It had been a rough day at work. The boss had been riding me all day over some of the pettiest stuff you can imagine. No matter what I did, there was some itty-bitty detail that wasn't quite right. By the time I got off, my nerves were shot. I called my wife to let her know that I would be a little late getting home, then headed for the nearest watering hole for a good stiff drink.
The Tender Trap was a singles joint. I really didn't care. I wasn't out on the prowl. I just needed a drink or two to calm my nerves before going home. The place was fairly quiet. It was too early for the band, and there wasn't a big crowd. The number of patrons and staff were about equal when I walked in. I sat on a bar stool and ordered a double scotch on the rocks. I figured that by the time I had finished it, I would be unwound enough to go home and be civilized to my family without being too drunk to drive. Plus some of the rush hour traffic would be gone which would make the drive home less nerve wracking.
I was about half way through my drink when the bartender came up and set a fresh drink in front of me. "I didn't order this," I said.
"Compliments of the couple at the end of the bar," he said. "They want to talk to you."
I looked to my left and noticed a couple in their late twenties. They raised their glasses when I made eye contact with the woman. They were fairly attractive. Both were in good shape and dressed in business suits. The woman opened her jacket, pulled the right side back, and placed her hand on her hip. Her nipples were clearly outlined through her blouse. The man simply smiled. I wasn't in a sociable mood, but it would have been rude to not thank them for the drink. I picked up my half-finished scotch and the one they had paid for and started toward them. They got up and went to a table, which I followed them to. The man extended his hand to me. "Hi, I'm Mark," he said, "and this is my wife Jennie.".
I set my drinks down and shook his hand. "I'm Phil," I said. "Thank you for the drink. What can I do for you?"
They seated me between them. She sat very close to me, much closer than I would have expected from a stranger. "What are you drinking?" she asked. "The barkeep wouldn't tell us."
"Scotch," I said.
"Doubles, too, I see," she cooed. "That's pretty serious drinking."
"I had a rough day at work. My boss was on my back all day."
"Maybe his boss was riding him too," Mark said. "In my company when the higher-ups decide to do a project, they want it done yesterday."
"That's basically the way most outfits work," I said.
"You seem rather tense," Jennie said.
"I am. I figured I should unwind a bit before going home so I don't snap at the kids. They didn't do anything, so I shouldn't take it out on them."
"That makes you a loving father," Mark said. "Maybe we can help you loosen up. Perhaps I should say maybe Jennie can help you loosen up."