[He's not really sure why she'd think that, so he just shrugs again in response, sips his drink and then watches her with a frown as she blames herself.]
That’s what it always is, isn’t it? I’m the problem. [She laughs a little. So bitter about it. Is she skipping the loopy portion of her drunkenness and heading straight to the depressing part? It’s more likely than one would think.]
My stubbornness. Lack of empathy. My superiority complex. Astronomical expectations in all aspects of life. Lack of relationships. [A shrug.] I can continue if you like. But I think that covers most of it.
[At least Muldoon turns his attention to stare off into the distance at some far off point rather than keeping it on Wendy. He's quiet for a long minute while he works through what she's told him.
Finally he looks at her again.]
You're smart and determined enough to go to college, to work in a chemistry department. If you decide to, really decide to, I know you could do whatever you like.
I’m complimenting you anyway. [A solemn nod.] You’re better than my actual therapist. [Her mandatory, work-appointed therapist that’s just there to cross I’s and dot T’s. Thanks, HR.]
Oh - wait. That’s gonna be the issue. Lemme just - write it down. Or something. One sec. [Put it on her phone? As a reminder. Yes. Wendy decides to dig through her bag for her phone and do just that.]
[Muldoon can't help but snort at that.] Then you need a new therapist.
[He smiles at that, but is happy to focus on sipping his drink while she fusses about her bag. At this rate neither of them are going to be able to walk home.]
HR picked them. [A helpless shrug.] Wasn’t my call. I just go to say I did so they’ll stay off my back. Plus I can do it on company time.
[Mmm, overtime. But hey - she’s found her phone! So she’s setting up an alarm for herself. At least - that’s the idea. There’s a whole mess of squinting involved.]
Mmm - not everyone? But they're always available to be assigned if necessary. My boss deemed it necessary so here I am. Sleepwalking through three months of mandatory feelings discussion.
[Lin rolls her eyes. There's no way she's cooperating in these sessions. Most likely doing the barest of minimums so she'll be cleared.]
Would you believe this is an incredibly stressful workplace that most people don’t know how to handle? I mean - I would’ve never known if they hadn’t told me that therapy. [And then she just laughs, shaking her head.]
Talking doesn't help anything unless it's backed by action. [And he demonstrates this by prodding the counter pointedly with each of those last few words.] Talking is messy. All that tone and societal rules and politeness makes things so complicated.
[He looks her in the eye.] It shouldn't be that complicated, Wendy. If people want something, they should just show they want it. Go and get it. Or earn it.
She squints at him, nodding slowly as she attempts to follow his words. Maybe the nodding is a bad idea because it makes her a teensy bit dizzy, but she’s okay. Keeping herself upright even though it’s a challenge.]
Okay so I just gotta do it then? Go for it. [She considers this for a moment, nods again. It’s short. The eye contact - she doesn’t keep it, just glances away. Uncomfortable.]
[Unaware of her discomfort, Muldoon gives a certain nod.] You should! And of everyone you'd accomplish it, too. Not everyone is smart and pretty and accomplished.
[With another confident nod he sips his drink.] You'd get it done if you put your mind to it. Whatever it is.
[Oh why did he have to stick the pretty comment in there? Yeah, she’s flattered. But she also doesn’t know what to do with that.]
Okay. [A pause.] Do you want to… do this again? Sometime? Minus drinks. [She lifts her glass, shakes it a bit. It’s not full enough to spill.] None of the really heavy stuff, just - sober conversation?
[This is her. Just doing it. And sipping away as she waits for his response.]
Yeah. [She nods, clearing her throat as she sets her glass down.] I’m definitely asking you out.
[There’s more nodding. She seems… totally serious about this. Whatever shyness that was there before - gone. Either she’s really good at faking it, or the combination of booze and pep talk are truly doing wonders for her confidence.]
It’s not my usual approach but - what the hell, right? Might as well.
[That gets him to choke on his whiskey, just a little. It takes him a minute to compose himself again. Even after this many drinks his brain knows he needs to switch gears as he reassesses the situation.]
Sorry, [he mutters as he clears his throat.] I didn't think you...
[Managing to stop himself before he puts his foot in his mouth, he swallows and starts again. Even trying to be casual now.]
[…Maybe she was being a bit too forward? Unless her flirting technique is lost on him. Could be the situation. Sometimes her intentions aren’t as obvious as she thinks they are.
Wendy just waits for him to recover, tries not to look like she’s freaking out or close to disappointment. There’s no need for any of it - because he says yes.]
Okay. [She’s smiling, quite pleased with herself.] Hard part’s out of the way. I’m still taking care of your tab tonight by the way. No use fighting me on it, okay? You can get me next time. Or whenever, really. I don’t mind.
[That little hesitation is him debating whether or not to argue with her about it anyway. Ultimately he decides not to, which is probably for the best. She's as stubborn as he is.]
Alright. Thanks.
[He taps his finger against his glass for a moment before looking at her again. In a new light this time.]
Would you like me to organise things for next time? Or would you rather do it?
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Is it?
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I’m always in my own way. Like my therapist says.
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How can you always be in your own way?
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Finally he looks at her again.]
You're smart and determined enough to go to college, to work in a chemistry department. If you decide to, really decide to, I know you could do whatever you like.
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[A squint.] You sure you’re in the right profession? [And there’s a little pause before her features break into a smile. It’s slight, but it counts.]
I can try to start tomorrow. Or whenever I get over this fucking hangover I’m about to suffer through.
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[He nods his approval.] Just remember you plan to start at all.
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Oh - wait. That’s gonna be the issue. Lemme just - write it down. Or something. One sec. [Put it on her phone? As a reminder. Yes. Wendy decides to dig through her bag for her phone and do just that.]
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[He smiles at that, but is happy to focus on sipping his drink while she fusses about her bag. At this rate neither of them are going to be able to walk home.]
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[Mmm, overtime. But hey - she’s found her phone! So she’s setting up an alarm for herself. At least - that’s the idea. There’s a whole mess of squinting involved.]
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[Talking, in Muldoon's opinion, is overrated. And therapists are just fashionable scam artists.]
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[Lin rolls her eyes. There's no way she's cooperating in these sessions. Most likely doing the barest of minimums so she'll be cleared.]
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Why did he do that?
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Seems pointless to me. Talking never fixed anything. Doing things is what's important.
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[Wendy don’t.
Wendy does. What number drink is this again?]
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Talking doesn't help anything unless it's backed by action. [And he demonstrates this by prodding the counter pointedly with each of those last few words.] Talking is messy. All that tone and societal rules and politeness makes things so complicated.
[He looks her in the eye.] It shouldn't be that complicated, Wendy. If people want something, they should just show they want it. Go and get it. Or earn it.
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She squints at him, nodding slowly as she attempts to follow his words. Maybe the nodding is a bad idea because it makes her a teensy bit dizzy, but she’s okay. Keeping herself upright even though it’s a challenge.]
Okay so I just gotta do it then? Go for it. [She considers this for a moment, nods again. It’s short. The eye contact - she doesn’t keep it, just glances away. Uncomfortable.]
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[With another confident nod he sips his drink.] You'd get it done if you put your mind to it. Whatever it is.
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Okay. [A pause.] Do you want to… do this again? Sometime? Minus drinks. [She lifts her glass, shakes it a bit. It’s not full enough to spill.] None of the really heavy stuff, just - sober conversation?
[This is her. Just doing it. And sipping away as she waits for his response.]
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[He fully intends just to tease. It's not like she would actually ask him out, after all... Right?]
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[There’s more nodding. She seems… totally serious about this. Whatever shyness that was there before - gone. Either she’s really good at faking it, or the combination of booze and pep talk are truly doing wonders for her confidence.]
It’s not my usual approach but - what the hell, right? Might as well.
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Sorry, [he mutters as he clears his throat.] I didn't think you...
[Managing to stop himself before he puts his foot in his mouth, he swallows and starts again. Even trying to be casual now.]
Alright. Sure.
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Wendy just waits for him to recover, tries not to look like she’s freaking out or close to disappointment. There’s no need for any of it - because he says yes.]
Okay. [She’s smiling, quite pleased with herself.] Hard part’s out of the way. I’m still taking care of your tab tonight by the way. No use fighting me on it, okay? You can get me next time. Or whenever, really. I don’t mind.
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Alright. Thanks.
[He taps his finger against his glass for a moment before looking at her again. In a new light this time.]
Would you like me to organise things for next time? Or would you rather do it?
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