Sultrily brooding, Jack sat at a table in the farthest corner of Charly’s pub. Since Teri’s death he spent a lot of time here, too much time in Charlie’s opinion.

Charlie was an Irishman, but had immigrated to America already in his younger years to find his luck here. He had dreamed of an immense fortune and reputation, but he had only managed to own this small pub in one of the innumerous lanes of Los Angeles.

Charly’s pub was considered as favourite meeting point for men stressed by their everyday life. Most of the time the small comfortable room for the guests was rather crowded. The walls were panelled with dark wood. Partition walls divided the room into several small niches. Tables, benches and chairs were made of dark wood, too. Small lamps at the walls and on the ceiling spread a warm light. To the left an impressive bar was to be found. Its back wall was dominated by huge mirrors. Several bar stools, which were almost always taken, stood in front of the bar-table. The small table which was always reserved for special guests, stood totally at the back, in the farthest corner, protected by partition walls.

Unnumerous voices could be heard, smoke was in the air and now and then someone laughed loud and heartily. Charly’s pub was the ideal place for a nice chat with friends, and often Charlie kept his guests company, sat down at one of their tables and was invited to a drink. Stories were told, problems debated or the general favourite topic was discussed: sports. Everybody liked Charly’s pleasant way to take his time for each of his guests and his passionate temper when he was pushing his favourite team. He was one of them.

Charlie was more than content with his life, for fate had not only blessed him with many friends and acquaintances, but also with his beloved Emma. Emma was the best wife a man could want – he was indisputably convinced of it. She had given him two great sons and a daughter whom he was incredibly proud of.

Sarah was a beauty and really grown up for her 16 years. He would have to keep an eye on her, as the men already gave her wistful looks.

She was lucky to have two elder brothers, Daniel and Adam, who watched over her almost with jealousy.

Charlie had to smirk, when he thought how a drunk guest had tried to approach his little girl offensively. At once Daniel hat put himself up in front of him menacingly and shoved his little sister behind him. At the sight of this young giant the guest obviously had lost any appetite. Hastily he had thrown some dollars onto the table and taken to his heels as quickly as possible.

No, Charlie did not need to worry about disagreeable guests. His sons had everything under control.

For the time being he worried about Jack. He knew his tragic story, had learnt of the loss of his wife and could understand his pain only too well. However, he could not approve of Jack’s behaviour now. He was about to destroy himself systematically and Charlie had already tried several times to put a stop to this.

Not for the first time Jack sat at this table in the corner, a bottle of Bourbon in front of him. Charlie had tried to talk to him and to prevent his immense drinking every time, but mostly in vain. Jack’s reactions to it had shown such a despair and deep pain that he stood helplessly in front of him. Charlie had such a big heart.

Instead of refusing to give him his drinks, he had kept him company most of the time and drunk one Bourbon or the other. He knew that he did not help Jack by doing so, but this way he could keep an eye on him. Whenever he realized that Jack was short of falling from his chair, he had given a signal to one of his sons, who inconspicuously took Jack to the back of the pub. There was a small room with a couch where Jack could sleep it off without being disturbed. Charlie knew that Jack was grateful to him, even if they had never talked about it.

Today Jack had appeared again, had disappeared into his corner and Charlie had brought him the usual stuff. Jack had reacted very surly when Charlie had tried to start a conversation with him. Nevertheless Charlie had sat down at his table and quickly realized that Jack seemed to be in an extremely deep crisis today. Up to now, however, he had not succeeded in learning the reason for Jack’s depression. Jack had just responded to all his endeavours with an icy silence.

Adam had called his father to the phone and during this relatively short span of time Jack had really succeeded in emptying half the bottle of Bourbon. Now Charlie stood behind the bar and watched Jack, full of grief. He thought of their first, really spectacular encounter and that they had sat at the same table that night.

That night Charlie had visited an old friend and was on his way back to his pub. It had been far after midnight and he was not altogether sober. His thoughts were already with his beloved Emma, and he had disregarded his surroundings, when suddenly loud voices made him prick up his ears. He saw three guys menacing a young Afro-American. At once Charlie started to run to help the victim.

The three guys had become angry when he interfered. One of them had drawn a knife and started to threaten Charlie. At this moment tyres squealed beside him, Charlie, however, was not able to pay attention to it. Skilfully he kept out of his assailant’s way, but at that moment one of the others had grabbed him from behind.

It could have come off badly for Charlie, if not suddenly a loud, energetic voice had commanded:
„ Hands up! Freeze!“

The guys had flinched and tried to clear out. The man with the gun, however, prevented this. Charlie had known all of a sudden that this was a pro. At once this man had the situation under control and the three guys had become rather subdued. Quickly the incident turned out to be a family quarrel. The young Afro-American had fallen in love with Maggie, the sister of one of the assailants. He did not like that. He was of the opinion, a „black man“ had no right to touch his sister. This was reason enough for him to waylay his sister’s friend with two of his friends so as to make him understand that he should stay away from Maggie.

The man had asked for the names and addresses of the three guys, put them some questions and let them go, pointing out to them that he would check matters. The guys quickly made off.

In the meantime Charlie had taken care of the young man. Luckily he was able to intervene in time, so that the young man was just given a fright. Benny, or Benjamin, which was his real name, thanked them and then went his way. The man had offered him to give him a lift to his home, but Benny said it was not far away.

Finally Charlie had time to thank his saviour. Smiling, he had held out his right hand to the man and introduced himself.

„Charles O’Connor – are you a policeman?“ Charlie had asked him.

The man had smiled, too and had answered:

„Not really ... Agent Jack Bauer.“

„I have been lucky that you have been at the right place at the right moment. Otherwise this could have come to a dangerous end for me. Thank you, agent Bauer.“

„Yes. It is always dangerous to intervene in such a quarrel as a civilian. It was rather reckless to intend to give battle to three guys, Mr. O’Connor.“

Now Charlie had to laugh.

„That’s it! I suppose the ex-policeman in me wanted to come out again.“

Jack looked at him in astonishment and had asked:

„You have been a policeman?“

„Yes ... but it’s a while ago. My wife Emma was of the opinion that this profession is too dangerous for a father of three children. So I gave it up and became solid instead.“

At these words Charlie had to grin.

„As an ex-policeman you should have acted much cleverer.“ A slight annoyance was to be heard in Jack’s voice.

Charlie had answered the reproach with a smile and had answered:

„You are totally right, it was rather .... ill-considered. You know what, agent Bauer?

I think we deserve a little shot after this scary event. My pub is only three streets away. Please accompany me and I will buy you a drink. What do you think ? Or are you still on duty?“

A little smile had crossed Jack’s face.

„No...“ Jack had scrutinized him shortly, but intensely and replied:

„Ok ... I hope, you have a good Bourbon.“

„The best one you can ask for...“ Charlie had answered with a smile.

They had got to know each other this way and in the course of time had become almost friends. Now and again Jack had appeared in his pub. He had kept him company then and over a drink they had talked. Sometimes Jack had drunk too much, but it had never been as bad as today.

Charlie sighed. He had been watching Jack now for quite a while. If Jack continued drinking that way, he would fall from his chair soon. Charlie could not go on watching this. He had to do something to help Jack.

He glanced at his wristwatch. It was shortly after 1.30 a.m. In half an hour he would close the pub. Half an hour ..... enough time for Jack to get drunk. No, Charlie could no wait that long. Resolutely he steered towards the small table at the corner.

...to be continued...

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