Machine masquerading as a man (Marcus's memories)

[anewhero]

 That sound tells us apart
'Cause I'm a machine myself
But I'm one with a working heart.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Song is Garth Brooks- Man vs Machine)

Marcus could be seen at the bar tinkering with a old radio system in the back with the electrical cords. He smiled once it was fixed and he began to tune it. 

The radio began to play "Garth Brooks- Man vs Machine"

Marcus began to hum along a bit..

He wouldn't dare to be caught singing.

Bartending was hard work, his first happy hour and there was already a brief fight between two patrons and many broken glasses. 

Comments

[7twistedwishes]

After the first song ends, the next is Sister Hazel - Change Your mind; in counterpoint, the tap and click of high heels can be heard, low and approaching that part of the main room.

"Oh, that is my song," said a pretty woman in a red dress, pausing to listen and flash a bright smile at Marcus.

[anewhero]

Marcus looked up and blinked, he was wearing a plain tshirt and had a few tools on the bar. "I fixed a old radio in the back. It works just like new."

Marcus had to grin a bit and nods "So this is your song? Ah.. Glad everyone has a mixed taste around here. I tend to go for a little of everything these days.. The last song's lyrics reminded me a bit of myself."

[7twistedwishes]

If you want to be somebody else,
If you're tired of fighting battles with yourself
If you want to be somebody else
Change your mind...

"That is advice I give people from time to time... nobody listens, but..." the woman grinned, offering the man a hand. "I'm The Devil."

[anewhero]

Marcus was cautious, very cautious. Why would the Devil approach him of all people?

His machine eyes tried to study the woman or in this case, the devil's body language. It was just him and her right now and he felt his hairs on the back of his neck prickle up."

The music that was playing reminded him of himself too much, his past, his present, his future.

It's almost like the woman himself had studied him from Hell below.

"Why Approach me?!"

[7twistedwishes]

The Devil stood there, with a quizzical expression and hand still extended. "Did the Rules suddenly change, and people are going to be scared of myself all over again?"

She did seem honestly saddened, but not angry.

[anewhero]

Marcus frowned "In my world, we believed in this stuff. Judgement Day, you, God, etc... Whatever you needed to know.."

"Plus, you almost need to be weary of the Devil you know... especially if they show up right in front of you."

[7twistedwishes]

"Oh, most Earth worlds have that... Genesis, the Old Testament, children being slaughtered by bears for making fun of a prophet's bald head, the Lamb of God, Revelation and so on and on" she drew back her not-accepted hand. "But you are in a bar that exists outside of time and space, and you believe I approached you out of anything but a pure bit of coincidence?"

"If you wish to know, I was on my way to the restrooms" she pointed the doors "to retouch my make-up."

[anewhero]

Marcus smirked "Maybe, Maybe so.. Anything can happen these days."

But the way she worded that she was going to the restroom to put make-up on made him feel guilty. Terminators can't feel guilt, right?

"Bathrooms, that way.. Sorry.."

Marcus was hiding a lot of things he didn't want found out and he was keeping his mouth shut.

"You... look nice in a dress though.."

Though it took him back to another woman...

[7twistedwishes]

That bit made her actually smile. "Oh, does that mean you're not disappointed that I do not have horns and a tail and goat legs?" she turned around slowly, posing for him to be admired.

"I like this dress... shows off some of my best attributes."

[anewhero]

"I'm not disappointed at all.. You look.. great.."

Red matches your eyes, brings out the anger in you.

[7twistedwishes]

That made her puzzle again. "Anger? I do not think I am angry, honey. Maybe you mean, the Wrath in me?"

"It is one of the Seven Deadly Sis, but not one of the most fun... Wrath can be really exhausting." Quite.

[anewhero]

Yes... Yes.. that.. It brings out the Wrath in you... "

Marcus grits his teeth and tries to snap himself back into reality "Yeah, you're beautiful and good looking.. but I... gotta go... "

.. Yeah... I mean I gotta find someone, that's right."

[7twistedwishes]

"Oh. Well, I'm not going to keep you, sir..." The Devil gave a nod and smile, continuing on her way. "Have a nice evening"

[thewidewideworld]

There's a man sitting in a couch nearby, lost in a book. He looks as if he was once very beautiful but tide and time have taken their toll. Right now, he looks thin, pale and tired.

He sings softly, absently, as if he hasn't even noticed he's doing it. Not the proper words but something that sounds right. For all his ruination, his voice is high, pure and beautiful.