Collaboration between Grim327 and Ghost Shadow
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[i] Kinda surprised she forgot her phone, figured a girl like that would have her phone beside her 24/7.[/i] Jake thought to himself as he pulled up into Granny's. He was met with the sight of a rather busy, lunch-rush establishment, "And I picked a good time to bring it back," he said with a sigh. People were continously walking in and out of the restaruant as he reached the door. With a couple of "excuse me's" he made it in. [i]Might as well grab a bite to eat.[/i]

Jake looked for an open seat, but his search came to no avail. He did however, see a man sitting in a booth by himself. "What the hell?" he mumbled to know one in particular. Jake made his way to the booth and slunk into the side opposite the man. "Hey, sorry buddy. Hope you don't mind, there weren't any open seats. Jake quickly looked over his booth-mate, a rather short fellow and broad-shouldered. Well-toned and tanned. He looked familiar, "Mark, right?"

Mark looked up to see the bartender, Jake Frosburn sit down across from him. "Yes, nice to meet you." He replied, though he sounded anything *but* pleased to meet the man across from him. 

"Place is crowded - too crowded." He observed in an almost sullen manner, veiling it with indifference. He reached into the interior pocket of his jacket, removing a pill bottle from it. Without even bothering to look again at Jake, he opened the bottle and dabbled out two round pills into his hand; promptly downing them with a sip of his iced tea, clearing his throat as he closed and put the bottle back in his coat, eyes landing again on Jake. "Something catch your eye?" He asked in an [i]almost[/i] suspicious manner. 

"Nah, not really. Though the waitress is rather cute," he said, hinting towards Ruby. "And you're right, this place [i] is [/i] too crowded. I bet they're breaking fire code." A waitress besides Ruby came up, and took his order for drink, a simple coke. "So what are you having for lunch, friend?" He asked while grabbing the menu, "I'm not too sure what I'm in the mood for." 

"She's not worth it." Mark replied bluntly to Jake's observation at Ruby's attractiveness, the former obviously not enticed by her appearance. "Fire code is nothing to make jokes about, Mr. Frostburn-" Mark began seriously, though his tone was almost conversational and informative. "-Have you ever had an entire building full of people trying to get out, only to have them clamber over each other in a panic and burn alive? I'm having the hamburger, by the way." He added, as if he hadn't even mentioned infernal burning. 

Jake knew Mark was being very serious with that commment, but he wasn't about to let Mark bring him down. "No I haven't, and I hope I don't have to. And I'm sorry if you ever did. However, neither of us are working right now, and can try to forget about all the stuff that keeps us awake at night. You said the burger? Hmm, sounds good enough to me. Guess I'll have the same." The waitress returned with Jake's drink and grabbed their orders, "Excuse me miss, if you can, tell Ruby that I've got something of hers. The name's Jake by the way." The waitress gave a quick nod and set about her business. "So Mark, how [i] are [/i] you doing on this fine-feathered day?":

"Fine. Had to rescue a...boy from the mines." Mark said, his tone almost going soft at the mention of Mason. 

"The child was unharmed - just frightened. He...[i]needed[/i] someone." Mark added in an almost confused tone, scratching the back of his head. "I think the mayor has him now..." 

"Hmm, not sure if that's a blessing or curse. . . the mayor having him I mean." He added. "Yeah, I heard about the mine's. Some tough shit, man. Glad you and the kid made it. I guess now you don't have to worry about him. . . I think. But enough about work. Like I said, we're at lunch, one of the only times we don't have to wrry about it. There anything else going on? Catch the game last weekend, played the next shooter. . . get laid?"

"Hmm." Mark noised thoughtfully, his tone almost becoming affable as he spoke, [i]almost[/i]. "I had to take Grip to the veterinarian to get his check-up and shots, then I had to pick up a few groceries from the store - including a new prescription of OxyContin, then..." He stopped suddenly, as if thinking deeply for a moment before continuing, "I saw Mr. Gold in the forests on my way back from a camping trip." He added, his tone turning irritable once again. 

"Hmm, interesting, "Jake said, though he was lying, " Mr. Gold huh? I wonder what that guy would want out in the middle of nowhere." Jake took a sip from his drink before continuing, "So what kind of dog do you have? [i] Jesus Ruby, where the hell are you? Save me from this tortous bordom [/i]

Mark took a moment to take another drink from his iced tea. "Grip's a German Shepherd...had him as long as I can remember. Probably my best friend." He added with what could be [i]deciphered[/i] as a smile, but on Mark looked...quite frightening. "Tell me, Mr. Frostburn? Do you like dogs?" He asked, his tone almost interrogative and accusational. 

"Sure, though to be honest, I can't remember the last time I had one. I think my parents said it was too much responsibilty or something like that. I guess I could always get one, but I just don't have the time to take care of him. And you can call me Jake by the way, I'm not [i] that [/i] old."

Ruby quickly arrived at the table with a refill for Mark’s iced tea that he hadn’t even asked for. One could say that she must have been observant, but one look at her would say otherwise. Chest heaving just slightly underneath her new wardrobe of clothes that [i]didn’t[/i] sell her out; the lack of lipstick and [i]heavy[/i] eyeliner and short shorts, an apron actually doing its job rather than being put on as a fashion statement…Ruby looked like a real waitress, her hair in tangled knots in various places to prove to the fact that today had indeed been very busy.

“Here you go Mark, no charge. It’s gonna be a bit on those burgers boys, sorry.” She said, shooing the both of them an apologetic look before looking to Jake specifically.

“Ashley said you had something for me?” She asked, blinking a few times to keep her tired eyelids open. She couldn’t even remember the fact that he still had her cellphone.

Jake gave Ruby a "Thank Christ, you're here" look, "Hey Ruby, and yes I do." Jake quickly pulled out her phone from his pocket and placed it on the table, "You left this in my car when I dropped you off. Figured it would be a good idea if I returned it. Don't worry, I didn't go looking through it or anything. All your little secrets are still safe. And it's alright about those burgers, Mark and I are having a [i] lavishing [/i] conversation, aint that right, buddy?"

Mark looked up as Ruby attended the table, a look of genuine shock on his face at her radical change of appearance and disposition. "Oh, why, thank you." He said sincerely, if not gratefully; his surprised expression turning to one of impressed acceptance. 

However, his light expression dropped as Jake called him 'buddy'. "I wouldn't call it lavishing." He remarked bluntly, but not rudely - simply stating it how it was as he took another drink of his tea, wincing sharply as he felt a sudden pain in his shoulder, forced to take one more pill from his coat pocket before looking somewhat normal again. 

Ruby beamed, taking the phone from Jake with a very quick 'thank you' and pocketed it into her jean pants. Usually, she would have opted to stick around and chat, pretending to be a third person to their lunch-date rather than a waitress but the bell from the front door chimed again, and Ruby watched as four more people squoze their way in.

"Sorry, I'll be right back with those burgers." She said, putting her hand on Jake's shoulder and giving him a small, reassuring squeeze before hustling over to clean off a small table, hoping she could squeeze four people there.

"Thanks, Ruby." Jake said as she walked away. "And nonsense, my good fellow. Talks of canines, pills, and old men in the woods is quite rivetting!" Jake replied to Mark with unscrupulous amount of sarcasm. Jake turned serious, however, soon after, "Look man, I'll be honest, you're drier than a nun's vag in the desert. Whatever made you that way, I'm sorry, but you gotta do something about it. Tell you what, the next time you have a night off, hit me up. You need a good night of fun."

Mark exhaled deeply and began to chuckle, not a friendly, amused chuckle - but one that almost bade a warning. "And I'm going to be honest with you--" he leaned in slowly, "I. Don't. Like. People. Especially jumped-up punks like you who think you can change me because I'm "uncool", or, as you so put, "dry". I came here to grab lunch and leave, not converse. Are we clear?" He finished, his eyes narrowed coldly. 

"And I came here to drop off a phone. Not even grab lunch! But fate decided different. If I insulted you, I'm sorry, but somebody had to tell you the truth. You're also a firemen for christ's sake. If you didn't like people, you would be shut in your house all day playing video games and eating chips. Not very many people have the balls, courage, and intestinal fortitude to do your job on a daily basis. All I'm saying is that you need to balance your life out a little. Have a little bit of fun, meet folks. . . have a LIFE. Don't just wake up and do the same routine day-in and day-out." Jake took a deep breath before finishing, "However, whatever I say doesn't mean you have to do it, or are even gonna do it. You're a grown-ass man that knows himself. I'm just trying to help a fellow out is all."

Mark sighed again, seeming to calm down slightly. "For as long as I can remember, I've been alone - and I'm alright with that. I don't need anything else. So thank you for your offer - but no." He repeated, this time sounding more level-headed and neutral. 

"I apologize for my behavior, Mr. Frostburn." He started again suddenly, ignoring Jake's plea to use his first name. "My...shoulder's been bothering me especially more today, it grants negative implications on my behavior." He finished in a tone that was sincere, if not collected and barely emotional. 

Jake sighed himself, "If that's your stance then so be it, I won't try to push the envelope, just remember the offer will always stand." Jake looked at his watch, before returning his gaze to Mark, "Look can you apologize to the waitress for me? I gotta run and won't be able to eat lunch." Jake stood up from the booth, pulled out a twenty dollar bill and placed it on the bill, "Consider your lunch paid. See it as an apology for [i] my [/i] behavior." He took a couple of steps before turning around, "Oh, again, it's just Jake." With that, he pivoted back towards the exit and returned to his vehicle.