"Mike," he said waving the beer up and down like he was shaking my hand. "I get the winner, he said as soon as he was within earshot. Just before I wrapped the game up, I noticed the other one on his way over with three beers and a stack of paper cups. "Name's Jim." We shook hands and started shooting darts. He was built, had to be 220 pounds, but he was six-three so he didn't look at all out of proportion. Bruce couldn't have been 21, probably 19. Now I'm not queer, but I know a handsome guy when I see one. "My name's Bruce by the way." Well, Bruce was certainly a handsome guy. "Sure," I said, "but I'm warning you I'm not that good." Then I noticed that one of the military guys was walking toward me with another set of darts. Trying to get all 20's, then 19's.kinda solo cricket I suppose. I asked the bartender for the bar darts, grabbed my stout and headed to the dart board. I watched the ballgame, Phillies were down by two, what's new? Occassionally the pair of military guys caught my eye they seemed to be looking my direction every time I looked over. That was when I noticed a pair of guys, obviously military, hanging out at a table right beside me. Meanwhile I put a pinch of Skoal in so that I had something to do while my second Guiness warmed up. I downed the too-cold Guiness and ordered another one. I walked in and easily found a good spot at the bar. I changed into a pair of jeans and took the elevator to the second floor, where the sports bar was located. I was determined never to set foot in the hotel bar, but I had no idea how bring solo travel could be. Now, keep in mind, I had promised myself beforehand I wouldn't turn into one of those polyester lounge lizards hanging out at the hotel bar. Instead I thought I'd go downstairs to the hotel bar for a drink. We hung up at 8pm and I was not about to go straight to bed again. I called my wife and spent a good while talking lovey-dovey to her. By Friday night, I had wrapped up the report. Thursday night, I watched one of the soft porn flicks, which was good, cause I was starting to get pretty horny.
Wednesday night I ate by myself and went to bed early. My friends at the competition actually went back east on Tuesday and I was left there until my flight home on Saturday morning. The rest of the time was just plain boring. Well, that was fun for the first two hours. I was supposed to write a report on the convention and the market. My job was to just look around and ask questions at the booths. I ran into some of the competition and spent the first two nights with them at dinner. Well, I really misunderstood how lonely travelling can be. I was very happy with my life and my job and really looking forward to a week on the left coast. I might preface this story with the fact that I was happily married Michelle and I had married only three months earlier. One of my first assignments was to attend a convention in San Diego. I was a 22-year old straight out of college and I had just gotten a research job with a consumer products company.