New Story - written exclusively on Steemit - WiP - Bouncer Part 49

This is obviously going to be a full novel (almost there already).

I'm listening to the feedback and if something resonates, I've decided that I'll go with it (thanks @kiwideb).

Feel free to give feedback on characters, storylines etc - even if you think it's harsh.

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Catch up on the full story with the links below.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30 Part 31 Part 32 Part 34 Part 35 Part 36 Part 37 Part 38 Part 39 Part 40 Part 41 Part 42 Part 43 Part 44 Part 45 Part 46 Part 47 Part 48

Pictures from Google free to use search

Please note: This is the FIRST DRAFT, no editing, written straight onto paper. I don't know how to highlight that any more than it is. I'll NOT be making any alterations to what's already been written. As a good friend and excellent author has said, First draft is a race to get the story down before it decides to stop telling itself to you. Thanks Glenn. @alienbutt

102 pages, 42,498 words so far.

The cover image needs work (thanks everyone for the feedback, please keep commenting) and I'll get it sorted soon. Things are still hectic with family in hospital etc so stories etc have to come second-place in the priorities race.

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Zack and Taylor went to their office to catch up on work there, Anthony phoned Deb and asked her if she would come in an hour early that evening. Liz rang Viktor and filled him in on the problems. She mentioned Mikhail’s brother-in-law and was not at all surprised to hear that he knew more about it than she did.

Viktor then phoned Zack and gave just one instruction – double-up on the security for opening night.

“I don’t care if you have to pay everyone double to get them all into the club tonight, Zack,” Viktor said. “I want twice as many doormen on duty and I will be bringing more of my men in too.”

“Whatever you say, Mr Vasilyevich,” Zack said.

Zack put down the phone and stared at it.

“Trouble?” Taylor said.

“Yeah. I think Viktor is expecting a war tonight,” Zack said. “I’d better get ringing our back-up teams.”

An hour before the staff at the club were expected to start turning up, Zack opened the doors for his usual door team. They went up the stairs and grabbed either coffee or water and waited to see why they were doing overtime before the club even got going.

“We’re bringing a few more lads in this evening,” Zack said. “And before you ask, yes, we’re expecting trouble.”

The men stood in silence, waiting for more information.

“The back-up team will be working here eventually, I just hadn’t anticipated getting them started before the other floors were completed,” he said.

“Because the event last night went so well, it’s going to be ticket only for tonight too. No pay on the door, so there’ll be no cash on reception. No exceptions, no excuses, no guest-list, no messing about with explanations. No ticket, no entry. Miss Cooper has already closed-down the website where the tickets were downloaded from. If they don’t already have tickets, it’s too late now,” he said.

“How do you want to work the teams, Zack?” Joe said.

“I think it’ll be best if we split everything right down the middle. You’ve all been here before, you know what this means. We’re expecting a ruckus but we don’t want any fighting inside the venue. Get them outside if they kick-off, and if you need to batter them, remember where the cameras are,” Zack said. “You’ll know most of the back-up team, probably worked with them before. If there are any past issues that are unresolved, let Joe or Crackers know and do not work with them. I don’t want any distractions for you. We’re doubling-up tonight, so the teams will seem massive, but I’m sure you’ll think we’ve been spread too thin if it does kick off.”

“How do you want us to deal with the more organised disruptions?” Baz said.

“That’s a very polite way of asking if you want them laid out or thrown out, Baz,” Zack said.

A grim smile touched his lips. They all knew what it could be like. The days of the football hooligans organising pitched battles in a specific pub were gone but not forgotten. Scars had faded, broken limbs had healed but resentment could flare up in an instant.

Most of the football hooligans from town were well-known and banned from pubs in town and had been for a number of years. That’s not to say the new generation of thug would stay away, or say no if someone asked if they’d like to get in on a bit of action – for shits and giggles. For most of the hooligans, it wasn’t even the match itself that was the draw for a spot of Saturday afternoon entertainment. The pre- or post-match ‘rumble’ was what really got their blood pumping and adrenalin running through their veins.

Getting kitted up in smart clothes wouldn’t deter them either. Team colours and logos were usually tattooed onto skin, they didn’t need a scarf to say where their loyalties lay. Some of the best-dressed man-about-town types could wield a knuckleduster, and often had one in a handy place - a sock possibly.

“If it kicks off, don’t waste time trying to reason with them or part them to figure out friend or foe, take it that they’ll all try to gut you if they can, and the best defence is offence,” Zack said.

The men looked at each other and Joe spoke up.

“Knock them out because they can’t hit, kick, bite, stab or kill you if they’re unconscious,” he said.

A murmur to say the team understood went around the group and Zack smiled.

“Right. My usual policy is ‘Be professional at all times,’ but tonight it’s ‘Be safe and make sure your Team mate is safe.’ You’ll be in splinter teams of two tonight. The back-up team will follow your lead and do as you tell them, so make sure you tell them to cover your back at all times in a situation. You’re responsible for your own safety first, that of your team-mate second and if it gets into the club, protect the staff, management and customers. Things can be repaired and replaced, people getting injured can close-down the club then it’s Game Over. Got it?” he said.

“Yes Boss!” the reply came spontaneously and he couldn’t help but grin.