"Patent Pending" part 2

John sat at a booth in the neighbourhood bar, waiting for his friend to arrive. He peered at his beer and the green notebook that rested beside it on the cigarette-burned table. Dave was late. A pretty blonde waitress in a much-too-tight tank-top hoisted a clumsy-looking pitcher of beer and carried it to a nearby table. The pitcher had an outer layer filled with ice to keep the beer inside cool. John grimaced. He reached for his beer and took a long pull.

There was a jingle at the door and Dave’s bulky figure wandered in. Spotting John, he smiled and walked over to the table, taking a seat and flagging down the waitress.

“Hey buddy! How are ya? Sorry to keep you waiting. I had to do a few extra reps at the gym tonight. Have you been waiting long?”

“No. It’s ok.”

“Well, good. Can I buy you a second round? You’re looking a little low,” he said, motioning to his glass before ordering a pitcher of beer.

“Uh, yeah. Sure. Thanks.”

The two of them made small talk for a while, letting the engine of conversation idle for a while before hitting the open road.

“So, what’s the notebook for? You’re not working, are you?” Dave eyed the notebook intently.

“Working? Oh… no, it’s just a few ideas and stuff. Notes to myself. You know. It’s nothing, really,” John reflexively reached for the book and slid it into his bag, having forgotten it was there.

“Alright, Mr. Top Secret. So, what’s been bothering you, lately?” Dave asked straight-out. The waitress returned with an ice-pitcher and set it down in front of him. Dave dismissed a thanks and returned his gaze to his friend. John eyed the pitcher sourly.

“Dave, do you ever get the feeling that someone is watching you?”

“What? No, not really. Why? Do you think someone is watching you?”

“Well, no… maybe… I don’t think so at least.”

Dave cocked his head back and sized up John for a moment, checking his friend for any visible signs of “crazy” before filling his glass with beer. John pushed on.

“It just feels as if someone, or something is watching me.”

“So, what makes you think so?”

“For certain reasons that I can’t really mention…” John’s voice trailed off. “I think maybe someone has been through my personal things.”

“Ha ha. Sounds kinky! Man, I wish someone would go through MY personal ‘things’ if you know what I mean.” Dave raised an eyebrow. John offered up a chuckle.

“Yeah, I know - crazy, right?”

“Like I said, man. You’ve been working too hard. I’m sure the feeling will pass. Anyway, have you noticed Brandi the past few days? Man, I’m glad summer is here. She’s lookin’ fiiine!” Dave slathered and grinned. John replied that he hadn’t, but that he would keep an eye out. Dave droned on about things at work, sports and the like, but John’s heart was elsewhere, feeling as if his burden hadn’t lifted one bit.

Three ice-pitchers, four bathroom breaks and the waitress’ phone number later, the two friends hazily exited the pub, Dave’s arm cheerfully around John’s shoulder.

“It was really good to connect, Jay. You really gotta lighten up a bit and let loose every once in a while! What say you to doing this again on Friday? I know a great new place that opened up on the east side.”

“Mmm. Yeah, sounds great!” John drowsily responded. “Oh, shit!” John reached to his side and realized his bag wasn’t by his side. He spun around and headed back inside, his blurry vision seeking out his bag at their table. Seeing it resting on the leather seat, he quickly went over to it and checked its contents. The green notebook rested safely inside, perhaps only slightly askew. He scanned the pub, scrutinizing the patrons. Lifting the bag over his shoulder, he teetered between the toes and balls of his feet for a second before leaving in a tipsy state of suspicion.