(no subject)

[mnt_mike]

Today finds Mike situated in his favorite spot by Bar, playing the guitar. Those of you familiar with the musical stylings of Ani DiFranco will recognize the tune he's attempting to master as Swan Dive.

Comments

[daringyoungman]

Dick is not familiar with the musical stylings of Ani Difranco.

But he is familiar with the milkshake stylings of Bar.

With an empty glass in his hand, he drops down from the rafters like a monkey descending from a higher branch, and lands on three points on Bar herself.

"Can I have another one?"

He's not talking to Mike on this. Mike is just there.

[mnt_mike]

There's a half-fraction of a second where Mike tenses, half expecting the lithe shape descending from the rafters to be X, and for this to be some sort of sneak attack training. It's only the jolt shared between him and Bar when the three-point landing is stuck that shakes him out of it.

He might not be talking to Mike, but Mike will be answering for Bar anyway.

"She wants me to suggest something else from her wide and varied selection of delectables."

[daringyoungman]

Dick looks at Bar, questioningly - does this idiot really speak for you?, and when a milkshake fails to appear, he looks at Mike accusingly why can't I have a milkshake?

"Like what?"

[mnt_mike]

"Well," he says shifting the guitar in his hands so as to begin playing again. "She's thinking something along the lines of a tuna-fish, lettuce, and cucumber sandwich with a side of apple slices washed down with a glass of milk."

[daringyoungman]

Dick gives him a skeptical look. But he considers the prospect of a tuna fish sandwich, and finds it acceptable.

"Okay."

He didn't realize that's what he wanted.

[mnt_mike]

"See?" he says in Bar's direction. "Was that so hard? All you had to do was ask."

A few seconds later exactly what Mike suggested appears before Dick.

[daringyoungman]

Dick picks up the plate the glass and, holding the glass in one hand, balances the plate on his forearm. He looks up at the rafters thoughtfully, which then becomes longingly when he realizes he's not going to be able to make it with both things.

Sighing, he sits down where he is and starts eating.

This means he's sitting down on Bar's top.

[mnt_mike]

"Probably a good idea," Mike offers without being asked. "I'm not saying it's impossible to make a jump like that with your arms fully loaded, but that it's really not worth the risk."

He continues to strum at the strings of the guitar.

[daringyoungman]

Dick is taking a mouthful of juice, above which he glares at Mike before bringing the glass down.

"I could do it."

[herr_bookman]

Autor strolls towards the bar today, nose in a book, knuckles somewhat split. He plops himself on a stool and pats the top in greeting. "Tea, please."

A glance at Mike firmly places him in the category of, 'half-drowned out crooner regrettably attempting to break his guitar.'

[mnt_mike]

Much like in the link, Mike messes up the song...laughs, and then starts over.

A lemon appears on Bar's top close to where he's sitting.

"Ha ha, very funny."

[herr_bookman]

"Why a lemon?" the kid asks, without glancing up from his book.

He has, however, managed to give Mike a little bit of a closer look, and adds, laughs easily, and sort of a goofball? to the growing list of characteristics.

[mnt_mike]

"Where I'm from lemons are kind of synonymous for terrible things. Which is kind of unfair to the lemon, because lemons are delicious."

[herr_bookman]

The right side of Autor's lip quirks, a half-smirk as quick as a hummingbird's wing.

"I don't think the lemon objects to Bar's using it as commentary," he says, paging through his book. He's not even reading it at this point. Hilarious, accurate commentary. "What are you doing to that guitar, anyway?"

[mnt_mike]

"It's only a matter of time until one does," he says with forboding in his voice.

Mike continues to pick at the strings the way Ani does.

"...playing it?"

[herr_bookman]

Autor holds up a finger, ready to object, but then drops it. "I'd like to say you're wrong about that, but this is Milliways. I never know what might show up."

He finally sets his book down, blinking. "And what? I've heard guitars played before, and that is not playing," he says. "That's stretching the strings out. Or something."

[mnt_mike]

"It's a kind of playing. It's certainly more stylized than say something like this."

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy had accidentally dozed off on a sofa, and awakes to the sound of chords.

He sits up, his hair sticking up even more wildly than usual at the back, and peers over.

It's kind of catchy. He'd be tempted to jam along if he knew it.

[mnt_mike]

He begins to hum along with his playing. Sometimes it's the lyrical part, other times it's the horn section accompaniment.

[guppy_sandhu]

After a while, Guppy tries to tap a drum solo on the table.

[mnt_mike]

Mike reacts to the percussion accompaniment more than he hears it, and he alters his playing to follow the rhythm.

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy tries to keep to the beat, and looks around for potential percussion items.

Which is how he ends up tapping on an ashtray slightly too hard, and inadvertently flicking a slice of discarded lemon on the other side of it into his face.

"Ick!"

[mnt_mike]

That sound you've just heard is totally not Mike laughing at your expense, Guppy. It...it was a trick of the wind, or possibly Loompas, or even maybe Angels bowling.

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy flicks the lemon off his face, where it drops unceremoniously onto the crotch of his trousers, leaving a soggy mark.

"... This'd be one of those moments when Fran says she can't take me anywhere." he notes, getting up and going to the bar for a napkin. He does however give Mike a sheepish grin at his own expense. "Hey Mike. Nice jamming there."

[mnt_mike]

"I know the feeling," he says sympathetically.

Because...Mike can't be taken anywhere either.

"Why thank you, Doc. I've been trying to keep a schedule of practice up."
Mike gives the guitar a strum for emphasis.