Reprinted from the August 6th New York Daily News:

NEW YORK - Mayhem was too be had in Gotham city Saturday night when some executives from a local internet company encountered a group of drunken ruffians on a night out. The evening ended in more than hurt feelings and a few bruises as a local night establishment lay near ruins after the brawl.

Sarah Walters and Colin Ferm, two executives for a local internet startup, spudWorks, Inc, were at the Music Box on Ave B and 14th street enjoying a night of drinks while deciding the content strategy for the company founded by Mr. Ferm when a group of young men entered the bar and started causing trouble.

"We were keeping to ourselves, not wanting to get involved," said Ms. Walters about the event the previous evening. But such was impossible to do when the group moved from the bar to the pool table around which sat the two entrepreneurs.

"From witness accounts, we've been able to figure out that the group was a bunch of young males, 22 to 30 years of age, probably from New Jersey, out for a night on the town," commented Sgt. Dinkins of the NYPD. "The trouble began when they tripped Mr. Ferm on his way to the bathroom."

Mr. Ferm, who had no comment for this article, then returned with two drinks, one for him and one for Ms. Walters, and was then not allowed to pass by the group on his way back to his seat. "They got all up in his face," said Courtney Vance, a bartender at the popular night spot.

While unable to confirm who threw the first punch, Sgt. Dinkins speculates the Jersey lads started it, but whatever the case the bar was soon frenzied with a fight. "I saw [Mr. Ferm] go down right away, but he came up punching as soon as [Ms. Walters] came in swinging a chair," said Ms. Vance.

The bar emptied when one of the young men pulled a gun and started threatening the two. While some were too terrified to run, Ms. Walters charged the man, slamming his head into the side of the pool table. Mr. Ferm then continued his fight with the rest of the ruffians.

The fight, which may have seemed lopsided to begin with, ended with the two executives on top and a half dozen New Jersey residents unconscious. All parties were treated for minor injuries ranging from bruised knuckles to minor concussions. The Music Box fared far worse. "I may be out of a job," said Ms. Vance. "This is going to take a while to clean up."

No word yet on whether charges were going to be pressed.