Happy Hour!

[collects_ears]

George Cooper.

Tending Bar.

He makes a couple of quick additions to the Specials Board and then announces:

"Tonight's drinks are; Gentleman's Club , Gila Monster, Gingerbread Man #2 and Godchild .."

"What'll it be?"

Comments

[collects_ears]

"Yes. You can't get more technical than that.." he drawls.

He even manages to keep a straight face as he says it.

Mostly.

".. and now, to segue away from this deeply intellectual discussion on the inherent nature of the cookie - how are you, Miss Penelope Clearwater?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_clearly_penny_/]

Penelope grins.

She finds his segues smooth.

Er.

Sort of.

"I am doing a good deal better these days, Mr. George Cooper." Another bright smile. "You may or may not be pleased to know that I am no longer stuck here, and may come and go as I please."

[collects_ears]

Reeeeaally.

That opens up a whole slew of new possibilities now, doesn't it.

He smiles gets just a little bit wider.

"Congratulations are in order then. Don't mind me, I'll just use them to smother my own personal distress at the potential loss of your company. But never you mind about that.." He winks. "I shall simply have to find a way to console myself.."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_clearly_penny_/]

Penelope laughs.

"I'm sure you're positively heartbroken."

Then she glances from side to side and leans in conspiratorially.

"You know ... I hear that alcohol is a great help to men in your position."

[collects_ears]

His smile falters. Just a tiny bit.

She might not even have noticed.

He feigns shock.

"Really? I don't know how on earth that never occurred to me.."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_clearly_penny_/]

She might notice something-- but it's not really enough to make much fuss over.

Smiling (and not unkindly, really), Penelope taps the countertop with her fingers.

"Sometimes the best solution is not the most obvious," she says solemnly.

[collects_ears]

"Thank you, wise teacher." he says gravely.

Well. Sort of.

"I am humbled by your wisdom.."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_clearly_penny_/]

Penelope sticks out her tongue at him.

"That was my clever way of asking for a drink."

A frown.

"Though I suppose you can't have one, if you're on the job. That more or less defeats the purpose of the consoling bit, doesn't it?"

[collects_ears]

He smacks his forehead.

"Of course! See, you were being clever.. I was simply being thick and failed to notice. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

He winks at her.

"What drink strikes your fancy tonight?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_clearly_penny_/]

She smiles.

"I think I just might be able to. But only because you're being charming."

A dubious glance at the specials.

"Do you suppose I can be daring and stray from the menu?"

[collects_ears]

He smiles. "Order whatever you like.."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_clearly_penny_/]

"In which case ..."

Look out, drinks of the world.

"I think I'd like a chai tea, if you don't mind. With soy instead of milk."

[collects_ears]

"Done and done."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_clearly_penny_/]

Penelope reaches out to take the mug, breathing in the scent of soy milk and spices with a smile.

An experimental sip, and the smile grows.

"Perfect."

[collects_ears]

"As ever, I aim to please." He smiles.

"So have you given some thought as to what you'd like to do with your newfound freedom?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_clearly_penny_/]

She smiles back at him.

"I think I've been rather too caught up in the novelty of it to make any specific plans."

Another sip of chai, and then a mischievous grin.

"Why? Have you got any ideas?"

[collects_ears]

He blinks.

"No specific ideas to speak of..."

None that he's willing to admit to anyway.

"..But give me some time and I'm sure I can come up with something.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_clearly_penny_/]

Penelope drinks sedately.

"I'm a patient sort of person."

[collects_ears]

Mean, mean thing.

"..I get that impression." he says, biting back a smile.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_clearly_penny_/]

If Penelope had a sickle for every time someone's thought that about her ...

She just smiles.

"I suppose it means I'm living up to my namesake."

[collects_ears]

"How so?" he asks curiously.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_clearly_penny_/]

... Oh. That's right.

Not everybody's heard the story.

"I was named after an ancient Greek queen," Penelope explains. "There's a myth about her-- how she waited for twenty years for her husband to return from war, and then from a really dreadful sea voyage."

A wry smile.

"There's also a bit where she outwits a slew of suitors, but most people choose to remember the patience."

[collects_ears]

He listens attentively. George loves a good story.

"Really? Fascinating.. I'd love to read this story myself, at some point."

He grins - just a little embarrassed at the eagerness in his voice.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_clearly_penny_/]

She smiles back, almost a little shyly-- most people aren't half so interested by the story of her name.

"There's an entire book about it, actually, if you're interested," she tells him. "The Odyssey."