Date Night: attempt number two

Sally just finished her date with her best friend’s brother. It did not go well at all, he was so quiet and awkward. No more than five words were exchanged the whole date, which lasted an excruciating two hours. They had planned on meeting in a local bar that was open until one am. The date would have gone on for even more hours if his work had not called him because they needed him to come in earlier than usual the next day. So he had left and Sally stayed , she had thought why waste a good drink. 

“Oh wow!” she dragged her fingers through her hair,” that was AWKward.” Sally exhaled and picked up her drink, “Oh well, I’ve already started drinking so might as well continue.” Sally chuckled as she nursed her first but definitely not her last drink of the night.”Who would have thought that the brother of my best friend would have been such a nerd. We had nothing in common. I mean he was nice but..”She let out a puff of air deep in thought.  “Oh wow you look like a bundle of laughs!” a strange voice broke into Sally’s thoughts. She turned ready to deal with the local creep but to Sally’s surprise it was Frank Stein. She smiled and took another drink, “Well hello there Frank, how are you? “ Frank sat down beside Sally and flagged down the bartender,

He undid his tie for what felt like the hundredth time, trying to re-tie it in a way that looked as if it might be worn by a respectable gentleman and not an almost broke paranormal investigator. “Two more..and one more for whatever the lady is drinking.” Then Frank turned to Sally, “ I am doing great! and I’ll be even better once I’ve finished this martini.” Sally smiled, then pointed towards Frank , “Wait a moment Frank! There is something different about you.” Frank looked at her with a questioning look as he sipped his martini, “Is there Sally love?” 

Sally stared at Frank, taking a big swig of her drink,“ It is something upon which I cannot put my finger”. Frank caught  Sally’s eyes, before he came up with a suggestion,“Hmm did I get a haircut?” 

“No…” Sally rested her chin on her fist, bit her lip, and thought hard. 

A few moments went by filled with just Sally and Frank staring at each other. When suddenly Frank jumped up,“I know! I’ve grown a mustache.”

“You’re mustache-less Frank Stein.” said Sally, her voice dripped with humor.

“Ah! then I must have had one at some point and shaved it off” 

“No...no..I don’t think that’s right either” Sally grinned despite herself.

“Is this a new suit?” Frank asked as he grabbed at the lapels of his suit jacket.

“I think that is a new suit, but no that’s not right either” Sally let out another long sigh, and turned back to her drink. As quickly as the glass is refilled she emptied it, as though Sally could now breath alcohol. Frank laughed and drank his gin and tonic.“ Sally love, as you are the one looking at me and noticing a difference, why don’t you take a turn at guessing? “ 

“Oh! That sounds like fun! I love guessing games!” she exclaimed as she clapped her hands together in mock anticipation.

“Did you stop drinking? “ 

Frank was taken aback, “Sally , now don’t scare me like that. That guess was almost as bad as having an empty drink. Speaking of which,” Frank held out his glass, “ bartender I need a refill stat!” 

Sally jumped up and nearly knocked over their drinks as she slid off the bar stool,“Ah! I know what it is! “

“What Sally darling, what is different about me? “ 

“ It’s..um..it’s… oh I don’t know, but there is something different.” 

“ Oh I know, let’s agree that it's because my drink is empty and I see that your’s is empty too “

“Sounds good, I’ll drink to that...oh wait” Sally frowned at her empty glass but soon smiles as the bartender come over and left a pitcher winking as he walked away. 

“Ah now we can drink to that” Frank toasted as he nodded his head at the back of the bartender. “So why are you sitting here drinking the night away? “

“ Oh you know the same old, the same old. Girl meets best friend , best friend has a brother, girl is set up with best friends brother and he’s a complete weirdo. “ 

“Isn’t that always the way” 

“Oh no matter how many times this happens, it still gives me the willies” 

“What my charming good looks?” Frank struck a pose to show off his studly looks.

“What? Oh no, no,no. Blind dates always gives me the shivers” 

“Right well, since you’ve had such a rough night would you allow me the pleasure of a dance?”

Frank  held out his arm in a motion to sweep Sally off her feet as they joined the dancers on the floor. Sally started to stand up but then changed her mind, “No, all I need you to do is stand somewhat near me and glare at any man who attempts to flirt his way into my good graces.” Frank glared at his tie, undoing it to start again.

“Yes,” said Sally, not attempting to suppress the enjoyment she was getting over his struggle, “give them that exact expression.”

As they retook their seats Sally stared off into the distance, “ What’s wrong Sally?” 

“ I just wish..” 

“ Wish what? “

“I wish that I could change it. I wish I could change that tired feeling that has come over me” 

“Well this might help” Frank pours Sally a tall scotch, “Down the hatch, now how do you feel?” 

“ Oh much better indeed! You always know the pep that I need Frank! How will I get along without you? “

“ You’ll either think of a way or be stuck with me forever as you try Sally my love.” 

“ I'll drink to that” 

They clinked their glasses together and both said “clink” simultaneously,

“You know I think we should stop this drinking and start reading”

“ Stein how dare you say such a ghastly thing” 

“Don’t worry my dear, I was only going to suggest that we start reading a mixing  book while drinking. You know what a wonderful thing a book is. Across the centuries an author is speaking inside your head..” 

“and your liver”

“Yes of course. Your head and your liver, binding together people who love to drink and make drinks. Books give us that special bond. “ 

“I will drink to that” 

They refill their glasses and clink them together before draining and filling and re-draining once again . “ Well should we try dancing again? “ Frank motioned towards the dance floor, and this time Sally followed. After what seemed an awkward amount of time that was filled with stepping on each other’s feet and bumping into other dancers they returned to their seats and more importantly their drinks. “Well,” said Frank, after he’d knocked back a whiskey, “I don’t suppose that could have gone any worse.” Sally laughed, sounding a little hysterical. “No, I don’t suppose it could have.”

Frank signalled for refill. “And we have been here for a long time ?” Sally sipped her drink. “At least.” “I have had a most interesting night Frank, but the bar is closed and my glass is empty so I’m leaving and going home to fix myself another round” Frank smiled,“Until we meet again my love.” Sally waved to Frank as he caught her a cab and they went on their separate ways. Sally had to wonder if she would remember anything about the night. Perhaps another drink would help.