Well Hello There
The next couple of days passed without aliens, jerks, or clam chowder. It was uneventful and boring, if you ask me. Maxwell wasn’t communicating with the microwave when I came into work Friday morning, but the microwave seemed happier than usual, beeping cheerfully away. I frowned at it, but it didn’t seem to care.
I spent most of Saturday morning sleeping in, followed by some serious coffee-fueled computer gaming. Once the afternoon began to turn towards evening, I needed to head out, maybe see some friends and get some dancing in.
But first – of course – wine.
A good group of folk began arriving, but I knew better than to leave a nice glass of wine lonely.
The DJ was fantastic tonight. None of my usual friends showed up, but I had a good time with those who were here. I headed back to the bar for another drink, to find that there’d been a shift change during my workout on the dance floor. And that’s when I met….
Aiden.
Sigh. Oh… Aiden.
Aiden Stone is a smart and funny man. We spoke and joked for about an hour, and got to know each other well. Just then Sergio’s roommate (or brother? I never figured that out) Joaquin suggested a trip out to the Ruins, as he’d heard there was a huge party going down.
Of course there was. Didn’t this happen last week? I should just start off at the ruins and save myself the time and cab fare. But then I wouldn’t have met… oh.
I was torn. Aiden had just started his shift, so he couldn’t leave. But I really wanted to dance, and there were other … “customers” or whatever demanding Aiden’s attention (the nerve of them!). We traded phone numbers, I promised to call him, and I somewhat reluctantly headed out with the gang.
I’m glad I did. I’ll call Aiden, but I really needed to get out and jump with my friends. Caitlyn was at the Ruins, and was I happy to see her.
I hadn’t noticed at first, but Sergio had come down as well. I think he was trying to get my attention, but I spent the night completely ignor…. I spent the night pretending to completely ignore him, while ensuring that he knew that I was doing so. I’m certain it worked.
I’m having fun and you’re not involved, you jerk.
He went all “grr”-like at one point, but Caitlyn threatened him with a carefully raised eyebrow.
He eventually gave up.
Most of the original group had given up by that time as well. Caitrin was getting a second wind after a nap, and her friend Carla came down to join us. Carla seemed like a good sort, and we got along well right away. I think she needed to get out for a fun night.
There was suddenly a strange light off on the horizon. Were the aliens coming out to dance? That would be fantas… oh, it’s the dawn. We’d been up all night.
… when suddenly…
“Greetings!”, says I. “Welcome to our planet! My name is Jeanette!”
<ZOINK> His name is Maxwell. I kid you not; Maxwell.
We both thought it was funny. Caitlyn was depressed, the aliens never showed up while she was testing the wormhole, and nobody had ZOINKed her anything. I think she really wants a good ZOINKing.
Malcolm tried explaining the concept of duck and marshmallow aspic to the guy… (I think he’s a guy…), but it didn’t quite translate properly.
But, he got up and headed over to the lab’s fridge. I did have to quickly steer him away from the lab’s other fridge, the one with all the experiments… or … hold on. I think I sent him… no, I’m sure it’s fine.
I got in line to book a table, and the place started filling up.
I mean, it’s like everyone arrived at the restaurant at exactly the same time. Odd.
Anyway, we ordered and had a good chat. Maybe, Serge isn’t such a twerp after all.
I was telling Sergio about my day at the lab, explaining a little bit about my latest experiments, when he stood up suddenly.
“I mean, I um… I need to…”
