Team


Our office was doing work for NBC on the new sidewalk-
visible Today show, and for that period, we ate lunch at
The Sea Grill restaurant across the street, arranged as a
perk by the network.

A glass elevator took us down from the street level, to sit
facing the famous ice rink, among crafty-eyed soft-tongued
suits and their beautiful dining mates.

We were treated courteously by the staff, and we behaved as
befitted cammied security troops. There were glances at
our weapons but no questions, it'd only been two weeks
since the killing of the NBC guard on the sidewalk next to
the Today set.

Jan kept the Tek 10 on chair at his side, Giff the grenade
launcher leaned against the rink-side glass (which widened
eyes of the gliding skaters). Sheila held her assault
shotgun propped vertical on her thigh, used one hand to eat. 

I guarded, back to wall, while they ate, and Dent and Cou
manned the entrance. We rotated duty until all had
finished.

One day a young couple approached and asked to join the
table. Sheila said, good old Sheila, get the fuck back,
scumbags or you're hamburger. The couple laughed, she said
cute answer, darling, we're from NBC headquarters, and they
sat. Both were lubricated.

Jan whispered "red" to his mike, put the Tek to the guy's
head, safety off, said freeze motherfucker, quiver and die. 
Sheila tipped the girl's chair sideways and was instantly
on her with the shotgun under her chin, grunting low sounds
and spit, face to face. Dent and Cou barred the door with
the overturned wine cart, went horizontal with 180 field of
fire.

Giff ran to the wall booth and crouched with the launcher
facing the rink and I hunkered behind a column and eyed the
crowd, looking for the first move.

Silence in the space except for the gurgling girl and
Sheila's animal grunts. We hissed signals of set, report. 
Five "rockets" and Sheila's "garble." We waited to fire. 
The skaters outside circled, staring, laughing, pointing.

Out on "move," Jan ordered. Pause, he said it, pulled the
guy with him, Tek to temple, and backed toward the rear
exit. Sheila lifted the petrified girl with one powerful
arm, legs dangling, and stayed close to Jan and the guy. 
Dent and Cou duck-walked toward Jan and Sheila keeping the
entrance covered. Giff and I guarded the crowd until the
four were near the exit, then we eased slowly to join them. 
The crowd was perfectly still, shocked, the skaters enjoyed
the show, waving, sure it was a stunt.

Sheila holding the girl aloft dashed out, took a defensive
position, then the same for Jan clutching the guy. Dent
and Cou hunkered at each side of the door, signaled to Giff
and me to exit. We did and covered Jan and Sheila. Dent
and Cou dashed out and we six and captives leap-frogged
down the passage, covering our moves.

The lunch-time crowd parted for us and applauded. Crazily-
dressed messengers joined our action, hooting, go dudes,
all right. We barked get the fuck out of here assholes,
this is real, we'll waste you, to no avail. Jan's guy
puked and Sheila's girl leaked urine and slobbered.

We worked our way to home base, secured the area, posted
Dent and Cou, placed the guy and girl in the cells and
strapped them down; Sheila elbowed the girl's mouth. Jan
said, easy Sheil, then reported in.

Outstanding, Lou said on the speaker, by the book, it's all
on tape. The corporate security honchos are cheering up
here. Those HQ twerps, teach 'em a lesson, take this
seriously. Stand down, team. Jesus, that Sheila's a
monster, what's her problem with young dames?

----------

April 4, 1995