Prologue

Life sucked. That was all that Leonidas Alexander Mastroides could think about. Born in 1944, Leon (he preferred to shorten his name) was 63 years old and out of work. He had recently been fired from his job as a machinist making specialised parts. The company was downsizing their operation and were eliminating their specialised functions. Hence, he was out of a job.

Leon was driving down Main Street, heading for the local bar to drown his sorrows. What else was there to do now? His only son and his family all lived on the other side of the country but he couldn't blame them. The opportunity for a good job was too much to ignore so they packed up and moved. It just meant that he didn't get to see his grand-daughter very often.

He pulled up outside Katie's Bar, parked and went inside. Even though it was mid-week there was still a sizeable crowd inside drinking. Leon pulled up a stool at the bar and sat.

"Hey Leon, what can I get you?" Katie asked as she walked up.

"The usual, thanks," Leon replied and watched as Katie pulled a beer and set it in front of him. "How's business been lately?"

"Not too bad. More customers during the middle of the week but not so many on Friday and Saturday nights. The company downsizing their operation has left a heap of people in the area out of a job, you included," Katie explained.

"It's not all bad. I have a whole lot of free time to rest, relax and pursue my hobby. What more could I want?" Leon asked, trying to sound convincing.

"You can't bullshit me Leon. I know you too well. You need a purpose in life, something to work towards. Otherwise you're just going to rot away," Katie replied.

"We'll see," Leon said before draining his beer. "Can I get another?"

"Sure," Katie replied and took his glass away. As she was pulling another beer, Leon looked around at the other customers. He took note of just how many other old, grizzled men there were in the bar, compared to how many younger men or women. "Here you go," Katie said as she set another beer in front of him.

"Thanks," Leon said as he took a sip. Katie smiled and went off to serve another customer. Leon sat back and took stock on his life.

Born the year before the end of World War 2, Leon had grown up in a country putting itself back together. When he was in his teens, he got his first job as a carpenter and spent the next 15 years working on various projects from furniture to houses, he had even done a little wood carving. Then he got bored with working with wood and so took a job at a metalworking company and quickly became very skilled at that. It had even led him to his hobby; making things like an old time Blacksmith.