An interesting night at the Alibi
Saturday, December 6th, 2003
An interesting night at the Alibi
A Billy/Dom/Elijah Chat
Billy: *I don't think I've ever been this nervous before a date. If that's what you'd call it. Which I do. But it's not really a normal date, and after months of romance, this is a big deal. I push open the door to the Alibi, immediately scanning across the faces in the bar. I can't see Leon. Looking at my watch, I realise I'm a little early, so I go to the bar to order a drink. I take it to a table with a good view of the door, and wait, lifting my drink to my lip with a nervous, trembling hand.*
Dom: *Billy left early for the Alibi. I gave him about five minutes after he left before I made my way out as well. In all actuality, he has about a ten minute head start, considering I rode my shoddy bicycle over here. Damn brakes. Or damn the absence of them. I wonder what I should say to Bill after I make my entrance. Without further ado, I open the door of the Alibi and walk in, spotting Billy straight away sitting at a nearby table. I decide to take it casual, and simply walk past, nudging into him as I do so. I look down and feign surprise.* Bill! *I scan the room and change my expression to hint at "curious".* What're you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with MS?
Billy: *I sputter into my drink as Dom pushes past me, looking up with surprise, and if the heat of my face is any indication, maybe a hint of irritation. But that's not fair. It's not Dom's fault that - I give a quick look to my watch - MS is now nearly ten minutes late. I sigh and shrug my shoulders.* I was supposed to be meeting him here. But evidently he's had trouble finding the place. *That's not fair either, but this is all so frustrating! After all the talk of Christmas Eve, to spring a casual meeting at the Alibi all of a sudden is confusing. I look to Dom with hope for an explanation.*
Dom: *Ouch. That expression of his... If he weren't so beautiful it probably wouldn't hurt so much. I can't fake it anymore - my face softens and I bite at my lip a bit, looking around the bar and trying to think of something. I know what I have to say, but is he going to understand?* Meeting MS here? What's wrong? Is he lost? *I peek at a corner of the room as though I've seen something. Or someone.* ...N...no. He's here.
Billy: What?! *I strain to look in the direction Dom glanced, but it's so bloody dark over there I can't tell how he can see anyone. I look back at Dom, somewhat terrified. It was bad enough when I thought he had stood me up. But now, with him actually here, in the room, I'm at least ten times more nervous.* Where is he? Why hasn't he come over? Should I go over there? What should I do?
Dom: *I try not to smile. Really hard. I hadn't realised just how nervous Billy was. I turn to him a bit and lower my voice.* Just stay put for now. If he feels so compelled, he'll probably come over here and sit right in your lap, but you're going to have to wait for him to make the call. *I give Billy a nod to assure him, then straighten and nod to the seat across the table.* Can I sit with you?
Billy: *I hesitate, and finally nod, pushing out the chair with my foot. I'm not sure how much I want company at the moment, given the fact that I'm expecting someone and might want to be alone when he decides to come over, but I'm too perturbed to care any more. "If he feels so compelled?" I thought that was the whole idea of me coming tonight. If he hadn't wanted to meet me, he could have saved me the trouble and just let me stay at home, pouring over his letters, and not interrupt my nice little dream world. But my anger is offset by my nerves, and my wholehearted desire to see him. I tap on the table for a few minutes, before pushing my chair away from the table.* I think I'll just go and see if I can find him...
Dom: *I'm about to sit when I see Billy get up, and I bolt in a second.* No! *I look to a woman's curious glance over Billy's shoulder, then nervously step around to Billy's side of the table.* Billy, you just have to give him time… *I say softly, leaning toward him.* I know he wants to see you. He's just nervous. I mean, I'm nervous for him. And you're nervous. We're all just a big group of nervous, so just wait a little bit. *I pick up his glass from the table and hold it inquisitively before him.* Now. Do you want some more to drink?
Billy: *I sit down a bit reluctantly, but he's right; I need to give it time. I nod gratefully and attempt a small smile.* That would be great, Dom. Thanks. A lot.
Elijah/Leon: *Maybe it isn't the anonymity that I really need, maybe I just need a good shrink. Because hiding out in the bathroom due to seeing myself on the bar's television screen for half a second is really just extreme. But at least I can tell myself that, as I look in the mirror again, wondering if I do still look like that pudgy-cheeked child star now that I'm five years older. A frown that I'm mortified to notice is more like a pout seems to be my own answer, and I turn and walk out of the bathroom, intending to just call it night. I give a quick glance back at the television -- which is now showing a football game -- as I head for the door, seeing a familiar face at a nearby table. Giving a wave, I'm already walking over to him, not noticing the other person until I'm right at the table* Billy, hi. *Smiling at Billy, then turning to look at... the mailman?*
Billy: *My head snaps up from where I've been staring at my hands on the table, and my face feels like it's breaking apart, I'm grinning so hard. Which probably makes me look like a total prat, but I'm beyond caring.* Hello Leon! *Reaching over, I pull out another chair, gesturing to it.* Sit down! *I want to say more, but at this point, it was hard enough for me to get that much out, so I think I'll let him steer the conversation. After all, it was him who invited me.*
Dom: *Holy shite, it's him. I'm sure my expression must be nothing short of ghastly horror, but this just wasn't, wasn't supposed to happen like this. I came here to avoid this whole mess, after all! Now what? Now what, Dom, what?!* Leon! *I force a smile. Hell, I can't be rude to him. It's not like he knows a bloody thing about my problem.* So, uh… *I glance to Billy and back.* This is the one you've been on about, hey, Bill? *I'm squeezing Billy's glass in my hand so tightly. I shouldn't have said that of all things.*
Billy: *I glance up at Dom, who's holding my glass and looking... shocked. Somehow. Why? I thought Dom had faith that he'd show up, and now he has, so why the amazement?* Yeah, I suppose you could say that. *I try to think of a nice way to tell Dom to bugger off, but I feel guilty doing that. After all, he's here for me, for emotional support, and it's not quite fair to tell him to go home when he's just bought me a drink, as well. So I resolve myself to having a chaperone. But just on this date. I look to Leon with a grin.* I know you two have met each other, but Leon, this is Dom, Dom, this is Leon.
Elijah/Leon: *Looking down at the chair like it's going to bite me, I hesitate before deciding to sit. I really don't know why I'm so nervous still. Billy's definitely a cool guy. And the mailman... well, he gets the mail to me -- most of the time. I smile through the introduction, more than a little curious about what Dom had said about Billy going on about me* Yeah, we've met. How's it going? *My question seemingly directed at Dom, although I turn to look at Billy, who is looking very.... happy for some reason* So, what's the occasion? *Smiling*
Billy: Occasion? *I can feel the confusion written on my brow. I had expected something a bit more than this, but I suppose he might be a bit nervous about Dom's presence. After all, it's not as though Dom is privy to all the things we say to each other in our letters. Once again I consider politely asking Dom if perhaps he'd rather go home and watch a film or something, but I bite my tongue and just force the smile steadily in place.* Just, uh, out for a drink. Thought I'd see who was out and about tonight. *Lame, lame, lame. But if he's not going to bring it up in front of Dom, I'm certainly not.*
Elijah/Leon: And look who you've found. Again. *Grinning then glancing down at table to see who's drinking what, figuring my abandoned glass at the bar has already been moved and that I might calm a bit if I go get another* Uhm... want something to drink, Billy? *Noticing that Dom has a glass in his hand, I don't bother to ask him as I stand up*
Billy: Sure, that'd be great, Leon. I'll have a beer. *I give him a small smile, figuring Dom can just have the drink he bought for me. I do wish he'd sit down, though. He's making me more nervous than I already am.*
Elijah/Leon: Okay. Be right back. *Returning Billy's smile, I turn to walk to the bar, where I order two beers, giving a glance or two back to the table while I wait.*
Dom: *I sit down slowly, never moving my eyes from Leon as he stands at the bar. Why does he keep looking over here? Stop looking! I notice Billy tossing his playful smiles in Leon's direction with every glance. Damn it. Taking my seat, I sigh and swig my entire drink in one gulp. The glass comes to the table with a clunk, and I tap my fingers aggressively. C'mon. I can get drunk faster than this.*
Billy: *There's something wrong with Dom, and I eye him dubiously from my seat in between glances towards the bar. Is he upset? He doesn't have to be here. Why would he be angry? Shooting one last smile in Leon's direction, I lean in to Dom, a bit concerned.* Are you ok? You don't have to stay if you don't want to. I think I'll be ok from here. *I give him a small smile, but it doesn't feel convincing. I don't want him to feel like I'm kicking him out, either.*
Dom: *I look up, fingers still grazing the tabletop lightly, but expression softening. My head rests on my fist as I lean into the table, but lifts with a breath.* I'm fine... *I barely mouth out the words, because I know they aren't true. I don't know what to do. I can't tell Billy, in front of everyone, that Leon isn't MS. And I can't tell Leon, in front of Billy, why this is all so upsetting. So, I can't really do much of anything, but I don't want to leave them alone. I try to make myself look as honest as possible as I lift my head to Bill.* Billy, please... try to keep an open mind about MS, okay? Maybe it isn't Leon, right? I mean, it could be anyone, hey?
Billy: *Poor Dom. He's still trying to keep the secret. Why, I have no idea, as it's pretty much obvious now. He's being very cryptic. But I smile anyway and pat his hand. If it will make him feel better...* Don't worry Dom, I know.
Elijah/Leon: *In my short time at the bar I wonder if Billy and the mailman -- Dom -- could be a little more than friends, although my theory seems to have lots of holes that include the way Billy was looking at me, and, yeah... there was that thing that Dom said. But as I return to the table, I see Billy leaning in to Dom, and Dom doing a bit of leaning in himself, and I begin to think more on my assumption -- including the fact that I seem to be getting a weird vibe from Dom* Back. *Taking a gulp of my drink before returning to the table, I set one down in front of Billy and sit next to him, my eyes immediately settling on Dom again in an attempt to figure him out before I... well, another one of Billy's smiles wouldn't be so bad, even if he were already involved with someone* So, Billy... how would you rate my little business now that you've actually bought something there?
Billy: *Straightening up as Leon returns, I take a grateful sip of my drink, eyeing him over the rim of the glass. I set the glass back down and nod appreciatively.* Oh, I approve. One of the best places in town. I'll definitely be back for more. *I smile softly, focusing my gaze on Leon even as I speak to Dom.* Wasn't supper good the other night?
Dom: *I can't believe what I'm hearing. I'm sure this is very beautiful and exciting for the two of them, and there must be doves and orchestras everywhere, but I'm feeling rather ill.* It was lovely. *I drop the words from my mouth. But, after all, I am feeling ill...*
Elijah/Leon: *It's plain to see that the gaze resting on me isn't the same as the one on Dom. Not that Billy seems to be looking in that direction at all* Great. *Sipping more of my beer, glass still held to my lips as I grin* You're already one of my favourite customers. *As long as he's not coming in to talk about the length of the grass in his backyard, I'll definitely enjoy his company when he comes by again. And just maybe...* Oh! Remember those CDs I told you about? They came. *Setting my glass down, choosing my words carefully* Should come by and have a listen one night... it's great stuff. *Giving Dom a brief look* That is, unless you're really busy with work and other things.
Billy: *As if I'd turn that down! I'm quick to agree.* No, I'd love to. Sometime next week, definitely. I don't have much work to bring home this time of year. *Something flips in my stomach at the thought of being alone with Leon so soon, and I just hope I don't make too much of a fool out of myself. But they'll be time to think about that later. Right now, I'm still concerned about making this evening enjoyable, even with Dom moping as he is.*
Elijah/Leon: *If he'd answered any faster, I might have thought he was interested in more than the music -- oh, yeah... right. So much for theories and assumptions.* Very cool. Maybe I'll actually make you a sandwich for free. *Laughing softly, looking down as I pick up my glass again, noticing the healing cut on my hand from this morning* That is... if I still have any fingers left. Damn slicers are a pain in the ass to clean. *Turning to raise an eyebrow at Dom* I ordered new ones last week that are much better, but they still haven't arrived.
Dom: *My smile is more of a grimace, I'm guessing, and I nod to try to pull the whole thing off.* Sure. *No... I think I have better ideas for this conversation. I don't take my eyes from Leon. I have an urge to throttle him across the table, but I'm somehow able to remind myself that he has no idea what's happening. And that's exactly why this has to end. Now.* Leon, could I talk to you for a minute? *I tilt my head a bit, but my tone is fully flat.* Some "mail" issue to go over with you, and as you know… *I look to Billy, attempting a stern smile.* ...those kinds of things are private. *I get up from the table and move toward the bar without waiting for Leon to follow. And he'd better follow.*
Elijah/Leon: Oh. *Having heard stories of postal rage, I wonder if it was a bad idea to insinuate that my mail is late. Giving a slightly helpless look to Billy, I shrug and stand up* It's a mail issue. Guess I should see what's up. *Turning to glance at Dom over by the bar then back to Billy* We'll be back in a minute. *Strolling over to the bar, I stop at Dom's side* You wanted to talk to me?
Billy: *I can't believe this is happening. I have half a mind to go over there and tell Dom exactly what I think of his 'mail issues,' but I don't dare, because I have absolutely no idea what is fueling his mood. So instead I sit back in my chair and down my drink, crossing my arms as I wonder exactly how long he's going to make my night miserable.*
Dom: *I hesitate, formulating a few thoughts in my mind while gazing at the whiskey bottles before turning to Leon.* Yes, I want to talk to you. *I lean into the edge of the bar and slowly shift to face the young man with the most trying patience I have at the moment. He's about my size, if not a little shorter. I could take him. But I don't think that would be exactly proper in a public setting like this, as disappointing as that is for me right now. My shoulders rise in a great sigh, and I let it out to the floor.* Leon. *My gaze snaps back to his face - open and innocent. Damn him.* Listen...I know we don't really know each other very well... *My teeth are gritting, I'm sure he can hear it.* but I'm going to tell you something, very private and important to me... *And if you tell anyone I will kill you personally* and right now, it's important for you to know, too, all right?
Elijah/Leon: *I'm already nodding before he can finish asking me, and I actually feel a bit stupid for mistaking his mood for postal rage -- especially when it seems that I was right from the get-go* He's your... *Pausing to quiet myself, trying to hide the disappointment in my voice* ...you guys are...together, right? That's what you want to tell me.
Dom: *My aggression turns to utter surprise in an instant. Bloody hell, is that what he thinks? But I thought that he...* What? I... I.. No. *My voice sounds incredulous. Not that I'm not enjoying the fact that Leon has thought that Bill and I...* No, we're not together. No. But... *Curiously, his mood seems to have shifted back to happiness, though I don't remember when exactly the original expression had faded to sadness. I rub my fingers on the bar.* but I really...really... *I look around* kind of have this thing for him. *I can tell I'm nervous. I never thought I'd say all of this to anyone. I feel like everyone in the whole bar is watching.* I didn't know how to tell him, so I started writing these letters. Anonymous ones. A "secret admirer" sort of thing. So Billy's become sort of attached to the letters, you know. And, well... I told him in my last letter to meet me here - not me "Dom" but me the secret admirer... *This is confusing. I gesture, but that really doesn't help.* And now he thinks... now he thinks that you're his secret admirer, understand? I'm sorry I've been acting really sort of edgy all evening. I'm just... just a little jealous about it. *And there is the winning understatement of the year.*
Elijah/Leon: Oh. *And that's about all I can say to that. because my mind is whirling a bit now as I think of the last conversation Billy and I had, and the reasoning for why he must think--* Oh! Shit. Uhm... *Dom's explanation isn't really all that confusing... but what I'm supposed to do about it -- that's the part that getting me. I really do like Billy, whether it be as a friend or more, and technically Dom and him aren't together. So...* And you want me to disappear, right? *Shrugging, glancing over at Billy again* Or do you want me to tell him the truth? *Turning to give you a serious look* How long have you been doing this? It's gone a bit far, don't you think? *I'm about ready to give him a short lecture on being honest but wouldn't that be the pot calling the kettle black?*
Dom: *My fists begin to clench in exasperation.* No... *I know I'm being a little more brutal than I should be about this, but it seems to me that the deli boy wants to be difficult right now. What that has to do with, I'm not even willing to decide. But if it has anything to do with him staking claims on Billy, I'm almost willing to duke it out, right here. A bar seems the likeliest place for an event like that anyway.* No, it hasn't gone too far. I've even made plans to tell Billy about it. *My hand grips around the edge of the bar, and I practice breathing for a moment.* Anyway, it's not that easy, really, just stepping out of something like this. I'm not trying to hurt him. And I'm not lying to him, if that's what you're thinking. And, no, as a matter of fact, I don't want you to disappear. *Damn, I really don't need to be patronized right now. I glance to Billy for a moment, trying not to think about what would happen if looks could kill. I try to reassure myself of what I've said as I return my gaze to Leon.* I don't. I mean... I know you're Billy's friend. And I know he'd be upset if you went 'away'. And I... *This is hard...* I don't bloody hate you or anything, I just need you to be the one to tell him that you're not his admirer so that I can't stop driving myself crazy with the idea of him bloody falling in love with everyone he meets, and so he'll finally listen to me about this for once, okay? *Okay, there.*
Elijah/Leon: *How easy would it be to let Billy go thinking that I was this secret admirer, I already have him thinking that I'm just the owner of a Deli in a small town, which is only partially true -- but wouldn't that be as bad, if not worse, than what the mailman has done? Sighing, leaning on the bar, I bite my lower lip and really wish I had a cigarette -- so much for trying to quit. I could almost laugh right now... thinking about how lonely and bored I was only a week ago, and now how I seem to be in the middle of a sitcom... a really bad sitcom, exactly like the one I starred in and was cancelled a week later* What makes you think that he's falling in love with me? *One look back at the table, seeing how Billy's expression changes when our eyes meet tells me the answer to that* Okay... forget that. I'm... *Sighing again* ...not really comfortable with the idea of breaking that kind of news to him, but I guess I'll have to. Just... not tonight. Is that okay? I mean, it's not like we'll run away together or anything in the span of a few days, right? *Unfortunately, the look Dom gives me tells me he's not quite convinced*
Dom: *I am not quite convinced by his cute remark. And, no, "cute" doesn't really suit him, as young as he looks. Damn it, in any other circumstance, I might have been able to have a decent conversation with him. Maybe. But now, I don't know if I'll ever be able to look at him again without wanting to kick him in the arse.* Right... *I tap my fist on the bar lightly, watching the reflections in the bar. Damn my conscience. If he would just walk away right now, it might be easier. But I figure he won't. Not until he gets a decent response from me anyway. Not like I have a lot to say to him that I don't think he can tell from the looks I've been giving him all night.* Listen. Leon. I really... I really hate doing this to you. I do. I know I don't seem like I do, but I do. And I hate doing this to Billy. More than I can understand. *My sigh comes out a bit louder than I'd planned, and I hope I don't sound annoyed, unless it be annoyed with my situation.* I don't know if I can explain what it is that's made me so angry with this evening, but I at least want to tell you that I didn't mean it in the way it came out. I... Thank you for... *I swallow hard.* For ... dealing with me. *I wince. Damn, if he takes this as a one-sided confession, I hope he's willing to deal with me again.*
Elijah/Leon: *I tilt my head as I watch you seem to go through the motions of being civil, then give an understanding nod* S'all right. No harm done. *Yet.* I mean... I can understand how you feel. I can certainly understand why you like him so much. *Tapping my fingers on the bar, fighting the furtive smile that wants to bloom on my face* If... and when the time is right... *And if and when I want to* ...I'll tell him that I'm not... you. So don't worry. *Quietly thinking of something else to say, but finding that I really just want to get back over to Billy who's been sitting alone for far too long. Putting a hand on Dom's shoulder, hoping it'll keep him from making me a mortal enemy, I nod my head towards the table* Let's go sit? Promise I'll be good. *Giving him a half-smile*
Dom: *I'm in a state of hesitation, I suppose it would be called. I'm not sure about this Leon character, and I'm almost certain that something he said back there wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. I believe... yes it was the "if" part. Oh yes, and the "I certainly understand why you like him so much" part. I don't smile at him, but I nod anyway. As he makes his way back to the table, I follow silently at my own pace. I don't want to think about him too much. He makes me bloody infuriated. I can't even imagine, while I stare at the back of his head, what might be going on in there. It'd better be something 'good'. After all... he's promised. I look at my empty glass as we come to a stop next to the table, then glance around the room, hoping my emotions aren't written all over my face.*
Billy: *I've been drumming my fingertips against the tabletop for so long I'm surprised you can't see the imprints in the surface. I'm not stupid; I know perfectly well that this was not talk of 'mail issues.' But I don't know why Dom is suddenly turning on me, trying to ruin everything. Forcing a smile on my face as they approach, I face Leon, not wanting to look at Dom, because I'm not sure I'd be able to control my anger.* Did you get everything sorted out? *I ask, the mock-cheerfulness falling dull to even my own ears.*
Elijah/Leon: *Showing Billy my best smile, hopefully not overdoing it, I sit next to him, my hand immediately going for my beer* Everything's great. You just... would have been bored with all that mail talk. Right, Dom? *Glancing at Dom, extremely interested in how he's going to play this off*
Dom: *I'm surprised to hear my name and look up to Leon, recalling his last words as quickly as I can.* Uh...right... *I try, with a raised brow and a nod, but I'm too emotionally drained to contribute any more. My eyes lower again to the table and I play my fingers on its surface, not wanting to sit. I don't really have a reason to hang around. Billy's going to kill me later. And I think I'm going to have the greatest sodding headache of the century tonight.* Right...all of that...mail stuff. *I bite my lips on the last word to stop myself from going in too deep about the 'conversation'.*
Billy: Right. *I let the word drop, not really sure where to proceed with this, seeing as both of them are decidedly less conversational than they were before they left for their 'talk,' Dom included. Well, when all else fails, try alcohol. I push back my chair and stand up.* Can I get anyone another drink?
Elijah/Leon: *It really doesn't seem like the atmosphere is going to get any better here, and who am I to butt into something that really isn't my business. And besides, I have a feeling that Dom may get a good talking to from Billy once I'm gone... which I can't honestly say that he doesn't deserve* Actually... *Standing also* ...I'm gonna get going. *Motioning towards the door* Have an early morning... meat deliveries coming in. *Smiling at Billy* Was really nice to see you though. And... you're still coming by to listen to some CDs, right? *Suddenly wondering if it was such a good idea in the first place...*
Billy: *Disappointment must be written all over my features, but I know if I turned towards Dom, it would quickly turn to boiling anger. Everything was going fine. Better than fine, actually. Why had he even come tonight? Why couldn't he just trust that Leon wouldn't let me down? I push the thoughts away as I try to keep the regret out of my voice.* Of course, Leon. *I say softly, adding what must be a sorrowful smile.* I'll drop by sometime this week. It was nice to see you tonight. *Sorry it had to end this way, I think.* I'll see you soon.
Elijah/Leon: *Catching the expression on Billy's face, I feel slightly guilty, almost regretting that I didn't tell Billy the truth just now, hoping that I didn't make a big mistake.* Yeah... soon. * Finishing what's left in my glass and setting it down* Have a nice night, guys. *Looking from Billy to Dom and back before I take off with a short wave* Bye.
Billy: *I wave back to him and watch him go, half wanting to run after him and make him take me home with him. But I stay in my seat, watching until he leaves, and then I turn to look back at the table. All that's left in my head now is my fury, and I raise my eyes slowly to look at Dom, giving him a long, angry stare.*
Dom: *I don't want to look as Leon leaves. I don't even lift my head. But as the impression of two eyes on me penetrates my senses, my gaze slowly lifts to meet Billy's stare. And I suddenly feel like the worst person in the world.*
Billy: *I feel betrayed, and as his silence seems to fill the bar, something inside me breaks painfully. I push back from my table with a loud scrape and look down on Dom, struggling to control the trembling in my voice that can only mean an explosion is not far behind.* I'm going home. I don't care what you do. *With that, I turn quickly and head towards the door.*
Dom: *The seat in front of me is empty, and even emptier when I hear the bar door slam behind me. Something tells me I won't be going home for a while. I don't need a bike ride home. I need a bike ride off a cliff.*
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