"I gotta tell you guys something." Aaron said. The two waited. He took a long drink. They were on their third beers now at this bar. The plan was never to stay long. But it was decent enough. Plus they could smoke inside.
"I don't think I'm going back." Aaron gave both Alan and Jack a look. Jack nodded. "You could probably already tell from living with me this past week, Jack."
"Yeah. Kind of."
"I don't think it makes sense to go back anymore. I don't think I have it in me to compete on that level. Armies of new, hungry chefs try their stab at glory. Most of them burn out. I think I'm better off somewhere slower."
"Are you going to move back here," Alan said quicker than he wished.
"I don't know. Not sure where else I would go. But I'm open. I'm not married to this place. But it's not bad either to be honest. I've been pleasantly..." Aaron glanced at the last remains of his empty glass, "pleasantly surprised."
"Yeah. Our
town
isn't bad at all. Plus it's close to
Westcity
. which is pretty decent."
"That's quite the compliment. Coming from Mr. Hollywood," Aaron said.
"It's Hollywood. Not Mr. Hollywood. remember" Jack winked and then took the last remains of his beer. "What about you, Alan?"
"I used to like Westcity. Used to like it a lot." Alan was slouched over. Trying to make minimal eye contact; his fingers twiddling with a used up napkin. His friends were burning a hole on the top of his forehead. "But now that school's over. I'll just go wherever I can get a job."
"Jobs. That's everyone's excuse," Jack said, not looking at anyone. Staring glazed out into into the front of the bar where people were playing pool.
"Easy for you to say, HOLLYWOOD. You're already fucking rich. And you got to do it without having to work."
Jack looked at Aaron from the side. Droopy eyed. "You don't think I worked for everything I earned?"
"Well... It's not the kind of work you associate with salt of the earth men. That's for sure."
Jack blew a raspberry and then tried to sip beer that didn't exist.
"Maybe it's time we head back," Alan said.
"Shit don't you live around here, Alan? Why don't we just crash here tonight?" Aaron said.
