(An alternative to how Leonard and Penny met)
(fictional story about fictional characters)
Leonard Hofstadter felt like he was in Hell. His friend Howard Wolowitz had literally dragged him to a crowded bar in an attempt to meet attractive single women. Actually Howard didn't really care if they were single or not; as long as he could get them drunk and have sex with them. Leonard, on the other hand, had struck out with women so many times that he no longer cared if he dated or not. In his mind, it was just a matter of time before he was going to be dumped, so that it didn't seem like it was worth the effort in the first place. He had planned on updating his laptop software that evening with his roommate: Dr. Sheldon Cooper. Actually they were both doctors...of Physics, at CalTech.
Sheldon was not there with them because: a) he didn't drink, and b) he couldn't care less if he ever interacted with another human being. Basically Sheldon Cooper was oblivious to the needs and feelings of anyone but himself. It suddenly occurred to Leonard that he was becoming more like his roommate with each passing day; and the worst part was he didn't mind. Howard had wandered off and was talking to some huge-breasted redhead and Leonard was nursing a, now, flat beer when his eyes widened and his heart began to race. An absolutely gorgeous blond girl had just walked in and Leonard thought she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
She wore a daringly short black skirt that showed off her incredible legs, which were made even more shapely by the five inch heels on her feet. Her white blouse was extremely loose fitting and flowing with a scoop collar; and when she bent over to adjust the strap on her shoe, Leonard could see all the way down her pale, inviting cleavage. She had the face of an angel and the blond hair surrounded her face like a halo. He thought the most striking feature were her sparkling sapphire eyes that somehow seemed to twinkle. Leonard knew he was staring, but seemed helpless to look away; and suddenly her eyes locked with his and caught him staring. He tried to avert his gaze, but couldn't and she just winked at him and smiled.
He watched her saunter over to the bar to get a drink, looking over the top of his glass as he pretended to drink. No matter how hard he tried, Leonard could not look away from the blond goddess. Every so often she would glance his way and smile, until he realized she was walking in his direction. Suddenly fear gripped him and he convinced himself that she was going to harangue and belittle him for staring. Wanting to get up and flee, he knew he couldn't budge as she approached his table. Before she could scold him, he stood and blurted out: "I'm so sorry for staring...it's not like me, I promise. It's just that you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen...and I know guys in bars must say that all the time...but I'm not like other guys...but you don't know me so you don't know that...and oh my God now I'm babbling. I'm so sorry...I'll just leave now."
Smiling from ear to ear, she touched his arm gently and calmly assured him: "calm down sweetie...I'm not mad. You're right, I do get stared at all the time; but even at a distance, you just seemed different. Most guys leer at me, like that one over there (and she nodded toward Howard), but not you. I could see in your eyes that you were looking at me like a kid coming down the stairs on Christmas morning. Sit, let's talk. Thank you for standing like a gentleman; I'm not used to that." They both sat and Leonard was immediately overcome with her wonderful scent; a combination of strawberries and vanilla. "Hi, my name is Penny...but you probably already know that." She was used to being hit on by guys who had seen her films.
"Leonard," he replied, barely able to talk to this blond goddess. "Why would I know that...I'm certain we've never met."
"I just thought you might have recognized me from my work," she answered, "most guys do."
"Sorry," Leonard admitted, "I'm sure I'd remember if I had ever seen that face before."
"You're so sweet," she softly said, "most guys don't even notice the face."
"Are you an actress...I knew it," he blurted out, "someone that beautiful has to be an actress. But if you haven't been in some sci-fi film or TV show, like Star Wars or Star Trek; I probably haven't seen your work. No offense. I'm kind of a geek...if you haven't already guessed that."
"Are you now, Leonard. Tell me about yourself," she reached across the table, touched his arm and leaned back in her chair to listen. When she crossed her incredible legs, he couldn't help but notice the vast expanse of bare thigh now on display.
"Well, I'm a physicist at CalTech where I'm currently working with high-powered lasers on a project for the government. I share an apartment with another physicist from CalTech and I'm originally from New Jersey. That's about it...my life is about as boring as it gets. What about you?"
With that "light up a room" smile, she told him: "well, I'm originally from Nebraska and every since I was a little girl I dreamed of coming to California and becoming a famous movie star...and what do you know: dreams do come true...sort of. The first two weeks I was here, I rented a room in a sleazy hotel where all the rooms smelled like urine and there were no curtains. I answered every audition in the local paper and finally someone offered me a part in a film. By then my money had nearly run out and I was totally desperate, so I jumped at the chance. That's how I got my start in adult-films."
"Oh, you mean like Showtime," he asked, completely enthralled with her tale.
"You are just the sweetest thing," she stroked his cheek and he shivered. "No, I mean adult...x-rated movies."
Looking puzzled for a few seconds, Leonard finally spoke: "oh...ohhhh...x-rated...like porn. No way...you are sooo nice."
"Thanks sweetie," she grinned, "but most of the actors are just regular people who consider what they do as just a job...a way to pay the bills. If I hadn't gotten that first job I would probably be waiting tables at a Cheesecake Factory now...back in Nebraska. I told you all this because I like you and wanted to be totally honest with you. You really didn't know who I was, did you?"
"No, I swear," he admitted, "honestly I've never even seen an x-rated movie. I didn't belong to a fraternity or anything in college and most of my friends are nerds like me. My friend Howard, who I came here with, is actually the only perv I know...not that there is anything perverted about what you do. Sorry I didn't mean to imply that...I respect you for having regular employment."
Instinctively she knew he could be trusted and wouldn't lie to her: she had finally met someone who didn't know who she was and honestly didn't judge her for it. He was afraid he had offended her somehow when she stood up; but she calmed him: "we'll talk more when I get back from the Ladies Room. Don't you dare go anywhere." As she ambled away, Leonard could not help but notice the way her, obviously, braless breasts wobbled against the silky material of her blouse.
As she left, Leonard exclaimed: "you couldn't pry me out of this chair with a high-powered laser." She glanced over her shoulder, flashed him that million dollar smile, and laughed.
Just as soon as she had left the table, Howard rushed over and gushed: "holy crap Leonard...do you know who that was...that was Penny P. She's in porno flicks. Holy shit she's gorgeous...what is she doing talking to you."
"What do you mean talking to me...am I chopped liver," Leonard answered indignantly.
"Yes...compared to her you are," Howard told him. "As you may know, I sometimes partake in the pleasure of viewing adult films," Howard continued, "and I've got to tell you...her body is to die for. She could use a little augmentation on top...but wow. You know what her specialty it: D-P."
"I have no idea what that is," Leonard stared at him.