9th Opportunity :: Action/Video

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[Meyer doesn't always take a day off work. In fact, this is his first day off since the casino opened. That's why, on this lovely afternoon, he's wandering a little aimlessly now, cigarette in hand, looking for something to pass the time that isn't work.

For awhile, he wanders around the area by the fountain, occasionally stopping to sit down and write something down in a tiny spiral bound notebook, then standing up and wandering again. After awhile, though, he seems to get bored, and turns on the video to ask a question -- or rather, make a proposition.]

I'm going for drinks. Does anyone want to come?

[It may be a bit early in the day for drinking, but it's his day off -- this is what people do on their days off, right? With that question posed to the entire City, he strolls off in search of a bar that has relatively inexpensive and plentiful alcohol.]

Comments

[spotlighted]

Relaxing is doing something. Besides, if you wanted to work that much, we could have gone had a drink at the casino instead.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I'm here because I don't want to work -- I can't seem to help myself, though.

[Their drinks arriving is promising, at least. He immediately takes a big sip.]

[spotlighted]

[She sips at her own drink, watching him over the rim of the glass.]

I think you need a hobby.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Do you have specific recommendations?

[spotlighted]

Back in New York I'd go to the movies and the theatre a lot, and here I've started to read more - and making most of my own clothes, too, that's always been a hobby of mine. You just seem like the sort of guy who'd enjoy time away from work a lot more if you had something productive to do with it.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I do enjoy reading. I've thought about learning another language.

[spotlighted]

There you are, see? That sounds like a wonderful use of your free time. I wish I could do something like that myself, I've only got a few random words of French that I picked up in the war.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I'm sure you could learn another easily. Depends on the language, I guess. Some are easier than others.

[spotlighted]

They tried to get me to learn Latin in school; it never really stuck, but then not much did. But I guess the right language, for fun, maybe.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

That's because nobody actually speaks Latin, except I guess priests and academic types. You should learn something useful.

[spotlighted]

What would you suggest?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Italian can be useful. Depends on what you want to do with the language. Depends on who you want to talk to.

[spotlighted]

Italian? I wouldn't have expected such a romantic choice.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Romantic?

[He laughs.]

I have a lot of business associates who are Italian.

[spotlighted]

Sure it is. At least, if every Italian restaurant I've ever visited is an indication. Besides, there's just something about the way it sounds. I've always thought Italy would be a very romantic place to visit, with the piazzas and the gondolas and everything.

...Oh. Yeah, I suppose you would, wouldn't you? Trust you to find a business angle.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

You should meet some of the people I know -- you probably wouldn't find it too romantic after that. I guess the restaurants are, though.

[Everything is a business angle with this one.]

[spotlighted]

I guess not, huh? Mostly I guess it's because I remember the Italy pavilion at the '39 World's Fair very well. I mean, I guess they wanted to paint as romantic a picture as possible, but it certainly did the job.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Maybe it is, and I just know the wrong people.

[spotlighted]

That's always a possibility. Still, the fact that you're willing to learn Italian for them shows dedication, at least.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

It was useful.

[Because obviously he'd never learn anything that wasn't useful.]

You could always learn French, if you already know some phrases.

[spotlighted]

I think I'll pass on that one. Too many memories there.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[A nod, and he finishes his drink, immediately ordering another one and glancing over to see whether she needs a refill, too.]

I'd offer to teach you Russian or Yiddish, but I doubt you'd find either of those practical.

[spotlighted]

[She pushes her empty glass across the table too, nodding at the server that she'd like a refill, too.]

I'm not the one looking for something practical.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Why else would you learn something?

[spotlighted]

For fun. To pass the time. Heck, just because you can.