Scare him off

Doug sits down, looking at me with suspicion.

“So, what business are you in, Doug?”

He doesn’t want to answer, understandably. “Why? Who are you?”

“I’m Amber’s associate. I need to step in and make sure she isn’t wasting her time.”

He is more confused, and doesn’t like the way this is going. “Who is Amber?”

“Huh? The woman you’ve been talking to all night.” I furrow my eyebrows in annoyance.

“She told me that her name was—“

“Oh, really?” I interrupt. “I’ll have to talk to her about that. It’s AMBER. So—what business are you in?”

He straightens up a bit. “I’m an electrician, training to be a line technician...and I’m a volunteer fireman.... What do you mean by ‘associate’?”

“I don’t need your life story,” I scoff. “Let me save us both some time. She has you on the hook, but she is on the clock here. Her rate is five-hundred an hour and the clock starts when she gets back. If you stay, then it is up to you if you want to waste the money on more talking.” His face tells me he is getting the picture. He looks surprised, hurt, and defeated. “There is the cash machine if you are staying.” I point to the rectangular box by the door. I pull out my phone and look busy, allowing him to process the situation on his own. He sighs, takes a few gulps of his drink and walks away. I glance up after a few seconds, wondering if he might actually go for the cash machine. I don’t see him...until I look to the restrooms. There he is, talking to the woman in question. Their body language is awkward. She looks surprised. He shakes her hand, then leaves the building.

She sits back down, finding me sipping Doug’s cocktail. “What did you say to him? And why did he call me Amber?”