After.., Part 17: Cowboy made a mental note, as he climbed onto his motorcycle, to see about a weed-whacker. The one he had

had about thrown its last hissy-fit, and he was about done with the drama.  He headed off to his job.  Waving to his co-workers, some waved back, some did not.  Whatever...  The guy whose locker was next to Cowboy's was going on about Kick's party.  Hhmm, nobody had said anything to Cowboy.  Whatever...

What struck him, was the big bold sign posted on the bulletin board along the ship-area wall.  The sign was posted over the union and safety stuff.  Strike One.  That, especially the safety stuff, was NEVER DONE.  Oh no, they lost a guy last year.  The sign read "As of April 31st," and in larger font, "ALL EMPLOYEES MUST," the next line, "RECIEVE THE B-SCAN," next line, "No Exceptions."  Strike Two.  

Right there, there was no ways about it.  Cowboy had already made his decision, and was determined to stick to it - come what will.

Strike Three didn't occur to our perplexed hero, until 3:15 - after the second break.  No body beefed - NOBODY!   The guys were known to beef about anything else - the vending machine was is of ho-hos again, someone didn't pitch the grounds before making another pot,  Elroy-earn-n-burn is mad because he can't have off...Thale men's reaction - more like non-reaction - to the bulletin-bomb stung.  Cowboy headed to his motorcycle, and turned into a nearby diner and asked for a coffee.  His hands trembled, in the counter, as he took a sip.