How To Charm Women (Two-Bit/Johnny/Syl/INACTIVE)

[merrill]

Two-Bit Mathews leaned against the marble fountain; he puffed the near-finished cigarette to an ember and flicked it away. The stick's butt flew with the wind and into the cool water, causing a ripple in its smooth, glass-like surface. 

He wished to pull out another cigarette, but he caged the craving. He was on his last pack and had to conserve it. It did not help that he was not allowed to drink beer for a week; at least then, he could drink the will away. However, a dare was a dare and he had somewhat of a rep as a daredevil. Very daring this deed was, as well.

He dipped his hand into the frigid water and cupped his hands so he could hold it all in his palms. He brought the cold water to his lips and quenched his thirst. A Pepsi would have been nicer, but he was currently broke. The absence of money in his pocket felt obvious and it annoyed him. He worked a lot at the bar, more than he had ever before, and his salary was hardly enough to feed himself. He would have to ask Johnny to lend a buck for a soda.

A thought suddenly occurred to him and it made him grin despite his current money situation. He could always pickpocket one of those old geezers sitting on the park bench; he doubted that they would notice, they were too preoccupied with feeding the doves and random shit like that. It would be a definite challenge, though. It is hard to get away with sticking your hand in a person's back pocket while they were sitting down.

He decided against it. He was not cruel enough to rip off a couple bucks from a pair of frail old men. Instead, he returned to his main goal: waiting for Johnny to come along. They were hanging out today and will probably get something to eat. 

Johnny seemed to be the only one of the gang to not be busy with something or other. With Soda and Darry at work, that was an out, unless Two-Bit decided to come and bother them. There was Dal getting into his own shit, and Two-Bit backed out on the thought of being his partner in crime of the day. Lastly, Ponyboy was doing something boring that he did not care enough to pay attention to find out. Johnny, like himself, had nothing to do but play pinball at the arcade. Not a very stimulating activity, is it not? Always being the buddy, Two-Bit offered to go around town and pick up chicks.

He should have shown up by now; however, Two-Bit was in no hurry to get going to wherever was their destination. He stopped leaning against the fountain; he began actually sitting on the ledge. He looked up at the gray sky and hoped that it would not rain. He was not wearing his jacket at the moment. A storm would be the least thing he would want.

Out of the corner of his eye, he perceived two ladies. They looked to be twenty, his age, and they were pretty. That was the only thing he noticed. He was not the one for observing. That was more Pony's job. No, Two-Bit's job was to check them out and try to get a number out of them.

He caught them casting interested glances at him, in return, he flashed a cocky smile and winked. The brunette giggled and the redhead smiled back at him, before they sat down on a park bench across from the old men. He was about to get up and go over to them, when he recognized a figure approaching him.

Johnny was here.

[taylor]

[/i] He knew that he looked over his shoulder more often than others, that he always had an escape route mapped out when he went places, but for all he tried to soothe his frantic heart, a steady beat of oh no who’s there someone’s coming, nothing changed. He was still just as paranoid as he was yesterday, and the day after that, and would be tomorrow, too. Two-Bit had recommended drinking, but Johnny had a rough time stomaching that garbage when he knew what it did to his old man; mean as a rattlesnake and twice as likely to attack.

The change was subtle, almost nonexistent, but it was there - gray buildings replaced by smooth brick homes, freshly mowed lawns and sidewalks without cracks in them; he was in uptown Manhattan now. The weather was real nice out today, a pale blue sky offset by thinning white clouds. A light breeze provided just enough chill to give him goose bumps on the back of his neck without tousling his nearly wind-resistant grease ball of hair and Johnny was sorely tempted to take his coveted jacket off. As he neared closer to the park, moms and dads with cherub-faced children blew kisses and giggled when their brothers missed an easy football throw; groups of girls huddled so close together he didn’t know where one broad ended and the other began clustered around groups of guys, throwing teasing remarks, twirling hair, and fluttering long lashes; dogs barked and joggers nodded to fellow athletes.

It was a real nice sight for a real nice day. No mosquitoes, not a gray cloud in the sky – and everything smelt new, clean, courtesy of yesterday’s downpour. Eyes lazily drinking in the sight of uptown Manhattan and ignoring the dirty looks he got from passing pedestrians, he spotted Two-Bit leaning up against the fountain in the center of the commotion, alternatively eyeing old people and broads respectively. Johnny grinned, eyes lighting up at the simplicity of the scene, and, shoving his hands in his pockets, he strolled over to Two-Bit to say hello.

edit: i just realized i totally contradicted you about the weather. sorry!

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[merrill]

As soon as the somewhat fine weather came, it was vanquished by a dark cloud of gloom and shit. Two-Bit sighed and cursed the bad weather and the rain that was coming with it. However, it was a little amusing to watch the kids and their parents scatter across the park, hoping to find shelter before a storm came along.

He greeted the approaching boy with a two finger salute and a toothy grin. He abstained himself from asking for a cigarette to prevent any notions of him appearing needy. Then again, he was feeling needy. However, that craving was curtailed by a small law-abiding voice in the back of his head that, under normal circumstances, he would shut up with a pint of beer.

No beer at hand, that small voice was lecturing him that he should pay attention to the city's laws. Two-Bit's will overcame the thought and he finally asked, "Ya wouldn't happen to have a cancer stick on you?" he asked, throwing an arm around the smaller boy's shoulders. "You see, I only have one pack left and I would smoke it, if it weren't for the fact that it has to last me all week."

He cocked an eyebrow in amusement as he pulled the kid into the direction of the two broads sitting on the park bench. One, the brunette, fiddled with an umbrella and appeared to be struggling to get it open. The redhead was helping her out, and clearly, it did not do any use.

He turned his restless attention to Johnny and laughed, "Those sure are two fine-lookin' broads," he said, "Do you think they'll mind if we offered some kind of assistance?" He grinned again.

The girls looked like the Socy type. They both were wearing neat skirts with the hem only above the knee. The blouses were an indication that they were not grease either, the neckline was not low enough. Two-Bit knew what a Soc girl looked like if he ever saw one. He was good at sniffing things like this. 

Out of habit, he slicked back his hair and winked at the redhead when she glanced over to him. Her pretty mouth pulled into a light smile as she turned back to her friend, giggling. Two-Bit returned to his leaning position against the fountain. The brunette decided to look up as well and Two-Bit waved at her. He was returning to his old flirtatious self, sans beer. 

ooc: sorry for the museless shit.

[taylor]

[/b] in response.

“"Ya wouldn't happen to have a cancer stick on you?" Two-Bit asked, slinging a casual arm over Johnny’s shoulder, and, much to his obvious mortification, he couldn’t but wince. Last night’s welcome home gift from his dad was still a little sore. “You see, I only have one pack left and I would smoke it, if it weren't for the fact that it has to last me all week."

To cover up his flinch, he hastened to pull out a half empty pack of slightly smashed Marlboro cigarettes from his pocket. Handing it over, he muttered, “You can keep ‘em.”

Pulled in the direction of two Socy looking girls sitting on a bench fiddling with an umbrella, Two-Bit raised an amused eyebrow and Johnny inwardly groaned. He knew where this was going to end up – either Two-Bit was about to ask if he wanted to go help out the girls or if he wanted to pick-pocket the wallet from the old guy trying to pick up his walking cane without bending over. Even he could figure that one out.

“Those sure are two fine-lookin’ broads,” he began with a laugh. “Do you think they’ll mind if we offered some kind of assistance?”

Yes, he thought rebelliously. Don’t bother. Instead he shrugged, which was his own way of saying yes or no or sure, why not. Two-Bit had once joked that Johnny could have an entire conversation in shrugs. The funny thing? It was probably true.

It wasn’t that he thought the two girls – despite their Socy appearance – would shoot Two-Bit down; heck they were already giggling and he hadn’t even walked over yet; it was just… Johnny knew he was shy, painfully quiet, and he knew that he wasn’t much to look at. He also knew from overheard conversations (people tended to forget he was around and spoke without thinking) that good-looks and charm were the things they digged the most. Lacking both, he tended to avoid girls if he could.

Full of smarts today, Johnny also knew that going over there would probably result in him fidgeting awkwardly while Two-Bit did whatever it was he did. Still, it he wanted to go over and ‘help them with their umbrella’, then fine. He’d go and stand off to the side; he didn’t care. From bull sessions with the gang – in which Ponyboy would usually be mysteriously absent – he knew it wasn’t anything to boast about, not having kissed a girl at seventeen. Probably a bit pathetic, too.

Personally, he had more important things to worry about – where he was sleeping, where he could get food – and didn’t particularly care what they did. Girls were more or less just there, and while some of them were nice to look at, the only times he ever talked to them were in school projects (he usually just answered “sure” to everything) and Sylvia, which, despite her – er – nice appearance, he didn’t think counted (surely not all girls were so… feisty?).

It didn’t help that the very idea of asking one out made him sick.


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[merrill]

Theravada

Two-Bit stumbled when Johnny threw him the pack of cigarettes, taken aback by the sudden throw. He caught it before it fell to the ground. Two-Bit brought it up to check the brand, inwardly groaning, and recognized the Marlboro label. He hated mild cigarettes, but he took no time to carp. Instead, he only commented, “Can’t get any shittier.” He did not say it abrasively; he had a playful smile on his face.

He flicked the box open and pulled out a cigarette, sticking it in his mouth, and could not help but remember his sister’s voice saying, “That’s eleven minutes off your life.” As per usual, he ignored it. He searched through his paraphernalia in his pockets to locate his prized silver Zippo, the one he always carried. When he found it, he flipped the lid open. The flame flickered, lighting the stick almost immediately. A stream of smoke shot from his mouth when he exhaled, blowing.

His casual grin continued to spread across his face to his usual charming one.  It did not falter when Johnny made as much response to Two-Bit’s request as dead kitten would. He knew not to expect much, though, Johnny was not what you would call verbose. Two-Bit found himself wondering whether the kid is always too immersed into his thoughts or never thinking at all. It was hard to tell.

It took only six strides, with the assistance of his long legs, to reach the girls. He made any expression of eagerness disappear and put on a cool, smooth visage. Both girls had followed him as he approached. "Hell-o, ladies," he drawled, "I was wonderin' if you was in need for some help. That umbrella looks mighty big."

The redhead giggled, flipping a strand of hair over her shoulder, and smiled in a smile. It was not unlike the flirtatious one Two-Bit bore. She has nice teeth. "Help would be fine," she said, "and I'm sure a strong fella like you wouldn't have too much difficulty with it." Her eyes flickered to his arms.

Briefly wondering how'd she look like blonde, he took the large umbrella and gave it a quick yank. It was jammed really good, but it proved no challenge for Two-Bit. Not only three tries, the umbrella opened and he handed it to the two girls. The brunette thanked him.

He was about to continue with his typical routine, when something caught his eye. He turned his head over and could see Johnny fidgeting around. With a small pang of sympathy, he knew that the kid was sure to be bored by now. After all, Two-Bit did invite him to hang out. It was too often Johnny sat out on occasions like this.

He cleared his throat and offered a arm for each lady. "There wouldn't be anythin' else you'd need help openin', would there?" he asked, and continued when chicks shook their heads. "Well, then. I was plannin' on goin' and get a bite with my associate. Wanna join?" And then, to Johnny, "Let's go kid!" 

He decided that he would do Johnny a favor and help him out. It was less than none at all that he has seen him on a date. Being Two-Bit, he had no idea how the kid could cope.

[taylor]

[/i] Two-Bit greeted, his voice drawling and smooth at the same time. "I was wonderin' if you was in need for some help. That umbrella looks mighty big." It looked like an average-sized umbrella to Johnny. Either he was saying that to subtly let them know he didn’t think they were weak or to subtly let them know he was strong.

The redhead gave a tinkling laugh and flipped her hair over her shoulder, making some remark about how strong Two-Bit was. You hear one compliment about muscles you hear ‘em all, Johnny thought. She sounded just like every other girl did. Tuning them out, Johnny picked at his fingernails and wondered if maybe he ought to say something. The extent of his umbrella knowledge wasn’t very broad so unless he wanted to say something stupid like don’t use a tall umbrella in a rainstorm ‘less you want to electrocuted, he’d be best off not saying anything at all. He didn’t know anything at all about these girls – how was he expected to make conversation?

So caught up in his frustrated thoughts, he didn’t notice Two-Bit’s sympathetic glance or hear him clear his throat until he had already offered an arm to each girl and asked them to a bite to eat. The redhead pretended to think about it, like she was so busy and hadn’t just been sitting on a park bench ten minutes prior. The brunette answered for them both. “Well sure.” She had a slight accent.

A clap of thunder sent a flock of birds flying out of a tree and the redhead jumped, grabbed Two-Bits arm, and said in a breathy voice, “Oh, no. It’s going to rain soon. We better split.”

“Let’s go kid,” Two-Bit said and Johnny dutifully followed. Exchanging words, they picked up the pace a little when the redhead complained about the incoming rain again. As they passed more and more restaurants with no sign of stopping to eat at any of them Johnny was pretty sure Two-Bit was headed for Hooters despite the fact he was with two girls already and that Hooters was out of the way. Another block and he could see the hostess at the front door, orange top visible all the way down the street. A TV on full volume playing inside. Johnny willed Two-Bit to pick somewhere – anywhere – else. Apparently the two girls had similar ideas because the redhead stopped walking and placed her hands on her hips. The brunette looked annoyed, but Ginger (he figured it was kind of rude to keep referring to her as redhead) just looked pissed. “You’re not seriously going to Hooters?”

Silently he agreed. He had nothing against the place but the uh – scantily clad women never failed to make him awkward. It was the only time he was ever able to look a girl in the eye, considering there wasn’t really anywhere else more appropriate to look.


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[merrill]

There was another dramatic clap of thunder and the rain began to come down harder. It was nothing that the umbrella could not handle, but shelter would have been nice. So far, Hooters seemed to be the nearest place, as of now.

The girls clung to his side and almost forgot about their destination as they entered the restaurant. Their only attention seemed to be directed towards being dry and re-doing their make-up. The place was very alive with revelry and lively chatter. The TV was on full volume and women with their very revealing clothes (or lack of) were scuttling across the hardwood floor.

Two-Bit led the small group towards a recluse booth and swiped the little card saying 'Reserved' on it. He let Johnny in before him and sat face-to-face to two very frustrated-looking girls. The brunette brushed a strand of sopping, wet hair from her vision and stole a glance at her surroundings.

"When you said we were gonna go eat," she began, "I thought you meant some dining place."

Two-Bit nearly replied that he was not made of money, but decided against it. He was not about to be kicked out into the rain once again and was not in the mood for the cold it brought.

The redhead suddenly stood up, picking up her purse. "Me 'n Laura are goin' to the restroom," she said, giving her friend a sharp look before she could say anything. "We'll back in a bit."

The two girls left and Two-Bit immediately turned to face Johnny. "Kid!" he exclaimed. "I have two fine-lookin' broads and you only sit here and ignore the looks that brunette's been giving you."

That was not exactly true, but honesty was not a virtue Two-Bit believed in. If he was going to make his friend feel better, who cared about telling a little tiny lie? Besides, it was time Johnny had a little taste of a real female and find out how life would be like that without them.

[taylor]

[/color] Two-Bit (and by extension, himself) into the restaurant, griping about wet hair and ruined makeup. Johnny focused his attention on pushing his own hair, sticky and dark(er) with rain water, out of his face to avoid looking at anyone. He now had a clear view of the polished wood flooring, wood wallpaper, hanging black televisions blaring noise and wait staff decked in orange and white. Hurriedly he pushed his hair back over his eyes and his vision was somewhat obscured. Much better.

Sliding into a booth, - reserved, by the looks of the folded card that was sitting on the tabletop not five seconds prior and was now crumpled up and living in Two-Bits pocket for all of eternity - Johnny looked over his shoulder at the doorway where people were coming and going at a steady rate. He figured, if need be, he could be out the door and down the street in 20 seconds, 15 if there wasn't any traffic. A few windows, probably made of weak glass, made another easy, hasty getaway. And the kitchen concealed behind two swinging doors probably had a... a back door... and he was doing it again, this crazy paranoid physco mind-babble he did. Unless Hooters was overtaken by zombies or Soc's, planning multiple escape routes was just being nutty. Which he probably was. Nothing really new there.

Turning back around in time to catch the tail-end of Ginger's sentence, he watched the two of them - the brunette was Laura, apparently - head off towards the restroom, dripping water as they went. Johnny wasn't too sorry to see them go for the moment - until Two-Bit rounded on him, that is.

"Kid! I have two fine-lookin' broads and you only sit here and ignore the looks that brunette's been giving you."

Johnny stared at him, incredulous. He had to wonder if they were seeing the same thing, or if Two-Bit had gotten soused again and was hallucinating. Again, he didn't have anything against girls - he just didn't know any, and Johnny didn't talk to people unless they talked to him first.

He voiced this aloud. "I don't even know her."





OOC: Ohmgee. Did I finally post this? Only two weeks late! -_-
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[merrill]

Two-Bit stared at Johnny for a moment or so and saw how sincere he seemed before bursting into a fit of chuckles. The poor kid was probably about to die of embarrassment, but he couldn't help it. Feeling a little sorry for Johnny, he put on a face that was meant to make him look wise. It was not an expression you would find often upon his face. 

"The whole point of this is gettin' to know them, and then really gettin' to know them," he lectured, putting on a sly grin. "You gotta make small talk and get to know them better. That way you can play to their interests. Pretend that you have an idea what they care about."

Two-Bit watched him carefully and hoped his advice wasn't falling on deaf ears. It was a little sad to see the kid being so deprived from the wonderful gift we call women. He had never once seen Johnny barely say more than five words to a girl and hardly ever give one a glance. Women were most of Two-Bit's life and it would be a lonely on without them.

"Also, act like you know what you're doin'," he continued. "Stutterin' and turnin' red never worked well for Pony, and I don't think it'll work for you."

While waiting for the girls to return, Two-Bit waved at the lounge area for a waitress and he hoped it would be the blonde one showing more skin than the norm; which was quite a feat.

Turning back around, he watched as Johnny strained the water out of his damp hair and sitting at the booth; looking very out of place in the restaurant. He offered a kind smile and wondered if his methods would ever work on a shy kid like this.  

[ooc: not a novel? GASP. I'm full of fails today.]

[taylor]

[/i] anything with this knowledge. There was that girl from his History class – with the brown hair and soft eyes who was always chewing gum – but she was rather obviously not greaser-class and the one time they’d spoken was when she asked for a piece of paper. In fact he wasn’t too sure why he even thought of her now.

And then, to say something that signified everything hadn’t just gone in one ear and out the other, he said, “Um, thanks,” – and more quietly – “I think…”

Hands damp from straining water out of his hair, he looked up when someone cleared their throat rather obviously to see their waitress for the afternoon, otherwise known as Sylvia Hayes in an orange Hooters outfit. She didn’t look too pleased to see them, black notepad flipped open and hand cocked on one hip. "Welcome to Hooters,” she greeted amicably enough. “Where Lonely Guys Who Pissed Off Their Girlfriends Come to Remember What Boobs Actually Look Like.” And then she killed it.

Giving Two-Bit a look and a grin she added, “’Cept you. You keep your eyes up.” Just as her eyes flickered over to Johnny, her gaze quizzical, Laura and Ginger came back from the bathroom, face clean of mascara trails and hair moderately drier. He had to wonder if they kept hair dryers in their purses or if they’d just waited in the bathroom for their hair to dry.

They slid into the opposite side of the booth, a sour look on Gingers face, and Johnny waited for someone to say something.



OOC: Everything said by Sylvia was written BY Sylvia. Thanks for being cool.
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[merrill]

Two-Bit watched as Johnny fidgeted around at his booth with the advertisement card. The kid had as much charm as a lump of coal and Two-Bit knew that his advice would be falling on deaf ears. That, or it would be deemed useless and unused in the future for reference. He shook his head at the kid and scowled at him.

"I don't giving out my recipe to a love life without it even being used," Two-Bit told him, waving his index finger.

"I think..."

"You think you'll try." Two-Bit drummed his fingers against the table and searched the room for any waitress who caught his signal.

Lucky for Two-Bit one did come and unlucky for him, it was Sylvia. It was unlucky because he had been trying to avoid her. It seemed trouble always followed whenever the two of them were around and it was the type of trouble that found him in awkward situations. He did not like those moments because he often found himself at the ass-end of jokes. Example: The Beer Incident. Also there was that time Ponyboy found Sylvia over Two-Bit's shoulder. 

He groaned inwardly when he noticed how good she was looking and that Hooters outfit was not helping. The tight-fitting shirt and how much legs that could be revealed, it all made his mouth more wetter than usual. Jesus. He felt like such a little kid when Sylvia was around and he had no idea exactly why. It was such a peculiar feeling and he had somehow managed to keep himself cool and collected. 

"Welcome to Hooters." She paused. "Where Lonely Guys Who Pissed Off Their Girlfriends Come to Remember What Boobs Actually Look Like.” 

“’Cept you. You keep your eyes up.”

Two-Bit let an easy grin come to his face and leaned back into his seat. "Hey you," he said, his voice still cool and light, and it was enough to match Sylvia's tone. "It ain't like there's anythin' for me to be lookin' at you." Lies, they were. He admitted that he did check her out. Two-Bit's eyes wandered pass her left shoulder and saw the two girls approaching. "And look here, I've got proof."

Ginger took the spot Two-Bit had moved away from to let her in. Her and Laura's hair were much dryer and their makeup was all cleaned up. Two-Bit placed an arm across the seat behind the girl. Laura forced her way into the spot beside Johnny and looked up at Sylvia with a scowl on her pretty face. "I only want a cream soda," she said.

Two-Bit looked expectingly at Johnny and Ginger, the girl went on to order the same thing as Laura. "C'mon kid, I'm payin' and I don't think we've got all day," he said, pulling out his wallet. "We'll wanna take these two pretty gals to the movies." Both girls' faces lit up at the idea and Two-Bit knew he scored. 

Girls seemed to like movies a lot and it was a choice option for most dates. They didn't interest Two-Bit much in particular unless they had 1) blondes or beautiful girls in general, 2) blood and gore, 3) Elvis. Otherwise, they bored the heck out of him and he often could not help but comment on the movie. He found that those comments made the movie much more better. 

Two-Bit looked up at Sylvia and before ordering a root beer, he smiled at her again and asked, "Would you like to join us?" He turned back to the girls and watched as Ginger's lips tightened into a thin line. It was not the smartest move on his part, but these girls did not hold a particular interest for him. He could find some other girl to fool around with. The second that thought wormed its way into his mind, his eyes snapped back to Sylvia. 

[ooc=Hopefully I didn't make any mistakes this time.]

[sylvia]

(OOC: My apologies for taking so long. I didn’t realize I was up ^_^)

“Hey you,” Two-Bit greeted, continuing, ”It ain’t like there’s anythin’ for me to be lookin’ at you…And look here, I’ve got proof.”

Sylvia hadn’t missed the way his gaze had made its way down well below her eyes. After working at Hooters, she’d learned to recognize when a guy was checking her out. She never knew how many different ways there were until she got her job. The most common type was the half-hearted sneak peek; a guy made it look like he was putting some effort into keeping his gaze up, at least. But he wasn’t.

As the night got later and the drinks really started flowing, she started getting more dumbasses who thought that subtlety was for losers and went all out. She especially enjoyed when they thought they were being smooth about it—guys trying to smugly stare at her when they couldn’t even sit up straight? Very classy. A total turn on.

Or the third type (her personal favorite) was the “pure” type. They’d determinedly meet her eyes, barely even letting themselves blink. Naturally, once she’d turn around and start leaving, she could usually catch them checking her out from behind. There was no such thing as a guy who went to Hooters and stayed clean the whole way through.

That’s why she didn’t call Two-Bit out. She hadn’t expected anything different.

She followed his gaze, half-turning to look at the girls approaching her. They sat down, both ordered a cream soda, and Sylvia couldn’t help but smirk. Despite talking to the girls, she looked directly at Two-Bit as she said, “Cream soda, huh? You sure? We specialize in beer.” In her head, she added, ‘You’ll be wasted before you know it.’ If that happened, she was sure Two-Bit wouldn’t exactly complain.

Sylvia watched him flirt with the two girls, wondering why the hell he’d brought them to Hooters. He seemed to understand them well enough if he was offering to take them to a movie, but he could’ve just skipped a step and they would’ve been a lot warmer towards him.

As Sylvia finished writing down Two-Bit’s drink order (which she found amusing), he asked,“Would you like to join us?”

With a furled eyebrow, she put a hand on her hip, looking at him suspiciously. Surely he understood chicks better than that. His date’s idea of a perfect date probably didn’t involve him, her, a movie…and their waitress from Hooters.

Still, she couldn’t resist saying, “I get off soon enough. Hell, maybe I’ll get someone to take over for me so I can come eat with you.” She made her eyes light up as best she could, as if the idea genuinely excited her. If it meant getting off work a few minutes earlier, then what the hell. And pissing off chicks that didn’t seem too fond of her anyway wasn’t such a shitty thing to do anyway.

[taylor]

[/i]

Johnny said nothing, silently shredding the index card into little pieces and pocketing the garbage to throw away later. Maybe that sort of advice worked for Two-Bit – well, obviously it did, if the two random girls sitting at the table were any indication – but… self-assurance. Yeah. Not his forte.

Laura, who was sitting next to him now, scowled up at Sylvia and ordered a cream soda. “A root beer,” Johnny said to the table.

Absently watching Sylvia and Two-Bit exchange rebuttals with ease, he had to wonder why he was so against talking to girls. When no reasons came to mind he glanced sideways at Laura. Even though she’d been soaked and sodden a few minutes ago, she looked pretty. Maybe, Jonny figured, he ought to say
something – if only to get her to stop scowling, of course. Too bad nothing came to mind.

“So…” Johnny began quietly. “Nice weather.” Then he realized the stupidity of his statement and hastily corrected, “I mean, no, it’s not. It’s raining out.” As soon as he finished talking he wished he could stuff the words back in his mouth and swallow them. Of all the things he could have said, commenting on the weather was the stupidest one yet. This, he realized a little too late, was why he didn’t talk to girls.

Laura looked amused, which was better than scowling, so maybe it hadn’t been for nothing after all. Still, he resolved to keep his mouth shut from now on.

“I get off soon enough. Hell, maybe I’ll get someone to take over for me so I can come eat with you.” Sylvia was saying, and Johnny tried to recall if Two-Bit had invited her to eat with them while he was busy making a fool of himself.

“Do you two know her?” Laura asked through clenched teeth, momentary good mood gone.

She could have been asking Two-Bit, or she could have asked Sylvia herself, but she was looking at him when she said it, so assuming she was talking to him wasn't far-fetched, right? Right. Okay, he’d keep his mouth shut after he answered this. “Sort of,” he responded with a shrug. “She’s our friend’s girlfriend.”

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[merrill]

Two-Bit considered losing the dare Pony had set upon him, but decided against it. He was a man of his word; at least, that's what he liked to think. "No beer for me," he replied. "Not right now. Cream soda's just fine." He leaned further back into the booth and attempted not to stare too much at Sylvia. Emphasis on 'attempted'. She wore that casual smirk like a crown and it was so...sexy. 

Two-Bit couldn't pin down why he was so attracted to the chick. She referred to him as 'dumbass' or just plain 'Mathews' on the most part and the main component of their relationship was bantering. They hardly ever held serious conversations that weren't composed of jokes, insults, and meaningless flirting on his part. Yet, everything about her was so appealing.

“I get off soon enough. Hell, maybe I’ll get someone to take over for me so I can come eat with you.”

He waved as she flounced away and said, "We'll save you a spot." Man, did he sound pathetic or what. He teared his gaze away from Sylvia's back and focused his attention on the two girls and Johnny, who seemed to be (hardly) improving on talking with the girls. At least Laura seemed to be interested with Johnny. He grinned at the kid when they made eye contact.

Turning to Ginger, who wasn't looking particularly amused, he flashed her large smile. "Yeah, she's just a friend of ours," he said, semi-echoing Johnny. Ginger looked dubious and still glared at the space where Sylvia had once been. "Hope that don't bother you any."

Ginger snorted.  "Yeah, whatever," she said, rolling her eyes. She averted her eyes from meeting any other of the women and she stared intently at Two-Bit, probably hoping to not have to look anywhere else. "So, do you do anything? Like a job?"

Two-Bit slightly frowned at the enquiry. It was only small talk, but it made him think at how he barely has a job. The only thing that seemed easier to explain was by lying. "Yeah," he said and Ginger's face lit up. "I work at the country club and I'm hopin' to become sort of doctor." 

Ginger looked impressed for a second and she folded her arms. "What type of doctor?" she asked. She raised an eyebrow and it was her turn to frown this time.

Two-Bit didn't know a whole lot about doctors and he had been hoping that she wouldn't want him to elaborate. "I'm not all too sure, yet," he replied. "Maybe one who operates on people and stuff like that." 

"A surgeon?"

Two-Bit grinned and nodded. "Yeah," he said, "A surgeon." He proceed to watch Johnny and Laura again. Laura seemed interested enough with the kid. If Johnny tried more often he would find it much easier to meet chicks and talk to them. That was one less thing Two-Bit had to think about. Now, there was Sylvia.

[ooc=anyone asked for a procrastinator? Well, you got one anyway.]

[sylvia]

(OOC: I know, I know. Merrill’s procrastination is nothing compared to mine. XD)

After making her rounds at her few remaining tables, Sylvia sauntered back over to Mathews, Quiet Kid, and the two random chicks stupid that were stupid enough to actually follow their guys all the way into Hooters. She handed out each of their drinks, saving Two-Bit’s for last. Looking bored, she handed him a regular beer.

She looked around the table at the other three. “So what’d you wanna—?“ Sylvia broke off, turning to look back at Mathews as if an idea just dawned on her. “Oh. Damn. I forgot you said you didn’t want beer.” She grinned cheekily, then continued, “Guess I musta missed that the first time around. Probably ‘cause I was in shock.”

She moved to take the drink back, and then paused. Watching him innocently, she said, “On second thought, I don’t wanna walk all the way back to the kitchen. Keep the beer...and it’s free.” It’d been a boring day at work, so she figured she might as well have some fun messing with Mathews.

Without waiting for a response, she asked the table as a whole what they were gonna eat. She wanted them to go ahead and order already because she hoped that, before long, she could pass off her tables to one of her coworkers. Holly—who was one of the few waitresses she actually liked—was working tonight and, with the right timing, Sylvia knew she’d be able to get out of staying her whole shift. She could be pretty damn persuasive when she wanted to be.