I had the *the* baddest dude in this area watch over me like a dark guardian angel at a swap meet when a “nice guy” tried to cheat me out of a large sum of money because *I* didn’t know what the part he was buying actually was.
The “bad guy” saw the “good guy” point to a price on the list of items we were selling and knew he was screwing me over.
Without warning, the “bad guy” slammed his walking stick down across the paper and pointed to the right price and the “good guy” hauled ass.
The “bad guy” [and eventually 2 of his “brothers”] stood a respectful but short distance away from me the rest of the hour until hubby came back from parts-scrounging.
Then, he subtly tipped his hat and disappeared into the crowd.
To this day, if he sees me, he still tips his hat.
Another time, we rescued an out-of-gas “bad dude” off the side of the highway and got him back on the road.
We didn’t ask his name or anything else.
No matter where we go, if his “brothers” are there, they shadow us to make sure no harm comes to us, even though nearly a decade has passed and the out-of-gas guy is long dead.
I sat with a huge number of “bad dudes” in the infield of a bike race and it was so hot I was literally sick from it.
A huge “bad dude” that the other “bad dudes” gave wide berth to came and stood over me as I sat on the ground and provided very good shade for me for hours.
He had to be suffering terribly from the heat himself but he never said a single word.
He just stood, silently, arms crossed, staring straight ahead.
I’ve gotten more loyalty and devotion from “bad dude” strangers than I have 99% of my friends or my own flesh and blood.
Great stories!! I wouldn’t be surprised at all to learn that they were Veterans.
BTTT — Bad dudes are never as bad as they seem. :-D