Bar Stools

[Sarah Williams]

She smiled when he said a friend would be nice right then, feeling somehow pleased that perhaps she might be able to offer him at least that. She had enjoyed their conversation the week before and she could admit to having given him a passing thought in the days since then. And while her brasher more vain side admitted she was pleased that he had dropped in that evening, it was the fact that he appeared to somewhat trust her despite their brief acquaintance that touched her the most.

The feeling vanished when he stated he felt the need to bloody a man, terminology and a feeling Sarah knew all to well and her eyes narrowed as she watched him. Something had certainly happened since the last time she saw him, something pretty big for him to be grousing around like this when he'd been all smiles and charm days before. "Your girl..." She repeated when he began to explain and she worked to put the pieces together. His girl, the one that had caused a light in his eyes and the softest of smiles on his face when he spoke of her - and who appeared to trample on some rather delicate feelings by the looks of it.

"Did she kiss him back?" Sarah asked, deciding it was better to just get all the facts out now while River was in the mood to share them. It was fair to say that Sarah didn't know River's girl, didn't even have a name and barely even the beginnings of facts about what had happened between her and River - or her and her new boss and snap judgments were doomed for failure from the very beginning. But that didn't stop Sarah from feeling something akin to anger for her newfound, and hurting, friend.

[River Chambers]

His scowl grew and he shook his head before he lifted the glass to his lips once more and swallowed back the dark liquid. He really was going to have to stop drinking soon if he didn't want to pass out where he was sitting. "She said she didn't," He was glad that was the first question Sarah asked him since it had been the first one he'd asked Lucky. At least he didn't have to feel like it was a stupid question.

"But...she's the type who would usually get angry about something like that. Kid was her friend and then he went and kissed her and told her he loved her. But she was upset...or confused...or..." Or a thousand things he didn't even feel like naming. He knew Lucky pretty well, probably better then he knew a lot of his other friends and he could also read her pretty well. This had thrown her but not only because they were friends, there was something else she hadn't told him and that was part of the reason he was drowning his sorrows right now.

"Stupid bastard," He practically growled as he slammed the shot glass back on the counter and poured himself another. "Dirty hands all over my girl," He was mumbling mostly to himself and getting angrier by the moment, but mostly he was getting sloshed and this was not going to be a good night for him. He glanced at Sarah, as if just remembering she was there again and gave her an apologetic look. He barely knew her and here he was unloading his problems on her, but she didn't seem to be taking offense and it made him think even more highly of her.

[Sarah Williams]

"So you think there is more to this whole thing than just an unexpected kiss from an old friend," Sarah surmised, turning the information over in her head as she took another long drag from her cigarette and blew out the smoke with measured precision. It was a fair enough assumption, especially considering how River had explained her to be - and in Sarah's experience instincts were usually spot on when it came to those you loved - even those instincts that you chose to ignore.

"Can I ask you a question?" Sarah asked, half cautiously and half rhetorically, knowing she was going to go right on asking whether he gave his permission or not. River was hurting, that much was clear, and he was also drinking - he'd already downed a few shots in just the few minutes that Sarah had been sitting there - which meant his thoughts weren't nearly that clear at all.

"Would hitting him help?" Sarah almost smiled a little at the question, knowing it probably sounded foolish to River's anger riddled mind. Anger was a funny sort of thing, it could convince you of a string of illogical and ridiculous sorts of solutions for situations that had no real answers - Sarah knew that from her own experience. "I mean, I know that it'll make you feel better," She acknowledged with a wry smile, there would be satisfaction in the pain both in the causing of it and the feeling of it that such an action would create, but it wouldn't make the whole messy situation go away. "But would it change anything? Will it bring your girl back?"

[River Chambers]

He frowned at her words even though they were what had been running through his head since he'd left Lucky earlier. He just hated hearing them aloud, they made the situation much more real to him. River didn't want to be thinking the things he was, but with how long he waited for her to even notice him beyond friendship it was a bit understandable. He'd wanted to be with her since he'd realized how amazing girls were and how she just outshone all of them.

He nodded his head slowly when she asked if she could ask a question. If he wasn't in such a horrible mood, he would probably give her a smartass comment, but he was so he didn't. He was a little apprehensive though on exactly what kind of question she was going to ask so he quickly threw back the shot, but refrained from filling it again. He could feel himself getting a little hazier then he wanted around the edges and that was the last thing he needed.

"Yes," He said it as though she had asked if the sky was below or if the sun would rise tomorrow. It was a fact, hitting him would help because he couldn't very well hit his girlfriend and he wouldn't either. He wasn't the type of man to take any sort of anger out on a woman unless they continuously provoked him. "No it won't change anything but it will make me feel better and that's what I care about right now."

He honestly couldn't care about trying to go about this in a non-violent way. He was too angry to even try and he wouldn't be able to get his point across without throwing a few punches. Nothing was going to change his mind about that. He had too much of Brooklyn in him and although he'd grown a lot and he wasn't the first person to raise his fists in anger he would in a situation like this.

[Sarah Williams]

"And feeling better is all you want right now," Sarah said, her voice holding a tone of knowing as she looked away from River and back behind the bar to the bottles that were the art of Jim's work. Her thoughts were suddenly miles and years away, locked into another time and place when the anger that River felt had been her own - perhaps not for the same reasons, but felt just as real and painfully. "Because the pain is so bad and it cuts so deep that anything to make it go away is better than letting it simmer there beneath your skin," Sarah remembered the feeling well, loathed it as much as she had the moment it had taken over her life when her world had been turned upside down. "Even five minutes to forget about it, to patch the wound, to...to lessen the hurt - it feels like it would be worth it."

She lapsed into silence for a long time, memories that she had buried deep floating to the surface - the sort that she took out on the occasional long night when sleep was elusive and her thoughts her only companion. "It won't help," She said finally, blinking and coming back to the present and the smoky, noisy room of Caprice Hall with River beside her and the reality of her life, of where she was coming to her with the sort of soft pang that only time could create.

"You think it does,"She said softly, flicking ashes from her cigarette and watching them float to the ground and dissipate against the hard wood floor. "For one split second you can hope that everything you're feeling is gone forever because you exacted whatever you revenge you felt was neccessary. But the pain comes back." Her eyes lifted and found his, bleary and almost sad and her heart went out to him. "The pain always comes back."

[River Chambers]

He listened to her quietly as he studied the label of the whiskey bottle sitting in front of him. He wasn't interested in being placated, he was angry and although he appreciated her words they didn't stop him from being angry. He shook his head when she said it wouldn't help. River knew it wouldn't solve all of his problems but it would be a start. Part of him even realized that resorting to physical violence was something he'd moved past, but every time he thought of that guy putting his lips on Lucky his blood started boiling. "It's not about revenge, its about teaching someone a lesson."

He knew Sarah was trying to help, but she didn't understand. Granted he hadn't fully explained the situation so he couldn't expect her too. Her words were helping because he could tell she really meant them, but they weren't effecting him the way he expected she wanted. "Look, I had to see her with another guy for years who treated her like shit and then disappeared on her. I finally convinced her to date me and this guy comes riding back into New York and just thinks he has the right to put his hands all over her."

He slammed his hand on the counter and scowled even more. "He deserves whats coming to him," River said. He may not be absolutely sure he deserved it, but he deserved the chance to give him at least one punch. River ran his hand through his hair, he couldn't go through this again with her and he needed to make sure this kid knew to back off.

[Sarah Williams]

"You do whatever it is you feel you need to do, sugar," Sarah said softly, another wry smile tracing across her features. How well she knew that anger, the single mindedness of it all, the way it ate you alive because it covered the hurt that was underneath. She also knew that despite what she was saying, River wasn't actually hearing much of anything. There was a part of her that wish she could make him see, make him understand that the ache would fade with time, but he wasn't hearing any of her words right now and Sarah remembered what that was like too.

Soothing words of understanding were hardly a salve on an open wound and River's was a fresh as they came, gaping and wide and Sarah could do little to ease any of it for him. So she listened, she let him talk about his girl and some of their history - about the man that had loved his girl once and then left and she could hear the care in his voice and knew that the love was still there, whether he wanted it to be or not.

"I've no doubt he deserves a great many things," Sarah mused, finishing her cigarette and stubbing it out on the bar before grabbing her glass and downing it's contents in a single swig before waving for another round. "Just be careful when you do go see him, huh?" Sarah said, reaching over and touching his chin gently, tilting his head so she could get a better look at him. "Don't want anything happening to that handsome face of yours."

[River Chambers]

River didn't respond to her statement, he was too lost in his thoughts. He didn't understand why this had to happen now. Things were just getting really good for him and this was the last thing he'd expected or wanted. He wasn't usually the type to resort to violence, but he honestly didn't know how else to deal with this situation. Obviously he couldn't just let it go. If he did, it would be like he didn't care, but he did care. That was obviously part of the problem, maybe he cared a little bit too much.

From the way Lucky had reacted when she'd realized he'd planned to go to Brooklyn she didn't seem to expect him to be that angry. Or maybe she had and just hoped it wouldn't happen like that. River wasn't sure what she had expected though when she told him about what had happened. She knew what type of person he was and she must've realized how this would affect him and what his reaction would be.

"I'll be careful," River said as he let out a small chuckle. It was a nice feeling to know that Sarah cared about his well being even if they didn't know each other that well. "Thanks for listening, I know it was probably the last thing you were expecting tonight." Probably the last thing she wanted to do as well, but she wasn't complaining so he was going to take what he could get. "How've you been?" He needed a change of subject just to cool his nerves a bit before he made his way to Brooklyn.

[Sarah Williams]

"That's a good thing too," Sarah said as he promised to be careful and she dropped her hand away and returned it to her glass, taking a sip from her recently refreshed drink. "Because I think I remember certain promises that were made to me about a cup of coffee and a baseball game - I intend to hold you to those." Her voice was light and almost teasing, and there was a layer of truth to her words as well, she hadn't forgotten about things they had talked about in their first meeting. "Especially when it comes to that coffee, promise me the coffee will be soon?"

She allowed his change in subject to drift by her and linger in the air, there was so much that she had left that she could say. So much that she could share with him about losing someone you loved, about the scars that were left behind no matter the reasons that they were gone, but decided that was a conversation best left for another time. When he was in a better place mentally - and she as well since the conversation had thrust her back into doing battle with some familiar and somewhat trying emotions of her own.

"I've been here and there," Sarah said with a smile, pulling out another cigarette and lighting it as she turned on her stool to face him. "But mostly doing the same as when we met, crowds have been rowdier lately." It hardly bothered her, rowdy crowds were something she was used to and there was a part of her that even enjoyed them - the crowd was often what made her chosen lifestyle interesting.

[River Chambers]

River chuckled quietly and nodded his head, "Coffee will be soon. Do you live here? I can come by soon and take you to that shop I was telling you about." He would probably need some time away from the Bronx. He wasn't planning on telling his friends what had happened with Lucky, but considering she was friends with them it was bound to get out sooner or later. He knew when it did he would feel like a fool and he didn't want to see them pitying him, so he'd take some time away from the Bronx if that happened.

"Is that a good or bad thing?" He asked with a small smile. He knew that drunken men could be a lot to deal with at times but he figured Sarah could take care of herself. She didn't seem like the type of woman who relied on men to do things for her. "Are they bigger crowds? Or just drunker?" A small smirk played at his lips as he asked.

[Sarah Williams]

"Yes," Sarah said, nodding in reply to his questions about her living arrangements. "I have an apartment upstairs, it's the door on the right. The other apartment belongs to Naomi, she owns the joint." One of the reasons she had agreed to relocate to New York to help her friend, besides her loyalty to Naomi and the promise of a much needed life change, was the fact that Naomi had been able to provide perfect accommodations. The apartments certainly weren't huge and far from luxurious, but it was perfect for Sarah and she'd come to finally think of the place as home.

"Mostly a good thing," Sarah commented, tapping out a few ashes as she cast her eyes out over the crowd that was the perfect example of what she had been saying. "Bigger and drunker crowds tend to mean more money for the Hall and likewise in my pocket - and they've been a little of both." Taking another sip of her drink she shook her head as she watched a few men engage in what could only be described as a rather lively card game. "Certainly makes life interesting which most days is really all that we can ask for."

[River Chambers]

He nodded his head as she explained where her apartment was and that the other belonged to the owner. He was pretty sure, he'd met Naomi before but he couldn't really remember what she looked like. It had probably been one of the nights he was more drunk then sober. That didn't happen too often these days but he had a feeling that tonight was going to be one of those nights. He figured no one could really hold it against him though. He let out a sigh as he moved his glass around on the bar, not pouring another shot. He was done drinking for the night, if he didn't stop he'd be bordering in black out territory and those were never fun nights to wake up to the next day.

"That I can believe," He said with a smirk. He knew he tended to throw around money he hardly had when he was drinking. Tonight was an exception to that rule because the only thing he was wasting his money on was the alcohol. There were too many things plaguing his mind for him to do much else or even really enjoy himself. "How often do you perform?"

[Sarah Williams]

"Two or three times a night," Sarah said, shrugging her shoulders a little in answer to his question. "Sometimes more if we are down some girls or have an especially large crowd. The rest of the time I'm either out here on the floor or backstage prepping the girls." Naomi had wanted her to come help run the stage, manage the girls and make sure that the product that went out on that stage was the best in the city. Sarah took pride in that part of her work, pushing the Caprice girls hard and expecting the same results from herself - if the growing crowds were any indication then it was working.

"And I usually manage a night off, usually Monday since we generally aren't as busy at the beginning of the week," Sarah explained, finishing off the last of her drink and after debating for a moment, ordered another. She didn't have far to go to get home and she was just starting to feel that pleasant familiar buzz, one more wouldn't hurt - though she was glad to see that River had apparently put the bottle aside for the evening. "What about you? How do you while away your hours when you aren't selling papers, River from the Bronx?"

[River Chambers]

River smiled at the obvious pride she held for her job, he knew what that was like. He used to feel that way about selling newspapers and being able to fend for himself. These days though he was starting to feel unsatisfied. He wanted to branch out and find a job in a restaurant working in the kitchen. River needed to start planning for his future, it wouldn't be long before he would be the old kid in the lodging house and he wanted out before that happened.

His plan had included Lucky, but now he figured he needed to make a plan for himself and if things worked out he'd have it all but if not he was still young. He gave her a small shrug, "Help Dodger out with the house and the kids. Play poker when I get a free night to myself." He gave her a smile as he spoke but his mind was still on other things. He was starting to feel sober enough to head to Brooklyn but he didn't want to leave Caprice just yet.

[Sarah Williams]

Sarah blew out a long stream of smoke and watched as it curled into the air, it was fairly clear that River's mind was anywhere but on their conversation at the moment and she really didn't much mind - if anyone had a reason to be disconnected, it was River. So she let silence lapse for a bit, figured that friendly companionship was almost as good as idle conversation and at least he was here sobering up some as opposed to wandering the city streets with bleary eyes and an alcohol addled mind. While she was certain River was bound and determined to carry out his threat to visit this other man - and Sarah couldn't say she blamed him - she hoped he would do it with a clearer mind than he had now.

"Hey..." She said softly after awhile, reaching over to touch his arm as she studied his profile. "I should probably get up and make some more rounds, all the other guys in here will start to get jealous." She paused and waited for him to look at her, continued on when he didn't right away. "You know you're welcome here anytime, right?" Sarah waved her hand around the Caprice Hall floor and then nodded towards the door that led to the stairs and her apartment. She dropped her hand from his arm and curled it back around her newly refreshed glass and took a sip before turning back to look at him. "Even if it's just to have someone to sit in silence with."