As the group ate, talk was kept to a minimum. Lester had a bad feeling about her but chose to keep his thoughts to himself, at least for the moment, he thought. Alice picked at her salad like an anorexic rabbit, trying to be pleasant. "So," she began, "pretty interesting game yesterday eh." "Ahhhhh, they were all over us like s**t to a wool blanket," Lester responded between bites. "We didn't stand a chance," Shortie added. "Yeah, we might have to think of some changes to the lineup and who plays where," said Nibby despondently looking out of the corner of his eyes at Alice. "Whaddya mean?" asked Shortie who knew he'd had a bad game yesterday. "Well, I haven't much decided yet as we all should think about it and what we want from it. We'll just see how things go." Nibby liked to use the plural form "we" rather than I. Even though he was going to make the decisions himself, he wanted to pretend that everyone had a say in it.
Piggie had finished up his second plate and looked over at Shortie. "You gonna finish that?" "Whaaaa, oink oink, ya wanna have it, you can!" Shortie responded in jest. "Yeah, don't mind if I do. Can't see good food go to f**kin' waste." "Well it sure the hell won't with you around," said Lester laughing. Alice pretended a laugh but it came off as fake to Lester who had had enough of her company. "Well guys," said Lester, "I've got to get a move on. Promised to phone the ole ball and chain." Piggie laughed. "Ahhh... you're just skirt whipped you ole f**cker." "F**k off." responded Lester, and he threw a tenner on the table. "See ya's around soon."
The remaining four became quite quiet. Alice had a way of making Shortie feel uncomfortable too but he couldn't stand the quiet table. He lived alone and the only reason he wanted to play or even be part of the group was to make friends so he wouldn't be alone. The perceived social benefits were important to him. "Did you know that for every good conversation, there's at least 30 seconds of silence?" Alice and Nibby looked at him blankly. "Well if you don't include Piggie licking his plate!" he added. They all chuckled, including Piggie. "Come on you. Let's get a move on and hit the bookie. Want to place a bet on Wednesday's game." "Yeah, I'm with you," said Shortie glad to make a quick withdrawal from the table. "Thanks for the drink Nibby." "Yeah, you gonna pay for our meal too?" said Piggie with a bit of a snort in his voice. "Nah, you're on your own for that one!" Laughing, they both left the table and paid at the bar on their way out. Alice was finally alone with His Royal Nibbs. She was in her glory.
Looking at His Royal Nibbs seductively, she smiled. "So you've been thinking about what I said last night eh?" "Kind of hard not to." "Well I do think we've got to decide what and where we're going with this all. I really do think we should try....." her voice became further to Nibby as he drifted off into space watching her talk, watching her chest as she took the odd breaths to keep going on her spiel.
About five minutes later, she noticed that he wasn't paying complete attention to her. "Nibby, is everything all right?" "Well I guess it is," he stammered. "The old woman was moaning at me last night and started in again on me today." "BINGO!" thought Alice. It was just what she wanted to hear. "Oh Nibby," mustering her most sympathetic voice. "I'm so sorry. Do you want to talk about it if it will make you feel a bit better?" She placed her hand on his, coaxing him to talk about it.
"Well, it's not much really. She just went overboard. You know it's so nice to have someone to talk to about this." He motioned to the barkeep for a refill which he was promptly provided with. He lifted up the shooter and downed it like a pro using the beer to wash the taste down. "You know, you're really one special woman to listen to me moan on about the ole lady aye." He smiled a shy smile, reaching to see her reaction. "Oh Nibby," she giggled, "You're a very special man too you know." "Flattery will get you everywhere!" he said winking at her. "Well, I just don't know how she could ride you so hard; not appreciate who you are and what you do," she said matter of factly, planting the seed of dissension. "It's so nice to be understood. We seem to have so many things in common." "Yeah, we do don't we?" she said as she began to play with the lines in his hand with her fingernails.
The door opened up and in came Minnie. She seemed to bring a warm glow to the room. Alice quickly took her hand from Nibby's and he quickly put his hands on his knees. "Ohi guys, whatchya up to? Seen Shortie around?" Minnie's happy voice filling the room. She came bouncing up and sat down with them. "You just missed them. Piggie wanted to go to the bookie's," Nibby responded to her question. "Damn it. Shortie was supposed to wait for me. Hey did you know they'll give us odds too? I placed a bet on our team doing well in that big tournament coming up in a few months you know.. a fiver. ‘Cause we're the underdogs, there's pretty good odds." She seemed quite content on staying a while. "Actually Nibby and I were thinking of heading off here shortly," Alice said, glaring at Minnie. "Look, you go on ahead and I'll catch you around on email. Don't worry, I'll take care of the bill this time around. It's on me." Alice, put out with Minnie's appearance got up. "Yup Nibby, we'll carry on our conversation later. Thanks for lunch." She stuck her nose up at Minnie and left. "What the hell is her problem?" Minnie inquired. "Ahhhh... leave her alone. If you get to know her, she's really a nice girl." Minnie decided to drop the subject.
Hair of the Dog
Explore The Characters In Their Natural Form!
Thanks Tripod
