
Joanne, the team captain and GETUPANDGO the co cappy, whose name was Isobel had both been really nice ladies, making sure that the whole team was made welcome, especially those from overseas. They had both worked so hard to make it the success that it had been and everyone had agreed that they should make it a regular event. So they had all spent a great week down in Florida and had parted reluctantly, promising to see each other soon. Well they would in a way, because the league played on, day after day, year after year, and they would be meeting across the tables again tonight. Well they all might be, but Dave had one more teamie to meet while he was in America, and after a good nights sleep in his hotel tonight he would be meeting up with CLINT tomorrow.
Or so he thought. CLINT on the other hand had other ideas.
So as Dave stepped into the arrivals terminal he was surprised to find a tall, blonde young man with a deep tan standing at the barrier with a card reading "WILDROVER!!!!" It was too big a coincidence to pass by. maybe the old guy had sent one of his nephews to take him to his hotel, that was nice of him. But it made him a bit uncomfortable as he knew CLINT was over 65 and wondered how he could afford it, he really didn't want him to put himself short during Dave's visit and he had enough to be able to afford to take his old mate out for a slap up dinner and a few beers afterwards and maybe even a show or a club or something.
"Er… Hi." He said to the young man. "I think you might be looking for me, but I wasn't expecting anyone to meet me."
The man gave him one of those big American smiles and said "Are you here in L.A. to meet a guy called CLINT ?"
"Yes I am. But we hadn't planned to get together untill tomorrow".
"I don't know about that sir, but I have been asked to come and meet you and take you to your hotel." The boy beamed at him.
"Oh, right….thankyou. Do you know where my hotel is?" he couldn't remember if he had told CLINT what hotel he was staying in, but then maybe he had, it had all been a bit of a rush before he left home.
"Yes sir." Said the man and without any further ado, he took hold of Dave's suitcase and turning on his heel, he cast over his shoulder, "If you would come along with me, Mr Clint has it all arranged." And strode off in the direction of the carpark.
Well, thought Dave to himself. This is a turn up for the books. He knew that the Americans were a hospitable bunch of folk, but this really took the biscuit. And it was a lovely touch of CLINT. Saved him the trouble of finding a taxi and all that palaver.
The car turned out to be a brand new, glossy white porche soft top, with red leather upholstery and gleaming chrome. Dave was astounded. With his jaw dropped almost to the floor, he watched the young man casually toss his bags into the boot and hopping over the door into the drivers seat, he leant over and opened the passenger door for him. Speechless Dave lowered himself in and shut the door. He turned to look at the man in the seat next to him.
"Nice car, is it yours?'
" No not really, but I'm the one that drives it the most. Of course there are a few others who use it, you know, if they need to go anywhere, but it's mostly me"
Dave thought this was an odd answer and guessed that it was owned by a pool of people, but that was the last bit of conversation he could get from the chap as he started the car and, turning on the radio rather loudly, he sped out of the airport and onto the freeway.
He had booked into the Angel Hotel and although he didn't really know where it was he knew that it was in the centre of town somewhere, so he was confused when they stayed on the freeway which seemed to be taking them way past the city. He was beginning to get agitated. Who was this guy and why had they driven passed Los Angeles?
"Look, my hotel is in the centre of LA" he said, "where are we going?"
The young man smiled at him again and replied,
"We're nearly there, only another ten minutes."
So Dave decided to just sit back and enjoy the ride, it would all become clear soon enough, besides he was quite a big guy and could look after himself if need be. CLINT had obviously made plans. Soon they were on the coast road speeding along with the wind in their hair and the radio on loud, the sun blazing and the blue ocean glistening into the distance. It was like something out of a film, this was the life. And sure enough within a few minutes they were pulling off the main road and onto a much smaller one lined with trees, which seemed to be leading up into some foothills up in the distance. They travelled along this road for about five minutes and then they drew up to a large, iron gate. The young driver leaned over and pressing a button spoke into a small speaker on the gatepost.
"Open up Janus, it's me"
There was a reply from Janus and the huge gate swung open smoothly and they drove through and up a wide driveway with imaculate lawns on either side, the borders were planted with bright coloured flowers and there was the odd oak tree scattered across the considerable property. Up ahead Dave could see a beautifull colonial style house with a varanda running all the way around, there were out buildings off to the right and a corrall with about a half a dozen horses grazing contentedly.
"Oh, I get it now" Dave smiled to himself. He chuckled as he remembered thinking that CLINT was some poor old guy living off of the state, the way so many old people do in the UK. Of course things are different in the States, he thought privately. This old boy wasn't skint at all, quite the opposite in fact. He was well off enough to be able to afford to live in a really highclass retirement home. Well good for him. I bet he get's well looked after here, although I don't know any old age pensioners at home who would be happy riding any of those horses, but then they are well up on the old fitness bug out here in America. So as they drove up towards the front door of the house, he was really looking forward to finally meeting his old spades partner after all this time. The car stopped and he got out and stretched his legs and looked up the steps to the entrance where someone was coming out of the house with their hand over their eyes to protect them from the glare of the sun.
Suddenly comprehension hit him like a sledgehammer. It knocked the air out of his lungs and sent his stomach into cartwheels, his jaw fell open in absolute amazement and it was all he could do stand, rooted to the spot for what felt like an eternity as he watched his friend walk down the steps towards him beaming from ear to ear, his hand outstretched in greeting.
"WILDROVER! Dave! After all this time! It's just great to finally meet you. Thank you so much for coming all this way."
Dave couldn't think of anything to say. He just stood there helpless, shaking hands with this bloke. Sensing his confusion his host smiled and said
"So now you know why I couldn't make the convention."
He saw the twinkle in his and this made him giggle. Dave had never giggled in his life before, laughed, yes but not a giggle, it was embarrassing, but then he noticed his friend giggling also and this made him worse and before they knew it the two men were both laughing loudly together. The people standing around watching didn't see the joke really but it was good to see the boss laughing with this stranger from Scotland. And so they stood there laughing and laughing for a full five minutes before Dave could get any words out. When he could finally speak, he said
"Oh my God. How did I not see that."
And the two men started laughing all over again.
PART THREE
This was the time of night Dave enjoyed the most. His nights gig finished he could relax with a beer in front of his computer and have a few friendly games of cards before bed time.
He had been back from the convention in Florida and his trip to L.A. for a month now and it felt like he had never been away, but he had some great memories of nights out with his teamies and the great laughs they had all had. It's funny but the team felt even closer now than it had before, but then he supposed that was only natural really. Every one was talking about it and agreed that it had been a great success and everyone was clammering to know when the next one would be. Although he had had a whale of a time in Florida with his Wanderer teamies, the highlight had been the trip to L.A. and the discovery he had made there. People had asked him about his meeting with CLINT out of politeness, but he had stuck to the story that they had decided on. That he was an old man living frugally on what was left of his savings in down town L.A. and the curiosity soon died away and Clint's secret remained in tact.
Hi p. Fancy a game?
Sure do,p lead the way.
Great t16 and glp
Ty u2 p
And so they were off on another game, they had been playing well in the month that Dave had come back from the States. They had had plenty of time for cards in the evenings, in between teaching Dave to ride, (which had brought hoots of laughter from Clint who had been riding all his life) and driving along the coast in the white Porche, with Clint's wife and daughter as opps.
So CLINT were you the good the bad or the ugly
One of their opps typed into the screen. Dave smiled to himself, if they only knew.
And across the Atlantic on the west coast of America Clint smiled too.
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