If Rae didn't have to pay for rent, she really wants to quit all her jobs.
She used to love working. Even though she did the same thing everyday, she enjoyed the smell of dough and bread and felt prideful in making food for people. But lately, she is craving for human interaction, and she wants more. She doesn't want to spend all her time in the kitchen, where she basically talks to nobody. It's time she tries new things, such as going to new places, meeting other people outside of her circle.
Weirdly, she misses Z as a robot. She's been talking to Z in the box version but it just doesn't feel the same without him being a body around her.
She is now off work right at 9 PM again. She walks through the young, hip area downtown. That was where she saw Wes Warren hanging out with another girl. She doesn't know if she's going to see that again. She notices the Irish pub is the most crowded bar on the street tonight. She stands in front of the popular establishment and just stares at it. Why doesn't she ever go out to bars anymore? She asks herself. She wants to call Marina and have her come out with her. Oh wait, she's probably working at another club right now.
Rae pushes through the crowd standing outside and goes into the pub. Surprisingly, the Irish pub isn't as crowded inside. Most people are drinking out on the patio by the heating lamps. She decides to get a beer.
"Drinking alone?" The bartender asks.
"Yeah." She doesn't know what else to say other than that.
A tall thin guy suddenly plops himself next to Rae. He is probably drunk. "So, would you like me as your company?"
"I guess," She looks at this guy, a little amused, he can barely open his eyes, let alone trying to be her drinking buddy. He has dark hair, a little shaggy and a little too long for Rae's taste. Dark and thick eyelashes frame his eyes perfectly that any girl would die to have. He is tall. Not as tall as Wes Warren. He's lanky and his limbs are also thin and long.
"What are you drinking? Let me catch up." This drunk guy says.
"Just a light beer."
"Psh, light beer tastes like nothing. You might as well drink water."
"Well, I still need to walk home."
"Barkeep, get her another drink on me. Anything but light beer."
"Alright, Joseph," the bartender replies, rolling his eyes.
"Hey, you know it's just Joe."
"Shouldn't they card you? You look super young," Rae says to Joe, half laughing. She's guessing he's probably just turned 21, he's still got some of that student vibe.
"Oh geesh. How old are you?" Joe's eyes are only half open.
"I'm 30 now," Rae makes a face.
"Wow that is old," Joe actually opens his eyes, speaking loudly.
"Hey!" Rae laughs.
"Wow, that's rude," another woman also laughs. She is sitting by the bar and also hears Joe's comment. Rae feels like she may have seen this woman before but she really couldn't tell.
Rae gulps down her glass of light beer when the other glass that Joe bought her comes. She immediately takes a sip, and Joe laughs, "Wow, you're thirsty huh?"
"I'm surprised you can see me at all." Rae wipes her lips.
"Hey, that's racist!"
Rae laughs, "How is that racist?"
"I'm Asian, that's why, don't make fun of the size of my eyes," Joe now sits up a little, but he's laughing; doesn't look like he is really offended.
But Rae's eyes are now big, "Wait, really? Oh I can't tell. Must be the lighting in here."
"Well, I'm a mix, so."
"OK, kid, why don't you watch my drink, I'm going to use the bathroom," Rae gets up, pointing her chin to Joe.
"Me? Watch your drink? I'm probably going to be the one who slips something into your beer. You know how that goes down right? A stranger buys you a drink and drugs you."
Rae shakes her head. This young kid trying to talk like he knows games. She bets this is probably one of his very first trips to a real bar and not just a house party.
"I'm not too worried. I need to use the bathroom," Rae dismisses Joe. She babysits kids since she was 15, so she knows how young kids are.
She walks to the bathroom area, seeing the woman from earlier is also there. But she's apparently making out with a tall man.
She dodges them, avoiding any eye contact, and goes into the bathroom. When she comes out of the stall, the woman steps in to the restroom, with her lipstick quite smeared. Rae quickly gets out. And before Rae reaches the lounge area, she runs into a man.
She looks up, gasps, shocked. It's Wes Warren.
There's lipstick all over his mouth and chin.
So, he was the guy making out with that lady.
"Wow. How nice to see you again here like this after several weeks." Rae forces a smile.
Wes Warren appears to have no reaction to Rae, like she's just a stranger. He doesn't even really look at her. His eyes look beyond her.
"There's no need to ignore me, is there? What a nice touch. OK. Bye." Rae walks away.
Rae sits back down by the bar, she's so mad she wants to scream. That's why Wes hasn't contacted her in such a long time. He's still dating someone else.
Suddenly, her watch vibrates.
It's Z's message: "Rae, that wasn't really Wes Warren but I shouldn't really tell you any detail. I know you're going to be so upset so I thought to let you know. "
And then another message comes in: "I'm 89% sure that Wes is going to explain all this to you soon. So don't be mad."
Oh she is mad as hell. Rae still can't get over how she trusted Wes and then he turns around continue to fool around. Rae is still not happy. She doesn't want to think about this. She just feels foolish.
"What's wrong, 30-year-old lady who drinks alone?" Joe asks, he lays his face on the bar, which is something Rae would never do because she thinks the bar surface has to be full of germs.
"You are so drunk. Don't sleep on the bar." Rae tries to push Joe back up.
"I'm not drunk. I'm just tired after completing everything. I'm just having a little celebration of my early graduation."
"From high school?" Rae asks on purpose.
"No! From college." Joe finally lifts his head up.
Rae takes a sip of the beer, she sticks her tongue out, "Ugh, I don't like this. Too hoppy."
"Yeah, I put drugs in it."
"How old are you really?" Rae gets up from the bar stool, seems to be ready to leave.
"I'm 21. But the age of consent is 16 in the state of Massachusetts."
"Why do you think I need to know the age of consent?"
"Oh, maybe we can make out? You seem to just ran into your ex boyfriend. And he's walking out with a woman now."
Rae turns her head, but Joe stands up and holds her by her waist. "Wanna forget about him with me?"
Rae pushes him lightly, "No thank you. Thanks for the beer. I'm leaving now."
*** **** ***
Rae is home, sitting on the floor. She is drinking some water, trying to wash the alcohol away. She sighs.
"Z, can you find me another love interest?"
"Sure. I thought you'd never asked. I have just the man for you." Z responds immediately.