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Isis x Nameless 1.0; Curbing Addictions
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Yay!! So excited! I think I'm all good. Who would you like to play?
Okie- so right into characters? Also I was thinking Muse B is 19 but you could make him older if you want. I'll probably make Muse A like 24 or so just cause he has 3 kids ^^
Awesome!! Where should we start? Right at the bar?
Yeah that's fine by me! Unless you want to start at the AA meeting where they're sharing their stories or something.
We could start there - it's Aden's first meeting though so I could just see him being clinical and bitter and still in denial about being an alcoholic. And then everyone around him is like "the first step towards recovery is admitting you have a problem." Which is where he internally So either one works ^^
Well, I guess it just depends on whether or not we want to spin out my characters back story here or not. He can spill more of it at the meeting, since I'm thinking he's been in this boat quite a while, or it can be dripped out over time.
Alright XD we'll start at the AA meeting
Aden didn't belong here. Not at all. Still something guided him into the church building- a place he hadn't bothered to attend since those Sunday's in his childhood when he'd be dressed up as a proper young man and had no chance in whether or not he wanted to go. Those repeated unwilling visits were similar to the one he was facing now, but it wasn't exactly like he had a choice in the matter. Especially after last night when Miranda had arrived unexpectedly with the kids, exclaiming she had a date and her mother had dropped out last minute on babysitting the kids. Unfortunately for him he might have over indulged a bit before he unplanned appearance. Now Aden could barely close his eyes without picturing the fear that had been reflected in Carlie's not just twenty four hours ago. Sure he might have been a bit temperamental, and thrown a few things, but really he hadn't meant to. Apparently that's what alcoholics always said after they binged and committed acts that were out of behavior. Once Aden had sobered up he saw no way he could argue his case, and when Miranda explained she was tired of this repeated one time incident she told him if he didn't scrape himself together she'd file for full custody, and there would be absolutely no doubt of her winning the trail. That's the only thing that pushed him through those front doors into the Alcoholics anonymous meeting. Nevertheless Aden had never been a man who was on time or followed any schedule so he just so happened to be twenty or so minutes late. Pulling a face he grabbed a chair, cringing at the scene in front of him. Clearly he was overdressed in his shiny suite, but there wasn't much he could do now. Someone seemed to amidst their own speech as he entered and he tried to ignore as eyes swiveled in his direction. Luckily enough the other man went through with what he was saying before the attention was truly directed towards him. A cheery looking man who sat next to him turned and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Hello there, you look new here, introduce yourself to the group, tell us why your here." While the man was obviously trying to be warm and inviting Aden couldn't help to find ever action and word of his to be condescending. "Um," He cleared his throat. How did he introduce himself? As an alcoholic? Well he was at an AA meeting, but he still did his best to refuse acknowledgement of the entire situation. Sighing uncomfortably the rest of the words left his mouth in a mumble, "My name is Aden and I have a small problem with drinking." He said with a nod of his head before meeting to eyes of a few people in the circle who were still watching him oddly. Shifting in his seat he was glad for the man sitting next to him. "Welcome. Aden. My name is Paul, the director of these meetings. This is a safe place to speak of the demons that face us in life, especially those brought on by alcohol. Perhaps you yourself are not ready to share your story, but perhaps once we go around the circle and have everyone else introduce themselves and tell a bit more about their own stories you'll feel more comfortable." With that the short-haired blond patted his shoulder in what could be considered a fatherly manner before whipping out a pair of glasses from his pocket and settling them on the bridge of his nose. Aden couldn't help but to think they fit the man perfectly before Paul gestured for the man beside him to continue the introductions around the circle.
Rex had been attending AA meeting for months now, and sometimes they actually seemed to help. At the very least, he had managed to get a few clients out of it and that was better than nothing at all. So, he kept coming and he told a little more of his story every time, because he was getting more comfortable, and because the more he told, the more people in the room that wanted to pay him for a good time. Everyone loved a good sob story, after all. However, he was glad for the break before he had to proceed with his story as yet another man walked into the meeting, late. He had been meant to go next and was instead holding back laughter over the new guy's pitiful introduction. Little problem with drinking my ass, he thought to himself, smirking lightly, and only wiping it away when the attention once more came back to him.
"Well, I'm Rex, as most of you know, and I'm a raging alcoholic, as most of you also know. I'm only 19 years old, but yes, I use the word raging. I've been drinking since I was twelve years old and I've dabbled in many other substances as well. My father was also an alcoholic, so I should have known better, but I wanted to be a cool kid and I liked how it felt when I got blackout drunk. So, I dropped out of school so that I could spend all day drinking with my father, who accidentally killed himself when I was 13 because he mixed his usual alcohol with a new prescription he had gotten for some STD he had contracted while cheating on my mother."
He sighed softly as he looked around at the facial expressions all around. They were typical and most already knew this story from his previous tellings.
"So you would think again that I would have known better, and maybe I did, but God did I love getting drunk. I kept at it until my mother kicked me out on the streets because she couldn't handle my vicious, drunk attitude. I broke just about every damn mirror and fragile item when I left and then I broke her arm when she tried to stop me. I didn't even feel bad and I probably would have broken more if someone hadn't heard the commotion and sent over the cops. That was the first time I got arrested."
He paused for a moment to wet his throat by swallowing a few times. "I was in a juvenile prison for six months, since this was my first offense and my mother actually worked to try and get me out, even though I didn't deserve it. When I got out I was set up in a half-way house and given a job. I had sobered up in prison and it last for almost three weeks before I started to drink again, lost my job, and then got caught taking a piss on my boss's house. That was the second time I got arrested."
"I was in a juvenile prison for only two months that time and that's where I discovered that I could use my body to get pretty much whatever I wanted. So when I got out I was not only immediately a drunk again, but a drunk that had more sex than any person should ever have in their life. I probably slept with about 5 men, or women, a night. Mostly men though, because that's my preference in most cases." He winked at the people who were all watching him.
"The third, and hopefully final time that I went to prison," he said, "Was because of a bar fight. Luckily I didn't start it, or end it, or else I would be in prison for life, because two people died. I was actually minding my own business, getting drunk off my ass in a bar that served underage kids like me, and this big guy came up and made a pass at me. I knew him, had slept with him before, but I wasn't in the mood this particular time so I ignored him. He was probably using something because he got very mad, very fast. He smashed a stools of the bartenders head, killing him, and then hit me. I was much luckier than the bartender and got away with only a tiny head wound and enough strength to fight back. I can't even remember most of the fight after that, but I know that I was in a lot of trouble, a woman had died along with the bartender, and that I was heading to prison again. I was there for a year because this time I was tried as an adult and I stayed in an actual prison. Things were not great there for a little guy like me and that's why I'm here. I'd like to stay sober so I don't end up in prison again, and I'd like to get my act together so that I don't have to pay my rent with my body for once."
He made a saluting gesture and then sat back down, crossing his arms over his chest. He had told the whole story with a rather bored tone, as he had given most of it up before and it wasn't much a of a story to begin with, just truth.
As stories were shared around the circle it only furthered Aden's convictions that he did not belong her at all. Compared to these people he could be consider perfectly sober Sally, after all he hadn't gotten into any true physical fights with anyone- or so he thought. Sometimes it was hard to tell when he ended up black out drunk, but often that happened in the privacy of his own home so there wasn't much to worry about there. He was never really one to show up to bars unless for quick social events. When he was younger his father had been the town drunk, and he'd made an absolute fool of himself. With his mom in the ground by the time he was seven he was really only known as Bobby Steele's son, and that wasn't really much of a noteworthy highlight. Often times he'd have to clean up his fathers act, pull the house together and just do his best to support himself as he took small, odd jobs from the age of ten. While it could be stressful it was also a relief to just get out of the house, especially when the mopey drunk turned into an absolutely raging alcoholic. When he couldn't get people to listen to him he would use his fists instead of his words. Or sometimes it seemed Bobby Steele just found simple pleasure in beating the living shit out of his own son. Either way once his old man did get his act together that's when Aden had set up his own business, he supported his dad and helped him get back up on his feet. but that was all the help he could give him. Since helping him out they've maintained minimal contact and maybe that was another reason here. He didn't want to lose his children legally, but he didn't want to lose them entirely just because of a few bad days. Aden wanted to there for every single milestone in their life, and not an absent father like his own. Still it took all of his willpower to sit there silently and listen to everyone and not march out of the room in frustration. This place seemed like it was for lost causes. Okay, no, he couldn't really judge them like that. At least they were here getting some of their act together, but he didn't need this supposed support system.Eventually the stories ended and Aden's eyes traveled to his wrist watch where he noticed just how much time had gone by. He held back a yawn before nodding his head. "Well, this has been productive." He said to Paul, glad the man hadn't pushed him to share as the room started emptying. "Maybe next time I'll be ready to share." It was certainly a vacant promise, but it felt easier to lie then say the obvious thing on his mind. Nodding his head he made his way towards the exit. Just as he reached his car he paused a moment as he spotted the bar across the street. Well wasn't that conveniently placed? Right across from the place of allegedly recovering alcoholics. Shrugging his shoulders he removed his suit jacket before putting it into his car and locking it up. Sure the bar scene wasn't exactly his, but there was no problem with a celebratory drink for making it through that dreadfully boring meeting. Hurriedly he made his way across the crosswalk before entering. The place wasn't exactly the nicest of residences, but that didn't matter to him much. A practiced smile fell across his lips as he took a seat by the counter and relaxed for a moment, his eyes flickering over the menu behind the bar to see what their specialty menu was.
When the meeting finally let out he was one of the first ones to leave. He looked out at the bar across the street and sighed. The place was a real shit hole when it came to the people inside it, but the actual structure and service were good enough, as he knew from being inside so often. He went their after almost every meeting. He had never ordered anything to drink, but he always got some sort of food and then found some business for the night. It was a really great place to be a prostitute, and a really great place to get drunk if that's what you were looking to do.
So tonight, like every night, he walked across the street and went in. He went and sat at the bar, briefly noticing that he had sat directly next to the new guy from the meeting. He didn't bother to try and make any conversation because the guy seemed like a jerk, and definitely not someone willing to spark up a chat with someone else from the AA meeting. The guys obviously didn't think that he had a problem yet, and thought everyone else definitely did.
He sighed and ordered himself a sandwich, looking at all the bottles and bottles of liquor as he did so. The food wasn't even good here, but they had about every bottle of booze that could be imagined and he liked to look at them. He could just about taste them all in his mouth and that was better than nothing.
Just as he was about to order a figure across the bar stalled him and he leaned back in his stool for a moment. After crossing the street he'd honestly hadn't guessed that he'd see a familiar face at the bar. Briefly he tried recalling a name before realizing such efforts were useless. Everyone's names blurred together after a while, but he did match tidbits of a story to the face. From what he remembered this was the young man who'd landed himself on the streets and in jail for some reason or another which landed him in the business of prostitution. Aden didn't know though how alcohol effected the situation- or at least he couldn't remember why. The only reason he could think of that story of the man in of itself was due to the fact it had been more colorful then the dull ones about how some middle-aged men were slipping into their mid-life crisis and the bottle had been their only companion during such gray times. That and the person across the bar did seem to be the youngest one there. Still seeing him there made him a bit paranoid. That feeling alone most have been what guided him across the floor to sit besides him. "You're not here for a drink are you?" Aden asked, keeping his tone light as he leaned against the counter for a minute before settling himself on the seat. He figured he wouldn't be there long, but despite his reluctance to talk during the meeting he was generally a chatty guy who had a hard time shutting up.
Rex was quite surprised when the man from the meeting pulled up on the seat next to him, and frowned when he heard his question. "I could ask the same thing of you," he replied, not quite in a snappy tone, but close. "I just come here for the food and business," he said, though his eyes strayed toward the wall of liquor. He so desperately wanted to taste each and every bottles' contents, but he knew that he couldn't. He was already homeless and a prostitute. He supposed it couldn't get worse, but he knew he better not try to test the theory. He sighed softly and looked more fully at the man. "I know you don't think alcohol is your problem, but it probably is. Alcohol is everything that is wrong with me and I still want it. It's pitiful and disgusting, but I come here every night and I just want it. You might not be to that point yet, but you should be careful. You could end up on the streets, getting paid for sex. The AA meetings help more than you would think. You should keep going. It forces you to face just how much of a scrum bag alcohol has forced you to become. The stuff is liquid gold, but it fucking ruins you."
He looked back toward the wall of booze, so much longing in his eyes. He was like a puppy that had lost its owner.
Aden's gaze followed his over towards the line of liquor. The display did look rather tempting, and he had previously planned to reward himself with a drink, but he was snapped out of such ideas due to the fact he had so clearly made his presence obvious to this other recovering alcoholic.He was surprised when he continued talking and forced himself not to roll his eyes as he pressed his palms flat on the counter before smiling. "I like you." He said matter of factly before taking the seat beside him and grabbing his own menu. Now he found no reason for excuses as to why he was here as he ordered a simple burger and fries, along with a water. It would've been better to wash it down with something as cheap as a cold beer, but he would make due. Aden held back a laugh though at the mention of him ever being in the same position as the younger man. That was entirely unlikely. Unless, of course, he blew through all of his savings and impulsively started buying luxurious items as well as making a multitude of foreign investments. Still- it was very hard to imagine such a thing happening. Shaking his head he realized he'd entirely missed any chances of formality and manners as he extended a hand forwards, "My name's Aden," he said, unsure of whether or not he'd remember. "What's your name?" That was certainly something he himself had forgotten- if it was ever brought up at all to begin with that is.
Rex raised and eyebrow as the man told him, quite matter of factly, that he liked him. He immediately wondered if this man was going to give him a job for the night, and he had to say that he wouldn't mind. The man was attractive, if nothing else. However, it seemed unlikely that a job was the case due to the man's clothing and general personality so far. He wouldn't get his hopes up and there would always be someone else around once this guy was gone. For now though, he just ordered himself a burger as well, and a soda. "My name's Rex, as in my father was drunk and wanted to name me T-Rex," he said with a soft chuckle. "Nice to meet you, I suppose. Tell me though, what brings you to an AA meeting if you don't think that you have a problem? Wife? Kids? Angry pet?" The guy definitely didn't seem like the type to be in trouble with the law, so it probably wasn't forced into AA as punishment. He wasn't wearing a ring so it couldn't be a recent marriage. Kids probably then. Or at least a kid. The guy couldn't be past his twenties so it was unlikely he had a gaggle of kids.
Oddly he found himself softening a bit towards the man opposite him. After all they did have alcoholic father's in common- if anything. "So legally you're Rex, not T-Rex, right?" He asked furrowing his eyebrows wondering if his father had somehow managed to get that dinosaur name down on that birth certificate. After that he didn't expect anything more then small talk, but it seemed Rex wanted to ask the hard hitting questions. As his glass was placed in front of him he swirled the contents around lazily with a straw. "My wife." Speaking too quickly Aden immediately recognized his mistake and shook his head. "Ex-wife actually, and kids." He didn't really want to get into the whole mess of things, especially when he knew for a fact things were being blown out of proportion. "How exactly would an angry pet bring me to an AA meeting?" Aden asked, raising an eyebrow in a questionately teasing manner as he was unable to come up with any plausible idea himself.
"Yes, it's legally Rex. My mother wasn't quite the idiot that my father was, thankfully," he said with a very small chuckle. He was glad every day that his father hadn't actually demanded that he be named after a dinosaur. That would have made his life just that much more depressing. He nodded as Aden minimally explained about his ex-wife and kids, and it was apparent that the ex hadn't been the ex for long by his original mistake. He wanted to ask if the drinking had been the reason for the divorce, but he was distracted just in time. "The pet thing was a joke. You've never heard one before? Obviously a pet couldn't force you to go to AA," Rex said, a genuine smile coming onto his lips as he teased the man sitting next to him.
"Well that's fortunate you had someone sane in your family," Aden responded, thinking nothing of his words and whether or not they'd be offensive as he began to drink his water. Seeing the waiter come back their way with a burger his eyes lit up a bit as he realized how hungry he was. Unfortunately it just so happened to be for someone sitting at a table a little ways back. "Ah, a joke." He noted with a shake of his head as he pursed his lips. That made much more sense. "That's true." He noted trying to picture it if a dog had dragged him out the door and set him on this supposed enlightening journey. "So... You've been in the program for a while," Aden began, uncertain if it was a true statement. "Does it really work?" Judging by the fact they were both casually sitting in a bar right now it was fair to say he had his doubts on the whole thing.
"Well I started AA about four months ago and I haven't had a drink in four months," Rex replied, trying not to think too much of the fact that this guy seemed to have a pole up his ass. That, or he was really out of it if he couldn't figure out what a joke was. "Basically, I'd say that it works enough. You're around people who have problems, though they might not be the same as yours. Those people are more than willing to give you a smack in the head if you think of drinking too. Plus, you get a sponsor. Mine is a hard ass, which I appreciate, and I can talk to him any time I want. AA is also a good place to find clients though, in my case. There's no one looking for sex from a young boy like a bunch of people trying to find a new addiction." He laughed lightly, though this definitely wasn't a joke. "In short, it depends who you are. I think it would be good for you, since you're in denial and it helps with that, but that's just my opinion," Rex told him, not really caring if he as insulting this man either. It was actually kind of nice just to be brutally honest with someone.
"Just because you haven't touched one doesn't mean you don't want one." Aden noted with a shrug as his own eyes quickly flitted over the alcohol displayed behind the counter. It'd be so easy to just order something here. Alas he couldn't now as he was at risk of getting smacked upside the head. Not only that but some unconscious part of him would probably feel guilty- especially with Rex sitting right there. With all that was said he had to wonder who his sponsor would be. He'd already been to his first meeting and hadn't recieved one. "When exactly do you get a sponsor?" Aden asked, even as he highly doubted his own return to the group. As Rex spoke about people finding new addictions in a young boy he did his best not to pull his face. Secretly he did desire to be as open about his sexuality. Perhaps not so open, but not so much in denial as he was with his apparent alcoholism. For now though he ignored his opinion and continues on to less layered topics. "So, after this meal do you have any plans for the evening?" Aden only realized after the words left his mouth how strange that was to ask of a prostitute. Especially as he certainly wasn't trying to make plans with said prostitute. "I mean- nevermind." He said feeling a bit embarrassed about the question. Luckily he didn't have to dwell on it for too long as his meal did arrive at that second.
"You get a sponsor when someone thinks you're worth sponsoring," Rex replied. "When one of the recovered alcoholics, with at least five years of being sober but usually more, thinks that you're really serious about getting clean and dealing with the problem they'll approach you. You won't get one for a while with the attitude you sported today, but I suppose you don't think you need one." Rex grinned and raised eyebrows at the man next to him. He knew he was probably going out of his way to ruffle the man's feathers, but the guy looked like he needed a little ruffling. However, he hadn't expected the question about his evening plans. He was about to answer when the man made his next statement, decidedly flustered. "Oh stop. I know you're not trying to give me a job for the night. An ex-wife and kids usually means that a guy isn't going to be into me, or you know penises in general," he laughed. "I do hope to get some business out of someone though. It'll give me a place to be for a while before I head back to the shelter and look for an empty bed. Plus, I need the money. I'm saving up for a place to stay."
"People have been in the program for more than five years?" Such an outcome didn't shed much positive light on this whole Alcoholics Anonymous thing. After all wouldn't a year, at maximum be enough? Or were those people afraid going off the deep end. Maybe they just got satisfaction from helping others who were dealing with the same problems they had fought with. Aden glanced over at Rex wondering if the slightly younger man was taking jabs at him and whether he should leave him to his own devices. But he figured he was here now and he may as well finish his own meal before taking off. Besides where was the fun in sitting alone? Even if he was being subtly insulted he just brushed it off. It was better than sitting in silence anyways. Fortunately Rex didn't think anything of his embarrassment, believing entirely that Aden was the perfect image of a happy heterosexual male. He'd take it and leave it be. At mention of a shelter Aden glanced over at him for a moment, trying not to let the sympathy show on his face. Despite the edge to their conversation he couldn't help the feeling of wanting to protect the younger man. It was practically in his nature to want to help people. Okay, maybe not all people, but those with unfortunate circumstances. In the past he'd been known to bring home a stray or two, and not of the animal variety. He'd usually fix them up with a nice bed and they'd be off in the morning before he could actually help them in any way shape or form. Gone with a few of his possessions too, but that's not really what bothered him. Since the last one though, it was true that he'd taken in many more kittens then people lately. "I know you don't know me or anything, but if you ever need a place to stay, a warm bed or anything, you could always come to my place." Before he could stop himself the words were out of his mouth. Miranda would've scolded him over such behavior, but it wasn't like she was here right now. Still he could practically hear her self-entitled voice in his head, you can't just keep inviting street-rats into your house Aden. But it wasn't like he had the kids for the night, and under everything he did feel for the younger man. After all it must've taken a lot to push him into prostitution.
"No no, they're not in the program anymore. They just volunteer their time to those that still are. They've successfully completed the program and just want to help others do the same and stay sober," Rex replied before his food arrived and he took a nice big bite before it even had a chance to cool. He was absolutely starving, despite the snacks that he had gotten at the meeting. He didn't exactly have the luxury of eating every meal, and most of the meals he got weren't exactly delicious, so this was basically heaven. However, he paused in his chewing when he heard the man's offer. His lips turned down into a frown and his eyes traveled over to Aden, full of confusion. He finished chewing just so that he could swallow and then he made a throat clearing sound before talking. "Doesn't that seem a little dangerous to you? I don't think you're supposed to invite strangers, or homeless people in general, into your home. How do you know that I wouldn't rob you blind, or give you fleas?" he asked, beyond confused by the man's generous offer. He shook his head and sighed. "No. I'm ok, and you probably shouldn't offer your home to everyone you meet. Someone will take advantage of your kindness."
Aden didn't bother with a reply, though he still couldn't help but to wonder what the satisfaction was with going back.Apparently he didn't need his ex-wife to be there to get a mini-lecture on the dangers of inviting a practical stranger into your house. "Rob me blind? I doubt you could entirely do that without all of my credit card numbers and safety accounts. And all of the other items are just material things." Like the pair of golden vases Miranda had him buy to place by the banister of the stairs. They'd served zero purpose in their life so far, and were seemingly only bought to display their wealth every time they hosted parties. One time Aden had put his umbrella in one of them, figuring it would work perfectly for the size and shape, and she'd had an absolute heart-attack. "Fleas? I guess those are always something to worry about. Although I do have Frontline Plus, I hear it works magic on those horrible pests." Aden told him thoughtfully as he took a bite from his hamburger. It wasn't exactly gourmet, but he could appreciate it for what it was. A cheap meal. The fries were lacking in the salt department so he reached over for the shaker before putting some one. As he finally got a reply from Rex he nodded his head slowly. Well it's too late for not getting taken advantage of... but that didn't mean he wouldn't offer a place for somebody who needed a leg up. "I mean I don't offer it to everyone I meet, like that girl over there," He pointed to someone across the bar, "I haven't asked her yet. But she's got crazy eyes, so maybe I've dodged a bullet with that one."
"Material things can go for a lot of money and most people really care about theirs," Rex pointed out, but shrugged. "I could never understand it, but still. Your choice if you want those things stolen or not, I suppose." He shrugged a little bit then glanced over at the girl he pointed out. He couldn't help the laugh that escaped his lips. "Actually, we call her Crazy Anne. She's totally insane. There are about a million rumors about the people she has killed even though we're all pretty sure she's never done anything but talk to herself in that corner over there," he told Aden. "On the bright side, even if you had tried she wouldn't have known you were even speaking to her."He was already half way through his burger and had only slowed down enough to speak to Aden. Now, he scarfed through the rest of his food and sat back, rubbing his hands over his stomach. He still felt oddly hungry, but he knew that would go away after a little while. It always did.
"I suppose," Aden said with a short lived shrug. Maybe he couldn't relate only because he had so much and nowhere to put it towards. At least he was sure his kids would be set for college- which was obviously where they were going, no if, ands, or buts, about it. Still as long as he was comfortable he was fine. And maybe that was the root to it all. He was comfortable, and he felt some sort of duty to help others. "Ah, she's even got a nickname." Aden said laughing at how spot on he'd gotten it. With closer inspection he could see her talking to herself as Rex had indicated. "Well that's promising. But if she just sits there in the corner all of the time what does she do when the bar closes?" Aden couldn't help but to wonder if she had someone to look out for her either as he took a sip from his drink and ate more of his burger. "You full?" He asked, looking towards the younger man's empty plate as he patted his stomach.
"She actually sleeps in here. The owned tried to get her out in the beginning but she cried like mad. She just stays here now and literally only leaves her spot to go to the bathroom. The owner knows that this place is a dump and all of his customers are used to her, so I don't think it's a big deal. She's never stolen anything or messed anything up. I'm sure she'll just die there eventually," Rex said. "I'd say it's sad but she doesn't seem to think so. She's content just sitting there so it's nothing to be sad about I guess." Rex shrugged and then leaned against the counter. "Enough about this weird bar though. Why is it that you're so willing to invite random strangers home? Don't you have kids? And from your clothes I would say that you have a pretty nice place to live. Aren't you worried?" He had never had a whole lot of possessions that he cared about, or worth stealing, but he assumed that this guy certainly did.
"Wow, that's actually kind of morbid," Aden noted, looking back at the women one more time. So, she basically lived in this bar, talked to herself with no human interaction, and she was fine with that? He just couldn't imagine it. It would make him go insane, perhaps that's how Crazy Anne even got to this point. "I'm sure when someone finds her dead body here that will send the rating of this place all the way up to five stars." He finished speaking and soon finished his own burger before nibbling at the fries and leaning back in his stool in a more relaxed position. Aden processed the questions being thrown at him before giving a non-committal shrug of his shoulders. "I mean if you were in the position to offer as much help to someone as you could to someone in need, wouldn't you?" People always seemed wary of helping out a stranger. He got that on some level. After all those who begged for money on the side of the street could just be going and spending that spare change on more drugs to dope themselves up. Aden chose to remain optimistic, and hopeful, believing some good would go towards that money he was giving away. Or some good would come from his "random acts of kindness". He glanced over at Rex for a moment, "As for my kids they're currently away with their mother." Miranda had been staying in an apartment in the city, but he was pretty sure she was at their vacation home right now, claiming she needed some space from him. Maybe that's why he was pretending to attempt to get whatever his act was together so she wouldn't decide to stay there permanently as the place was practically on the other coast of the U.S. "If we were all worried about someone taking advantage of us I'm sure we'd all live in absolute paranoia, which wouldn't do much good for anyone. Of course there are risks, but all people are innately good, it just depends on what cards they've been dealt that changes them."
"I don't know if I'd help someone," Rex replied. "I've never been in the position to help someone. I can barely even help myself. I don't know what I'd do if I actually had the means to help others. Not to mention the fact that I don't feel nearly as optimistic about the human population as you do. When you've been to prison, lived on the streets, and worked as a prostitute, you start to lose faith. I know more people that are rotten then people who are good. I have nothing and yet I still get taken advantage of. I've had my things stolen by other homeless. I've been kicked in my sleep by rotten kids and policemen who think I'm scum. I've had grown men take advantage of me rather than pay for what I'm selling. I've never begged for money but a nice man once gave me twenty dollars, which was promptly stolen by a woman walking by as I stared at it in awe of that guys's random generosity. So, yes, there are generous and kind people out there, but I don't think most of them are that way. You're one of the good ones though. When you get cleaned up I bet you'll even be great."
"That's true, you can't really say what you'd do in a position that you're not in. It's like all those people who say they'd rush into burning buildings to save lives, or jump in front of a bus or bullet for someone. I call bullshit on over half of them." Aden said, as he was suddenly seeing the world through the much bleaker view that Rex was. He could only imagine what he'd been through. No, he couldn't even do that without it being a horribly inaccurate. "I mean there's no doubt people and the system can be rather corrupt. Though I'm sure the press isn't going to show some cop beating up a homeless kid for the news, after all that would just ruin the great image they've had." Aden noted dryly. He didn't linger on that subject though as he let out a light laugh. "So once I've cured my supposed problem with alcohol I'll be one of the greatest?"
"Sure, why not? You offered me a place to stay and that's pretty great, but your kids probably don't love the alcohol thing. Though, like I said, I don't exactly have the best pool of people to compare you to. I might be blinded by the one kindness," Rex replied with a shrug. "Though, I do admit that you're not that far gone into the booze yet, which is good. You could really get out of it and never go back. You should, for your kids, before ties too late. Having a drink for a dad is terrifying, and embarrassing. I'll never even go near a child until I can stop coming into this place and wishing for alcohol. I don't want to hurt any kids." He nodded decisively and then sighed. "Well, mister, I've got to hit the streets. It's not too late to find some business."
"Mmm, maybe," Aden said before his thoughts were brought back to his children. Rex certainly did make a point. He never wanted to see any of his daughter's look at him with fear or embarrassment. "So basically to recover I'm not allowed to drink any alcohol? Not even during formal occasions?" He asked in some disbelief. Was that really what recovered alcoholics did? They just fixed their problem and never touched the stuff again? How would he get through insufferable business dinners and office parties without a glass of brandy or something? "Ah, the never ending job of a prostitute." Aden said with a somewhat teasing tone before stopping himself from going further. It really wasn't appropriate for him to joke about it at all. "But I was serious, if you ever need a place to stay my doors always open." As he thought about it more he reached for the pocket in his jacket before pulling something out, "Here's my business card if you need to reach me. It's got my work address and work phone number, and here." Grabbing a pen as well he scrawled down his phone number on the back in his perfectly messy handwriting before handing it to Rex. "And if your supposed business doesn't work out too well, or you want the night off, take this. It should be enough for a nice hotel." Aden said, reaching for a few hundred dollar bills before giving them to him as well. He would refuse to take it back either, figuring it was the least he could do if Rex wouldn't accept his offer for a nice place to sleep that wasn't the shelter. With that he placed down another hundred dollar bill- enough to cover them for their meals and leave a nice tip for the bartender. "Have a nice..." He paused. "Life?" Aden said it as more of a question, assuming he'd never see the kid again. Adjusting himself he strode across the bar floor before exiting and making his way back towards the building where he'd parked his car.
"Haven't you ever noticed how one little drink turns into more little drinks somehow? That's called being an alcoholic. You can't touch alcohol without deciding you need a little more, and a little more, and a little more. So yes, it's unfortunatel, but you'll have to refrain from all alcohol. Even a sip could lead to a relapse. It's not a great solution but it's the only one that there is at this point. As far as you're concerned, alcohol is poison. Stay away from it for your family's sake," Rex replied with a shrug before Aden made his little joke. He was a good sport, so he smiled along and then his eyes went massively wide as he was handed a few hundred dollars worth of cash. "Oh god no. I can't take this," he said, pushing it back to the man. "You don't owe me this. You don't owe me anything at all. Really, take it back. I'm fine. You're being too generous. It was nice enough to just have company for dinner."
Aden looked back down at the money as Rex attempted to give it back but he shook his head. "Trust me it's nothing. Didn't even empty my wallet." Which was the truth, he could easily have added to that and made it an even thousand dollars, but judging by his reaction to a few hundreds he could only imagine the refusal that would develop from that. "I don't need it anyways so you mind as well spend it on something good, and I'm sure my company wasn't that best." Aden replied with a bit of a sideways smile, holding his hands up as he continued to walk outside the bar. "I'm not taking it back so if you wanna leave it that's up to you." He said, hoping to make the choice easier for Rex. It was obvious he wasn't used to small forms of generousity so he'd have to force his hand on this one.
Rex didn't even know how to respond. He was stuck in an endless loop of staring at the money in awestruck confusion, and then looking up at Aden. He simply could not believe that this had just happened, or that the guy still had money in his wallet. It was a miracle, in Rex's eyes. He would have to spend the night giving his body up to a stranger. He could even get a room in a sleazy hotel for a few nights and be alone. He just didn't even know how to react to that."Thank you," he said just loud enough for Aden to hear before he left. "Thank you so much. I can't ever thank you enough." It was only a few hundred dollars but to Rex it was much more than money. This man really was amazing.
I've been thinking about this idea for a week before I wrote it lol. Hopefully it makes sense though, if you have any questions just ask. Also anything you want to add?