Badges

the Canadians!

    He got up, went into the bedroom, and fished out the piece of paper that Barry had written his phone number on. He sat back down, picked up his phone, and dialed Barry. After several rings, someone picked up.

    “Hello?”

    “Barry? This is Jeff… you know: the Yank who’s a moron?”

    “Oh, look, I’m really sorry. You just fell into the standard juvenile initiation ritual that we all go through. Your side does it to our new boys as well, only the picture of the president is used. You mad?”

    “I was, but then I thought hard about it and began to laugh. So, no, I’m not mad any longer. Look, I was calling about getting together with you. Instead of a beer, why don’t we take our couple days off and travel somewhere in Canada? I’ve never been on your side until today.”

    “I see. Well, I’m game for it; how about Niagara Falls? The agents get a special price at the hotels that look out over the falls, and there are casinos also. Is something like that okay?”

    “You bet. Can you set it up for our break day after tomorrow?” Jeff asked.

    “Sure. One room okay?”

    “Of course, we’re both healthy boys,” Jeff said with a smile that Barry couldn’t see.

    “Good deal. I’ll call now and arrange it, and we can talk about the particulars tomorrow at lunch; how’s that?”

    “Sounds perfect, Barry. I’m sure we’ll have a good time!” Jeff said and hung up.

    He laughed out loud thinking about trying to get Barry’s legs in the air. I’ll show him….

    The next day, Jeff and Barry met on the American side for lunch and worked out the details. Jeff would leave his car at the border station, and Barry would pick him up and drive over to the falls. They’d get checked into the hotel just in time for dinner. Both men were excited about their two days and nights together, and neither knew for sure what they were excited about.

    As planned , Jeff had packed a small bag—leaving his weapon at home—and driven to the border, where he found Barry already waiting. He got out, smiled and waved, grabbed his bag, and headed over to Barry’s car. He threw the bag in the back seat and climbed into the front passenger seat.

    “Hey, dude, this gonna be fun or what?” Barry asked.

    “Oh, I’m planning on having a ton of fun, bud; let’s get going!”

    They were waved through the border checkpoint and headed off to the falls. The ride took them about four hours, which seemed to pass in no time as they talked about their jobs, their schools, and sports they enjoyed. The only subject that never came up was that of girlfriends.

    At the end of their trip, they arrived at an Embassy Suites that stood practically on the edge of the falls. They parked the car and checked in at the front desk. They were given a room on the thirty-fifth floor, and away they went in the elevator.

    When they opened the door to the room and walked in, both men were overwhelmed by what they saw before them. The hotel had given the men a presidential two-room suite with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the falls. The view was breathtaking. They walked into the bedroom and were met with the same scenery.

    Jeff turned away from the view and saw, to his surprise, one bed—a king-size bed, with a fireplace next to it. He didn’t say anything but walked into the bathroom where, in addition to the usual things, he found a large two-person whirlpool tub. He smiled at the thought of him and Barry frolicking around in that.

    His fantasy was interrupted by Barry saying, “I just saw they put us in a one-bed suite. I’ll call down and get us one with two beds.”

    Jeff’s smile left his face. He followed Barry into the living room, where Barry picked up the phone and called down to the front desk.

    “Yes, this is Barry Riggo in suite 3509. We’ve been given a room with only one bed in it. Do you have a similar room with two beds?” After a moment, “You say they only ones available are on the city side of the tower and we’d lose the view?”

    Jeff shook his head and waved his hand to say that one bed was okay.

    “Never mind, we’ll keep this suite, thank you,” Barry said and hung up. “Dude, I’m sorry that they put us in here. You sure you’re okay with sharing a bed?”

    “Yeah, no big deal. I’d hate to give up this view,” Jeff said as he walked back to the windows.

    Barry smiled.

    Jeff turned around and asked, “Shall we go for a walk? I’d love to get a close-up