orangetoughguy | log post II

Aardvark Artie's?

[That is a hell of a name. At least it sticks with you.]

I think I know.

Okay. I'll see you there.

[It's ritzier than it sounds, although not a place one would take Helen Mirren to or anything.]

[There he is, right on time. And he's wearing a suit already. Boy, up close the old man can see through the glass. It is ritzier than he even guessed. Freddy said to meet him here. Did he mean...outside? Inside?]

[Outside except look here comes the kid also suited up and walking up to the old man...from the inside.]

Come on, I got a table.

[He doesn't talk too fancy but Freddy's already hooked up. Their table is waiting inside the strange looking wood interior inspired by ant hills. See because what most people don't know...Artie really is an aardvark.]

[Color him surprised. Damn. Is the kid in a suit too? Not that it would elevate or take away from how much of a treat it is already. Into the place the joint they go. The interior is impressive.]

Nice digs.

[All around.]

You been waiting long?

[...except no, the old man is on time.]

Nope. You were on time.

[Freddy remarks ever so casually. He's got everything covered, everything under control, he's supercool man. Even in his velcro converse under that handsome slim cut suit. Yep. They get seated away from the main room, off to the side where the booths are separated into smaller alcoves (ant chambers). They get a great view and still have some privacy.]

You like it?

[Look the people are drinking wines and champagnes and they have different kinds of cutlery. This is not the average kid dive.]

[Very sneaky, Mr. Newendyke. He was absolutely unaware that this was in the works. And they get private seating? Larry tsks but in a scorning way at all.]

Do I like it?

[Oops. He's honestly asking.]

I love it.

[Freddy wanted to eat here. The times they are a'changin'.]

[Well Freddy wanted to treat Larry to something Larry would like and he was pretty sure something Larry would like would be something like this. Freddy slides on in to one side of the circular alcove.]

Cool. The food's supposed to be really good too. Like really good.

[Now there's a display of typical kid behavior. The man standing beside sort of quirks a brow at the younger one before gesturing to both their different menus including the wine list. Then he's off to give them time to pick.]

[The old man gives a nod to the man waiting to one side before sliding into his seat.]

Just what I want to hear. I'm starved.

[By description alone the food looks fantastic. Though they should start with a wine.]

I'm impressed, kid.

Really?

[Oh there's that tone of being unsure he's really truly succeeded in impressing Lawrence Dimick of all people. This is his territory after all. As for the wine, he's going with something he's picked out before based on someone else's recommendation. He's no wine connoisseur.]

It sounded cool and I heard some pretty good things so I figured why the hell not. Oh it's on me this time.

Well sure. C'mon. I didn't have a clue. Here we are.

[The way all those thin panels look side by side it's eye catching.]

Oh you?

[Brown eyes are looking up from the menu. Freddy has money of course. There's no doubt of that. Though the old man is the one who usually wrestles the check away or is more insistent.]

Well well. Thanks very much, sir. I think that you deserve a toast.

[In the very least.]

Yeah me. [And Larry better not have a problem with it. Ahah! Freddy sees an opening. He turns his wine list around to face the old man.] In that case you pick what we're toastin' with.

[Clever clever huh? Besides, he trusts Larry's taste in fine drinking.]

[Zero problem here. It's hard not to smile. This was not where the old man imagined they'd be a few days after seeing that distinct skyline. He had motel rooms and drive through food. Clearly this is superior.]

I'm gonna go with a red wine this time.

[One that's from Germany. It's gonna go with red meat too. Larry's on board.]

Sure, that'll do.

[Freddy says in his best upscale posh tone, also known as trying to sound as if you know what you're talking about. It's all in good fun though because he knows Larry knows this sort of thing is still a little foreign to him. Maybe the kid might never fully get used to be immersed in such plush luxury but then again if he did he wouldn't be the same Freddy Newendyke, right? Just as well, he doesn't think the old man could ever give up good eats in a greasy wrapper on dirty benches.]

I think I'm gonna have this.

[He points at a description in the menu. It's florid language for something that amounts to a four cheese ravioli with bacon topping and a side of chicken. It's not red meat however Freddy clearly doesn't care.]

[Red wine in color and Red in name. Italian. About four years old. All minor details. What matters is that it'll taste good. It's not a beer in a bar in a City they don't intend on staying in. If there is a they after reaching their destination. Or dead. Hah.

However good this food will be Lawrence Dimick will still want a taco wrapped in thin, loud paper and foil.]

Sounds like it's right up your alley. [Though it isn't in a can. And no they can't fuck while eating that. Not here.]

I think I found mine.

[Here, he'll point to his own choice of grilled rib eye steak with potatoes au gratin and mixed vegetables.]

Sounds heavy. Are you gonna save room for dessert?

[It's not a trick question...or is it? The kid's thinking of having a dessert but the real curiosity is what kind? He's not telling.]

I might.

[Is that the waiter? Ah. There we go. Larry's ready to give his order. After Freddy's since he's being the date. Oh yeah. And their wine.]

I think you should.

[It's a hint, a little suggestion as he leans forward. Oh hey it's the waiter, he smoothly leans back. Freddy puts in his order for the food but he leaves his wine selection to his older and wiser date. But wait! At the last minute the kid adds this curiously named beverage to the ticket.]

This too, elderflower soda.

[Because it totally sounds like it comes from Middle Earth and secretly a boyish part of Freddy Newendyke hopes it does.]

[Ears perk up at those four words. Okay that'll wait some. Consider him interested though. Do they have? Chocolate? Maybe sort of vanilla scones? Something to go?]

We'll take water too.

[To wash it down. The table is big enough. Away their man goes.]

What was it that you were saying, pal?

About what? [Yeah he's teasing.] Oh about dessert? I just like a little sweetness now and then. Don't you?

[After all they've been through this is pretty obvious.]

Oh I know. Between you and me we should have a sweet tooth contest.

[Donuts, ice cream, milkshakes...though they probably don't have those here. Bet they have a bitching pie or cake.]

I'm glad to be here.

[At Aardvark Artie's. And here to eat food with the kid. They can keep saying shit like this. Another thing to be grateful for.]

Yeah pour a little brown sugar on that and you're set right?

[Just a quip, don't mind him old man. As for pies and cakes, yep they absolutely have that, and also some kind of cookie baked into a pan and topped with hand churned ice cream some such. A lot of this stuff Freddy would consider overdoing what could have been a big old cookie dunked in a carton of ice cream, but he has to admit too the bells and whistles are nice when you can freely afford them. Must be something rubbing off of Larry.]

I'm glad to be here with you.

[Freddy amends even though he knows Larry means the same thing. Is it more rare when the kid says it?]

[More rare and more special. It's not those three words ("I love you") that took longer to say (than those other three words "I'm a cop") but it's there. It's apparent. The old man can see and hear it. Maybe it's because he's a seasoned, cock sure date all over.]

You got my number.

[Fine dining, brown sugar. Yep. The celebration keeps on going. Hopefully with less back pain in the morning. Then again Larry didn't tell the kid that he found a remote control Transformer car. Getting him something worked very well last time after Blonde visited. That's what? Three times now? It's still very unnerving.]

Everything seem normal at work?

867-5309 right?

[The kid can't help but laugh at such a predictable punchline but look the old man was asking for it okay? Oh hey breadsticks. He picks one up to crunch off the tip.]

Yeah, pretty normal, no visitors. [No Blonde.] Thor didn't stick around.

Should I change it?

[Now it's going to be stuck in his head. Fuck. Except he's laughing. Yeah, kid. He's laughing at that dumb joke because it's funny to him.]

Sorry. Bet that's a big disappointment.

[Yeah, Freddy. He's not stupid.]

That other guy too?

[The old bear pays attention.]

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