« So… let me get this straight, »
Louis says as he goes from lying down on the cheap couch of the Hyatt hotel room eight-three-seven to sitting up.
« You’ve been with this Julie chick for what– a year and you haven’t met. How the fuck how does that work? »
Paul pours lime juice, Sprite, and Hennessey into a plastic red cup then hands it to Louis.
« Try this. Tell me what you think. »
They go to the bathroom where Paul begins to cut bags of ice, filling half of the tub before turning on the water. He turns the water off then lets the water drain for a few second before placing several bottles of liquor into the ice water. Louis takes one sip— pauses— then chugs the rest of the cup.
« I know her—we know her. She worked at the macaroon place in High School, that was only two years ago you know. She’s been on deployment in Afghanistan. »
« Sounds stupid— so you torture yourself for a year, don’t know what she’s like— I’m going to laugh if she’s more masculine than you. »
« Says the guy with a BMW 530i, yet has never had the courage to ask a girl out on a proper date. Being celibate for a year ain’t shit. Besides, I wrote her a book. »
Paul reaches into the front pocket of his black suit coat to pull out his phone, then glimpses over the time.
«We need to move. Her flight arrives at nine-thirty. »
« It’s only eight. Your phone can’t tell time. »
« And you wonder why you have so many typos when you’re trying to text with girls. We need to get there a little early, I need you to stand at the terminal gate with this sign. »
« You didn’t say shit about holding no sign. »
He removes the protective case of his phone— a two dollar bill twirls towards the ground. He snatches the bill air bound; uncrinkles it, then hands it to Louis.
« And this is? »
« Why don’t you just read it instead of asking? »
Louis looks at the bill then begrudgingly reads out loud:
“Dear planets,
Grant this dollar of two the power to make all the wishes on it come true: If this dollar is hereby saved and acknowledged until the day Julie’s hands touch it, that day shall be the day of days—”
Louis turns the dollar around. Paul snatches the bill back.
« Yo what the fuck? »
« You can’t see that side until her hands touch it. I’ve waited this long and I’m not about to let you steal my magic. »
« Whatever. She better be special since you spent all this money on alcohol and a hotel without ever meeting her. »
« That’s for me to ponder, and for you to wonder but let’s not wander too far off topic. You got that dank? And my money, too. »
« You said I didn’t have to pay you since I’m chauffeuring tonight. »
Paul grabs a thin stack of twenties fastened in a cheap silver money clip. He hands Louis two twenties.
« I know, and thanks for doing that for me. »
Louis gives a puppy dog smirk.
« So when’s her flight arriving? »
Heehee, I find this absurdly romantic.
that I can be and am, but why will you say that I am mad? (Edgar Allan Poe voice)
Oh I wouldn’t have known, haha
Obviously (:
Is any of it true? I am just curious. I love the idea of it.
Yes, indeed.
Love the back and forth of the characters. And the idea that the plot lies within this conversation alone is amazing. Love this.
Well done – I’m drawn into the mystery of this “unmet” relationship and the audacity of the guy to keep on believing and trusting in romance even when his friend appears to be all amount what can be seen and understood, like two twenties. No romance in his soul!
*about – not amount