the h e a d.

friday, jan. 18th

Noise, always with the untold amounts of noise echoing in his ears. It was enough to compel the man to drown his displeasure in liquor; in his own bar nonetheless but when another spoke, lifting their words above the resonance, his attention was caught. “Aye, good man.” Benjamin comments, though his gaze moves to Jack. “His tab, on the house.” An order, as he finishes his own drink, turning his attention to Garrett Cooper, a federal agent. “Can’t buy a man a drink in his own bar, Mr. Cooper.”

                                    He had this look in his eyes                                              that made you wonder                                           just how m a n y people he’s killed. 

josiewosiie

         “Honestly sometimes i think I set myself up for failure, tried to do the whole new year new me and instead…I had a moment of weakness and chopped my hair and now…I don’t even know how to style this.” Venus exclaimed as she pushed away the little wisp of hair from her face.

“It’s fookin’ hair, it grows.” Though his words fell flat, his tone was anything but dismissive as he eyed her dark locks. “Still look lovely as ever, stop frettin’.” Leaning back in his chair, Benjamin finished his drink before sliding it aside. There’d be business tonight, and he’d prefer a clear head. “If you hate it, why did you do it in the first place?”

           “I’m kind of over this weather…or I either need a really good vacation on a beach where I can be sipping a fruity drink you know?” Lacey turned her gaze towards the other as she unwrapped her scarf from around her neck. 

“Ah, it’s you.” Lips compressed together, as Benjamin stabbed out his cigarette, turning his attention towards the woman. “And why don’t you just take one then.” Less of a question, and more of a universal statement as his arms folded across his chest. 

#youngbyrnes

[ @benjaminbyrne ] Diane rushed as fast as she could, trying in vain to escape the confines of her office and get home before the snow started in. But as she descended the stairs from her second story business, she was met with a frigid wall of cold— snow assaulting her senses as soon as she’d stepped on to the street. With her bag tucked into her side and her jacket pulled tight, she did her best to trudge down the sidewalk, the wind working tirelessly to knock her down. Across the street her car sat, parked parallel with the sidewalk and already covered in cold powder. In the back of her mind, the idea of McKinley’s nagged at her, insisting that she make the walk and instead of attempting the drive home. Diane sighed almost defeated as she gave way to the idea, abandoning her car for someplace that could offer warmth and safety until the storm passed. By the time she’d made her way through the door of the bar, she was covered in snow. The woman gave herself a good shake, stomping the wet substance off of her shoes and loosening the flakes from her bright blonde locks. Diane took a deep breath, allowing her eyes to scan over the bodies before she stepped inside more fully. The faces inside were a mix of people that she recognized, and some that she didn’t. Few of them were clients of hers, while others she’d only known in passing. Diane suddenly felt very uncomfortable as the crowds eyes had moved to settle over her, wondering perhaps if she was going to move. A soft smile pressed at the corners of her mouth, and she finally took a few steps toward the bar. “Could I have a water, please?” She asked the bartender, her intention being to grab her non-alcoholic drink and find herself a table where she could hide until the storm had stopped. Though she had been here before, something about the mix of company made her feel incredibly out of place. Maybe Diane was being paranoid, but there was something about the eyes on the back of her neck that felt her feel anxious. “Thank you.” Diane mouthed, snatching up the drink and turning away quickly. As soon as she’d swiveled on her heel, her eyes fell over a booth that sat ten or so feet away. Immediately she recognized the silhouette of a man, with his shaggy hair and his cigarette smoking. Diane swallowed down her apprehension and allowed her feet to carry her across the bar, excusing herself whenever she had to shimmy by a strange body. “Ben.” Di appeared at the edge of the table, her melodic voice just loud enough to command Benjamin’s attention. “Mind if I sit?”

Raising his hand, the male shook his head as he nonverbally offered the seat to the woman. Didn’t matter much what he minded now, especially not when his bar was crowded by lesser folk seeking shelter. In a way, it was only a matter of time before someone tested his luck, and they found their arse tossed out into the cold with just the black ice for sympathy. “Always thought you for more of a whiskey, lass.” He comments, drawing the cancer stick from his lips, the smoke lifting itself towards the ceiling rafters.