[Author’s note: We've returned to right after the events of episodes 39-40, when Daryl first met Sree.]
Once Sree had firmly established her intent to seek out Rin with or without Daryl, all that remained was to see whether he would join her. She never harbored any doubt he would. He had no real prospect of finding Rin without her but had to reach that conclusion on his own.
Of course, an alliance would not be one-sided. First, there was their obvious mutual desire. Even if that desire could not be acted upon, it made the prospect of partnership rather appealing.
Finding Rin would be much easier if they pooled their knowledge and skills. While Sree was fairly certain she could manage it on her own, that would take a lot longer. Besides, Rin has asked her to help Daryl. Only together would they be able to find Rin at the place and in the manner she demanded.
After leaving Daryl’s room, Sree returned to the bar.
The bartender smirked as he served her. “Didn’t work out?”
There was an unctuous self-satisfaction in his voice, and Sree bristled at the man’s impudence. Did anybody know their place anymore? She sighed. In a world where nobody knew their place, nobody had a place. Except her kind. The universe guaranteed her a place for as long as she wished. And longer.
As she contemplated the drink before her, Sree graced the bartender with a cryptic smile. “Perhaps.”
It was obvious he was about to say something stupid, and Sree cringed in anticipation. Well, he was handsome, and she did have some pent up tension and time to kill. She looked up at him sweetly before he could speak.
“Will you be offended if I am less the lady today?”
“I don’t know what you mean, but you couldn’t offend me.” He winked at her.
Sree felt sorry for the man. This poor fellow would have no luck with any woman who wasn’t as dim as he was. Then again, most probably were.
Marvin — as his name-tag indicated — turned to dry a glass. “I’m just upset that the guy had the gall,” he grumbled.
Sree remembered the adage: a man with a tag is no man at all. Only dogs are tagged like dogs, went another. There were others she could think of, none particularly flattering. All of them spoke against what she felt like doing. It would be a pity to fixate on pedigree, though. Marvin was a particularly good-looking dog, and she liked dogs.
Sree laughed. “And what gall was that?”
“You know …” The bartender seemed unsure. “Failing to please a girl like you.”
“Oh, I’m a girl, then?” she pouted.
Marvin appeared cornered. If this was all it took to discomfit him, he would be lots of fun.
“And what would you do with this girl?” she wondered with a coquettish air.
The man turned red, but managed a reply. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
Not great, but at least it was something. Something was better than nothing, she supposed. Still, Sree owed him a warning. That was a matter of basic courtesy, whether or not the man deserved it. It would not do for her to be selfish.
“I only offer what I can offer,” she giggled shyly. “Anything more would be too much.” Sree wondered whether she sounded like a prostitute. It had been a while since she played such games.
“I can handle whatever you throw at me,” Marvin announced. Really? That was the best he could come up with? Sree shook her head in despair. If this was all kids could manage these days, it was no surprise Rin had been impressed with Daryl.
Sree decided she was being unfair. Even by more exacting standards, Daryl did not fall short. Or so she hoped. Otherwise she was wasting her time here, making conversation with this prize from the bottom of a gumball machine.
She regarded Marvin. “Are you sure?”
He nodded.
“I’ll repeat once more? I’ll give you what I can. Will you take it?”
Marvin obviously was trying to think of something clever to say. “That and more,” he blurted out after a moment.
It was all Sree could do not to laugh. Was that really the best a man who fueled hookups for a living could muster? Well, clever or no, his replies were adequate. The demands of decorum had been met.
She leaned over the bar and pulled his mouth to hers, knocking over her drink in the process. Marvin reached for his towel, but she slapped his hand away. Nary a clue, nary a clue.
“Worry about that later.” Gliding behind the bar, she took Marvin by the shirt and led him into the kitchen. “Anything private?”
He motioned with his head toward a bathroom, and Sree pulled him into it.
Sree originally had planned to allow Daryl as much time as he needed, but this was better. It would be a test. If he took too long, then he wasn’t suitable. It would mean he was indecisive. Or playing games. She had no patience for men who imagined they had a stratagem to govern her.
There were five hours until closing, and that was as long as she could give him. If she returned the next day, Marvin would prove a nuisance. Quick fun was all it had been, and she didn’t relish dealing with the inevitable aftermath.
Besides, Sree felt much better now that her tension had been released. If Daryl said no or failed the test, she simply would seek out Rin by herself. She had promised to help Daryl, not force him to accept that help. Out of respect for Rin, he would be allowed to refuse her without consequence. It was a noble gesture, and a rare one. If someone was going to be disappointed, it would be Rin and not Sree. Rin could deal with such disappointment as she saw fit.
In the meantime, Sree could relax. There was a lot for Daryl to process, and she gave it two or three hours minimum — if he was planning to show up at all.
When he casually sauntered in mere minutes later, Sree was nothing short of astonished. She also realized how close a call it had been. A bit earlier and Daryl would have embarrassed her with Marvin. It was a stupid thing to do, and she was glad she did it. Stupid things were what made life worth living.
From the resigned expression on Daryl’s face, his answer was clear. Sree was impressed that he had reached the obvious conclusion without much ado. She had expected a great deal of bluster and argument and persuasion. Instead, he just plunked down and stared at her in confusion. It took a moment for Sree to realize why.
“What are you doing behind the bar? Where’s the bartender?”
Sree turned red and kicked herself. She hoped that with so much on his mind, Daryl wouldn’t consider her answer too closely. If he did … well, he already was used to Rin. Surely she was much worse.
“He is indisposed,” Sree replied. She hurriedly crossed the room and hung the “closed” sign on the door. Daryl watched silently. After locking the door, she returned to the bar.
“Well, while I’m here can I make you something?”
Daryl peered over her shoulder at the room behind the bar.
Sree stepped sideways to block his view. “Best not to inquire too closely.”
Shaking his head, Daryl frowned. “You people are all alike.”
“I feel offended,” Sree laughed. She slid him a vodka and tonic.
Daryl gave her a long look, then sipped the drink.
“Fine, let’s do this,” he announced without ceremony.
Sree smiled. Such alacrity normally would lead her to question his character. If he allowed himself to be persuaded so easily, perhaps his concern for her safety had been feigned. But by now she had seen enough of Daryl to take it as a sign of respect rather than disingenuity. Besides, he struck her as a man of action. Men of action rarely suffered from an excess of forethought.
“Thank you, Daryl,” she replied softly. “I think we will work well together.”
“So, what now?” he asked, finishing the drink.
Sree already was on his side of the counter, pulling him off his chair. “I’d strongly suggest we confer elsewhere.”
Daryl gave her a quizzical look, but all Sree did was bite her lip. “I’ve been a bad girl.”
As she took his arm and guided Daryl toward the door, she smiled up at him. “It was your fault, you know. You got me excited, and then I was bored waiting.”
Poor Marvin, what did Sree do to him? I hope she at least left a good tip...