Okay, So I'm a Meddler. But, It Was That Kind of Night.

Last night was one of those nice nights to be at the bar. Not too quiet for a Saturday, but not especially busy. Add a handful of pleasant regulars and a general laid back vibe, and it was a good night for me because I got to sit down and chat with people, but wasn't bored out of my mind. Good combo.

Last night was also a little bit odd because it was definitely couples night.

Tall, gawky, middle-aged guy walks in, has a seat at the bar around six thirty. Nothing interesting. Then, a while later, a woman walks in and joins him. I'm nearby at this point, and catch the "nice to meet you." My ears perk up, it seems we've got something blind-date shaped on our hands. She orders a margarita. He pays for it. They move to a table, and now are mine. She orders some food. He doesn't, but I have a strong suspicion that he's paying for it. Eventually, they go out to smoke. So does Brandi. The couple's out there for quite a while.
Me: So, they making out on the patio?
Brandi: No. I don't know that it's going that well.

The couple comes back, guy pays for the food, and they leave.
Me: Well, they're leaving together, that's a good sign.
Brandi: Are they holding hands?
Me: I don't think so.
Brandi: Go out front and look. No, I'll do it.
She dashes to the front door, and pokes her head out. No hand-holding.

Guy walks in, sits at a soft section, and says he's waiting for someone and is going to wait to order. He's wearing cologne. A woman walks in, a woman who I know from elsewhere, and who I know is single. They order their drinks and sit and talk together for a long time. No hand-holding there, either, but they had a date vibe.

Big group walks in. Among them a nice guy I know from the university and his wife. While the group is there, this guy can't stop touching his wife. Nothing obscene, mind you, it's strictly G-rated and when I walk over to check on them, he's absentmindedly watching her, and running his fingers through her hair. Very sweet.

Another group walks in, three gals and one guy. Two gals are a couple, as are the guy and the other girl. The guy and girl are getting married the next day. They're out to celebrate before the nuptials. They need shots. One of the lesbian gals comes up to the bar, because she's forgotten that I work there and am the one running a tab for them, and once the shots are ready, I remind her.
Me: Here, I'll take these over for you.
Gal: Oh, thanks. Can I carry anything?
Me: No, I got it. I've had practice.
Gal: Alright, I was just trying to be a nice guy.
Me: Thanks. I'm alright though. The tray helps.
Three tabs in the group. Lousy tippers, all. Funny. Lately, that seems to be a trend. I understand that weddings are expensive, but come on, folks, really. It was hard to be annoyed, though, I was just not in that kind of mood. Besides, the "nice guy" comment was pretty funny.

Rob and Melissa also make their appearance. Their first year wedding anniversary is coming up on Monday and they're as cute with each other as ever. They always sit right next to each other, plenty of hand-holding, and they lean in and talk and talk like everything the other person is saying is fascinating. Seeing them is one way to keep from getting cynical.

During a lull, I pulled up a chair and chatted with them for a while.
Melissa: So, what's new?
Me: Well, I'm trying the online dating thing. Started seeing a guy.
Melissa: Really? Rob and I met online.
Then they start grilling me for details. At one point, Melissa gives Rob a hard time because he's the one doing most of the grilling.
Rob: It's just 'cause I'm jealous. Ali's my secret girlfriend.

Around ten, K.C. comes in to watch the door. While I'm up front saying "hi," who should walk by the front windows but the blind-date couple.
Me: Hey Brandi, guess who I just saw.
Brandi: Are they holding hands?
Me: No. But, they're still together, so...
Brandi: Maybe there'll be a romp in the hay after all.

Okay, so now the stage is set. You can see what kind of mindset I was in, right? You can see what kind of vibe is in the air.

Enter J. and his buddy. J's an off-and-on regular, he's a nice guy, my age, who's the perfect kind of regular - friendly, but not pushy about it, and easy going. The two just came from a religious-themed event.
Me: Hey there, stranger. What're you guys up to, tonight?
J: Well, we got some God, and now we need some beer. All I need is to meet a pretty girl, and my night's complete.
He looks around, notes how slow it is.
J: Why don't you have a seat, keep us company for a while?
Me: Sure, just let me check on my other tables first.
I hang out for a while, and am sitting at the table when the door opens again and Jamie walks in.

Me: Hey there. Looking for people? (She hangs out with some other folks I know)
Jamie: Yeah.
Me: They're downstairs.

Then, the idea strikes me. When Jamie comes back upstairs a short time later for popcorn, I pull her aside.
Me: So, maybe I shouldn't say this, but I'm in that kind of mood tonight.
Jamie gives me a suspicious look.
Me: See the guy over there with the glasses?
Jamie: Yeah.
Me: Well, he's looking to meet a girl tonight. Whaddya say?
I talk her into it.
Me: Great. I'm taking some beers over, come with me and I'll introduce you.
I grab the beers and we walk over.
Me: Alright, you said you wanted to meet a pretty girl tonight. This is Jamie.

They say hello, J pulls out a chair for her, but Jamie goes back downstairs where the rest of her friends are waiting for their popcorn. When she doesn't come back after a few minutes, I go after her. She's hiding, but my scheming doesn't work if she's hiding, so I tell her to get back upstairs. Then I turn to Skunk.
Me: See this gal right here?
Skunk: Yup.
Me: Don't let her stay down here too long, she's gotta go back upstairs.
Skunk: Got it.
Jamie gives me a look that's none-too-nice. Then, I head over to her group of friends, which includes my friend Dorothy, and Dorothy and I make a plan. They group is a bit hungry so I say I'll put together some chips and salsa for them, on the condition that Jamie comes up to get it.

Brandi: Hey, you were supposed to unplug the jukebox. (it was on the fritz and this was our next attempt at fixing it)
Me: I can't waste my time on that right now. I'm busy.
When I tell her what I'm up to, she gives me her patented look of disgust. JP has me point out J and fill him in, so now there are a number of people following along.

Of course, when Jamie comes up for the food, I take my sweet time getting it while she sits at J's table. By the time I cough up the chips and salsa, she's given him her number. When she goes back down, I follow soon after, and when I return J grills me.
J: Did she say anything about me? Does she think I'm cute?
Me: She said you should call her.
J: Anything else?
Me: She said she gave you her real phone number.
J: And?
Me: She didn't give me any more than that. It's out of my hands now, but I wish you the best of luck.

Brandi: Well?
Me: She gave him her number. So, there's a chance.
Again with the look of disgust.
Me: Come on, what've you got against love? Feel the love.
Brandi: Shut the f* up, matchmaker.
(And, I've gotta point out here, that despite her show of disdain for my scheming, she did ask how it was going, so she clearly wasn't as disinterested as she pretended)

Alex: Hey, where's my girl then?
Me: I can only do so much in one night.
Alex: Come on!
Me: Besides, I heard a certain rumor about somebody giving you a kiss the other night.
He immediately turns and glares at Laura, who's in having a Guinness on her night off, and who was my source for that bit of gossip.
Me: So, I figure you're doing alright on your own.

J. asks me one more time if I think Jamie's interested, and I tell him he should definitely call her. He walks out with one of those cheesy grins on his face. I call that a productive night.