[6] The Bar

The Bar

DATE

January 31, 2039

TIME

PM 11:12:09

The bartender greeted Hank as he and Connor walked inside.

“Hey, let me start with a beer.” Hank took a seat at the bar.

Connor followed and approached a stool next to the lieutenant’s. Something caught his attention before he sat.

Over in the corner, a familiar young woman with auburn hair. She sat sideways in a booth seat, one leg stretched out in front of her, and the other bent at the knee with her arm resting on top. Haley peered out the window she leaned against, a distant expression on her face.

Suddenly Hank’s face cut off his vision.

“Connor?” Hank squinted at him. “You gonna sit down, or what?” He turned his head to see what the android had been looking at. “Is that the girl who was attacked the other day?”

The android shifted his weight to one leg, bringing her into view again. “Yes, I didn’t expect her to be here.”

Hank faced him. “You gonna go say hello?”

Connor stood still, just staring. Then another familiar human crossed the bar and joined Haley at the booth. He handed her a hard cider before sitting across from her, tipping back a foreign import ale.

The android recognized the human as Jake Miles, the dishwasher from the café. He was very unresponsive when Connor had asked him about the incident. Officer Miller had to question him. He watched as Haley gave Jake a smile when he sat.

Connor finally sat on the bar stool. “No, that’s alright. Looks like she has company.”

Hank studied Connor for a moment, then spoke to the bartender.

Haley popped the lid off her cider and looked to the dark haired young man sitting across the table. “So, why are you buying me a drink? I ‘m older than you.”

Jake shrugged at her. “Whatever, twenty-two is old enough. I thought you could use a change of scenery after what happened. Besides,” He raised his bottle up. “We have to celebrate the new café tables.”

“They were used, actually.”

Jake’s expression flattened. “They’re new for us, Hales.”

Haley laughed. “You’re absolutely right.” She raised her bottle and the two clinked the bottle necks in a toast. She tilted back the cider and took a good sip.

“You should drive me home.” Jake scratched the back of his neck.

“Yeah, okay.” Haley said sarcastically. “I know you don’t have your own car but Jake--”

“I’m serious. I don’t like the idea of leaving you by yourself to close. And not just tonight. If you drive me, then you won’t be walking out to your car alone.”

Haley looked at Jake, who was staring down at the tabletop. The bill of his hat covered half of his face, his hair feathering out from the edge. “Jake, I live 30 minutes outside the city. In the opposite direction of you.”

Jake raised his gaze to meet hers. “But Hales-“

“I literally park my car in the lot across the street from the café. It’s not even a two minute walk. I can handle two minutes.”

Jake stared at her. “I still don’t like it.”

“I can take care of myself.” Haley sat up straight. “Now come on. Back to celebrating.”

Haley took another drink and as she did, the first few glowing letters of “ANDROID” caught her eye. Pausing, she noticed it was Connor, the android who had come to investigate the attack. He sat at the bar, sitting with an older gray-haired man, Lieutenant Hank Anderson.

The android’s gaze wandered, and synced up with hers for a moment. She was surprised by the jump her heart made in her chest.

Haley set her bottle down and deliberately broke eye contact and returned her attention to Jake.

The red head and the dishwasher traded stories, laughs, and philosophies. Haley didn’t typically enjoy going out much, but she was glad Jake had convinced her. Being at the café made it hard not to think about David. The place felt so empty without him.

Jake barely finished the last of his drink before coming to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”

Haley watched him walk back to the restrooms, and then she snuck a look at Connor again.

Connor’s gaze was bouncing around the room while the lieutenant cheered at the basketball game screening on the TV behind the bar.

Haley took her last drink, a deep breath, then scooted out of the booth, making her way up to the bar.

She leaned sideways in the space between the android’s shoulder and the neighboring bar stool. “Hey there.”

Connor turned to her, raising his eyebrows. “Miss Ryan.”

“Haley.”

He gave her a soft smile, which was quite charming, though she wasn’t sure if he had intended it so. “Haley.”

The android looked at her very intentionally, his eyes subtly flicking around her face. “Are you having a good evening? I didn’t think you were the type to hang out at a bar.”

“I don’t, really. Jake wanted to take me out. To celebrate tables.”

Connor raised his eyebrows. “Tables?”

“The new ones at the café.”

“Ah. Those tables. They did look nice. Were there damages from the incident?”

Haley bobbled her head side to side. “Not exactly. A couple of them were old and wobbly already. Then when a criminal is tossed over one of them…well it doesn’t help.” She shrugged. “Found someone who had a couple extra lying around.”

Connor nodded, then he glanced behind her. “So how long have you known Jake?”

“Mmm. A year? Year and half, I think. He looks like a trouble maker but he’s actually a good kid.” Haley smiled to herself.

Haley peered up at Connor and lightly patted his forearm. “But you should tell me something about you.”

“About me?”

“Yeah. Androids are free now. What do you like to do?”

Connor’s LED spun around in yellow and he glanced at Hank next to him, who nursed a beer. His LED returned to blue and he faced Haley again.

“What I like to do is get Hank home in one piece after he’s been drinking.” He leaned in a little, bringing his voice lower. “But I could do without the vomit.”

Haley stifled her laugh.

“You know I can hear you, right?” The gray-haired man finally turned to them.

Connor straightened up.

Haley gave him a warm smile. “Evening, lieutenant. I’m sorry I didn’t get to properly meet you the other day. I’m Haley.” She held out her hand.

Hank shook her hand. “Lieutenant Hank Anderson. And don’t worry about it. Thanks for the coffee by the way.”

“Of course.” She nodded to him.

“You staying safe?”

“As best I can.”

The lieutenant pointed his beer bottle at her. “If anything else comes up, you give us a call.”

“I will. Connor already gave me his card.”

Hank gave Connor a look. “Oh, is that right?”’

Jake came into Haley’s view. “Welcome back! Jake, you remember Lieutenant Anderson and Connor?”

“How could I forget?” Jake stared down Connor, his voice flat. He gave the lieutenant an approving nod.

“Hello, Jake.” Connor bowed his head slightly.

“How ya doin’?” Hank gave a small wave.

“Fine, thanks.” Jake turned to the bartender. “Can I get another ale?” He looked to Haley. “You want another?”

Haley gently shook her head. “I’m good. Gotta drive later.”

Jake shrugged. The bartender handed him another bottle. “Nice seeing you guys. Keep up the good work.” He turned his back to Hank and Connor. “You ready, Hales?”

“Sure.” Haley looked back to Connor. “I guess I’ll see you around?”

Connor smiled and nodded.

“Have a good night, lieutenant.”

“You too.” The lieutenant took a drink from his beer.

Haley followed Jake to the booth in the corner.

Hank watched as the young red head and dark-haired boy walked away. “Is she dating that guy?”

The android stared at them for a moment. “I don’t think so. Why?”

Hank turned his attention to Connor. “No reason.”

Connor’s gaze fell to the bar top. “I don’t think he likes me.”

Hank lifted his beer to his lips. “Well, there are still those who don’t like to see androids as people.” He paused, watching Connor’s expression carefully. “Or… maybe he was jealous.”

Connor looked up at the lieutenant. “Jealous? Jealous of what?”

Hank raised his eyebrows an inch, before taking a large gulp from his bottle and turning his attention back to the TV.

Connor blinked a couple times, waiting for a response. Then he looked back at Haley again.