Title: The Deal
author: Sandy
Summary: Missing scene from "Family Business"
Big Bud Roberts was tired. He had spent all afternoon hitting balls on
the golf course trying to put out of his mind everything Mikey had told
him early that afternoon. He was not going to think about that anymore.
Mikey was just too emotional, that was all.
Bud walked into the locker room. He unlocked his locker and took his
bag out before noticing the man sitting on the bench against the wall.
The man was staring at him with such intensity that it sent chills down
his spine. Big Bud quickly looked away and started to walk towards the
door.
"Where do you think you are going Big Bud?" The man calmly asked.
Bud turned around and looked at the man. He was neatly dressed in a
three-piece suit. He was leaning against the wall, a golf ball in his
hand.
"Who are you?"
"Now I know the real reason for your nickname. Big Bud. As in big
loser, big coward, a big nothing"
Big Bud started getting mad.
"Who the hell do you think you are? Nobody talks to me that way!" Bud
walked towards the man but stopped when a golf ball hit his chest hard.
He moaned in pain and looked at the man with fury in his eyes.
"Oh, I forgot. Nobody can speak the truth to Big Bud without getting
beat up, right?" Clayton Webb got up in time to catch with his hand
the golf ball that Bud threw back at him. The ball came to him hard
enough to sting his hand, but he showed no sign of pain. On the contrary
he smiled.
"Violence is the only way you handle your problems. Then when
something comes along that violently changes your son's life you can't deal
with it"
"You know Bud? But... but that doesn't give you the right to meddle
into our private matters"
"I mettle into everything I want, whenever I want. It's in my nature"
"Get the hell away from me!" Big Bud turned around and started to
walk out of the locker room. Webb snapped his fingers. Within seconds a
large man in a dark suit appeared and stood in front of the door,
blocking Big Bud's way.
"Give us a few minutes alone and wait outside. Do not let any body come
in here, and do not let any **rats** get out" Webb emphasized the word
rat as he stared at Big Bud.
The man nodded and walked out.
Big Bud turned around. Webb was looking at him more sharply now. Big
Bud felt a wave of fear hit him.
"What do you want?"
"You are the lousiest excuse for a father. You have given your sons
only sorrow. You abused them, never showed them love. You only taught
them to fear you"
"You know nothing about my family"
"I know you used to beat them up. You always tried to always make them
feel inferior"
"I love my children, and they love me!"
"Love? Let us see, you did not go to your oldest son's wedding. You did
not support your youngest son with his dream of being an artist;
instead you bullied him into the Navy. Your oldest son comes back from war
injured and you do not even go visit him" Yes, I can feel the love
between you and your sons" Webb's words were dripping with sarcasm. "It is
no surprise that when your granddaughter died, Bud did not go to you
for comfort. He went back to the his office instead"
Bud said nothing. He could not argue with the truth. He was already
emotionally weak from his talk with Mikey earlier that day, and now, this
complete stranger was lecturing him. He should be furious, he should
go and beat the crap out of the man standing in front of him. But he did
not move.
"You are a lucky man to what sons who are so loyal and forgiving. Fact
is, you would be sitting in jail right now, doing time, if not for your
son"
Webb was trying hard not to lose control. Part of him wanted so much to
inflict some pain to this loser. This was a man who abused those that
loved him. This was a man who only cared about himself and did not give
a damn about anyone else.
Webb looked at Big Bud, who was now staring at the floor. Webb could
see how his words had been like a slap on Big Bud's face. For a minute he
almost felt sorry for the man.
"You need to go see your son. A father, even a bad father in this case,
can offer the type of support he needs right now. Mikey and Harriet
should not go through this alone. You have never been there for anyone but
yourself. Now its time to step up to the plate and do the right thing
for a change"
"I .....I.....I don't want to think a bout it"
Webb walked closer to Big Bud. Webb stood inches away from his face.
"You still don't get it. This is not about YOU!! This is about what
your son needs! Is there any decency left in you? Any humanity? Any love?
You have failed them for years. It's time for you to start making up
for years of pain" Webb's voice was filled with anger and frustration.
"Why do you care?"
"Because I happen to admire your son. I happen to think he is one of
the nicest, most loyal and courageous man I have ever met. He deserves
better than you!" Webb shoved him against the wall.
"I am ... I am scared I will screw up again. You are right. I am no
good. I am the last thing he needs in his life right now"
"If he didn't want you in his life, you would not be in it. Your sons
love you. You are a damn lucky man, and you still don't give a damn"
Webb was ready to give up. He had debated long and hard about coming to
talk to Big Bud. He did not really want to waste his time with this
man. However, after hearing from his contact at the hospital about Bud's
attitude towards his rehabilitation, he felt he had to do something. He
could not stand by and do nothing about it. Now he had tried and
failed.
Webb was ready to walk out when he saw something that surprised him. A
tear was running down Big Bud's face. Webb was not expecting this type
of reaction. He stood there and said nothing.
Big Bud looked away from Webb and started pacing along the corridor of
the locker room. He knew this stranger was right about everything he
had said.
Could he actually do it? Could he be the man his son needed him to be?
He though about Mikey. Everything he had said was true. They were all
right about him. But could he really make it up to Bud now? Did he still
have a chance?
"Yes, you still have a chance to make it up to him, to both of them"
Webb startled Big Bud. Was he capable of reading minds? He was going to
have to ask Bud about this friend of his.
Big Bud looked at his watch. It was late. By the time he made out to
Bethesda it would be dark; visiting hours would be over.
"If you want to go see him, I will get you in" Webb offered, hopeful
that he had managed to convince Big Bud.
"I need to ..."
"We will call Mikey on the way there. You can tell him to meet you
there"
Webb gently pushed the man out of the locker room. For someone who
appeared so tough, he sure looked weak and vulnerable right now.
When they reached the car, Big Bud looked up at Webb.
"Look Mister, whoever you are, thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Think we could play a round of golf sometime?"
"I am not much of a golf fan. I am more into riding and fencing"
"And meddling into other people's private stuff."
"Oh that is my favorite past time. It's almost like.... a job." Webb
smiled. "Besides, I still don't like you"
Big Bud smiled.
"Listen, can we make a stop on the way? I kind of promised Bud I would
take him something to eat"
"Sure. I think an El Nino Special with anchovies and a frappe would be
good"
Big Bud looked confused.
"That is Bud's favorite pizza and drink."
"How is it that you know more about my son than I do?"
"Knowing things is how..." Webb stopped and smiled. "I just know
stuff"
Webb reached into his pocket and handed Big Bud a golf ball.
"What's this for?"
"A reminder. If you ever cause your sons pain again, that bruise on
your chest will be nothing compared to what I will do to you."
Big Bud smiled nervously. He hoped the man was kidding, but the look in
his eyes told him he was deadly serious.
Big Bud looked at the golf ball in his hand and rubbed his aching
chest.
"Ok, mystery man, you got yourself a deal"
End.