Someone taps my shoulder, and I look up to see Brutus standing there, towering down on me.I stand and shake his hand.
THUMP, THUMP!
The emcee cues the mic and booms the room."It's time!"The spotlight circles around then stops on the chair on the stage."To dare someone to take Seary's Hot Seat!"The crowd erupts with cheers, whistles, and clapping.
I take a step away from Steve.Brutus backs up to the stage, then sidesteps down the side of the runway.I follow him and lean in, concerned."Sup, Big Man?"
The emcee shouts."We have a couple of special guests in the house tonight, and I'm going to let you decide who goes first.Are you ready to pick?"
The crowd cheers.
The spotlight begins to circle again and stops on Steve."A bachelor from Alabama?"
He looks scared as fuck, and he should be.
The crowd laughs, and the Alabama crew cheers for Steve.
"Or a military man who recently eloped and robbed his bro's of giving him a proper bachelor party?"
The spotlight circles.
Dirk!I love it!I laugh and watch him.His face will be priceless.
The spotlight runs over Brutus and me a few times, searching for Dirk.
Then it stops on me.
I'm temporarily blinded by it.Blinking, I hold my hand up over my eyes to shield the glare.
"There he is!"The emcee declares.
I look at Brutus."What the hell?"
He is grinning."Boss said to tell you Round 3 is happening right here, right now."
"NO!"
He grins even bigger."YES, WAY!Boss's orders."He puts one of his giant paws on my shoulder and points to Siri on the pole, then waves the 'come here' to the crowd for help in encouraging me.
The crowd smells fear and erupts with noise, calling me out and challenging me.
The emcee states."Mr.Moore, you're up, dude."
I hang my head and tell Brutus."No, man.Don't do this to me."I look up at him, beseeching him, but knowing I'm doomed.
He says."You are either going to walk up on the stage under your own power, or I'm going to tote you up there."
The emcee tells the crowd."He needs more encouragement."
THUMP, THUMP!THUMP, THUMP!
The crowd takes up a foot stomp with the thump, and I know I'm not getting out of here if I don't do it.
The announcer says."Come on now, Mr.Moore.Don't keep your lady waiting.Take the fucking chair!"
The mob chants."Take the fucking chair!Take the fucking chair!"
The lights go off, and it's pitch black.
