InSanity~Normalize, Don't Stigmatize Mentall Illness.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Me and My Merchant Marine: Rum and Diet Coke, The Start

Gene Kelly

   I followed Donna and her boyfriend du jour, Enrique, to get drinks. Chico's Elks Lodge, as I'd learn that night, includes a spacious reception hall - where we'd been sitting and would later dance; and a bar in a separate room across the way.
   Donna led Enrique to the far end of the bar, smiled flirtatiously, then stepped slightly behind him. (Gentlemen, if you're not privy to this maneuver, it means "Take your wallet out and buy mine too.")
   Ugh. I hate third-wheeling and needed a jolt. I nudged my way to the middle of the bar and placed my order. "Rum and Diet Coke, please."
   "That makes sense," I heard, in a deep male voice. A man inches to my right turned to face me, approving my drink request.
   "Doesn't it?" I replied. "Why waste calories on soda when you can get gobs of  'em in rum?"
   "Exactly." He imparted a charming smile. He's handsome, I noted, in a classic film noir way, like Gene Kelly. But bigger, somewhat husky. Not the kind of guy I usually go for. No, this one's rather attractive.
   "My name's Robyn," I extended my hand.
   "I'm Troy," he responded with a firm handshake.
   Troy sipped his drink then asked, "What do you do in Chico?"
   I told Troy about the dance event, third-wheeling, and that I'm a writer and social worker. He listened thoughtfully. The dreaded question followed: "What kind of writing do you do?"
   Crap! "Well, I dabble in lots of things except fiction. I published a small poetry book and I'm working on a novel these days." I stopped there. My brain continued...It's about my spectacularly unromantic romantic life and my remarkably sexless sex life. I've had a string of failed romances, through no fault of my own, really, except that I'm drawn to the deficient. You're an alcoholic, aren't you? You're awfully cute.
   "Nice. I like poetry," Troy said.
   Damn. A gay alcoholic!* Well, I could do worse. I have done worse. I smiled at him.
  "So what do you do around here, Troy?"
  "It's kind of complicated," he said modestly. "I work for the Merchant Marines on a spy ship."
  "A spy ship!" My eyes widened, like an elementary school kid's. "That's sooo cool!" A voice inside my head yelped loudly: Date him, girlfriend. He'll give good story!
   Donna and Enrique suddenly appeared behind Troy, waiting on me. Damn them.
  "Sorry, Troy. It was nice meeting you, but my friends are ready to hit the dance floor."
  "Nice meeting you too." Troy reached into his pocket and handed me his card. "Give me a call if you'd like to do something fun before I leave."
   "Great. I will."
   And so I would...stay tuned.
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*No offense to anyone. There's nothing wrong with being gay, straight, asexual or into sheep. Well, nix the last one. That's just wrong. As far as alcoholism, don't drink and drive, don't hurt anyone, and tell me what you think about the rum-diet coke combination.  

34 comments:

  1. I will definitely stay tuned. I prefer my rum with milk - and in Nepal had it with warmed yak's milk. And it was delicious.

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  2. Oh fine, a nailbiter...guess I can dip 'em in chocolate whilst I wait.

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  3. Troy sounds dreamy! I like chocolate ice cream sodas with diet root beer, so why not order a rum and diet coke?
    Do you remember Gene Wilder and the sheep in the Woody Allen movie? Looking forward to Part II.

    Julie

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  4. Oh, but it made for a funny line!
    Waiting for the next part. There better be a next part.

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  5. Well as far as the rum-diet coke combination - that's my sister's favorite cocktail lol. She says the diet coke cancels out the calories from the rum :)

    Can't wait to read part duex!

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  6. cliffhanger! How awful of you! I'll be back. :)

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  7. Thanks, friends. There's more. And a little more. And more. Stay tuned.

    Julie, I don't. Sounds hilarious, though.

    Optimistic, a woman knows that's how calories work. Smiles.

    xoRobyn

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  8. Looking forward to the rest of this story! Rum & coke or diet coke...not a fan at all. But I do think it's funny if you go to a fast food restaurant and hear someone order 1,500 calories' worth of food with a diet soda. Oh cause THAT'S gonna make a difference!

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  9. Kahlua and cream - all the calories of rum, liqueur, and...cream. :P

    Wonderful start! I'm waiting to hear the rest of this tale...as long as he doesn't keep any sheep in his backyard...

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  10. Add my rum to a Mai Tai and don't forget the cute umbrella.

    Oh, I can't wait to hear the rest of the story!!! Inbox me the details!! And to think I tried to get you to stick with dead Ernie. Though poetry man could be a player...a merchant marine into poetry? That's like finding a winning lottery ticket on the side walk, and I'm not saying I'm skeptical, but....

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  11. There's nothing wrong with being an alcoholic, unless you drink, too.

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  12. You may get some redneck hate now lol bring on part 2

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  13. Great start! But a Merchant Marine spy??? Sounds like he might play free and loose with the truth, but hey! You're a writer! Could be a match made in heaven, girl.

    The only thing I can drink rum in is something fruity enough to mask its taste.

    Looking forward to the next installment.

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  14. I think he has watched True Lies one too many times!

    I drank my rum with diet Coke back in college.

    Oh, and since he *probably* lied about the spy thing there is a decent chance he doesn't like poetry either. Is this hopeful or not????

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  15. ""Why waste calories on soda when you can get gobs of 'em in rum?"

    You just made my day.

    Good luck with Troy! Let us know how it goes!!

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  16. You all make me laugh. Yes, I'm terribly naive. I still think he's telling the truth about the spy thing, never doubted it. Poetry too. And I'm cynical.

    River, Kahlua and cream is my favorite drink.

    Elizabeth, I don't think I've had a Mai Tai, but I'll take one with a pink umbrella. Sounds divine.

    More to follow.

    Thank you, sillies.

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  17. Ooh! Now you've got me anxiously awaiting the next part. I don't drink, so I can't comment there, but I do love an unexpected romance. =)

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  18. Well, I want to know more about Troy and what he considers fun and whether or not you think it is fun too, so I'll be back! :D

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  19. Is our lovely Robyn gonna find happiness? I know I'll stay tuned to find out.

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  20. What a great story. Thanks for sharing. Heading in a great direction.

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  21. The Merchant Marines? You'd better check they're a legit outfit. And actually exist. But I do like Troy. If he tells you his full name is Troy Tempest, don't believe him.

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  22. I think we are nearing Hong Kong. It's dark in the hold, and the seas have been rough, but I still hear Troy reading Poetry at night!

    Will report back!

    Your REAL Spy!

    JBoy

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  23. Ha! Love it! Staying tuned...PS. Should I go get my spy gear so I can be in costume for the next episode?

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  24. What a great story. Thanks for sharing.

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  25. Dang it, Robyn. You know I'm making my final rounds before going off blog for a month and you toss out a cliffhanger!?!?!

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  26. So sorry. I hate to leave you all hanging, but I can't write this one fast enough...part 2 has to wait until next week...do come back. I'll leave some chocolate scraps.

    PS There is a first date; that's part II.

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  27. robyn you are too damn funny girlfriend and have a great sense of humor. sorry dont like rum & coke. prefer vodka. great story look forward to more. have a great day. cheers!!

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  28. Troy does sound interesting. I purposely skipped your last post so I wouldn't read into a spoiler if there is one in it. Can't wait to see what happens next! Hopefully the sex can get put back into the sexless sex life ;)

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  29. I had never given much thought to rum and DIET Coke. It makes perfect sense (but then I get the impression you could probably cleverly justify anything). But, ooooh, Gene Kelly rechristened Troy. Sounds too good to be true. Can't wait to hear the rest. Could Troy be the lusty chapter?

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  30. Forgot to mention... Have you tried a Lumumba? (Here it's hot chocolate and brandy but I think the original version is hot chocolate and rum)...

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  31. I'm catching up here and am VERY happy I don't have to wait at all to read the next installment.
    You are so funny! The things that you think are amazing...

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  32. Mitchell, haven't heard of it. I'll have to order one. Lumumba, you say? Thanks.

    Thank you, sillies.
    Love ya.
    xoRobyn

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