recco
Player
Jess's boy toy
Jess's boy toy
Posts: 33
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Post by recco on May 10, 2010 3:01:46 GMT -5
Forcing his way through the mob Gay weaved in and out of the crowds making his way to his place of business. Surprisingly, no one was waiting for him. No Slick Rick, Heidi Berg, or even Lester Rex. Rarely was there a day where one of these regulars wasn't chomping at the bit for a cold one. Not to mention the freedom they knew they could find within these walls. If was fairly brisk for a spring afternoon; Gay let the door close behind him. He flipped on the lights and turned on the juke box. Quickly he played a song he'd remembered from a few days ago when a mysterious women had been in. She'd somehow gotten him addicted; it might have been that she was totally resistant to his charm. Maybe he was hoping that by playing it she'd reappear, but if the last few days were any indication it was a long shot at best. As the soft music hit his ears he couldn't help himself to sing along.
"When it's love you give." changing his voice an octave higher, “I’ll be your man of good faith.”
Suddenly the door swung open revealing a tall dark and fairly handsome middle aged man who quickly snapped at Gay’s singing.
“This really is a gay bar.” Quipped the mysterious man with a sharp smile.
Gay didn’t skip a beat responding, “Only if you want it to be.”
The gentleman’s smile disappeared as he shook his head, “Quit the faggot act with me Gaylord?”
Gay’s eyes went wide for a split second; his blood boiled, and he felt his fingers curl up into a fist. However, it was in that split moment of shire anger that Gay realized this was no stranger. He put on a masked expression of ill-tempered rage and stormed forward, but at the last second his tension eased and instead of swinging a fist he opened his arms wide and embraced the man in a brotherly hug.
“Ryan! What the hell are you doing here?” Gay released the hug, but kept his hands on Ryan’s shoulders looking him dead in the eye.
Ryan smiled for a split second, but quickly it disappeared. “I’m here on official business Recco.”
Gay pulled away for a moment and invited Ryan to sit at the bar as he walked around behind the counter and popped the top of a Coors Light.
“Want a cold one?” Gay offered his estranged friend.
“Yea, but you might want something a little stronger for what I’m about to tell you.” Ryan sighed looking around.
Gay handed him the beer and retrieved another one; he was wearing a smile as if knowing this was official business didn’t bother him. He proceeded to retrieve the bottle of Crown Royal and poured two shots. He raised his glass offering a toast. Ryan barked back at him annoyed:
“Damn it; Recco I told you I’m not here for a good time, this is official police business.” Gaylord threw back the shot noticing the tension in Ryan’s voice.
“Okay, I’m sorry I’m just excited to see an old classmate that’s all.” Gay tried to smile, but now even he was beginning to feel a little on edge. “It’s not often I run into someone from Midland, MI after all. And seriously if this is about the reports of drug activity in my bar I already told the other officers. I run a clean joint; that shit isn’t tolerated.”
Ryan shook his head, “I know there’s as much truth to that story as the time you supposedly fucked the prom queen.”
Gay chuckled, “Your right it was the King.”
“You are one sick fuck,” gagged Ryan shaking his head and finally taking the shot he’d been offered. “Seriously are you still playing for the other team?”
“Hell no: I’m knee deep in muff; see these pants? They’re my muff waiters. I’m swimming in muff; shit is so deep around here I’m going to the Home Depot after work to get a Muff Ladder so I can climb out.” Replied Gay straight faced.
There was an awkward moment of silence until suddenly they both just burst out with a laugh. Sensing a moment of eased tension Gay poured his old buddy another shot.
“So no more muffing around,” chuckled Gay. “What’s the business?”
Suddenly Ryan’s face went somber.
“Recco; your parents are dead.”
Gaylord’s smile was quickly replaced by a look of shire terror. Without even thinking he dropped the shot glass on the floor and like the glass he felt his whole world shatter into pieces as the tears swelled in his eyes.
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Post by Jess Sinclair on May 20, 2010 8:51:04 GMT -5
Chalk one up to irresistable curiosity. Jess had always had the curiosity of a cat and it tended to get her in a bit of trouble. Luckily, she could usually talk herself out of it. A few nights ago, it had lead her to a place called "Gay's Bar". Honestly, how could she not go in? Newly 21, she was checking out the local dives and this place was new. Instead of a bunch of guys in tight shirts dancing around to heavy beated techno, she'd found herself face to face with a guy she now couldn't get out of her head. He'd been charming as hell, something one didn't find much in New York. To be completely honest, she'd found it kind of funny.
Tonight she found herself wandering around the streets, clad simply in jeans and a white tank top, a fawn colored leather trenchcoat swinging around her knees. Her ginger hair was straight, bangs flipping over to shadow her face on the right side a little. A crisp breeze blew for a moment, pushing back the hair to reveal sky blue eyes. She knew where she could find him. He'd told her he owned the bar.
"I'll be the world that protects you. Be there when you're old, to have and to hold" she sang softly, a song that had played the night she'd met him.
Soon she reached the bar, with its glowing sign announcing they were open. She paused in front of the big front window, unsure for a moment about going in. "Hey Jess!" a voice called, causing her to turn. A younger girl, about 15 ran up to Jess, a big grin on her face. Black curls bounced around her face. Jess turned all the way and gave the girl a hug. "What's up Marcy?" "You're teaching the hip hop class on Thursday, aren't you?" "Yeah, why do you ask?" Jess asked, a curious tilt to her head. "Well......is it true you got accepted to Juliard?! That you're giving us tickets to your recital on Thursday?!" the girl squealed excitedly. Jess chuckled, putting her hands into her pockets. "Yes, I got accepted. And as for the tickets, I guess you'll just have to wait until Thursday to find out. Now, get going home. You know you shouldn't be out on these streets. Go. I mean it" Jess said affectionately. "All right! See you Thursday Jess!" the girl exclaimed, hugging her for a brief moment before turning and waving as she walked down the street. Jess shook her head with another light chuckle before pushing open the door to the bar and stepping inside. Immediately, her eyes picked up the emptiness, the shattered glass on the floor and tears in Recco's eyes. Immediately, the smile faded from her face and she stayed back against the doors, her eyes filled with concern. "Should I just go?" she asked, her voice carrying easily though she spoke softly.
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recco
Player
Jess's boy toy
Jess's boy toy
Posts: 33
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Post by recco on May 25, 2010 1:34:01 GMT -5
Gay was caught in the most precarious of situations. Seems light with a sharpened edge had truly cut through the darkness. Here; in his moment of agony the angel had shown her face once again. He turned around attempting to hide the tears.
"No, you're fine come on in miss." Recco tried as he could to whipe the tears away, but as he turned around the sniffles and red eyes were beyond masking. "You'll have to excuse me I just got some terrible news from an old friend."
Jess's eyes were full of pity, as if she knew already what was to be said. Her face was like a warm beam of light and she wasn't even smiling. Gay felt the allure he'd noticed before, breaking him down to his very core. He didn't want to be torn like this. Full of agony from the death of his beloved parents, yet wanting to jump for glee at the sight of this mysterious women.
"His parents recently passed away." Ryan almost choked as he said the words behind his glass.
"Ryan!" Gay growled trying to keep his composure, "I'm not looking for a pity party; please don't irritate my clients with sad stories."
"Gay it's your parents; don't act so cold." Ryan barked back
"It's not cold, I just don't want to scare away the company Ryan." Turning to Jess. "I'm sorry miss; yes it's a dark day, but you are like a ray of sunlight. Wont you please stay for a drink?"
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Post by Jess Sinclair on Jun 20, 2010 21:51:59 GMT -5
Seeing the man so distraught, her heart twisted. She hated seeing him like this; perhaps there was something she could do. His smile had been gorgeous, playful and devilish the last time she'd seen him. Something in her had responded, reached out to him eagerly. Now, the puffy red eyes had replaced it, though he tried bravely to smile. The news must have been truly devastating to shake him like this. "His parents recently passed away" Jess's mouth opened to give her condolances just as Gay growled at the other man. Immediately, she shut her mouth. There was noting she could say witout sounding like she pitied him and he'd made it obvious that wasn't what he wanted. As he asked her to stay, she merely nodded. "Of course" she replied, her voice soft. Who was she to deny him when he so obviously needed her? "I'll make the drinks" she offered, moving behind the bar to mix up something to help take the edge off. A few moments later, she easily carried three neon green shots down on the table. "Liquid marijuana shots. They should help take a little of the edge off" she explained. If he needed something else, she knew what to make.
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recco
Player
Jess's boy toy
Jess's boy toy
Posts: 33
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Post by recco on Jun 20, 2010 22:01:53 GMT -5
What could he say when she brushed past him and went to work making the liquid marijuanna like it was her life's mission. He and Ryan at first exchanged a look of pure bewilderment, but when she came back with three prepared neon green shots they couldn't help but laugh.
"You really know what your doing!" commented Ryan
"I'll say!" Gay replied with a chuckle. "Have you bartended before? Cause we are hiring!"
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Post by Jess Sinclair on Jun 20, 2010 22:23:47 GMT -5
It was good to hear him laugh. Jess smiled a little at his question. She had been looking for a job, since Juliard had offered her a scholarship, she'd be able to move into a better apartment. Teaching the dance classes offset the cost of her classes now, but didn't pay much else. She was tired of living in the apartment her parents had given her, feeling like some sort of charity case. "Yeah, I know how to bartend a bit. I know how to make these and a few others, but I'm a fast learner. The only reason I know these is because they're my favorite" she explained, holding up her shotglass. "To good friends to make it though bad times"
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recco
Player
Jess's boy toy
Jess's boy toy
Posts: 33
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Post by recco on Jun 20, 2010 22:29:51 GMT -5
"To good friends" Ryan chipped in as Gay just staired at her eyes. "Yes to good friends and new associates!" he finally toasted. "You can start tomorrow. You'll be on mornings if you don't mind; I like to sleep in, I happen to be quite the night owl" "Some things never change." Ryan shook his head with a grin. "I know we've had a few rough nights Ryan so don't give me any gruff." Gay smacked Ryan on the back.
He turned his attention back to Jess and winked, "So these here are your specialty. Well I'll be honest most people that come in here are beer drinkers. If you be nice to them they'll be nice to you"
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Post by Jess Sinclair on Jun 20, 2010 23:12:12 GMT -5
After they toasted she easily downed the shot, which ran down smooth and left a slight burn in its wake. She watched them tease each oher, and a bit of sadness made its way into her eyes. She and Jason used to harass each other like that, before he'd left. She should've known better than to get attached to him again when she knew he'd disappear just like the last time. She returned her focus to hear his comment about the beer drinkers. "I haven't developed a taste for the stuff. But, I've been told I'm pretty nice, so we shouldn't have any problems. If this is a bar, why is it open in the mornings? Most bars don't open until around five I thought" she asked curiously.
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recco
Player
Jess's boy toy
Jess's boy toy
Posts: 33
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Post by recco on Jun 24, 2010 19:58:29 GMT -5
Recco was caught a little off guard, but he didn't skip a beat in responding to her bar inquiry.
"Well you see; we have certain clients who live *unusual* life styles."
"Unusual the word they are using on the street these days Gay?" Quipped Ryan
"Yes; they are unusal..." Gay choked a moment and turned his stern gaze from Ryan and relaxed a little looking at Jess. "Forgive me my dear but I can't seem to recall your name. My memory is terrible."
Ryan shook his head and smoked an imaginary joint mocking Gay, but then got the wise idea of trying to guess her name.
"Don't tell me! You look like a Daffney! Am I close?"
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Post by Jess Sinclair on Jun 28, 2010 0:52:15 GMT -5
Their inflection and gestures in answering her question made her one eyebrow raise. Apparently, she'd gotten herself into a less than clean bar. Back in high school, she would have flipped out and probably ripped into him before leaving, but now she just stood quietly, a slight smile on her face. She had kept her eyes lowered or with hair partially covering them, but when he asked if her name was Daphne, she turned her full brilliant blue gaze on Gay's friend. "Nothing that interesting, I'm afraid" she said, leaning down to gather the shot glasses, easily all three in one hand before starting to walk back to the bar. "It's Jess" she answered over her shoulder, before stepping behind the bar to rinse the glasses out.
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recco
Player
Jess's boy toy
Jess's boy toy
Posts: 33
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Post by recco on Jun 28, 2010 1:04:17 GMT -5
"Nothing that interesting?" Queried Recco knowing he may have been a bit too honest about the happenings of his business.
"Daphne isn't nearly as interesting as Jess!" Ryan shot back watching Jess clean the glasses.
"What do you mean by that?" Asked Gay with a puzzled gaze.
"Well Jess could be short for a lot of things, most notably Jessica or Jessie and a few less common names, but still when it coems to daphne aside from Daph you're shit outta luck." Ryan quibbed.
"You play too many name games." Recco muttered unimpressed. "Jess just so you know if you ever have an issue with any of my clients please don't be afraid to bring it to my attention. I can take care of any... bull shit that comes up.
Recco stared right at Ryan as he empasised *Bull Shit*
"Well I can tell when i'm not welcome old pal." Ryan slowly stood up as if upset, but then hugged Recco and patted him on the back before waving farewell to Jess.
"I'll see ya later Ryan, make sure you keep me updated as to the status of my family." Recco reminded him before he walked out the door. Ryan gave him a wink and started humming to himself as the door slowly closed behind him.
"Now, to business." Recco turned his full attention to Jess who was finishing up with the dishes, "I can pay you fifteen an hour and you can keep your tips, but what you see in these walls stays here. Will that be a problem?"
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Post by Jess Sinclair on Jun 28, 2010 1:13:20 GMT -5
"Actually, it is short for Jessica" she said softly as Ryan played his name game. Absently, she hummed to herself as she cleaned the glasses, but listened to Recco as he told her he would take care any bullshit. She nodded, still humming softly. Many had seen her dance, but very few heard her sing. Those ice blue eyes watched Ryan leaved as she waved a friendly farewell, noting the way the two interacted. When Recco came over and made his offer, she cocked on hip, leaning on the bar. "I can't work Thursdays, and once the fall comes, I will be starting classes at Juliard. I reserve the right to knock customers grabbing me on their asses, can you handle that?"
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recco
Player
Jess's boy toy
Jess's boy toy
Posts: 33
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Post by recco on Jun 28, 2010 1:19:08 GMT -5
Recco shook his head at first and turned to the juke box.
"You drive a hard bargain, but you've got a deal."
He turned and gave her a flustered smile continuing
"I can't believe you're gonne take away my Thursdays; that's my poker night, around here it's like a religious holiday. Though I'm sure I'll be able to reschedule."
Picking through music on the juke box his smile grew larger as a familiar song of his popped up and he turned it on.
"So Juliard... What's the major?"
As the music started playing Gay softly sang to himself the opening lyrics to Savege Garden's Santimonia debating with himself if he wanted to ask her to dance.
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Post by Jess Sinclair on Jun 28, 2010 1:27:05 GMT -5
She gave him a soft smile when he agreed to her terms. "I teach a modern twist on ballet class on Thursdays, or else I would work. The girls look forward to it so much" she explained, getting to work making sure she knew where all the bottles were. Absentmindedly she spun one in her hand, always having liked the flair bartending. "Dance major. Already in a dance company, but I'd like to make one of the really prestigous ones" she answered, setting the bottle back down. Easily, she slid the coat off, revealing soft, pale skin with a light dusting of freckles across the shoulders. The skin appeared to have a slight golden tan against the white of the tank top. She stored it under the bar, then leaned on the smooth surface. "So, what made you want to open up a bar/fix place here?" she asked curiously, the azure gaze fixed on him.
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recco
Player
Jess's boy toy
Jess's boy toy
Posts: 33
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Post by recco on Jun 28, 2010 1:34:39 GMT -5
"Very interesting darling; I hope one of these days you'll teach your boss a move or two." He smiled and watched her play with a bottle. His gaze drawn to her beyond just a normal stare he was mesmerized by her. Something about her allure could not allow him to escape. For moments that felt like hours he was lost until the chorus of Savage Garden snapped him back. He heard her ask him about his decision to open the bar. Deep in him he wanted to lie and tell a glorious tale of fame and fortune, but the real story was the truth and if he ever wanted to see things work out with his new associate he had to be honest. Even if in the end it all meant nothing.
"Well it's really a long story, when I was going to college in Florida a good man helped me out when I was lost and alone. I had dropped out of school and gotten myself in way over my head. He gave me a job and a family close by. I gave him my life for a few years and honestly I'm not sure if it was respect or simpathy he bought this old shack of a bar and asked me to run it. For the most part I'm a sole proprietor, but with your help I think we can really make some magic out of this dusty old place."
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