"So what did you say you were doing here?"
"I didn't. Did I? Guess I didn't at that." The fellow sitting next to Tom at the bar laughed as he realized he had been chatting with the man to his left, about everything under the sun, but had never told him what he was doing in the bar in the first place. For that matter he now realized, his eyes going wide at this thought, that he hadn't even told Tom his name.
Truth is told Tom could have cared less about the name of this man. It wasn't that he didn't find the man to be a nice guy, or for that matter interesting. On the contrary, the fellow was actually kind of a nice diversion, before Tom had to head home. Tom always made it a tradition of sorts to stop at this bar after a business trip before he headed out and got on the subway to go home. He couldn't put his finger on why he did this, the only thing he could think of was that he had met Carol here 14 years earlier, and he thought of it, in a way as his lucky spot.
"Well," said the nameless man to Tom, "since I never told you what my name is, even, I guess it isn't odd I never said what I was doing in this joint." The nameless man as Tom now weirdly thought of him leaned close, and in a conspiratorial way said, "I'm picking up the girls."
"Girls?" said Tom looking over at the guy and then back up at the bars flat-screen TV as the Mets play by play man shouted out a home run call.
"Wow! What a shot!" the nameless man said, looking up as well to watch the ball sail into the outfield stands. Tom and Mr. Nameless had been watching the Mets game for an hour. That had been the starting off point of their conversation, with Tom eventually telling the man he had just came back from London, where he had been on business.
"I think he is gonna hit 45 easy this year," said Mr. Nameless, finally turning back to Tom.
"Could be. At least 40 I would say," Tom answered as he took a final drink from his glass, draining the last of his scotch and soda. "So now you were saying you were, 'picking up the girls,' I'm not sure I follow you." Tom smiled at the gentleman, and called over the bartender.
"Another beer for my friend here," said Tom. "And another scotch and soda for me."
"No Tommy my man let me get this one," protested Mr. Nameless.
"Don't worry about it; you got the last one anyway." Tom of course had, at fact gotten the last round, but he always liked to be generous with others, because he could, of course afford to be. Tom had a lot of success in his business life, and liked to spend money. His friends and colleagues would undoubtedly say this is the reason Tom would be a comfortable man, but never a truly rich one. Tom cared not at all, because life had taught him that being happy and content, having free time and loved ones mattered more than being able to say you were richer than your peers. He was rich enough, and that was enough. If he could become a millionaire by stepping on the other guy, or being a cheapskate, he would have to pass on it.
"Well okay, but next one is mine," said Nameless.
Tom smiled and looked up at his reflection in the mirror behind the bar. He saw a man of 36 who, he was pleased to note still was in decent shape, with all his hair and only a little salt thrown into lots of dark pepper. The man next to him looked at least 10 years older, but he suspected he was the same age as Tom, but was simply stressed to the point of collapse. Most guys Tom's age in his circle of friends had begun to show wear and tear, but they kept their bodies in good shape to compensate for the lines and premature gray that had crept in. Tom found it funny that some of his peers in his line of work could beat him at racket-ball, but never got the looks from the younger girls in the health club he did. Tom knew he looked good, and it was in no small degree because he was always relaxed and calm. It was his home life with Carol that was the reason, but none of his friends and acquaintances could have guessed why.
"Um ... so you were saying about girls," said Tom resuming the topic of discussion so quickly forgotten.
Mr. Nameless slapped his head I could have had a V-8 style, and said, "Yes! That's right!" He laughed at his own joke and Tom chuckled to knowing just what Mr. Nameless meant with his gesture.
"Well Tommy," Nameless leaned close, "it's like this: Escorts you know. Get it?"
Tom got it of course, and was intrigued to hear more, if for no other reason than that this story might spice up his reunion with his wife Carol later.
"I get it. So tell me more," said Tom.
"Fucking sister's man, can you believe it?" Nameless stage whispered unnecessarily. It was unnecessary because there were only five people in the bar and they were in booths. And the bartender was of the type Tom knew instantly, that would look the other way for anything short of homicide.
"Sister's huh? Wow!" said Tom giving the other man his impressed look. The one he sometimes used for his business associates when they told him about their new car or boat or mistress.
"I looked all over the net, and contacted seven services," continued Nameless. "I wanted twins, but nobody has any working in the city, and I want a date -- if you know what I mean -- here, away from my wife and kids. I come from the west coast once a year. Tops! So it had to be now."
Tom nodded and sipped his drink. "So no twins huh?"
"Not one set working as whores in this town. What is this world coming to?" Nameless laughed mirthlessly. "But at least I finally found a couple of sisters working for Principled. Ever hear of 'em?"
Tom had indeed, heard of them. He occasionally had some out of town business associates that felt the need to fuck another girl other than their wife, while away in the city, and Principled, was always a good bet. Tom nodded to let Mr. Nameless know he was hip to the escort service he had named.
"Well the girls they got are only a year apart, and they assured me they look a lot alike, so I guess if I squint I can imagine they are twins." Nameless laughed again. It was another mirthless, almost mean spirited laugh.
Both men went back to watching the game and chatting about the Mets chances this year.
Mr. Nameless' eyes looked a little glassy by the time he mentioned the girls again.
"Where the fuck are these two cunts?" said Nameless. "It's getting late."
Tom held up a hand. "Whoa, calm down. I don't think language like that is needed."
Mr. Nameless looked around, and nodded, obviously thinking Tom meant that he might offend someone listening, rather than the truth, which was simply that Tom didn't approve of calling ladies names outside of a sexual context. Tom thought to himself, let him think anything he wants, but I don't want to hear him call some poor girl trying to make some cash, a cunt.
Nameless looked up at Tom and said, "Yeah, never know what tight assed feminist bitch might be eavesdropping."
Tom winced but said nothing, thinking about his feminist studies teaching wife at home.
"Well let's at least kill some time, what's your story?" said Nameless.