One More Night #3 The Cliché of Leagues

One More Night #3 The Cliché of Leagues, continues Bill and Robby’s story from One More Night #1 Setting the Stage, and One More Night #2 Over to Juan’s House.

Juan led Bill and Robby into his bedroom which was furnished with the usual furniture. There was a bed, a lamp on a nightstand, a dresser and a desk with a computer. Actually, the word “computer” is a bit misleading. His desk had a keyboard and a wireless mouse, with a large curved monitor on the desk and three large television screens on the wall. All four of the screens were completely black.

“Nice room.” said Robby. Juan gave Robby a look and then turned to Bill.

“Robby,” said Bill, “please refrain from using clichés in front of Juan. He’s easily irritated by lack of originality.”

“I don’t see what’s so cliché about saying he’s got a nice room.” Robby protested.

“Bill, I thought you said this guy was cool?” Juan asked Bill with a look of distaste.

“I might have stretched the truth a bit.” said Bill.

“Bill!” Robby exclaimed with a hurt expression on his face. Bill ignored it.

“Robby, why don’t you tell Juan why you came here.” said Bill.

“I came here because you brought me here.” said Robby.

“Robby, that’s a bit vague.” Bill chided.

“It’s the truth.” said Robby.

“There’s a lot of things that are ‘the truth,’ but let’s be more specific.” Bill instructed.

“Bill, I don’t have time for this.” Juan said, now visibly irritated.

“Juan, we both know that’s not true.” said Bill.

“There’s lots of things that aren’t true. What do you need from me this time Bill?” Juan asked. Juan sat down at his desk and put his hand on the wireless computer mouse. In the moment that Juan’s hand touched the mouse, all four of the tv screen monitors turned on with the message, “Welcome Back!” flashing across the screens. The monitors then resumed the tasks they were doing when Juan was last logged in. One screen had social media accounts, one displayed the NASDEQ website, one had the security camera footage for Juan’s house, and the one front and center had a half-completed game of minesweeper, with a picture of Juan holding a pug as the desktop screensaver.

“Cute dog.” Robby said while pointing at the screensaver. Juan and Bill stared at Robby with blank expressions.

“You really need to stop with the clichés.” said Bill.

“But it’s a cute dog.” Robby said defensively. Juan looked at Bill.

“Bill, why did you bring Robby here?” asked Juan.

“It has to do with Joyce Reynolds.” Bill answered.

“You mean Joycie?” asked Juan.

“I’m not sure.” Bill turned towards Robby. “Are we looking for Joycie?”

“Some people call her that.” Robby answered.

“Why are you looking for Joycie?” Juan asked while squinting at Robby.

“Because Bill threatened to put me in the trunk of his car.” said Robby.

“Bill, you have to stop threatening to put kids into the trunk of your car.” Juan said as he rolled his eyes.

“I’m not a kid!” Robby exclaimed. “I’m 18 years old.”

“Robby,” said Juan, “you may be old enough to join the military, but you’re still a kid." Juan looked at Bill with indifference. “Why are you two looking for Joycie?”

“The kid has a crush on her and needs to talk to her about it.” answered Bill.

“She’s out of his league.” said Juan.

“That doesn’t matter.” replied Bill.

“It usually does.” Juan retorted. At that point Juan and Bill locked eyes, neither of them speaking, neither of them showing any indication of looking away. Then something unspoken passed between the two of them.

“Robby,” Bill said while still looking at Juan, “please leave the room.”

“Why?” asked Robby.

“Just do it.” Bill said calmly, his eyes still locked with Juan’s. Robby reluctantly left the room. “Juan can you just tell me where she is?”

“You’re setting the kid up for failure.” said Juan.

“Is she really that good looking?” Bill asked. Juan turned to his computer screen. After a series of keystrokes and mouse clicks, he brought up a social media profile for Joyce Reynolds. Bill studied the profile picture.

“Now I think it’s even more important for him to talk to her.” Bill said with a sigh.

“He’s gonna get his heart broken.” said Juan.

“Time heals all wounds, unless you’re an amputee of course.” said Bill. Juan held a tight-lipped smile in response to the remark.

“Bill, what good is it gonna do him to get his heart broken?” asked Juan.

“It’s for the best in the long run. Can you just tell me where to find her?” Bill asked, earnestly looking at Juan. Juan relented with a sigh. He took his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed a number. He put the phone to his ear and began to speak moments later.

“Janice? It’s me Juan…I’m doing fine…That’s good to hear. Listen, apparently Joycie left her clutch at my place during last week’s poker night. It has like, fifty-five dollars in it…Yeah, I know…Anyway, I have a friend that owes me a favor. Where would I send my friend to return said clutch to her this evening?” A moment passed. “The bowling alley on Bryant and Oak…Thank you Janice! I’ve gotta go and get a pizza out of the oven…Yes, we will have to get together again soon…Take care Janice!” Juan ended the phone call and turned to Bill. “Go talk to Larry, he’ll give you a used clutch. You put the fifty-five dollars in it and drive the kid to the bowling alley on Bryant and Oak.”

“I greatly appreciate your assistance, Juan.” said Bill.

“No need for the niceties.” said Juan.

“I’ll see you next Friday?” Bill asked.

“Of course! Can you leave now? I’m rather busy.” said Juan.

“No, you’re not.” said Bill.

“Bill, busy is a relative term.” Juan quipped.

“Good-bye Juan.” said Bill.

“Good-bye Bill.” Juan said while turning back to the game of minesweeper on his computer. Bill turned around and left the room.

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Story by Tom Klingenfuss