Better Than A Broad

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    He is what some would call a yuppie. It isn't old money either. He is headstrong. It took him only three years to get where he is on the bustling corporate ladder. Idolized, despised, memorized, glorified, and recognized: it is all him. He doesn't take himself too seriously, either. He is the perfect man, the one all the woman want. The one they would set aside everything else for. He is the guy of their dreams. They are out of luck; however, because he isn't the guy looking for any of the girls. But, shhhh, no one knows that. He is Daniel James Howell.

Then there is the guy Mr. Howell is making heart eyes at. The goofy bartender at the bar Dan goes to when he gets a drink with the guys. When he shows how much he is a business man who makes business man jokes and drinks business man drinks. The bartender is the one that makes Dan want to go to small cafes and obsess over stupid TV shows. Dan, being two steps ahead of everything at all times, has his entire life planned out with this man. He would build a strong enough relationship with him to a party at his own home. He'll do this by small talk and bar banter. Then, if that party goes well he'll ask him to lunch, with a small group of friends. These will continue until he finally asks him to a movie. Then the final pre-romantic relationship step, they will kiss outside of the bartender's duplex. This bartender, Philip Michael Lester, will be the man of Dan's dreams.

Dan sets his laptop on the cold, glass table. All the sober faces look back at him with a hint of disdain. He knows the majority of them don't want to be here. He realizes that the ones that don't look as if they want to commit homicide and/or suicide are just kissing his ass. He understands that this last minute brainstorm made everyone's day worse. But, the last product they pitched was too similar to a competitor's and they do have a deadline to reach.

His company has monopoly on video streaming, web browsing, email, and so much more. Meaning, he can't slip up or he will lose everything. There is so much stress put on him it's a miracle that he hasn't lost it and fallen into a dark hole of existentialism. But he's strong.

He's able to get this far this fast; so, what can he not do?

At the end of the meeting he watches everyone file out of the door to get back to their boring jobs. "Hey, Dan," the last employee to get to the door calls, "Wanna go get drinks with some of the guys?"

This was routine, every Friday PJ would ask him to go out. Almost like a celebration of some sorts for getting through the week. "Sure," Dan replied nonchalantly. He wasn't excited about going out at first. That was, until he realized that he could start putting him plan into action. He can finally begin to get that relationship he always wanted.

"Well, would you look at that broad?" PJ said looking at a lady sitting a few yards away.

"Please, never say 'broad' ever again." Chris retorts while looking at his bourbon.

"Oh, don't be so negative," Evan commented while taking a photo of the fairy lights. This was usually how it was on nights out. They would either bicker or ask each other stupid questions. Yet, one thing was out of the ordinary. Dan wasn't doing much talking at all. His focus is slipping and out of the conversation. There were a few key words that grabbed his attention. It's like someone was pressing ctrl + F in his mind.

"I think I'm going to talk to that bartender," Chris stated casually. That caught Dan's attention. He swung his head around to see which bartender he was talking about. There sometimes was another bartender on duty when Dan was there. But because the pub was understaffed, the other employee often changed. A wave of relief hit Dan. There was a short female bartender working alongside Phil. Dan can't have anyone taking Phil before he does.

Dan gets up and says in an apathetic voice, "I'm going to go grab some drinks."

As Dan gets closer to Phil he collects himself to the best of his abilities. He sat down on one of the stools and raised his hand half-heartedly to get Phil's attention. Phil walks up to Dan and asks coldly, "What will it be?"

"Bloody Mary, please." This is it. This is the beginning of Dan's dream development. "Slower night, eh?" He didn't know how else to begin.

"Yeah, pretty odd. Friday nights are usually the busiest." He still had an edge to his voice. Dan was going to have to sand that down.

Dan couldn't wait. He had to get the information he needed to continue on as soon as possible. "At least you won't have to come home to your girlfriend all worn out."

"Actually, I don't play for that team." Yes! Fireworks were being set inside of head. That was the make-or-break moment and it ended well. He really did have a chance now.

Dan's excitement must've shown on his face because Phil chuckled, "I take it that's what you wanted to hear."

Dan just blushes and admitted, "Guilty as charged."

"My shift ends at 10:00. There's a 24 hour diner across the street. Let's meet up there."

"Deal. See you there."