Nerds and Their Minis

Summer 2021, Week 4

Saturday evening

Dockside Brewery, Port Victoria

Peter Clifford

Another Saturday spent labouring on Autocad all day in a dark and depressing warehouse. It did the job but man, Pete and Andy were useless as interior designers. His eyes stung. Something that he tried to remedy by the occasional blink and rubbing his eyes as he made the small but laboured walk from Genetech to the local Public House. Yet again no one batted an eye at this nerd coming into a local pub on thr dockside. It has become a running joke at this point by the locals with Peter coming in. Sitting on his own and having only two drinks each time. Not that the owner or the bartender minded. He always tipped handsomely.   This time was no exception as Peter orders some water down American beer longing for a pint from home. Placing it down he sat in the back corner. Facing the doorway. Head slumped back against the chair and his eyes shut.  

Satsuka Nishiyama

This would be her first time coming to this place and it showed in how she carried herself, in how she dressed. She looked every bit the college student she was, in her high-waisted jeans and cropped hoodie, her long hair pulled back into a ponytail. A devil-may-care smile on her face.   The smile faded when she noticed some of the looks that were being sent her way. Some were dismissive, some were leering. There was even a soft grumble from an older patron about how the younger generation was ruining everything. That particular comment had her rolling her eyes, but it didn’t deter her. The young woman ignored them and situated herself at the counter, right between two gentlemen.   “Hey, big boy.” She made a clicking sound with her tongue, like an owner would to their dog, her comments aimed at the guy on her right. “Mind if I, uh, squeeze in here?”  

Peter Clifford

Peters eyes remained closed as he heard the door open and then close. The silence that fell over the room caught his curiosity but, he still lingered in his rest. It was when the, now apparent girl spoke that his interest was peaked enough for one eye to slowly open. Just enough as to see the out of place customer. Peter even managed to smirk slightly once the girl spoke to a man who the locals knew as 'Ballsy Berty'. She didn't know what she was getting into. Suddenly his boring Saturday night in the pub gave him front row seats to some theatrics.  

Satsuka Nishiyama

After five seconds of no one scooching down to make room for her, Satsuka gave a slight huff of annoyance to herself and canted her head to the side, a glare given to the one fondly named ‘Ballsy Berty’. “I’ll make this easy for you.” She then paused to give him a once-over, taking in his burly size and the mean expression in his eyes. Seemingly satisfied with what she saw, she smirked at him. “Move. Or be moved.”  

Storyteller

It took a moment for the threat to register, but when it finally did, the meathead gave a dark glower to the woman. A growl emanated from deep within his chest, and he shifted in his stool, maneuvering his bulky body to face the woman square on. “Who th’ fuck do you th–”   THUD!   It happened too fast. One moment, Albert was asking for clarification from the young lady and then the next, his face was making contact with the top of the bar, with his stool skittering across the floor a few feet behind him. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and the massive man crumpled to the floor with a loud thump, nose smashed against his face and bloodied. He’d be out for the rest of the night.  

Peter Clifford

Once the man's head made contact with the bar top the entire place went a dead silence. Big burly men who prided themselves on being hardarses. Who took no shot from no one. Now found themselves hushed. One eye on their drinks and another on this girl who looked like she fitted in on Disney channel more than an alehouse next to a dockyard.   The only person to make a sound came from the corner.   Clap.   Singular. It hung in the air for a second before another. Then one more. All from the same dark corner where two bottles of beer could be seen on the table top.   The figure then rose slowly. Still clapping to the same tune. A clap a second then another. Peter came into the view of Satzuka for the first time. His smile wide and his eyes gleamed. On his final clap his hands where then rubbed together and he shook his head. Then took a long breath.   "Jeremy!"   Peter pointed enthusiastically to the bar man who had done his best to take yards away from the body. "Get this woman a drink. Anything she wants. On me of course" Peter pointed to himself to ensure he was clear. Taking slow steps now the other started speaking in hushed tones while the bartender looks awestruck towards the young woman.  

Satsuka Nishiyama

Satsuka looked over to the stranger in the corner, brows lifting in surprise at the offer. She hadn’t been expecting that, but she wasn't going to let the opportunity pass her by either. With a bite to her bottom lip and a cheeky smile right behind it, she turned to Jeremy. “I’ll take the scotch. The fifteen year Glenlivet. Entire bottle, please. On him, of course.”   The bar man quickly glanced over, and then gave a shrug before handing the woman what she wanted. And after the acquisition, Satsuka made her way over to her benefactor and plopped into a chair in front of him. The bottle was set between them.   “What’re you playing at? If you think you can get into my pants with a simple bottle of whiskey, you’re dreaming. It’s going to take at least two.” No hellos or introductions or anything. Just a brazen grin as she started opening the bottle.  

Peter Clifford

"I like my women tough what can I say?" Peter offered a light shurg with his signature smirk all while making sure he kept eye contact. It wasn't a lie. The confidence oozed off this girl and that was something he liked to see. It kept him on edge. Not knowing what was going to happen next. The thrill.   "Nah, just been waiting for someone to come in here and actually quiet these lot down. All muscle no brain. Thought I'd make sure that person gets their rewards." The man then downed the rest of his bottle of beer. Putting it down hard to make it a point of note. He reached for his glasses, something he had just become accustomed to wearing but realised he left them at home. No info in this girl yet.  

Satsuka Nishiyama

Grey eyes met his blue ones for a few seconds as though she could figure out what kind of person he was. Her gaze dropped to his shirt and then slid to the watch on his wrist. Nerd. A corner of her mouth tugged up for a lopsided, sort of bratty smile.   “You think I’m tough? Mm.. you haven’t seen anything yet.” She opened her ‘reward’ and took a swig of what turned out to be surprisingly smooth whiskey. To be fair, she’d never had it before and had only picked it because it was on the top shelf. The bottle was set down again, but a bit closer to him than last time. It was a silent invitation for him to join her.   “I’m Satsuka. You?”  

Peter Clifford

Was that a smile? Peter thought. This night seemed to get better by the moment. Pete was used to this place and the two beers had given him some form of confidence which could be seen from his body language. He was loose. Carefree. With chin held high. "Peter Clifford. I'm guessing you are not a science major then?"  

Satsuka Nishiyama

“What gave it away, Peter Clifford? Was it how I handled the big guy over there, or did you realize that there’s no fucking way that this amazing and cool woman before you, could be a science major?” Satsuka flashed him a bright smile, her tone teasing and light-hearted.   Noticing that he wasn’t going to share the whiskey with her, she slid it closer to herself. A hand lightly curled around it. “What about you? Did you just come back from uh, –what are they called–a gaming convention? You and your little nerd friends show off your painted minis and ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over your Pokémon cards that are wrapped in plastic and still in mint condition?”   She had no idea what she was talking about and was making things up that sounded plausible.  

Peter Clifford

Peter toyed with the first question. Giving his company a few seconds of silence with a tilted head. This girl thinks shes funny doesn't she. Bless her. "It's simple really. You do not know my name." He smiled now. It was am arrogant statement. One that he liked to use to boost his own ego but play it off as a joke. "I will inform you I have actually been busy today as I always am. Changing the world. Perhaps saving it."  

Satsuka Nishiyama

Satsuka lifted her eyebrows at his words, though overall she looked rather unimpressed with what he had to say. “Mm. Yeah. Everybody wants to change the world, to save it. It’s a lofty goal, Peter. I’ll give you that.”   The bottle was raised up as though she were toasting him and she took another pull from it. Why would he want to save this world? Mankind was shit and all they did was find new reasons to kill one another. All she wanted to do was escape it. “So, Peter, you sort of have my interest. How are you going to change the world?”  

Peter Clifford

"Sort of?" He scoffed at her words and drank for the first time in the conversation. As if the alcohol was going to was away the half insult. He placed the bottle down. Sat back in his chair and sighed.   "Progress. The creation of things. To improve people's lives. New medical equipment to stop people dying or suffering. Or inventions that better the lives of those suffering. Make people walk who can't. Prevent diseases. That is why I went down the route I did. To save people. All people. 'Cus we all deserve to be saved."  

Satsuka Nishiyama

There was the hint of a grin on her face when she saw him reach for a drink, enjoying the fact that her words affected him at all. Even if it were a half-assed insult. Maybe she wanted company while drinking. Speaking of, she’d take another pull from it. “Mhmm. I see.”   Elbows rested on the table as she leaned forward, a humorous glint in her eyes. “You’re a good guy with a soft, squishy heart. That’s cute. But I don’t see how preventing diabetes is going to save the word and stop the all the murdering and crime sprees. But hey, at least you got a plan, right?”  

Peter Clifford

The bottle had barely touched the table before Peter Thruster his hand out and clenched it. He took a long gulp. Looking at Satzuka the whole time with eyes that said 'Yeah, this is going to be interesting.' He placed the bottle down with vigor.   "And you're a tough girl with a fist of steel. Oh, our kids are going to be perfect aren't they?" He joked though out the corner of his eyes Peter noticed three men walk in. Friends of Ballsy. For now he decided to ignore their presence. "Then what are you going to do, Satzuka? Don a mask and Cape like our good friend the Victorious and beat em to a pulp?"  

Satsuka Nishiyama

Victory, not Victorious.   “We just met and you’re already talking about our children? I don't know if I should be flattered or running for the hills.” Satsuka gave him a once over as though to assess how dangerous he was.   “Listen, Peter. You’re the one with the grand plans to fix things. Fix people. Fix the world.” She almost rolled her eyes at that. “Not me. I’m not a hero, or a villain, and I’m not gonna cosplay as one either. But neither will I sit idle. I’ll have my fun on this awful planet, squeezing every little drop of joy from it that I can…” Before death finally fucking releases me from this hellish existence. “…and no one is going to get in my way. Or they end up like the big guy over there.”   Her words didn’t match with the somber look in her eyes. She takes one last drink and then pushes the bottle over to him. Satsuka was getting close to being done for the night.  

Peter Clifford

Peter slowly nodded. Appreciated the simplicity. A life, in truth he wanted to live himself... yet. "I would say run, given my experiences for the past but I can see you're the type to say what if" Peter half heartedly smiled. Biting his lip slightly. "The life you describe seems well... amazing. Free. One where you can just... be yourself."   His eyes had darted around and his demeanor had been shy. Arms crossed with a slow voice. "Yet, my mother always said to me that we need something to cling on to 'cus if you don't then... well your whole world will descend into chaos." He smiled warmly and looked back at her. Offering a shrug he took another drink.  

Satsuka Nishiyama

“You’re just full of advice, hm?” Satsuka gazed at him contemplatively. That statement from his mother hit a little too close to home and had the woman squirming uncomfortably in her seat. She didn’t have anything to cling on to. Not anymore. It had been taken from her, and unfairly so.   “Maybe one day I’ll find something to cling to, Peter. But until then, I gotta say, I think I’m growing to like chaos.” With a lazy smile, she gave a slow stretch. “So tell me. What’s a nerd like you doing in a place like this? This doesn’t seem to be your kind of place.”  

Peter Clifford

Peter laughed at her chaos comment and shook his head with a quick exhale of breath after.   The girl was amusing to say the least. Though he felt that behind the bravado there was something more there. Yet, he did not intend to push it.   "I work round the corner. Small start up called Genetech. Seen the latest Smart Glasses? We made those and we have more incoming soon."   He shrugged half heartedly and made a ticking sound with his mouth.   "The place was cheap and I needed to save for the tech to make well... the tech ya see."  

Satsuka Nishiyama

Genetech? Smart Glasses? Hmm. Okay. Despite not being a nerd, Satsuka had heard of them. Technology was transforming the fitness industry, for the better, and she was psyched for future complex pieces of tech; ones that were beyond a simple fitness watch or an app on her phone. Ones that allowed her to instantly monitor her own activity and biometrics. Cool shit like that.   “Wow. That’s incredible, Peter.” Satsuka gave a bratty smile. Even though she was impressed, she wasn't going to show it. “I don’t ever think I’ve heard someone string so many nerdy words together and not stumble over them. You must be a hoot at science fairs, or conventions. Whatever it is you guys do.”  

Peter Clifford

Peter rolled his eyes and shook his head while he gave a half smile. This girl was annoying but that's the kind of thing he liked. Someone who would give him attitude. One who wouldn't just deal with his shit. "What can I say, mate? Just what I do. Change the world one inventions at a time. Casual day you know." He took another swig of the bottle and chuckled. "But don't worry, I'll invite you round the next science convention if you ask nicely"  

Satsuka Nishiyama

“Oh yes. A place I’ve always wanted to go to. A science convention. Jesus Christ, Peter. You really know how to show a girl a good time. They must be throwing themselves at you nonstop.” Satsuka tried to keep a straight face.   Why was she still here talking to this nerd? There must have been something about this dork that kept her attention. Or the alcohol. Eyes narrowed on the bottle they had been sharing. “You’re not a lightweight, are you? I don’t want to have to babysit you.”  

Peter Clifford

Peter confidently shrugged. Giving the trademarked smirk. "I wouldn't say so. Ain't about to go around gloating about it tho. Think I'm slightly too old to go that far." To illustrate he took a rather large sip. Spinning the bottle so that the logo faced Satzuka. "I mean I must be doing something right. You are still here? Aren't you? And in a god awful place like this too? Ooh I must be special"  

Satsuka Nishiyama

It was such a lovely smirk too. Really made him stand out compared to all the others in this place. After a few seconds of staring at the man, Satsuka gave a grin. “Special? Come on now. Peter Parker? No. Wait. That doesn’t sound right. Peter something. Hmm.” A tap was given to her chin as she pretended to think of what his name was. “Anyways. I can definitely say you’re not doing anything wrong.”   And with that said, she stood up from her seat. “Thanks for the drink, but it's getting late. Maybe we can do this again.” A couple of steps were taken backward. “I’ll have my people call your people.” Awkward finger guns with the ‘pew pew’ sounds and then the ‘not-drunk-but-definitely-a-little-tipsy-girl’ turned around and headed to the door. She made certain to blow a kiss to Berty on her way out of the pub.  

Peter Clifford

Peter sat there for a second. With a tinge of rejection that was not shown on his face. Instead the man looked smug. As though he had planned this all along. Smiling and raising his eyes at... whatever the leaving performance was.   After waiting a while Peter paid for his drinks and left a relatively large tip and an apology for the events that had transpired. The place might be a shit hole. But, it was his.