Part 29 (2/2)
Oh G.o.d! I prayed that he was not about to say what I though he was about to say.”..... one of my best friends was in the audience.”
”One of your best friends!” said Dave. ”Well, Penny, you are a dark horse. Is this the John you mentioned to me? The one you met on a plane?”
I hesitated. There was little point denying it.
”Yes.”
”And John, is this Patsy?” asked Dave pointedly.
John and I hesitated. Dave laughed.
”So, you dont just flirt with barmen, but also strange men in airports!”
John joined in the conversation again.
”And you dont, Dave?” asked John.
”Dont what?” asked Dave.
”Dont you flirt?” asked John.
”Im married!” he said indignantly.
”So am I,” replied John, ”but like most adults I still end up in situations where there is flirting, whether I like it or not. How else can people establish another persons motive?”
Dave was slightly taken aback at these remarks.
”Flirting is dangerous,” said Dave.
”Would you like to have this conversation at the bar so I can buy you a drink?” asked John.
Dave nodded.
”If you go to the bar and order what you like, Ill join you in a second. Just ask them to charge it to Room 1156 and Ill sign the receipt in a moment.”
”Are you coming, Penny?” asked Dave.
John glanced in my direction and I realised that he was trying to get me on my own.
”Ill join you in a second, I just want a quick word with John.”
Dave had committed himself now and went off to the bar.
”Hes hurt. Youve got a problem,” said John.
”Tell me about it. Its getting worse and worse. We had an argument earlier this evening.”
”Do you want to talk about it later?” asked John.
”Ive chatted to Mike and thought we were through this.”
”I can meet you later if you like?” he asked again.
”Yes, okay.”
John and I made our way to the bar. On the way, he engaged with people who wanted to talk to him. Were the stories true? Yes, totally true. Was it not all a bit Freudian? Not really, said John. Freud thought it all emanated from complexes formed in childhood experiences. He did not agree with that. However, in the sense that s.e.xual desires and aspirations underpinned a lot of adult behaviour, John did agree with Freud. Having negotiated these questions, we got to the bar and Dave was ready with our drinks. We found a s.p.a.ce to talk.
”You were saying that flirting is dangerous?” remembered John.
”Always leads to trouble,” said Dave.
”I disagree,” said John boldly. ”Flirting is a good way for men and women to establish the level of intimacy they want in their relations.h.i.+ps. They push and probe to check out how the other responds. Most people do this in non-threatening ways and it works most of the time. Many find it fun. It is those who are inexperienced or shy who are uncomfortable with flirting. I accept it is a problem for them.”
I was not sure whether John intended to be offensive but he was coming perilously close. It was almost as if he was suggesting that Dave was inexperienced and shy.
”But it causes so much disagreement,” said Dave.
”Only if people are insensitive to each other,” answered John.
”Insensitive?” I asked.
”Perhaps thats not a good word,” said John.
”Flirting causes misunderstandings,” insisted Dave. ”Ive had to deal with many problems caused by flirting.”
”I dont doubt it,” said John, ”but you wont notice all the problems that are solved by it. They never land on your desk.”
”Dont buy it, mate. Too much experience,” said Dave arrogantly.
”What about you, Penny?” said John. ”Youre a good flirt!”
I wanted John to stop because his comments could deepen my problems.
”I cant say that flirting has ever landed me in deep water at work, but it has certainly landed others...” I responded.
I added a rider as a warning shot, ”...as well you know!”
John picked up my allusion and acknowledged my concern. Dave, however, also picked up that some covert message was pa.s.sing between us.
”Sounds like youve discussed this before,” commented Dave.
”Not directly,” answered John, ”but I think we will later,” he added.
”Oh! Are you two getting together?” asked Dave.
The sarcasm was back and I couldnt help fuelling the situation.
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