The Dating Game [Barry Berkman]

Gin Tonic

"I'll leave you alone in a few minutes.", Mia jumped off of the couch towards her room and Tara just watched her curiously.

"Where you goin?"

"Date."

"That old guy you talked about?"

"Maybe."

Tara just nodded and shrugged her shoulders, grabbing a handful of chips again.

"Don't get murdered.", she said with her mouth full.

"Not every man is an assassin, Tara."

"Still too risky, that's why I date girls."

Mia chuckled and changed into a nice black jeans, a casual blouse and some boots that made her a little taller. She rushed to the bathroom and checked her make-up. It was still fine so she just reapplied some mascara and rouge.

She didn't know why she said she would be there in 20 minutes when it at least took her twenty minutes to go there. Probably so she couldn't go crazy and back out. It was working, she left the apartment after 7 minutes which meant she would still be a few minutes late but he had to deal with that.

After 30 minutes total she stood in front of the bar, which had a red neon sign saying Residuals, and took a deep breath. Don't make a fool out of yourself, she thought.

She opened the heavy door and looked around. The bar wasn't that big. He said that he was sitting at the bar, so she headed straight towards it. She eyed a few guys who were sitting at the bar until she spotted him. Tall guy with brown hair, typing on his phone and drinking his beer, an extra gin tonic next to him. He actually looked like his tinder picture, like exactly. Did he just took that here? Whatever.

She walked towards him and felt how fucking nervous she was.

"Hi there!", she said while climbing awkwardly onto the bar chair. How are you supposed to sit on these chairs if you're not at least 5'7".

He turned at her a little surprised and smiled when his eyes meet hers.

"Oh my gosh, you came.", he blurted out.

She laughed and nodded, "Of course."

"Yeah, sorry I never did this before.", he blushed, scratching the back of his head.

"Meeting people?", she joked.

"No! I do meet people!", he tried to defend himself which made her laugh even more.

"It was a joke, Barry."

"Oh.", he laughed embarrassed.

There it was. His smile. She wished he would smile like that the whole time.

"Here's your Gin Tonic! Nice you're here.", he gave her her drink and held his beer in front of her in order to chink glasses.

She already knew she wouldn't regret this. He was too nervous himself in order to be an assassin or whatever. He was cute and genuinely nice. Who cares, if he's 15 years older. But... maybe she should tell him at least.

"So I wanna play with open cards. I know my profile says I'm 25. I'm not.", she said and his eyes grew a little concerned as he looked at that drink in her hand.

"Oh, no don't worry, I'm 22.", she smiled and hoped that it wasn't that big of a deal.

"I- yeah I mean what can I say that makes me just wonder even more why you would meet up with me but I don't think that's a problem you're pretty cool.", he smiled, sipping his drink.

"See. It's no big deal, why would I care that you're 37 you're pretty cool yourself, Barry!", she smiled and nudged his shoulder.

"Yeah about that...", he scratched the back of his head again. That seemed to be a habit of his.

"Don't say you're also 22!", she joked.

He laughed and shook his head, "God I wish. I would've done a lot differently. No I'm- I'm actually-", he stuttered.

"You know what I don't even care how old you are, you want another drink? This one's on me!", she interrupted him and downed the rest of her drink.

He looked at her confused and nodded. Maybe she was right. Maybe it just wasn't important.

"I'll take another beer but I can't let you pay, you're a student.", he insisted.

"Don't be like that. I want to pay, let me pay.", she smiled.

He wanted to disagree with her again but then decided to respect her decision. He can't control everyone and what they're doing. He just nodded and chugged down the rest of his beer as well.

"Now let's talk about your acting career.", she smiled and looked at him sincerely interested. Wow. That was new. Usually the people in LA only talked about themselves.

„Yeah... there's not much to say. I got casted for a role just a few months ago but I didn't get the job. My acting class shut down so all I do Is working at a clothing store right now.", he said.

„So you want to quit acting?", Mia asked curiously.

„No, no I don't think so.", he looked around the bar.

„Why are you not organizing more roles? Like castings and stuff."

„Oh it's not that easy without an agent you know. Anyways what do you study?", he looked back at her and smiled.

They talked about a lot of things, especially when they found out that both of them could do a movie together in the future. Well, only if both of them got famous but it was fun to think about.
They ordered more drinks and a glance on his watch told them that it was past midnight but not nearly late enough to call it a night. Both were kind of tipsy at this point, which made Mia order them a big bottle of water.