Chat up the cute one

Not wanting to show cowardice in front of Roderick, Alex gathers his courage and says, “I’ll go talk to the cute one.”

Roderick slaps him powerfully on the back. “That’s the spirit, boy! Why settle for the easy path, when there is the promise of greater fortune elsewhere? You go ahead and show her what the squire of Roderick can do with his mighty battle sword! Go ahead and take your time with her; I think I’ll go ahead and be charitable with the homely one. She may not be much to look at above the shoulders, but I warrant she has a hollowness about three feet lower that I can fill nicely with my knightly spear.”

Alex takes a deep breath and walks toward the barmaid of his choice. He tries not to stare as he attempts a nonchalant demeanor. Even quick glances at her confirm, however, that she is, indeed, quite attractive. She looks to be about Alex’s age. She has black hair, which is bound up in a bun. Her barmaid’s dress is plain, but it cannot hide the pleasing shape of her physique.

He approaches her just as she is finishing wiping up a recently-vacated table.

“Um... excuse me,” he says, wondering why he hadn’t planned something to say in advance. “Um.... I was wondering if you could help me.”

She looks at him, and Alex is immediately struck by just how lively and beautiful are her dark-brown eyes. They look alert and playful as she smiles at him. Before speaking, her eyes dart over his shoulder toward the bar. She returns her attention to Alex and says, “Of course.... It’s not every day we get a knight and squire here. What can I do for you?”

Alex casts a quick look in the direction of Roderick. He has beckoned the homely barmaid over to his stool, and he is whispering in her ear while reaching behind and resting a hand on the woman’s left buttock. She appears to be enjoying the attention and whatever it is that he is saying to her, because her response is laughter and a playful swat on Roderick’s chest.

Roderick’s approach to women is direct, and it seems to pay off. Of course, he has a lot more experience than Alex does. He tries to figure out the best approach with this woman.