The Back Booth

[Administrator]

Welcome to the back booth! Got some shady business to attend to? Just like some privacy?

[tobias]

[New Day-open for anyone]

Toby slowly walked down the street towards Romano's--his hands shoved deep into his pockets and a lit cigarette dangling from his mouth. Each step he took brought pain to his right knee which had been badly bruised in a fight the day before when his opponent had taken a cheap shot. He had struggled through the remainder of the fight just barely winning, but he had been left with several bruises and cuts--bruises up and down both arms, a bruised knee, a split lip, and a huge shiner in the corner of his left eye and jaw.

Reaching the front door of Romano's, Toby took one last long drag from the cigarette before dropping it to the ground and stubbing it out with his toe and exhaling the smoke. He pushed through the front door with his shoulder, wincing because the sound of the bell overhead was making his current headache worse. He scanned the restaurant searching for an empty table--his looks causing him to get several worried glances from the patrons. Spying an empty booth in the back, he made his way over and plopped down on one of the bench-seats. He stretched his injured leg underneath the table, rested his arms on the back of the seat, and motioned one of the servers to come take his order.

[Sarah Williams]

Sarah watched as the guy strolled in through the door, looking as though he had seen better days, a telltale wince creasing his brow as he pushed through and headed towards the back of the restaurant, and the table right beside hers. She had settled into Romano's for a quick bite and had barely been there long enough to place an order before he'd come in. Up close he looked even more worse for the wear; bruises coloring his handsome face, a split lip looking swollen and painful and various other indicators that either the man was a fighter or just had really bad luck.

Leaning back in her chair Sarah watched him for a moment longer, the easy way he settled into the bench and lounged back like he belonged and she couldn't help but smile, "Rough night?" She asked once the server had disappeared and she could turn in her chair to give him the once over with roving eyes.

[tobias]

Tobias head popped up from where he was resting it on the back of the seat. His eyes met the gaze of the beautiful woman in front of him. He quickly let his eyes roam up and down her body, taking in her appearance. She sure wasn't dressed like a newsie but not quite dressed fancy enough to be one of those ridiculously wealthy ladies. He sighed giving her half a smile, "You have no idea."

Toby sat up straight, wincing from what the sudden movement did to his swollen knee. Ignoring the pain it caused his lip and jaw, he gave the lady a full smile. "I look that bad, huh? Guess I didn't realize seeing as I spend more time around men--who don't seem to take notice of that sort of thing--then women."

Tobias rested his bruised arm on the tabletop and leaned forward. "Ain't I seen you somewhere b'fore? You look really familar..."

[Sarah Williams]

Sarah smiled as his eyes swept over her body, a move she was accustomed to from men, common enough given her profession and she couldn't say that she minded so much - especially when the man was handsome. "I think I have half an idea," Sarah said with a laugh as her eyes honed in on the bruises on his face and she shook her head slightly. She'd been around enough fights to know the ugliness of the aftermath - even experienced a few of those personally and she winced in sympathy.

"Yes, yes you look that bad," Sarah concurred, just as the waitress returned with her drink order and she sipped on the water thoughtfully. "But I suppose how bad it is depends on how the other guy looks," She mused, her mouth quirking up in a smile as she turned a little more to face him and cross her legs. "Which means the question remains, is this a start reminder of a crushing defeat or shining examples of a certain victory?"

"You ever spend any time at Caprice Hall?" Sarah asked when he couldn't seem to place her face, and she brushed a few dark strands of hair away from her eyes. "I'm a performer there, been there about a year. If you've stopped by recently you've probably seen my act."

[tobias]

Tobias chuckled at the woman's response to the way he looked. "Yeah, thought as much." When she asked whether he had lost the fight or won, a scowl formed on his brow before answering, "Well, the other guy looks just as bad, maybe a little worse, but because of a cheap shot he walked away the winner..." Leaving me with a limp for a few days, he added in his head. At the thought of his knee, he reached a hand down under the table and gently rubbed the sore spot.

Toby brought his hand back up and crossed his arms resting them on the tabletop. "Yeah, I go there quite a bit actually..." He thought back to the last time he was at Caprice Hall, trying to remember if he had seen her dance before. A smile made its way onto his face as he recalled seeing her. "I remember you now. You're a beautiful performer... and even more beautiful in person, if you don't mind me saying."

The server came over to Toby's table with his drink and set it down in front of him, before heading back to the kitchen for his food. He took a sip of his coke--it was a little too early for him to start drinking liquer just yet, although it would probably help to relieve some of his pain if momentarily. He raised his gaze back up to the woman across from him. "Are you here alone, or just waiting for someone? B'cause if you're not waiting for someone, you should join me... Allow me to buy you some lunch...?" He flashed her his most charming smile, hoping to persuade her to join him at his table. Realizing they didn't introduce themselves he also offered her his hand and added, "I'm Tobias Whitelaw by the way. Toby, for short."

[Sarah Williams]

"I'm sure you gave him hell for his trouble," Sarah commented, noting that he reached under the table, presumably to grab at the leg that had appeared to have been bothering him when he walked in. There had been a pronounced limp in his gait, that paired with the visible bruises on his face and other exposed portions of his body spoke to a long and arduous match. Sarah hadn't made it out to many fights since she'd moved to New York, but the few she had gone to she'd enjoyed - she'd have to make a point to drop by the ring more often.

"And you are just trying to sweet talk me," Sarah said with a sly smile as Tobias commented on her act, not hiding that the comment somewhat pleased her. Sarah took great pride in her performances, enjoying the spotlight and she worked hard to put on a good show. "It's always good to know when my hard work is appreciated."

"No waiting for a soul, that is unless you don't count yourself," Sarah winked and shifted in her chair again at his invitation, the idea of sharing her meal with someone was much more appealing than eating alone. The fact that he was a handsome man - or rather appeared to be under the bruises - made his invitation all the more enticing. So she pushed away from her own table and carried her glass to his, sitting down across from him with a smile. "How could a girl refuse an offer like that?" She took his offered hand and shook it once before leaning back in her chair and studying him. "Nice to meet you Tobias Whitelaw, I'm Sarah Williams."

[tobias]

Toby smiled as Sarah took the seat across from him. "A pretty name to match a pretty face." He leaned back in his seat and stretched his arms across the back. He held back the wince that came with the movement. He'd have to ice his knee and arm later when he got home.

Toby took his arms off the back of his seat and crossed them in front of his chest. "So, Sarah, you ever been to a fight before?" He took in her appearance for a minute trying to judge what type of lady she was. She dressed better then the street kids and poor ladies, but she didn't seem to be the type to be offended or disgusted with the things that happened at fights. She also, didn't seem the type who couldn't handle herself in a bad situation either. She had to be able to handle herself working at Caprice anyways; those men can get pretty handsy. Toby smiled to himself, remembering the last time he saw one of the Caprice girls give a man a piece of her mind after he grabbed her ass. "You seem like the type of lady who knows how to appreciate something like that," he added.

[Sarah Williams]

Sarah had never thought her name to be especially pretty, but she appreciated that he'd said so anyway. She had a great affection for a good flirting session and found that half the time the men were genuine in what they said - she sensed that Tobias was, at least halfway sincere when it came to such things.

"I've been to a few," Sarah said, smiling over at him as the waitress reappeared to refill her glass and searched around until she found a cigarette. "Not as many as I'd like to get too, but my commitments keep me mostly in Queens. I think I might have to make the trip more often though." Fights out West had been rare, but Sarah had enjoyed the one or two that managed their way out there well enough and there was something to be said for the art of it. "I like watching someone who can handle themselves - how they handle themselves in the ring says something about how they handle themselves in life, I think."

[tobias]

Tobias pulled a box of matches out of his shirt chest-pocket and lit one, holding it out so Sarah could light her cigarette. He always kept a box there in case someone needed one. Working in a bar, you tended to encounter quite a few smokers; and having a light when it was needed was always a good thing. He didn't have a need for them because he wasn't really a big smoker. Being a fighter, you had to stay in shape and having the lungs of a smoker--coughing and such--always hindered a fight. He did have the occasional cig when he was stressed though. After Sarah's cig was lit, he pinched out the flame with his thumb and forefinger and grabbed a dirty teacup saucer from the table next to him to set the burnt match on.

Tobias smiled and leaned forward, resting his crossed arms on the tabletop. "Oh yeah? I know you haven't seen me fight but just from looking at me... What would your take be on me then?" He wasn't really one to care what other people thought, but he wanted to know what a beautiful woman like Sarah thought of him. "Someone who wins most of their fights?" He smirked. He was a pretty humble guy, but when it came to fighting he thought credit should be given where credit due; and he was a good fighter and won a majority of his fights--when his opponent didn't cheat.

[Sarah Williams]

"Thanks sugar," Sarah said when Tobias lit her cigarette, taking a drag and blowing out the smoke in a steady stream as she watched him from across the table. He was a handsome man to be sure, good strong features and nice blue eyes that she was certain had charmed a woman or two when he had a mind too. He leaned forward and asked what she thought of him and she smirked, considering the question.

"Can't rightly say much about your fighting as I haven't seen you in action," Sarah began, winking at him as she leaned back in her chair and seemed to seriously consider the question for a moment. "Good strong man, can think quick enough on your feet but I would wager your best skill is in the power and placement of your moves." He seemed like a precise sort of man, though Sarah could hardly say for certain as her moments with the man had been limited. "And considering the look of distaste at your most recent loss and in particular for that aforementioned cheap shot, I'd say your a good, honest man who takes pride in his ability." She grinned and winked at him as she leaned forward and rested her chin in a hand. "Far to good for a woman like me to associate with."

[tobias]

"Well, we'll have to change that. Won't we?" Tobias replied in response to Sarah having never witnessed one of his fights. "I'll get you a front row seat so you can cheer me on," he winked. "And then when I win, I'll have to take you out for dinner and drinks to celebrate." He smirked, knowing that she'd probably recognize his subtle attempt at asking for a date with her. He would use any excuse to spend more time with the beautiful woman sitting across from him.

Toby couldn't help but let out a deep laugh in response to her assessment of his character. She pretty much nailed it. He was successful in fighting because although he was a bit slower then some of his opponents because of his massive size, he was still able to think quickly about what kind of move would work best and how much power to put behind those moves. And, he definitely wasn't arrogant but neither was he so humble as to never admit he was a great fighter. He always believed in giving credit where credit was due; so when he was due the credit he took it proudly.

Toby placed his crossed arms on the tabletop and leaned closer to Sarah. Then in a low and husky voice he said, "Honey, trust me. I'm not that good." He wasn't referring to fighting, and although he just met Sarah, he was sure she would understand what he was referring to. He was in no way too good for 'a woman like her'; it was more likely she was too good for him.

[Sarah Williams]

"Dinner and drinks is it?" Sarah smirked as she honed in on what she assumed was his real purpose for asking. She'd been asked before, even taken a few of the men who offered up on their offer. The truth was she was liked the look of Tobias, and he had a sort of offbeat charm that she admired as well, spending an evening with him would hardly be a chore and she'd look forward to the chance to get away from Caprice for a few hours. Not that she didn't love Caprice, or her job, but sometimes, it was good just to get away. "If you win we can celebrate, if you lose...I'll see what I can do about consoling you," She said with a wink, letting her voice drop on the last few words.

Sarah laughed as Tobias insisted that he wasn't too good for her, and she caught the reference as his voice dipped low and she saw the promise in his eyes and it caused her grin to grow wider. Perhaps he was, perhaps he wasn't but that didn't mean that Sarah wouldn't enjoy finding out. "I think perhaps you should let me be the judge of that," Sarah said, keeping her voice low and winking as she took another drag off her cigarette. "Something tells me I might...surprise you." She arched an eyebrow at him and smiled, Sarah wasn't likely to back down from a challenge like this, not when the results could be rather enjoyable for both of them.