He occupied the end part of the counter and sat on a high stool in the bar, his left shoulder brushing against a brunette who sat next to him but was busy talking to Pascal, the barman.
She held a glass of red Port wine in her beautiful hands, and her blue eyes stared directly at Pascal, who listened to her with amused patience.
But for Rex Salaza; the brunette, Pascal, and the "Glorious Summer Bar" did not exist. Instead, he was quite preoccupied with issues on his mind.
He appeared quite relaxed that evening with a bottle and a glass of beer at the counter, not knowing that the day had finally come and a contract had been put on his life. He was to be assassinated the same evening.
Bastard City seemed to be witnessing the usual nightlife that went on in most nightclubs. The sound of the jukebox and disco could be heard all over.
The city dwellers seemed to be enjoying themselves as Bastard City watched all these activities in silence.
But as he sat in the bar, Rex was waiting for a friend whom he had promised to meet at eight o'clock.
He was in his early thirties with dark probing and intelligent eyes; his brown complexion was shiny. His hair was black and crew-cut.
On this particular evening, Rex was wearing his faded jeans and a red singlet; his feet were anchored in black boots.
No one was looking at this tall, massively built, and broad-shouldered man with a handsome face that resembled Jim Brown. The movie star would have known Rex had a problem on his mind.
As a matter of fact, he had taken to serious drinking ever since Kitgum, his associate, dismissed him unceremoniously and threw him out of his house.
Later at his house, the thought of punishing and fixing Kitgum had crossed his mind. He had even toyed with the idea of sending the man to his grave but later dismissed the thought when he remembered they had been good friends—the man had just been too good to him.
Indeed, the hit man never took pleasure in punishing friends except foes.
As he sat relaxing after having seen Kazo, his newfound love, with a letter to his parents, he suddenly thought of the injustice in the world.
He recalled the double cross he had suffered recently at Kitgum's hands, and the earlier one, Helga, his ex-wife, had delivered and ruined his hope in life. Rex emptied the bottle of beer into his glass and ordered a second one.
He was still taking his second bottle when he saw Chuck, his friend, entering the club. Chuck was in his late twenties, tall, thin, and distinguished-looking.
He had a square jaw and a moustache that was closely clipped. His brown eyes were always alert and serious. He was immaculately dressed in a dark-blue suit and a Panama hat that covered his crew-cut brown hair.
Chuck was accompanied by a man Rex had never seen before. When they reached the counter, Rex said as he picked up his glass, "I think we can go and sit at the far end at the table near the corner where there is privacy."
Then he steadied himself. To Pascal, he said: "My friends have arrived; I'm going to sit over there where your waiters can serve us. I will settle all the bills."
Slowly, he began to move away, Chuck and the other man walking by his side. When they reached the table they wanted, they sat down and began talking. Chuck asked, "Have you been here long?"
"Not quite, I've just finished my first bottle and am now taking the second one," said Rex.
"Well, thank God I delayed coming because I've just discovered the most shocking thing. But do you know this guy here with me?" Chuck queried his eyes suddenly serious.
Rex studied the man. He was a tall, averagely built man with eyes that were watery and miserable-looking. He had a dark chin.
He was wearing black trousers, a white jacket, and a shirt. His black hair was long and shiny. He was dark-complexioned and appeared to be in his mid-thirties.
"No, I don't know him. And I can't remember having seen him before." Rex replied.
"This is Brian Mauro. He lives at Burma estate with a friend in an apartment. We were together in the armed forces before the air force was disbanded. And we were imprisoned almost at the same time, but he was restricted at Vasari Maximum Security Prison after serving briefly at Chindwin." Chuck spoke as he introduced the man.
They shook hands. Then Rex ordered more drinks. They all sat at the round table as they drank the beer the waiter served them. Then Rex seemed to recall something.
"Now, what's this shocking thing you have found out?"
"Well, hit man, your life was in danger tonight. But your reputation with a gun has saved you. You've had a narrow escape," said Chuck.
Rex was instantly alert. "What danger are you talking about?"
"Kitgum and Al Baza have put a contract on you. They paid Brian half a million shillings to eliminate you tonight. Fortunately, Brian knew you as one of the top marksmen in the defunct air force. The contract was half down, half when the job was done. So Brian decided to take the money and let you know of the planned hit. Foolish Kitgum gave out the money hurriedly, not knowing that Brian is a man who doesn't like killing comrades; especially those who suffered a similar fate of dismissal from the armed forces. He considers that a betrayal of trust," Chuck said, and paused for breath.
Then he went on, "Well, since the man himself is here with us, let Brian tell you all about it."