Payment in Pepsi
Originally posted on May 9, 2007
Eli: Hey. Brought you a Pepsi.
Eron: Thanks. So what do you want?
Eli: Do I have to want something? Couldn’t I just be being nice?
Eron: (just looks at him)
Eli: Yeah, sorry, guess it’s a little obvious, huh?
Eron: Nah, just giving you a hard time. You have your moments. I don’t think anyone recognizes them but me and Asher though.
Eli: Hey quiet, you’ll ruin my rep as a badass….. although that wouldn’t be such a bad thing where Cassandra is concerned.
Eron: Uh-oh – things not going well?
Eli: You know what? I’m not sure how they’re going….. she’s awful hard to read. She keeps clinging to that research project like that was the whole reason for her visit.
Eron: Maybe for her it is, Eli.
Eli: Come on…
Eron: Come on yourself. One of the things that made you notice her was how intelligent she is. I’m sure she’s quite serious about her work and her studies. And if you’re treating it all like some big joke; that could be the reason things aren’t going well.
Eli: Come on, Eron. What do you take me for? It’s not the project I asked her here for. She is real smart – so I’m sure she knows I had other motives. We’re just keeping up a pretense; I think it makes her feel more like she’s in control or something.
Eron: I think you’re making a mistake, treating it all like a game – and I don’t think Cassandra sees it that way.
Eli: Well what would you do then, Mr. I-Really-Know-Women? Don’t see you all hot and heavy with any…..(looks at Eron) ….sorry, Bro. Didn’t mean it that way. Don’t you see though? I’m trying everything I know and she’s not biting. This arm’s length thing is getting real old.
Eron: Well maybe you should….
Eli: (not hearing Eron) You should see the look she gets on her face. If that’s not meant as an invitation, she’s got her body language all screwed up. Her eyes say one thing and what comes out of her mouth is another.
Eron: Well, you….
Eli: She sure kisses like she’s interested. Man, when she drops her act she’s really um… enthusiastic. And how. No stupid research project gets in her way then.
Eron: You really shouldn’t…….
Eli: What? Kiss and tell? Not much to tell. Kissing’s been about it. Which is okay, but I don’t see this going anywhere. Not if she keeps hiding behind her friggin’ contract and her precious assessments.
Eron: I think….
Eli: Eh, never mind. I should have known you’d take her side.
Eron: Eli…shut up, will you?
Eli: Yeah. Ok. Shutting up. What?
Eron: I think you’re absolutely right. She sounds like the worst kind of tease. You don’t have to put up with that.
Eli: I didn’t call her tha….
Eron: Either that or a real cold fish. Maybe she’s letting you kiss her for the sake of her project. Maybe it’s just to evaluate…..
Eli: (shoves him) You jerk! She’s not like that. I can’t believe you even said that!
Eron: Ah, so that’s how it is…..
Eli: How what is? You’re really messing with my mind here, Bro.
Eron: Yeah, I was. You deserved it. You’ve been messing with hers, sounds like.
Eli: Is that how you see it?
Eron: Yeah. That’s how I see it.
Eli: Geez, spare me from dealing with all these experts.……
Eli: …Ah, dammit you’re right….. How come you’re always right?
Eron: Remember I told you to be yourself, but be nice? I think you might have forgotten both parts of my excellent advice.
Eli: Yeah, you’re right - again…… I just wish I knew what she was thinking.
Eron: If you’ll only stop yakking once in a while and really listen…. maybe she’ll tell you. If not, return to your smarter little Bro for more advice…..I take payment in Pepsi.