Janus pulled her cape up just a notch and slid a glass down to the other end of the bar. Grinning, she shook her head allowing her hair to fall like Garbo.
Sherman stood between the bar, and the table where Charles' sat, carrying a tray in his hands and he cried," You know, Janus one day that glass in going to crash and burn."
"Not a chance, Sherman. It's been ten years and it hasn't even fallen yet."
Sherman smiled at Charles and whispered, "She has the confidence of a fourteen year old and the brains of one too."
"She is very sexy though, no?" Charles said, taking a sip of coffee, and griming at Sherman.
Sherman stood just above Charles' table and said," I used to think so. When she first started, but it wears off fast, wears a little thin. Everything about her is just a little too exaggerated. Can I get you a refill, Charles?"
"Sure, thank you, Sherman. But you must admit she is good looking."
"I guess, I guess," Sherman said as he stepped away.
Charles sat stirring a spoon in his cup when they spotted Ryan leaving the kitchen carrying a large paper bag.
That's when Ryan felt Charles' eyes grazing against his skin and he said, "Oh it's just some extra meat I'm taking home because there's no room in the freezer."
That was all Charles had to hear. He thought how good the meat would fit in his empty belly and he said. "Well you don't have to explain it to me, Ryan. I hardly noticed it."
Ryan's eyebrows rose, "Really? It seems to me you can't take your eyes off this bag, Charlie."
"Charles is my name, and I'm afraid you're wrong."
In that instant Janus called from the bar, "Hey, Charles, how's about something a little stronger? Let me get you a nice gin and tonic?"
The many silver brackets on her hands jingled as she began mixing the drink before Charles had a chance to respond.
"Yes, have yourself a drink, Charles. I hear gin is good for the eyes," Ryan said, still hovering about Charles.
"Don't you have to take that meat to your car?"
Charles was still glaring at Ryan when Janus arrived with a tray holding a gin and tonic on top.
"Here you go, Charles, and it will hardly cost you a thing. You can have it at our reduced fare for our very important customers."
Charles became flustered because he assumed the drink would be free since Janus offered it. Why she practically insisted he have it. He was at a loss. How would he pay even a reduced fee? He smiled at Janus as she set the drink in his hand.
"Thanks, Janus. I appreciate that," he said trying to hold on to his smile. Then he continued as he reached into his jacket pocket," Hmmm I'm afraid I don't have any cash on me right now."
Ryan smirked, "That's okay we take plastic, Charles."
Then too their surprise, because they hadn't noticed Sherman had returned, Sherman's voice sprang from behind, "That is quite all right, Charles. It's after hours this drink is on the house."
"Saved by the bell huh, Charles?" Ryan said as he stepped away, carrying the bag under his arms, walking in a mocking over-cautious manner as if he were a zombie on helium.
Sherman sighed, and Janus laughed, "don't mind him, every place has got at least one of him."
