The two men sat at a table on the sidewalk sipping lukewarm beer. The Captain made eye contact with the man across from him.
“This is very risky,” said the Captain.
Although both men wore dark sunglasses, after years of such meetings the Captain felt certain he was looking into the other man’s eyes.
“This is not easily done,” the Captain added.
“Amigo, it is done all the time,” said the other man. He seemed annoyed now. “Besides now that we have discussed this venture, what are your options?”
Sometimes the two met for business, sometimes just for the other’s company. Each trusted the other within reason, meaning the consequences for total trust and total mistrust were equally severe in their line of work, so each man stayed within the margins.
“Let’s not kid ourselves, Captain,” the other man continued as he set his beer aside. “We are not here to discuss if you want to participate. We are here to discuss the terms of your participation.”
The threat was more than implied and in no manner veiled. Worst case scenario, the Captain was a liability; at best, now that he knew of the endeavor, he was a loose end. One way or another in the next few moments, the Captain would be neither.
“I will participate in your scheme, but I know in my heart that this is a doomed undertaking,” said the Captain in response.