rage, rage;

He takes his coffee black. Another note stored somewhere in her mind in a folder labeled Donovan Mendoza in elegant cursive. It would come in handy later, perhaps if she were stopping by wherever he was and felt like it would be nice to bring him coffee, and knew exactly what he wanted. A small act like that could mean strides in a relationship. People liked being remembered, even if there was little to be noted as memorable about them. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like something to eat—you’ve just come from a shift, right?” Audrey suggested politely as she watched the waiter walk away. It wasn’t a question that needed an answer, because she already knew he had, but it was less demanding then: you have to eat something because you just came from work. “I personally like the croissants they sell here, there’s little chocolate chips on the outside and a creamy chocolate filling inside,” she continued, eyes darting to the pastry counter. 

She probably just assumed, Donovan thought to himself as the coffee was placed in front of him. Was it really that much of a stretch to presume Audrey Billings had looked up everything she could about Donovan--which admittedly amounted to a passing mention of his rise to sous chef in a still-rising restaurant in Manhattan. But he figured she still had her ways. 

Outright denying her seemed rude, but he was still paranoid about looking like a neanderthal when eating in front of her, so he said as politely as he could, “No, thanks -- I’m fine.” He was about to mention he’d gone hours without food at a time before, for the sake of rush hour, but stopped himself just in time. If she insisted he ate after he implied he actually was hungry, Donovan didn’t think he’d wiggle out of that one. 

“I’ll try the croissants the next time I’m here, though,” Donovan finished before taking a sip of the coffee. Honestly, though, he was pretty sure he’d never come back to this place of his own volition again. Or most places in the UES, frankly. He just didn’t quite fit in with the backdrop. 

“It’s definitely been an adjustment,” Donovan laughed lightly as he placed his cup back onto the table. “But, you know, I’m happy I got a chance to reconnect with the rest of my family.” Even if half of them don’t even acknowledge my existence. 

"Oh," Donovan blinked as he let go of Audrey's hand and glanced up at the waiter. "Just a coffee. Black, please." In truth, he was actually quite hungry--he had just gotten off of his shift at the restaurant and didn't have time to whip up something to eat for himself--but with Audrey across from him sipping on whatever she was drinking without a pastry or meal in sight, he didn't think he should order something more for himself. And the idea that she might scrutinize how he eats in addition to everything else only added to the decision.

"Man, it ain't that hard. I'm explaining how to make an omelette here, not a five course meal."

"I guess it's too much to ask they try and report on actual news, huh? Thanks, that means a lot coming from you. Nice to know you got my back."

Change pronouns / descriptors as necessary!

"I have no patience for useless things."

"We’re in the same boat now. Take care not to tip it over. I can only save one of us from drowning."

"We’re in a very gray area. Ethically. Legally. Which I’m okay with."

"What a martyr craves more than anything is a sword to fall on."

"Nobody can hear you. Nobody cares about you. Nothing will come of this."

"I know all about hate. It starts in your gut, deep down here, where it stirs and churns. And then it rises."

"You haven’t earned the right to be treated as an adult."

"So you think when a woman asks to be treated with respect, that’s arrogance?"

"You don’t want to work anywhere you’re not willing to get fired from."

"Treading water is the same as drowning, for people like you and me."

"Love of family: most politicians are permanently chained to that slogan, family values. But when you cozy up to hookers and I find out, I will make that hypocrisy hurt."

"He believes that if a fridge falls off a minivan, you better swerve out of its way. I believe it’s the fridge’s job to swerve out of mine."

"Just making an observation."

"Are you letting pride cloud your judgment?"

"I’m the only person who believes in you, but maybe that’s one too many."

"Maybe they were right. Maybe you are worthless."

"I promise you’ll never be bored."

"He was the only one who understood me. He didn’t put me on some pedestal."

"The most you’ll ever make of yourself is blowing men like me."

"I can smell the cock on your breath from here."

"He’d never go for you. You’re too intimidating."

"I’ve been doing this a long time. I know when I’ve scraped all the shit off the shoe."

"Do you get off on this or something?"

"There’s no better way to overpower a trickle of doubt than with a flood of naked truth."

"I have to put fear in other people."

"I have to be ruthless, because failure is not an option."

"I’m not going to lie. I despise children. There. I’ve said it."

"Everything is about sex. Except sex. Sex is about power."

"If I didn’t think you were such a liability to yourself, I might even like you."

"I have zero tolerance for betrayal, which they will soon indelibly learn."

"When did that happen?"

"You don’t understand. I’m not afraid of you anymore."

"I’ve known everything from the beginning."

"I’m not here to punish you or to tell you to stop. I just thought I should open those big bright eyes."

"I wanted to be significant."

"I envy your free spirit, and I’m attracted to it, but not all of us have that luxury."

"You had a choice. You chose not to be free."

"Success is a mixture of preparation and luck."

"Decisions based on emotion aren’t decisions, at all. They’re instincts. Which can be of value."

"He doesn’t measure his wealth in private jets, but purchased souls."

"Of all the things I hold in high regards, rules are not one of them."

"You have a reputation for pragmatism."

"You can’t purchase loyalty. Not the sort I have in mind. If you want to earn my loyalty, then you have to offer yours in return."

"Now, the humane way to do it is to make it quick."

"I took a chance, showed up at your house and placed myself at your feet."

"I have been fearless. But, you know what? I’m really fucking scared this time."

"Grief demands an answer, but sometimes there isn’t one."

"If we never did anything we shouldn’t do, we’d never feel good about doing the things we should."

"It’s personal for me now. I don’t have a choice, but you still do."

"Stick a knife in its heart and put an apple in its mouth, I won’t shed a tear."

"There is no sacred ground for the conquered."

"You may have all the money, but I have all the men with guns."

"You’re nothing. You’re a parasite."

"I’m not who you want to be your poster girl."

"I’ve never thought higher of her than I do at this moment."

"Do you think I’m a hypocrite? Well, you should. I wouldn’t disagree with you."

"I ain’t one for lookin’ back. Eyes ahead."

"From the lion’s den to a pack of wolves. When you’re fresh meat, kill and throw them something fresher."

"I don’t know whether to be proud or terrified. Perhaps both."

"Seduce him, give him your heart. Cut it out and put it in his fucking hands."

"I’ve done what I have to do. Now you do what you have to do."

"I said I would take the fall for you. And now I give you the means to make that happen."

"Power is better than money, for as long as it lasts. But it never lasts."

"What is wrong with you?! Why can’t you just leave me be?!"

"All you have ever done is fuck up my life!"

"Such a waste of talent."

"Discuss is probably the wrong word. They talk while I sit quietly and imagine their lightly salted faces frying in a skillet."

"Money is the McMansion in Sarasota that starts falling apart after ten years, power is the old stone building that stands for centuries. I cannot respect someone who does not see the difference."

"Moments like this require someone who will act. To do the unpleasant thing. The necessary thing."

"There are two kinds of pain. The sort of pain that makes you strong. Or useless pain. The sort of pain that’s only suffering."