Thread: A New Philosophy (attn: Emma,ST) 6/23/10

Quinn takes the $100 bill. "Nope, not here but she can be. I'll give her a ring." He walks to the phone and calls Emma, informing her that someone is at Sluggers wanting to see her. When Quinn comes back he leans on the bar, "So... I've seen you in here a few times now. You a friend of hers or just someone she works with?"

A.J. ponders the question a moment. He looks Quinn in the eyes and says, "I like to think I am a friend, but only she can tell you for sure if she considers me a friend. What I can tell you is, she is my friend." He considers Quinn for a few moments, checking his reaction to see if it is an answer that he finds acceptable.

Quinn smiles and nods. "Well, any friend of Emma's is welcome here. I know the answer is usually no with you guys but, um, you want something while you wait?"

A.J. smiles and says, "I will take a Coors Light. Thank you, I appreciate it."

Quinn looks shocked, as you if you said something unxpected, and then goes and grabs a Coors Light. "Well, here you go. Wait for her where-ever you like for her." With that he goes back to work.

A short time later, Emma walks into the bar wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt. She spots AJ and walks up to him. "Well, it's you. How's it going AJ?"

A.J. turns around as she speaks him, he looks at her curiously, not sure if her greeting was a welcoming one or not. He smiles at her and says, "Yeah, it is me. As for how it is going, this probably is not the place to discuss that. Know of somewhere more private to talk?"

Emma nods. "Sure, let's go for a walk." Nodding to Quinn she takes AJ out the front door and begins down the street, occasionally looking up to the sky.

"You can't see the stars in the city..." she remarks after a moment or two. "It's pretty in the countryside though. Hm..." Looking to AJ, "So, what's on your mind tonight?"

A.J. looks up at the stars and smiles, thinking about his spot in Prairie State Park. Temptation crept into his mind, considering inviting her there, but he pushed it aside. He simply says, "I love looking up at the stars. Some of the best spots around here are out in Prairie State Park, for looking at the stars."

He pauses a moment and says, "As much as I would like to go on all night about stargazing, we both know I did not come to talk to you about that." He pauses a moment and looks at her, almost losing himself in how her hair dances in the moonlight. He then looks ahead on the road, scanning to see if there is anyone trying to pay attention, then continues on, "The truth is, Walker referred me to you. He is concerned, as am I, about the possibility of my job turning me into a uncontrollable animal. He suggested I ask if you knew anything about philosophies that might be able to save me from falling to the beast within."