Drinks at the Local Bar (Photostory)

China arrives at the local bar.  It's packed, but there's one table left in the main seating area.  She follows the waitress to the table.

"Is this seat okay?"  (Tracey, the waitress)

"This is great.  My sister should be here soon."  (China)

"Okay.  Can I get you something to drink in the meantime?"  (Tracey)

China orders a glass of white wine.  Tracey checks on the guys in the next booth before heading back to the bar.

"So how long are you staying in town?"  (Chandra)

"I'm not sure.  I will be here at least a month, then I may shoot down to Florida to see family."  (Sharmaine)

"Well I will expect you at one of my performances before you leave town."  (Chandra)

"For sure.  You know I am a fan."  (Sharmaine)

Darius and Terrance are relaxing after a couple of tough weeks at work.  They lost out on a couple of contracts.  Nothing they did, per se, but a new company has been low balling the bids.

"We have to stick it out at this point.  There's no way they can do a top notch job for the prices they are quoting.  We will be there to pick up the pieces."  (Darius)

"It just sucks that the clients aren't taking our reputation into consideration when they are making these decisions."  (Terrence)

"You know what they say, you get what you pay for.  They'll be back."  (Darius)

"Voila, one glass of white wine."  (bartender)

"Hmmpt, I wouldn't mind having a drink with him."  (Sharmaine)

"Oh, that's Darius.  Yes, he is quite fine, but he has a girlfriend."  (Chandra)

"The operative word there is girlfriend, not wife."  (Sharmaine)

"Well, there's another cutie sitting at the bar."  (Chandra)

"Here you go."  (Tracey)

"Thanks."  (China)

"Don't be so obvious!"  (Chandra)

"Sorry.  I was curious.  You're right, he is cute, but he's a little old for you, don't you think."  (Sharmaine)

"I like my men experienced."  (Chandra)

"I think you have a couple of admirers."  (bartender)

"Really?  Well, if I wasn't waiting for my date, I might have treated them drinks. (Randolph)

"I don't see a ring on his finger.  You want me to invite him over?" (Sharmaine)

"When did you get to be so bold?  You were always the shy one."  (Chandra)

"Yes, I'm meeting my sister.  There she is."  (Sylvia)

"Right this way."  (Tracey)

"Hey sis.  Sorry I'm late."  (Sylvia)

"Hey.  I was getting worried.  Wasn't sure you were going to make it."  (China)

"Well, your brother-in-law started acting a little crazy as I was about to leave.  You would have thought I was going to meet a man, instead of my sister."  (Sylvia)

"Well you are looking extra sexy tonight.  You got your boobs all front and center."  (China, laughing)

"Really, sis?  Where's that waitress?  I need a drink."  (Sylvia)

"Speaking of my date, there she is now."  (Randolph)

Well, well, well.  If it isn't Melanie!

Randolph stands up to greet Melanie as she saunters over.

"Damn.  He was waiting for someone."  (Chandra)

"Well hello beautiful.  I'm glad you could make it."  (Randolph)

"Wouldn't dream of not coming."  (Melanie)

"It's a little crowded here.  I was thinking I'd take you to one of my favorite restaurants, not too far from here."  (Randolph)

"Okay."  (Melanie, in a soft voice that I've never heard her speak in, before)

"Oops, I almost forgot."  (China)

"I promised Taylor I would call and say goodnight."  (China)

"I said my goodnights before I left.  Tonight it's all about me."  (Sylvia)

"Okay, it's time to blow this joint.  We need to find a place where there are some available men."  (Sharmaine) 

"Let me finish my drink, first."  (Chandra)

Epilogue

1.  Randolph is a President Obama head sculpt.  It doesn't really look like President Obama to me.  He actually resembles my father, which is why I named him Randolph.  My dad's name was George Randolph, Jr.  This guy really doesn't look like a George.

2.  This is Randolph and Melanie's third date.  They met at a conference in Washington, DC.  Melanie is totally smitten with him, but she's trying to play it cool.  He is a divorcee, just like her, and he has a couple of kids.