Guns 'n' Rose Read Free Page B

shafted for his trouble. But by the time George and Price plied himwith copious quantities of cold beer and choice bourbon, Les would have agreed to anything just to get out of Bondi for a while. In fact, when Eddie dropped him home on the way to Price’s house at Vaucluse, Les was rolling around in the back of the Rolls-Royce with Price singing ‘New York, New York’ and ‘If You’re Going to San Francisco’. And when he almost fell out the door of the Roller, Les felt like he didn’t have an enemy in the world and he was looking forward to getting away in the morning.
    Warren was in bed asleep, so Les did his best not to wake him while he had a glass of filtered water from the fridge and an Ovaltine from the microwave oven, which he sipped on the back verandah as he gazed into the garden. Before Les knew it, he was yawning away and not thinking about much except getting to bed. Terrigal did play briefly on his mind, however. It’s funny, he mused as he sipped the last of his Ovaltine, it doesn’t seem like that long since I was up there. Not that I saw much the last time. All I seemed to see was that ratbag sheila’s ted. I wonder if I’ll bump into the beautiful Sophia again? Norton drained the last of his Ovaltine and walked towards the kitchen. Bloody hope not. He rinsed his mug then hit the sack and crashed out like a light.

 
    Â 
    Â 
    Les wasn’t feeling all that bad when he rose around eight, climbed into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, had a horrible boozy dump, cleaned his teeth and found Warren sitting at the kitchen table wearing Levi’s and a matching denim shirt.
    â€˜G’day, Woz,’ said Norton. ‘How’s things?’
    â€˜All right,’ replied Warren, taking a glance at his watch. ‘Except I’m just about to hit the toe for the pickle factory.’ He took a sip of coffee and looked up at Les. ‘So what’s your story, homeboy? How was work last night? Any murders? Bashings?’
    â€˜No, it was pretty quiet, to tell you the truth.’ Norton opened a cupboard and started getting some cereal and coffee together. ‘I keep telling you, Woz, nothing happens up there now. It’s like an old folks’ home. In fact, it’s that quiet I’ve been laid off for a week.’
    â€˜Laid off?’
    â€˜Yep. Downsized. It’s a proper bastard.’
    â€˜Shit! I thought you were pretty sweet up there.’
    â€˜So did I. Instead, Price has turned out to be nothing but a rotten cunt.’
    â€˜So what are you going to do?’
    â€˜I’m staying at his place in Terrigal for a week.’
    â€˜You’re what?’
    Without mentioning George’s nephew, Les told Warren pretty much the truth about Price giving him a week off and the use of the house. Warren was impressed.
    â€˜So that’s the story, Woz. Don’t wreck the joint while I’m away, and I’ll see you next Wednesday.’
    â€˜Fair enough. Have a good time up there.’ Warren drained the last of his coffee and rinsed the mug. ‘Well, I’m gonna clean my teeth and piss off.’
    â€˜Yeah, you’re up earlier than usual. Got a big day on with the other rocket scientists in the ad agency, have you?’
    â€˜Yep. In fact there’s a board meeting straight up where I will have to fight to get my point across. Which, if I do, could mean mucho extra dinero for yours truly. And, Les, if something’s worth fighting for, it’s worth fighting dirty for. They won’t know what hit them when big Woz walks in the room.’
    â€˜Go get ’em, Woz. But just remember what my old grandma used to say.’
    â€˜What’s that, Les?’
    â€˜Never get in a fight with a pig. You both finish up covered in shit and the pig likes it.’
    â€˜True, Les, but the mugs I’m dealing with think the truth is very interesting but entirely irrelevant. And mugs that think