The Warrior and the Weasel

“Apparently I’m also a snob who looks down on everyone. One gurning prat compared me to Andrew Mitchell, after I was beaten up.”

“You’re tall enough to look down, but not proud enough to mean it. Pygmys can have thin skins, you stood up to any recently?”

Jack smiled. “Probably. Well, there’s an odd little postman who has it in for the landlady’s son, who’s a friend. Thinks he runs the pub because he gets the landlady drunk, whispers in ears and tugs strings.”

“Well, weasels don’t like looking up at someone. Makes them feel as small on the outside as they are on the inside. You probably made some offhand remark, or joke you’ve forgotten telling, and thin-skinned people remember, and want revenge, like your Hibernian hotshot.”

“Obviously I have a gift then.”

“Yet still useless at using it.” He raised his glass. “Weasels have memories as long as their skins are thin. You heard the phrase ‘revenge is a dish best served cold’. You know who says that? Wankers.”

“You mean weasels.”

“Whatever, but caring or complaining won’t stop that river flowing. Liars lie to justify their lying. That’s life. Look, I get it. People are social animals, it’s not nice to be disliked, but we never used to crave the respect of those we didn’t either. You haven’t changed that much you’ve forgotten your old mantra.”

Jack shook his head. “I just like the place, I like the people. May not be much but it’s been good for me the last while, like a hideout from… everything. Besides, even if it wasn’t about me, it’s not nice to see people I know hoodwinked or… lying.”

Scot nodded. “Guess now you know who only listens to the gossip, and those that repeat and spread it.”

“Unfortunately.”

“Anyway, your broken bones will soon magically disappear from the scuttlebutt, if they were ever included in the first place,” said Scot. “After all, you’ve already been beaten and besmirched, without any consequences. You’re open season now. Coward, then a bully, then a snob, then a… well, it’ll keep on going. The dirt dishing will just get more idiotic now they’re on a streak.”

Mojitos next. Cool, sweet, refreshing with fresh mint. It seemed a good idea to only drink things that began with the letter ‘M’ to ensure sobriety.