An old roadster

The car in front of you is unlike anything you've ever ridden in. It is a small, low, open-top convertible with wide flaring fenders that rise up over the front wheels like something out of an old Cary Grant movie. You can see signs of recent bodywork on the running board at your feet and around the taillights, and the passenger seat that Chris guides you to is covered with a clean towel that almost hides the tufts of padding that peak through the torn leather.

"Do you like it?" Your date asks with obvious pride in the old roadster, "its a '53 MG, one of the last years they made this TD model. Kinda a pet project I've been working on for the past five years or so."

"It's different," you try to put some enthusiasm into your answer as you consider what an hour long drive in a convertible will do to your hair. Chris seems like a nice enough guy but you're not sure you are looking for some 'Steady Eddy' to settle down with; you're only 35 after all, there must still some excitement left to live.

"I bought it on ebay for only $900." Chris tells you proudly, but then with a self- effacing grin he adds, "of course it's taken another five thousand or so in parts and a couple hundred hours of sweat equity to rebuild it, and it will take that much more to really make her look good." In spite of the towel, the seat is surprisingly comfortable as you settle into the car. It's hard to tell if your date closes the door behind you because he is trying to be a gentleman, or because of the effort it takes to get the door to latch but you give him points for doing the right thing. As you wait for Chris to move around the front of the car you assess your feelings about a man who seems more excited by a antique car than a social life.

The driver's door you notice opens and closes smoothly, although the leather on his seat is in even worse condition than yours. Chris must have noticed your assessment of the interior because his easy smile fades a little.

"I know the seats are a mess, but I just don't have the money to get them done right." The car engine starts smoothly and runs surprisingly quiet, and he pauses to try to salvage what he can from the the impression left by the car. "I also have a Toyota Highlander," he assures you, "but I don't get a chance to drive Maggie here all that often when I'm working, so I thought I'd show her off a little."

"It's fine Chris, really." You smile at him suddenly aware that you are coming across as a bit of a bitch. Come on Amy you know better than to mock a man's car! You might as well call his dick small. Even as the thought crosses your mind you glance at his crotch wondering what his cock is like. Five months without a man is starting to get to you. In an attempt to get a hold of yourself you turn back to Chris as he pulls out into the street and ask him about his work.

"Teri said you were a Park Ranger, what exactly do you do?"

"Not technically. I'm a State Parks & Forests Supervisor for the parks in the northwest district. Basically, I'm the guy they call if something goes wrong or gets broken. I love working outdoors and with my hands, the hard part of the job is managing the guys under me. With the budget cuts, however, and the dwindling number of rangers, I am taking on more and more of those responsibilities too. That part of the job is mostly try to keep people and animals from killing each other." He laughs, "it's a little more complicated than that, but ultimately that is what it comes down to."

Chris is actually pretty interesting and as you drive away from the city and up into the mountains he tells you one story after another about the stupid ways that people get themselves into trouble. He drives well, not as fast as you do but that might be just as well, handling the manual transmission without any apparent thought as he drives through the twisting back roads. The car has no radio, a wonderful feature for any first date, and the two of you have a chance to get to know each other without the distraction of the latest pop song. Still, even though you are enjoying the ride, you feel the excitement of the date beginning to wane, already you are starting to see Chris as friend material more than someone who's going to rock your world.

"Uh oh," He says as he starts down-shifting, "looks like there might be trouble."