<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffff">John noticed the woman as she came in. The woman that walked in could have graced any billboard or magazine cover, but she was better than those two dimensional photo-shopped models. Somehow her imperfections made her perfect. There was a shyness to her, hesitation in her body movements and a softness in her voice. He watched her interact with Calvin. She pointed to John's drink and he smiled. Calvin made the drink for the lady and placed it in front of her. <br/>
<br/>
 "You won't be disappointed, it is a Tanqueray and tonic with extra lemon. I am John Seaman by the way, let me buy this round. Since you were unsure what to get, that way you can blame me if it is not up to your liking. What do you say?"<br/>
<br/>
 Her hair was a lovely whisky, the color of fallen leaves browned and sleek with the first rain of autumn. How such a tint could play with the light, like peering at the sun through a jar of pine honey.Her eyes were the type of brown that was like a sweet chocolate. The chocolate that melts at the slightest bit of the heat from love, or happiness. But that chocolate can also grow hard from the cold harsh reality that is apparent in this world.<br/>
<br/>
Kris and James had taken a cab together, they paid the cabby then came into the bar and greeted their friend. <br/>
<br/>
Kris said. <br/>
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'Damn John what are you doing here before us, you trying to catch some diner? We both caught a cab together and were betting who was going to be here first. Damn James you win.' <br/>
<br/>
He handed him a twenty.  James pulled the money taught and kissed it before putting the money into his wallet.<br/>
<br/>
Kris said. <br/>
<br/>
'Calvin drinks are on James.' <br/>
<br/>
James shook his head and laughed. <br/>
<br/>
James said. <br/>
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''Calvin whiskey for me and Americano for Kris. How are you Calvin, looks like business is going well.' <br/>
<br/>
Calvin smiled as Kris sat next to James and on the right side of him. <br/>
<br/>
Calvin said.<br/>
<br/>
'It is and let me get your drinks. I will put it on the tab, you can all settle at the end of the night.' <br/>
<br/>
He went and started to make the order for the pair of John's friends. They were a good group, they had been coming here since their college days. Polite and always tipped well, never caused trouble. He enjoyed seeing the bunch every Friday night. He finished making the drinks and brought them over and set them in from of Kris and James.<br/>
<br/>
Calvin said. <br/>
<br/>
'There you go enjoy, do you want anything from the kitchen? You just missed John ordering his food.'<br/>
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They looked at each other and then looked at the menu. <br/>
<br/>
Kris said.<br/>
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'All American burger and fries. Cooked Medium. Thanks, Calvin.'<br/>
<br/>
James said.<br/>
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'I will have the same.'<br/>
<br/>
Calvin said.<br/>
<br/>
'I will put the orders in right now for the both of you.'<br/>
<br/>
He went to place the order with the kitchen. All three men were sipping their drinks as they watched the TV screen above the bar. <br/>
<br/>
"So how is work Kris, James, you coming together here couldn't have been an accident, it is not like you both work in the same field."<br/>
<br/>
Kris said.<br/>
<br/>
'Actually was James idea, I took an uber from the college and swung by his apartment. We then came straight here. Good classes of students this year and keep challenging my way of thinking, think they know it all. It makes me laugh when I give them a pop quiz or added assignment outside the syllabus.'<br/>
<br/>
James said.<br/>
<br/>
'I thought that it would be a good idea and we had chance to shoot the breeze as we came here. Music business is good I am working 4 nights a week. My big nights being Saturday and Thursday. Though you would be surprised that Tuesday is a pretty big night as well.'<br/>
<br/>
"That sounds real good for the both of you. I have been swamped and actually thinking about selling the business or taking a backseat. I need something to capture my imagination. Could use a good woman in my life. It has been too long. All work and no play make John a very dull boy."<br/>
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They all laughed and drank. Soon the food was brought out to all of them. <br/>
<br/>
'Enjoy gentleman.'<br/>
<br/>
Thank you's could be heard as the three friends dug in. They were not bashful as it came to eating they were sufficiently famished. They ate the burgers and fries like it was nobodies business. Soon they were all finished satisfying their hunger. John made a circle for more drinks and pointed to the lady as well.<br/>
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"Another round Calvin and one for the young lady down there. She looks like she could use a second one."<br/>
<br/>
Calvin worked on the order he brought the young lady a drink and then the men.  John looked over a raised his glass to her. He could tell something was wrong with her but he didn't know why. He would have to investigate this further. He wanted to at least sip his second drink before he went over to her. It had been a long time since he had hit on anyone at the bar, she was different and not part of the normal regulars that perused the bar.  He wondered what her story was. His mine was thinking about it not able to get the thoughts out of his head as he looked over every few minutes.</span>