Chapter 3 - Compensation

Jessie is standing outside of the restaurant, smoking with a guy, Philip.

A taxi pulled over in front of Jessie. In a taxi, there is a man named Jack. Jack spoke to Jessie..

Jack: Can I ask you a question?

Jessie: Oh, hi! Yeah, of course.

Jessie approached the taxi, and Philip took a distance from the taxi, and turned away his body from the taxi.

Jack: How can I get to Sim Yeah restaurant around here?

Jessie: Oh, well. I've heard of it, and it's definitely close to here. Let me check out the google map.

Jack: Ok, thank you. Why don't you sit down beside me while you are checking it.

Jack who was speaking over the window which was widely open suddenly opens the door for Jessie to sit inside the taxi next to him.

Jessie: Oh, well. Yeah, sure. Why not. Thank you.

Jessie sat next to him in the taxi. She touched her smartphone screen to access the google map application.

Jessie: Yeah, the application says we are ... here.... and you need to go back to that way to get to Sim Yeah.

Jack: Thank you.

Jessie: My pleasure.

Jessie tries to pull her body out of the taxi. And Jack talks.

Jack: Well, I thought, maybe, do you wanna have dinner with me? Well, I mean, it's on me. You helped me, and it's a bit rainy. So would you just get in the car?

Jessie: Yeah, it's been raining for a while. And I don't have an umbrella, but you know what? I will just stick around here. I was smoking over there, and want to now too anyway.

Jack: I can wait for you to finish another cigarette. Be my guest.

Jessie: No, no, I mean, I was actually talking to the guy over there. So I think I need to get back to him about now.

Jack: Oh, well. Yeah? Ok. If you feel that way, no worries. Well... Um... Where is he though?

Jessie: He is right there smoking his Malboro.

Jack: Oh, I see him now. There. Well, he is a very attractive young man. I guess I am too old for ya, compared to him.

Jessie: Come again?

Jack: Is he your boyfriend?

Jessie: We just met here outside while smoking. Haha, no. No way.

Jack: He is a stranger who you just met today like me then.

Jessie: Yeah, right. I don't even know his name yet.

Jack: In that case, why don't you just join me? He is not like expecting you to join him all evening, is it?

Jessie: Ah... Yes. Actually, but... No, it's ok. I am actually kind of interested in him a little. I do want to get to know that guy over there a little bit better.

Jack: Oh? You fancy him, huh?

Jessie: Hahaha, yeah. Kind of.

Jack: Ok, then. Have a great night, baby/

Jessie: I will definitely. Thank you. You too, darling. Hahaha

Jack: Could I give you my phone number?

Jessie: What for, though?

Jack: When you feel like your are lonely or in need of a mature man who can actually advise you in a wiser way, you can always contact me.

Jessie: Thank you very much for your suggestion, but I don't think I am very much in need of that. Thank you, thought.

Jack: It's not my suggestion. I am asking you to have my phone number. Or, could you give me your number?

Jessie: Sure. But what are you going to do with my phone number?

Jack: I will keep in touch with you. If you don't end up marrying that guy over there, then I might ask you to meet me again in the far future, or something.

Jessie: I see that you do really like me already, haha.

Jack: I do, I do.

Jessie: How old are you?

Jack: I am 52.

Jessie: Oh, I see. I think you are, sort of, too old for me.

Jack: Fair enough. Well, then. How old are you? Can I ask that private question?

Jessie: I am 29.

Jack: We are just 23 years different.

Jessie: Oh, really you think so? Still, you are in your 50s. I am in my 20s. I don't think that'll work at all for me.

Philip threw his finished cigarette.

Jack: That is not an excuse to stand me up.

Jessie: Never mind. I am going back to that young attractive guy as you let me notice about him.

Jack: Fair enough. Well, will you give me your phone number in the end?

Jessie: Sure, here you are. It's my business card.

Jack: You work at Daisy Books. Oh, you are the manager.

Jessie: Yeah, it's the book cafe in downtown and we do have an online bookstore too. I have been working here for 5 years now.

Jack: I will call you tomorrow morning.

Jessie: Fair enough. Bye.

Jack: Take care, darling.

Jessie goes back to this guy who finished his smoking already.

Philip: Why did it take so long?

Jessie: Well, the guy in the taxi just asked me out to dinner tonight. Then, I turned him down to speak with you longer.

Philip: Wow, for me? I am flattered. Why did you turn him down?

Jessie: Because I wanted to talk to you longer.

Philip: Thank you very much for turning him down for me to talk to you longer.

Jessie: So, well. May I have your name?

Philip: On, excuse my manners. I am Philip. Philip Brando.

Jessie: Philip Brando. I hope you are worth turning him down.

Philip: I will meet your demand. I will do my best.

Jessie: That is cute.

Philip: What is yours?

Jessie: Pardon me?

Philip: What is your name?

Jessie: I am Jessie. Jessie Steward. I just turned a guy down to make a longer talk with you. You had better compensate that.

Philip: What is your phone number?

Jessie: I will give you my business card.