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He knew the song that was wafting through the door:
"My promise could be your fiend
A given end to your dreams
A simple movement or rhyme
Could be the smallest of signs
We'll never know what they are or care..."
He strutted in to the Hi-Lo in Athens, Georgia USA like the erudite bar fly he was - smartest bloke in the room allways. Everyone recognized him - and those that didn't? well, unless they were chicks with no wedding rings, he didn't give a fuck. (although he wasn't above a willing wife). He was wearing his Spearfishing t-shirt from a past shoot and his signature cerulean black sweat pants.
"Yo dudes. Whattup" he said in a self-ironic way.
"yo Leon" they looked up.
He pulled up a place at the corner and asked Shelburne - the bartender to change the channel to the game. He was surprised it wasn't already on. Jesus. He hated when the bartenders were male.
"What's the happs?"
Warren bit, "ah just fishing and then working on my dissertation. You're still going to edit it right?"
Leon answered "for sure".
Skip the retired strategy director chimed in, "smokin' drinkin', never thinkin' - it's the holidays". He ordered another drink.
Lin was there too. She was reading a biography of Plato. Leon had had a thing with her before - he'd gone through all the local ladies, but now they just played with sexual tension. He had a lot of female friends. They all loved him.
He knew.
"Lin, how's it going with the new gig?" She had quit her job helping the troubled California Congressman and was now in a local gig for the university - PR or something. "Corporate bullshit in the most lucrative way".
He replied, "that tracks".
It was a skeleton crew, but tonight was Tuesday trivia night so it would fill up. (Obvi Leon knew all the answers)
There were still some smokers in the crew, yet Leon liked to do the oral zyn's now. He and Mary - a UGA art professor! - had had a thing, and he had started smoking a bit a year or so ago. He had broken her heart a tiny bit, but smoking was verboten now - he had to keep the old ticker healthy.
He was the king of this realm - just like he liked. His arms were so big, and he only smiled after the fourth beer or tequila. He wanted to live a long life and retire somewhere close to New York City as an awesome grandfather. He was very attractive. Leon had no trouble attracting the intelligentsia of Athens - he looked a bit cartoon with his shock of white hair and top-heavy body. He had gone to Vassar and was a creative director for - as he put on the dating apps - "a big company". It was better than "tell ya later" which he had had before. He said he valued empathy, and even performed it.
He was always the life of the party. A big party was looming.
It was the eve before New Year's Eve.
He ordered a craft beer and three tacos. Leon loved the food here.
After a while, Mary herself stopped by. She was kind of cliche mousy with glasses, but had a hot body and tons of cool points. Leon's face lit up. All of his crew were in the house. Court was in session.
It was kind of like his family, but he would never say anything like that. He'd more call it his church group. He liked to fuck with religion to keep a jab at his mother who had abandoned him for Scientology. (Fuck women - his revenge was to not give a shit.)
They chatted about politics and how it was all going to hell - the latest travesty was digested thoroughly - something about a senator and some Epstein files. They checked in briefly on sports - everyone looking forward to the action-packed New Years Day football bliss. The Hi-Lo wasn't closing. They'd be here. Leon might snub it for a bit depending on the hangover he was looking forward to.
Warren was a romantic and was the one who asked "so, what's going on with that lady friend in Macon? Is she going to grace us with her presence her tomorrow?"
Skip finished a sip of his beer and chimed in "Y'all know he doesn't bring them around here. Let's do shots."
Leon shook his head and smugly ordered another beer then said "I knew I shouldn't tell you guys anything. What's with the questions?"
Mary came back in from her smoke. "What we talking about?" Lin smirked, "Leon was going to tell us about his latest side piece. Our star player."
Leon answered, "it's none ya, but I've dumped her - turns out she's clingy, kind of psycho and drinks too much. She was good for Macon the puns. By the way the food sucks there. Shelburne, another beer please."
Lin mentioned that she must be good in bed at least. "She's likely generous with the blowjobs."
Leon shot a quick sharp glance at her, shook his head and grimaced. "this is why we don't talk about me."
Mary nodded in confirmation, "Oh well. another one with father issues?"
Leon smiled without showing his teeth "the uschzue - Mary - the use."
Warren took his eyes off the screen, "well, you're back on the market. Welcome bro. Her loss of course."
Leon quickly replied, "Bro, I've never been off the market. But it's been such slim Pickens on the apps."
Skip replied "you can say that again. and you've been through all the Athens ladies- you dawg you."
The music peeked in: "... pink champagne on ice. we are all just prisoners here of our own device...."
Leon finished a bite of taco, and mentioned, "Got another one I'm auditioning in Winder. she might be the one, but she's got kids. You never know. I'm going to play it. I've always wanted a daughter."
Skip nodded, "that tracks."
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