My Life: An Ex-Quarterback's Adventures in the Galactic Empire Read Online Free Page A

bestow sympathy on a man who had just thrown away a career that made him a million dollars a year.
    Somewhat to my surprise, Angel said nothing when I finished. Instead, he sat there with a curious look on his face. He sat like that for so long that I began to wonder if he was having trouble believing me, which would have been funny under other circumstances.
    “So, you’re really Danny-boy Troy,” he said at last.
    I nodded.
    “My old man lives in Philadelphia. Used to watch you on the tube.”
    Usually, I enjoyed meeting my fans. At the moment, however, I was not in the mood for signing autographs, if that was where this conversation was headed.
    I said, “Really?”
    “Yeah. Always said you couldn’t throw the bomb for shit.”
    That hurt. Aside from my memories, I didn’t have a lot left.
    “Now wait a minute,” I said defensively, “I could when I had to. I just believe in playing a more controlled game.”
    “Hey,” Angel said with a smile, “argue with my old man, not me. I never listened to a damn thing he said, so why should you? Have another beer.”
    I agreed to be mollified.
    He came back with the beers and, again, that curious look. “It looks like you really blew it, didn’t you?”
    “I’ve pretty much figured that out. I really don’t need my nose rubbed in it.”
    “Hey, no offense meant. Easy come, easy go.” He held up his empty hands, palms out, then put them down again. “Tell me though, how does somebody like you learn to fight like that? I always figured you jocks were no good without your pads and helmets and shit.”
    I was only too glad to talk about something I’d done right. I might have blown my career and screwed up my life, but I had saved Angel’s neck with a couple of good moves and I was eager to expand on it.
    “I’ve studied it for years,” I told him, “ jujitsu, Krav Maga, karate, that kind of fighting. I started in junior high school and I’ve kept at it. That was the first time I’ve ever faced a guy with a real knife, though. It’s kind of nice to know I can do it for real.”
    “Hmm.” Angel looked thoughtful. “Danny, let me tell you something. Right now, you don’t look so good and you don’t sound like you’re doing so good either.”
    “Tell me something new, Angel.”
    “I was coming to that,” he said. “Would you be interested in a job?”
    This time, it was my turn to look thoughtful. Angel didn’t look to be someone who had ever held a job, much less someone to be offering one.
    “Is this a job with you, or with some friends of yours?” Coming from Angel, this wasn’t going to be an offer to do a thirty second spot plugging motor oil. I wanted desperately to ask if this “job” was legal because I certainly needed one. Angel’s interest in my fighting ability didn’t seem to be a good omen.
    “The answer to your question is both,” he said.
    No more information was offered, so I had to ask, “What’s the job?”
    “Space pirate,” Angel said with a perfectly straight face.
    My mouth must have dropped open. I know nothing came out of it for some time. Angel just sat there watching me, as though he was a campus recruiter offering some kid an entry-level job in insurance. Eventually, I managed to put together a response.
    “Angel, my new friend, you’ve had too much to drink.”
    “Why do you say that, Danny?”
    “Oh, for Chrissake!” I spluttered. “You just offered me a job as a space pirate. Do you expect me to take that seriously?”
    “I am not drunk, and the offer’s on the level, man. I owe you for back in the bar and you’re good in a fight. What’ve you got that’s worth sticking around for?” If Angel was not drunk, and I was probably drunker than he was, then he had to be crazy, but either way he sounded completely sincere.
    “I’ll tell you what,” he said. “I’ve got five hundred dollars that says I’m telling the truth.” He pulled the bills out of his pocket and tossed them onto the table.