The burger and fries at Mickey Ds had not been the nice evening meal I would have preferred, but it was true to its fast food designation, quick and easy. I didn't need to waste a bunch of time tonight on eating as I had a shop drawing submittal I needed to spend time with and get on its way to the architect first thing in the morning. With the plans all spread out on the extra bed in my motel room, I have finally marked up the six copies of the plans with corrections and stamped them with the company's approval stamp, "Approved as Noted." Just another day in the construction business, I think with a sigh of relief. Always something pressing to keep it continually stressful.
My wrist watch reads a little after nine as I slip out of my room and head down the corridor. Not a lot of time left to unwind after another tiring day, but I will make the best of what is left of the night. A couple of cool ones in the motel lounge sure sounds good. Besides, I really enjoy the group they have playing in the lounge now. They play great pieces to dance to both fast and slow and usually draw a good crowd of locals, even a nice number of stray females sometimes. What the hell, maybe it will be my lucky night.
Sure enough, the place is packed. All the tables are occupied with only a few empty stools remaining at the bar. I hate that but have no choice. I could get by a lot longer at a table without having to order another drink than I can with that aggressive bar tender. He will be right on top of me as soon as I finish my drink wanting to know if I am ready for another. I would really like to string them out until the band does their second set. Amazingly, they transform themselves in appearance and sound into a band of yesteryear and play a set of oldies that really bring back great memories.
The first two cold beers go down so easily and I don't have a problem with the bartender pushing drinks at me. I was more than ready for them. The third one I manage to nurse a little bit as I turn on the stool toward the room and the band, with my back to him so that I can ignore his stare. Not much in way of unattached women that I can see as I scan the room. Maybe I should just finish off this one and go get a good night's sleep. Besides I am beginning to feel just a bit of a buzz. Been a while since that quarter with cheese I am guessing.
As I turn back toward the bar with the intent of finishing my beer and leaving, I catch just a glimpse of her as she enters the room. Just like me, she stands there for a moment trying to find that one empty seat. She has my full attention now as I know that empty seat is right next to me at the bar. She appears to be about my age; mid thirties would be my guess. Her attire is not what you would expect a gal to put on to go clubbing to attract the opposite sex by any means. It surely has to be a costume of some sort. Probably a waitress I am guessing just getting off of work for the evening. Dressed more in the theme of the country that the restaurant specializes in is my further assumption. Not a firm young petite girl anymore as age and maybe kids have added a few pounds here and there but still very attractive. More buxom than petite now would be a better description.
She gives me a nice smile as she slides onto the stool at my right just as the bartender is taking my order for that fourth Bud I hadn't planned on just a few moments earlier. And before he can get away, she turns to me on her stool, her left knee against my right thigh, and sweetly asks, "You wouldn't mind buying a lady a drink would you? I just got off of work and I sure need one."
The bartender doesn't even wait for my reply before turning to her and asking, "And what would the lady like?"
"Seven and seven," is her instant response and without a pause, turns and adds, "Thank you so much kind sir. My name is Jodie," offering her hand to me.
"Jim, I'm Jim," I repeat for no good reason other than I am caught a bit off guard. I would have offered to buy her a drink anyway but she didn't give me a chance to offer, just ordered it for herself. She sure must be confident that that I would be willing to pay for it.
As we wait on our drinks she tells me it has been a bad night and she really needs the drink. It seems she had a customer stiff her. The bastard as she names him had a nice expensive meal and then slipped out without paying the tab and she got stuck with it. "That's awful," I concur.
"Oh it happens from time to time. Good thing I got some nice tips from some others or the night would have been a total loss. It just pisses me off when a man takes advantage of me like that, Well, not just a man," she quickly revises her remark.
"Where do you work?" I inquire.
"Maria's," is her short reply and then she continues when it doesn't seem to register with me, "It is a fine Italian Restaurant out toward the beaches. "You should give us a try. Their Italian dishes are wonderful if you like Italian crusine."
As the bartender returns with our drinks, I know I need to drink mine cautiously as I am already feeling it just a little. She quite the contrary, drains about half of hers in one long continuous gulp. "Whew!" she exclaims, "I needed that. It's gonna make everything okay." Then again turning toward me, she adds, "Thank you again for the drink."
She makes no effort this time to return to facing the bar, her left knee pressing against my right thigh as it had originally. "Well Jim you know I am a waitress, but I don't know what you do." She states and leaves it at that, obviously expecting my reply.
"Construction. I work in construction." Again repeating myself as if for some reason I need to say it twice.
"Oh, I always thought construction workers were big muscular guys with calloused hands. You just don't look the type at all."
"I'm a project manager," I volunteer. "My work is mostly in the office handling the job's paperwork......
And before I can explain further she interrupts, "So you are the one that makes the big bucks eh?" And then before I can answer that she grabs my hand and exclaims, "I just love this old song they are playing. It brings back great memories." Then pulling me to my feet she continues, "Let's dance."