Alice arrived at the Boar's Nest with big smiles and big thoughts. As she headed in, she was surprised to find Nibby hadn't arrived. But then again, she thought, she was a bit early. Over in the corner, Lester and Shortie had their butts planted firmly on their seats. "Gawd, do those guys live here," she thought in disgust.
Lester was the first to notice her. "What the f**k is that?" he said motioning Shortie to look over in Alice's direction. "What ever the hell it is, I don't want it over here." The two of them burst out laughing not worried about anyone in earshot. They both felt the same way about her. They didn't like her and they didn't like her attitude. But before they knew it, she was there inviting herself to sit down.
"What's so funny guys?" interrupting their laughter. "Ahhh.. just some guy talk," Lester answered still laughing. "What brings you here on a beautiful Monday evening?" "Oh, I just thought I'd stop by and see who was about on my way home," she said, hoping they didn't catch on to why she really was there. "Hey Alice, I didn't know you lived around here?" said Shortie inquisitively. "I don't. But it's not too too far out of my way. And I guess I was a bit bored. So what are you fine fellows doing this evening?" "Well we're just finishing up our pints and heading off." Lester couldn't wait to get out of her company and he downed the last of his beer quickly. "Come on Shortie. Let's get a move on. Nice seeing you again Alice. We'll probably see you Saturday then again eh?" "Of course. Got to root for you fellas while you're kicking the crap out of Gentry." "F**k," muttered Lester under his breath but he smiled and said in a somewhat intelligible tone, "Sounds good." Both Shortie and Lester left very quickly though leaving Alice all alone at the table. Motioning to the barkeep who had begun to know the group who sat there, he brought her her white wine without her even asking for it. She was flattered.
On their way out, they ran into Nibby. "Better watch out! Alice is there! And I think she's lookin' for love!" Shortie said winking at Nibby. "Ahhh.. well I won't be there too long. Gotta get home and listen to the ole lady nag on about me being out too much you know. But I wanna have a good strong beer first. Anyone else in there?" he asked as innocently as possible. "Nope, you're alone with her," Lester said with a glimmer in his eye. "Now don't you go getting a piece while you're in there. I think she's come with a bag of clothes so you'd better watch out that she doesn't stop the night at your place," as he started to laugh. "HA, not likely," said Nibby laughing right along with them. But Nibby was actually relieved that no one was there to see them together. Word could travel very quickly.
He entered the pub and went straight over to Alice sitting down cozily next to her. "Glad to see you could make it," he said throwing an alluring smile over her way. "Ohi, barkeep, my usual," saying everything in the same breath. The barkeep was quick to respond. Nibby was a pretty good customer and drank a fair amount of beer, among other things, there. Beer in hand, Nibby motioned to Alice, "Cheers!" he said with a wide smile. She conceded and clinked glasses with him "Skol," she said back. "What's that?" "Oh Nibby, don't be silly. That's Danish for the very same thing. Learnt it while I was going to school." "Oh Alice, you never cease to amaze me," said Nibby quite taken in by it all. He liked the attention she'd been giving him.
Alice picked up on the vibes he was sending her, her cat-like instincts working overtime. She thought she'd stir the pot a bit. "How's everything going now as you seemed pretty upset yesterday?" "Oh... it's just going... just wish it were gone though. You know, she just doesn't understand. That's why I decided not to come straight home. To prove a point to her that I have a life too." he said downing his shooter and chasing it down with the entire pint of beer. The barkeep noticing he was empty came over to check if he wanted another round. "Sure, and another one for the fine lady here too." The barkeep raised his eyebrows but said nothing as he left to get them their second round. "You know, I really don't want to talk about it right now. My neck has been acting up sleeping on that damned couch though. She won't even let me in the bedroom. But that's her loss. Selfish bitch." "Oh you poor thing," said Alice smiling. "What you need is a good backrub to get those tension points loosened up. Here. Let me show you." Alice gently slid out of her seat and began to caress his neck and leaning over him so her breast lay on his shoulder, she said, "Now how does that feel?" "Oh wonderful," Nibby said as his groin started to respond. The barkeep returned with the second round trying not to smile at the sight he was seeing but did so only when he had turned his back to them.
Nibby put his hand on hers. "You have hands of an angel." He turned around and quickly kissed her. "Come on, let's just get out of here. Finish up your wine and we'll go to a nice restaurant to finish the night off." Alice obliged downing her wine as quickly as she could while he finished his drinks. He left a twenty on the table paying once again for hers and they both quickly slipped out of the pub.
The sun was shining a vibrant orange outside as they emerged. "Where would you like to go?" but as Alice was finishing off her sentence she heard the familiar voice of Minnie roaring in the distance. "F**K F**K F**K" she thought wondering why that bitch had turned up just as she had Nibby in the palm of her hands. "We're just heading off. You should have been here earlier and you could have had a drink with all of us, " roared Nibby back pretending they hadn't been in the pub alone together. Minnie out of breath from running up to them asked "Anyone in there?" "Nope. We're the last of them. Work day tomorrow you know!" Nibby said with a broad smile. "Ahhhh s**t. You guys going to the game Wednesday?" "Of course, wouldn't miss it for the world. Sorry to cut you short though but we got to get a move on to catch the bus." Nibby said motioning to Alice to start walking. "Yeah, all right. I'll catch up with you all later."
On the way to the bus stop Alice slyly stated, looking for a response to her question in his body language, "I think she likes you." "Minnie? Nah. She's ok and you know when we were chatting last night, I found out how easy it is for her to get tickets.. really good tickets for really good seats to the home games. She could be a pretty valuable person to have around." Alice was relieved. That's just the answer she wanted to hear - that he was not interested in her but his response did give her the impression that it wouldn't be so easy to get rid of her. She knew she just had to make it difficult and uncomfortable for her to stick around.
"I'm going to take you to this really nice spot Alice. My treat. I know you'll love it. We can eat alfresco and I'm sure they'll have something you'll like." Rather than catching the bus, they crossed the street and headed through the park. A little corner cart loomed in the distance. "They make the best fast food there and we can take it into the park and eat on a bench." This was not Alice's idea of alfresco. She had pictured a romantic style french restaurant serving only the finest of foods. Not some greasy cart food. But she smiled pretending she liked the idea.
Once there, Nibby ordered four chili dogs and a coke while Alice checked the menu. "What do you have?" she asked looking in disgust at the meat by-products Nibby was about to consume. Once she heard the word salad, she quickly ordered that. Paying, Nibby showed her the way to his favourite spot for sitting. He never told her that he used to take his wife to the very same spot. The trees were all around them and it was like they were in their own private world. They ate and chatted about what their plans would be for the Ironmongers. They both agreed that changes had to be made.
After eating Nibby put his arm around Alice seeing that she was a bit chilly from the evening air. Leaning over he passionately kissed her, the garbage from their meal falling on the ground beside them. He rode his hands up and down her back and as they embraced, they were in their own world; a world they were creating just for themselves.
Realising she was cold, Nibby gently suggested he'd take her home. "Oh Nibby, you're always the gentleman but it is getting late. You'd better get home. I'll be ok." Stealing one last kiss, they parted ways.
It's all a game
Explore The Characters In Their Natural Form!
Thanks Tripod
