Clyde drove in his 1974 BMW 3.0 C.S. which was still running well. He was a man who took great care of his things and it was apparent in his work. His attention to detail and craftsmanship were top level, which is why he had so many satisfied customers and a growing business.

Clyde ordered for the two of them and sat down on a table looking out the window. The sun had finally broken through the ocean front, and shone brilliantly on the deep blue sea below. Not that this was the view from the window. The trucks driving though kicking up dirt, and chugging black plumes of smoke was. And did not promote the beautiful picturesque background associated with the southern California beach scene.

David felt odd being in a public place with his vigilante rescuer and didn't know if he should continue the subject. He had come all this way for a reason and as most young people, felt that cutting to the chase was the most efficient way to carry on with life. Just as Clyde had said, the sight of David's injuries had prompted a free drink from the restaurant which David settled for Coke.

"So do you come here often?" asked David.

"I want to come more but got high cholesterol so I had to cut back. Only come from time to time now," said Clyde as he ate the complimentary chips and salsa.

"So are you really giving up on your side project?" asked David not able to keep waiting.

"Why are you so concerned about it? I thought you said it was stupid and all that?" asked Clyde as he spoke with a mouth full of chips.

"I don't know. I guess I just don't believe you," said David as he too started snacking on the salty, corn treats.

"What's it to you if I do or don't?" shot back Clyde.

"I just never meet anybody with such a passionate goal that they'd just abandon it without looking back," said David as he took chips after Clyde.

"So what you trying to say? It's like a curiosity sideshow or some sort of observational study for you?" asked Clyde as he now snacked on the chips at a faster rate.

"No, not at all. Just seeing someone so passionate about something can be contagious is all," said David as he now competed with Clyde eating the chips until they were gone.

"Why don't you cut the crap? Why don't you tell me what you really are here for?" asked Clyde directly.

"You want to know why I'm here. I want to see proof. I want to see that you are no cheap adrenaline junky, or some midlife crisis wanna, be that is out looking for one more shot at glory that's just going to get killed or get someone else killed. I want to see if you are the real deal or a poser," said David lowering his voice as he got more serious.

"What does it matter? I said I was OUT," said Clyde emphasizing the word out with his animated, large jaw.

"Come on, give me a break. Just like that? After ten years or more and who knows what other sacrifices and everything, you are just done?" continued to press on David. "Why?" he continued.

"Why? Because I'm no good at it. I tried, I did my best and I could never get beyond a certain point. I can't keep up with them boys out there and I know my limits. I don't belong out there on the streets. That's a young man's game," said Clyde.

"Is that why you confided in me? Why you took me with you? Why you met with me today?" asked David yet again.

"Boy you keep asking me the same things over and over again. Now I've told you before. You was being a pain in the butt, you made me take you and you tracked me down. You like a bitter ex-wife!" said Clyde making himself laugh.

"See I don't believe it's just that simple. I think there's more to it," insisted David as if trying to convince himself or Clyde of it.

"Well, why don't you tell me why you think I did then since you seem so sure of it?"

"Just like you said, it's a young man's game out there. I think you want me to take up the cause for you," said David sure of himself.

Clyde shook his head and let out a loud laugh that made other people turn and made David noticeably uncomfortable.

"Son, look at you. We are not really scoring tens here! This is not a jump in the pond or walk in the park we are talking about here. I'm not gonna be responsible for sending some young man to the battlefield and have you get hurt or worse for what? Vengeance? That's not gonna bring my boy back. I'm not about to take someone else's boy as well.

You have some illusions of making a difference? Let me tell you it's all a fantasy. It's a spit in the ocean. You won't do more in a night out, or ten years than break yourself away. Look, the government with all the money and resources can't even protect us from people bent on doing us harm a hundred thousand miles away," Clyde said exaggerating.

"You believed it five days ago. How can someone change their mind on something so critical to them in such a short amount of time?" continued David.

"Not someone, me. I can and I have," said Clyde.

"Why are you so interested now? You were so against it to begin with. What made you change your mind on something so critical?" Clyde flipped it on David.

David took a deep breath and thought for a moment. Everything and everyone he had talked to came to his head.

"I'll tell you why. I see everyone go about their business as best as they can. Doing their own thing, all to have others come and take advantage of it. There's a whole community of brave people struggling to improve their lives, minding their own, and their families. While another, small group exploit the fact that most people will tolerate being taken advantage of, or being used to avoid trouble, or making things worse.

And these evil, opportunistic people get away with it! Many times scot-free because there are only so many resources to properly prosecute these criminals. In the meantime the new generations keeps being pulled in, and seduced by promises of an easy, fast ride to the top which will never come, or worse they'll never live long enough to cash it.

I've seen this played out in other places around the world and it's always the same deal. Few profiting of off the pain of others. While everyone is too afraid to stand up to them. Now, I swore to protect my country and I intend to do that," said David passionately.

"Why don't you join the police then? I hear they are always looking for a few good men," said Clyde quickly finding a hole in David's reasoning.

"Same reason you didn't. They are just as inefficient. The criminals know the system better than the cops sometimes or worse, the police work with the criminals. I don't know this is the case here, but for sure the police is tied up having to collect all of the evidence they need before they can touch some of these guys. In the meantime the bad guys are still out there, loose on the streets causing havoc and making things worse for the rest of us," answered David.

"Yeah, damn civil rights and due process always getting in the way," said Clyde.

"You know what I mean. The people who really need to be processed never are while the ones that should be protected by the system are screwed by it, either because it works against them or not for them," said David.

Clyde was quiet for a moment. Like a master chess player, thinking of his next move. He studied David's reasoning and carefully contemplated all the options.

"I could use some chicken for tonight's dinner," said Clyde out of no-where.

"What? Are you making fun of me? If you are not taking me seriously then..."said David offended.

"You young people are so impatient. Always in a rush to jump head first into things you don't have a full grasp of," said Clyde calmly.

"Yes, I hear you kid. But this is something I have to think about first. Just like buying a car. Sit on it, think it through. Never buy it on the spot," continued Clyde.

When their food finally came in, Clyde said to David," Eat up. Get your strength back. Let's talk about something else. Tell me about you. How you got here, all you can think off. We'll go back, I'll finishing showing you around the shop and I'll drive you home.

You'll get there by tomorrow if you take the bus back at that time and knowing you, there is no tell what sort of trouble you'll get into. And I won't be able to come rescue you if I'm stuck in the Office or traffic," said Clyde his big shinny smile. Like the light house of the pier, white and pure, bringing in lost travelers safely to shore.

They spent the rest of the afternoon talking. David talked about his past. From his time in Mexico, to when his family moved back to the States. He went over the details of his mother's death and his exodus to military school. He spoke of Liz and Grams, and of his father who had passed away.

He mentioned Cheeto, Claudia as well as Sammy and Allen. People Clyde was familiar with or aware of. Particularly Cheeto. Clyde was also not surprised at the episode with J. at the Center and that kids like Allen would be used. This inspired the fire inside of him to stir.

After lunch, they headed back and Clyde showed David the rest of the shop. The few work stations and machines he had on the floor. Some of the projects they had to work on and some of the past things they had done. David was surprise, since some of the products he was aware of being used in the military.

Some of the body armor Clyde had for sale was the type a lot of the boys would bring with them since the standard issue equipment handed down was not always up to snuff. Sometimes family would ship over some of the higher grade body armor at their own expense. It was something David always had a problem with. But somehow, everyone made do with what they had.

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