The Davis was a small cocktail lounge across the street from the headquarters of Delta Fund. It primarily catered to an older ex-military crowd who liked to reminisce about literal war stories. The place had been started by a distant cousin of General Benjamin Davis, Sr - the first black general. It was now run by someone else - but continued to maintain an affinity for military types.

When Josh walked in, he expected Kyle to already be at the bar with drinks at the ready. But, Kyle had not arrived yet. So, Josh took a seat at the bar - which was uncharacteristically empty. Micah - the bartender - knew Josh and Kyle well, since they came around often for happy hour to wash down the woes of the day. Micah strutted toward Josh, yelling something like "Hey - JJ - what's up, brother? What can I get you?".

Josh smiled and put out a fist. Micah bumped it appropriately.

"Hey, man. I'm just waiting for Kyle. I think we are going to start with some Basil Hayden."

"Cool. You want some rocks, or just neat?".

"Just one or two cubes, if you don't mind."

"You got it."

Micah turned to the bourbon shelf, scanning it for the tall bottle with the metal wrap-around band that formed the letters BH in front of the label. It was half empty. He poured, without measuring, into two solid old-fashioned glasses. In each he dropped two small ice cubes, and placed them in front of Josh.

Stolen story; please report.

"Open a tab?"

"Oh, no. Well. We might. But Kyle is paying this time."

At that moment, Kyle grabbed Josh with both hands on his shoulders. Josh jolted in his seat slightly.

Kyle let out a deep, "Micah!" - as he extended his fist toward the bartender. He slid into the seat next to Josh, and grabbed the waiting glass - taking a quick sniff before his first sip. "Micah - these are on me tonight, ok?".

"Sure thing, boss."

Josh started - "So, hey. I have to go to this party at my parent's house - it's like all their friends and such, and they always want me to attend these things. Some of the big wigs from Delta will be around as well."

"Cool. When is it?".

"That's the thing. It's tonight at 7:30."

Kyle took another sip of his bourbon, and gave Josh a nod.

"Why don't you come with me?", Josh implored.

"Hell yeah, brother. Your folks are cool ... I dig them."

Both men raised their glasses to each other, clanked them together, and took big sips of their bourbon.

"I need to run home and get cleaned up, if you want to meet me at my place around 6:30. I'll drive...", said Josh.

"Sounds good. You up for one more before we leave?".

"Yeah, I could do that."

Kyle lifted his hand and gave a small wave at Micah. As Micah approached, Kyle made a whirl with his hand over the empty glasses on the bar... "Micah - one more round, wouldja?".

"Sure thing, boss."

Micah dumped the watering ice out in the sink, refilled each glass with a healthy pour, and dropped two fresh cubes in - sliding the glasses toward his customers.