Jaz
He sat with his back to the bar, with his feet tucked beneath the stool. His wavy brown hair hung in curls around his forehead, and his sharp hazel eyes scanned the barroom setting, flicking from person to person, taking in every meticulous detail.
He spun around quickly in his seat, and waved his hand impatiently to catch the bartender’s attention. Jaz rolled his eyes as he saw the man’s pitiful attempt at picking up an attractive redhead two stools down.
“Tom, quit fraternizing with the newbie and give some attention to your regular.”
“Be with yah in a minute Jaz,” he replied hurriedly.
Jaz rolled his eyes, leaned over the counter and remarked snidely,
“By the time you realize you don’t stand a chance with the girl it’ll be last call.”
He grabbed a glass and quickly filled it to the brim with beer, grinning widely in Tom’s direction. Tom looked up over his shoulder and frowned, throwing his head back in frustration.
“How many fuckin’ times do I have to tell you not to do that? He groaned. “What do you think my manager will say if he gets wind of this?”
“He will say: my god Tom, why couldn’t you tear your eyes off the average looking redhead to serve the customer who has been frequenting this bar weekly for the past two years?” he laughed, “then no doubt he would fire your sorry ass.”
“You don’t think I’m average do you Tom?” interrupted the redhead, her soft green eyes gazing up towards him.
“Above average, René.”
She smiled victoriously, and flicked her hair back, gazing over her shoulder as a couple of younger men passed by smirking. Feeling as though his comment hadn’t had quite the desired effect, Tom quickly added,
“I mean, just look at those guys starin’ at yah…they can’t keep their eyes off yah.”
Jaz leaned forward and drained his glass, then grinned as if with sudden insight.
“They’re not looking at her Tom; they’re looking at that huge zit on her forehead.” He laughed mischievously.
Tom’s mouth dropped as he looked over at Jaz with the utmost disbelief displayed on his face. An eruption of laughter came from Renée’s seat and she leaned out across the counter to better see who had made the remark.
“Who’s your friend Tom?” She smiled.
“Tom’s friend can speak for himself.” said Jaz, sloshing his fourth drink.
“Can he now?” she smiled, “and what does Tom’s friend say?”
“That you can call him Jaz.” He took a sip from his drink, “he also says to notify you that he himself is not entirely partial to redheads, but is willing to let it slide this once for your sake.”
He took his cup and lifted it up as if to toast her,
“Guess it’s your lucky night,” he said grinning.
Renée looked derisively back towards him.
“So what you’re saying--or rather doing--is offering me an invitation back to your place. Is that right?”
Jaz answered with a smile, and she smiled challengingly, leaning forward on her stool.
“I’m afraid the only way that I’m coming home with you is if you’re rich beyond belief, have the body of an athlete and are hung like a horse.”
By the now the stools between them had emptied, and Jaz leaned forward toward her, his eyes teasing and glazed from the alcohol flowing through his bloodstream.
“The first two requests I can more than satisfy, but I’ll be damned if I have a penis reduction for any woman.”
She erupted in tinkling laughter and let her hand brush softly against his leg. Her laughter receded into a long-drawn out sigh. She then reached up and pushed a loose strand of her fiery red hair behind her ear.
“Do you live far from here?” she asked after a moment.
“Not far enough that it wouldn’t be worth it.”
She smirked sarcastically.
“You have a very high impression of yourself…do you know that?”
“I’m glad you like it,” he bantered quickly.
Another moment’s silence, as Jaz surveyed the other women in the bar wondering if he was settling below his usual standard. Tom moved from customer to customer, but his eyes were constantly returning to rest upon the two of them. He had already attempted to reengage in the conversation a couple times, but he was constantly deferred by the bar’s occupants. Jaz laughed quietly inside at the man’s desperation. He again looked over at Renée, and then promptly decided that he was going to sleep with her. She would only be his third redhead, and he had always had an insatiable desire for variety in women. Tonight, he thought, I will indulge myself.
“Well…I think I’m leaving…care to join? No? Probably for the best,” he grinned.
He rose and began to move past her, allowing his hand to brush hers.
“Wait,” he heard her say.
He turned to face her.
She hesitated a moment before speaking, and once she began, she spoke slowly, as if still considering what she was saying.
“You’re in no condition to drive…why don’t you let me give you a ride home?”
Jaz swayed as he reached into his pocket and withdrew his keys. He stared at them in his hand a moment before quickly tossing them towards her.
“Let’s take my car.”
