Endurance

April 2019

Months have gone by, and we're now into April. Michael, Steven, and Doug are at Shelly's Pub, located in the Old Town neighborhood on Chicago's North Side. They are seated at the bar on a Monday morning, watching the Boston Marathon.

Shelly, dressed in a black tank top, a black pair of jeans, and wearing black lipstick and eyeliner, is serving her patrons from behind the bar. The pub is packed with people eating their food and drinking alcoholic beverages.

Doug- Damn, those Kenyans are gonna be tough. They're always tough.

Steven- Didn't that Japanese guy win last year?

Michael- Yeah.

Steven- Yeah, and an American woman won last year, too. I gotta give it to her. That race was inspiring.

Doug- Was that the same race where that other American woman had to go to the Port-o-potty?

Steven- Yes, Doug.

Michael, Steven, and Doug continue watching the race on television. Shelly approaches them from behind the bar.

Shelly- (to Michael) Hey, when is your first race?

Michael- A couple of weeks from now. We decided to go to Champaign-Urbana for this one.

Shelly- Wait. How are you guys getting there? I thought you guys don't have cars.

Steven- (clears throat) Ahem.

Michael- Steven just became an Uber driver.

Shelly- (to Steven, surprised) Really? When?

Steven- A couple of weeks ago. I actually make good money doing that.

Michael- Anyway, we're only doing a half-marathon.

Shelly nods in approval. She looks at the television. The television shows the race. The Kenyan men continue to dominate the race.

Shelly- Michael, I bet you can keep up with those guys.

Steven- I know. Michael is every bit as good as those guys.

Michael- No, I'm not. Come on.

Doug- Are you kidding? Dude, we can't keep up with you in training. You make it look so easy!

Steven- Shelly, Michael's estimated marathon time is 2:15:00.

Shelly- (shocked) What?! Michael, don't you realize you could qualify for the Olympic Trials if you run a marathon this year?!

Michael- Not interested.

Shelly- Why not?

Michael- I'm just not. Okay?

Michael gets up, and he walks away from the bar. He walks past a few patrons, and he walks into the hallway. He attempts to go into the bathroom, but the door is locked.

Doug- (to Shelly) Hey, babe. How about another beer?

Shelly- (grabs a mug and a bottle of Miller Genuine Draft) Sure.

Shelly pours Doug a mug full of beer, and she slides the mug to him.

Shelly- Call me babe again, and I'll crack the next one over your skull.

Doug gives Shelly a sarcastic smirk. Shelly leaves the bar, and she walks into the hallway. She finds Michael standing outside the restroom.

Shelly- Michael, let's talk in my office.

Shelly walks into her storage room, and Michael follows her inside. Shelly closes the door.

Shelly- Wanna talk about it?

Michael sighs with frustration. Shelly looks at him with concern.

Meanwhile, back in the pub, Steven and Doug continue watching the race. Doug continues drinking his beer.

Doug- We got an American woman in third now.

Steven- Julie Hardy? She looks pretty fast. She's kinda young.

Doug- Think she can stay in third?

Steven- Looks like it. So far, she's the best American woman out there.

Doug- What about that other American who won last year?

Steven- Diane London?

Doug- Yeah. Where is she?

Steven- Looks like she's in fifth. This ain't her race. The American men are having a tougher time, it seems.

Doug- Those Africans ain't no joke, bro.

Doug checks his watch. He looks towards the hallway.

Doug- Dude, what are Michael and Shelly doing? They fucking?

Steven- Doug, what the fuck, man?! You being serious?!

Meanwhile, back in the storage room, Shelly is still trying to get Michael to open up. Michael is seated on a stool. Shelly is seated on a table. She stares at Michael, waiting for him to talk.

Shelly- Michael, how long have you known me?

Michael- Eight years.

Shelly- You and I go way back. You've known me longer than you've known Abby. You know you can tell me anything. I promise I won't say anything to anyone.

Michael- It's not that.

Shelly- What is it? Please talk to me.

Michael is hesitant to open up. He breathes deeply, searching for the words to say.

To Be Continued...