of novel novels pt4

8/8/2019 Of Novel Novels Pt4

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Four

June 2nd

2000

In the cooling aftermath of the mystery girl and the stolen drink, Morgan just sat there laughing. I hadn’t

actually walked away from the table. He was witness to the whole painful introduction.

I was embarrassed at what he would say when he stopped.

“Well, that is one way to make an impression.” Morgan said finally.

“Do you know who she is?” Inside, I was as calm as a hand grenade.

“All you kept saying was sorry.”

“Do you know who she is?”

“You said sorry about seven times straight.”

“Do you know who she is?”

“Your mouth was just opening and shutting.”

Again I asked who she was as a reply.

“And when she looked at you I thought you were...”

“No seriously, do you know who she is?” My mouth was moving and words were coming out. The same

words, that was all I could think to say.

“Don't ask me. Why don't you go and find out? Buy her another drink, maintain steady eye contact, be

charming, be something, instead of sitting here, with that stunned look on your face.”



“What look? Was I that obvious? I don't want to be obvious.”

“Just get over there,” Morgan almost threw me at her. He ordered me away, but I didn’t move. I stalled

for time.

Eloise returned to my table hoisting her hair into a rough bun. She fixed it back with a deft touch and slid

in next to me. I tried to be a big shot.

I turned to Ella.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.” She said.

“Jay always talks in his little rhymes. He never explains what they mean. Why does Jay call you the girl

with the pink eyes?”

“Don't worry. I don't have conjunctivitis.”

“No I didn't mean that,” I quickly added. Ella blinked her eyelids, pink eyelids, she was wearing pink eye

shadow.

“It is another one of her trademarks,” Morgan clarified.

“I think I get it. Another in-joke explained, at least on a physical level.”

Morgan reached out and tapped Ella on the wrist.

“Dear,” he said, “We are helping Paul with an important task.”

“Are we now? That is very nice of us.” Eloise chipped back with an imitation of Morgan's voice.



“No, no.” I protested.

“It's not a big deal,” I said. “Don’t make me be up something I am not. I could quite happily sit here for

the rest of the night and let it slide.”

I didn’t let it slide. I chased her down. I got up and followed her. I walked over to her. I looked her in the

eye.

I stammered.

“Hi, I am sorry about before, I meant no harm.

I'm Paul by the way. Would you like another drink? Can a buy you a replacement? Top shelf or anything

else you might like? I have a credit card.”

I was a stumbling idiot. Why did I say I had a credit card? Real smooth.

“Yeah OK,” she said in reply. I was rapt she was talking to me, answering me, I wasn’t really listening to

what she was saying. “It's not like I need it or anything. It's just I am a student and I work on a tight

budget.”

“Of course,” I stammered, “What would you like?”

“Vodka and soda.”

“Yeah I can do that. Just wait here if you like.”

She nodded at me. She looked right through me, I remember that.

“One scotch and lemonade coming up.” I said with more uncertainty than grip.



“Vodka.”

“Oh, Vodka, you mean a straight shot, then?”

“Vodka, with soda.”

________________________

An assumed fact. Four out of five relationships start due to the influence of alcohol. I read it in a trashy

magazine. Some sort of reader survey. Of course it depends on how you define relationships. If you

define relationships loosely it supports the statistics. I have seen people start relationships within five

minutes. I have seen people have several relationships in one night. In the odd moment of weakness I

have had relationships with people who don't even know my last name.

Influence of alcohol.

Having mentioned booze, I want to make one thing clear, there is no way I was trying to pick her up. No

way. Sure part of me wanted to do that, badly and if you could have seen the way she looked you would

have tried. You would have wanted those deep blue eyes looking into yours. If you could have seen her

face you would understand.

I didn’t use some cheesy line. I said nothing about her father stealing stars. I didn’t saying anything. I

retreated, showing the better part of valour.

I should have just grabbed her, kissed her and been done with it.

Is Paul Gordon Cowdrey a gentleman? Certainly not now, not anymore, maybe I was then. In truth at

twenty I had a sense I should have been a certain way. I had a vision of a gentleman who would never

attempt to sully the honour of a lady. I don’t think my self-restraint is due to morality. No, I was in

denial. The truth was I didn’t want to look stupid. I tried not to be sleazy because behind me a table of

people watched my every move.



I wonder if they thought I was going to pounce on the girl. I had girlfriends before this story begins. I had

little romances, fumbled things, high school crushes and university parties. Let us be certain. I knew

what to do. Morgan, Ella and now the just returned Jay. Did they think I would make a play?

I’ll never know what they thought me capable of. Every time I looked over at them, Jay waved at me. I

bet he still remembers doing that. I can feel his eyes as I write this down. He was watching me as I

attempted to exchange small talk.

He would remember this. I am surprised he hasn’t yet me as some stupid post-teen romance character.

________________________

I remember walking back into an ambush of friendly fire.

“Well, who is she?”

“How'd you do?”

“Paul, you're such a tool.”

Three questions were shot at me in a mass volley, followed rapid shot with yet more curiosity. Ella led

with sympathy. Morgan with humour and Jay, I don’t care what he thought.

Finally they slowed down enough for me to answer. One question from Morgan set off an alarm bell.

“Well, who was she?” He asked.

“Her name?” I exhaled Pilates style, in a deep and measured sigh.

All in attendance gasped it is on cute. In all that time I had failed in my most important task. I didn’t even

find out her name. Just coughed up a drink.



“In all that time you did not find out her name?” Jay shrieked, laughing a bit more than necessary. “What

did you do, talk about the weather?”

“No, I gave her my card.”

“You carry business cards?” Ella asked me.

“No it's advertising for my radio show. Adelaide on Toast. I do a community...”

Jay cut me off.

“As soon as she hears you on the radio she will melt.” He said. He dripped sarcasm.

Jay started thumping on the table. Boom, boom. The same techno-beat as earlier.

“Hey boys... Hey girls... Paul's a superstar DJ... Here we go!”

________________________

of novel novels pt4

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