Griffin

Griff lifted both shoulders and out up his hands, understanding exactly what Omar meant. "Oh we're fucking crazy," he added before laughing a bit as Philly fans were built differently. "That we do, but hey it's a way of life. Especially football, the other sports hmm maybe not as much." He just loved sports in general so he had been there, even as a kid growing up he loved it. "Some rivalry games produce the best plays and highlights. The passion on and off the field or court or even ice is just...." He paused for a moment and thought of the right term, "unmatched? There's a certain air about them that one can't describe." as a fan those games were the most exciting and could only wonder how they felt as a player. Looking at the screen as Omar did, Griff nodded, "exactly. They're a polarizing team for sure." @omarxmorrison

Griffin had never needed a wingman, but having a dog especially a friendly one never hurt. He hadn't ever purposefully used Huckleberry to get a woman or even to get any favors or free stuff. But it happened and who he was he to complain. As the woman spoke, he could feel his cheeks warming from blushing, he was hoping they were sporting noticeable tinge of pink at her words. Letting out a chuckle, he nodded, "I do, and yeah it's a little creepy but hey as someone who probably should change up their routine a little bit, and who is also trying incredibly hard to stay in shape, it's kind of nice having someone notice the work being put in." He opened his stance a little, loosening up as he spoke, "but in a small town, I guess it's also inevitable to run into the same people over and over. I feel like I have definitely seen you on those runs too." @frankiexcalloway

"You're not wrong there. It's either shit I don't understand or shit I'm almost at the age I need to understand," he laughed. There were more than enough life insurance and medication commercials on now that he was starting to think that his age was becoming the target demographic for it. He was getting older, sure, but he didn't think he was quite there yet. "Oh, dude, hell yeah. Lots of gambling on cruise ships. They're technically in international waters so they can get away with a lot more," he explained. He'd been to quite a few tournaments on ships, which usually ended with him out more money than he made, but he wasn't going to turn down a good time either. "Okay, hell yeah. I think there's a WNBA game this weekend or next if you want to drive out to Portland for it?"

Griff let out a laugh, "exactly my thinking. Though when the commercials do start sounding like I fit the bill, is when I start to panic." Not that he feared getting old, but he wasn't exactly looking forward to that day either. The day when the medication commercials ticked off each ailment he suffered from, would be the day he realized how old he truly was. "Hmm, damn. Well good to know though I'm not looking to sail on any in the near future but ya know. At least now I know," he mused with a slight chuckle and lift of his shoulders. "Oh dang, yeah why not? I haven't been to one in a long time, and it's not a far drive." @knoxwallace

He gave her an all knowing nod, "tell me about it. I'm definitely one of those people. Like I forget to eat lunch sometimes because I'm in the zone." He wouldn't classify himself as a workaholic but he was someone who worked a lot. There had been a few occasions where he wouldn't realize how much time had passed while working, but he always tried to make up time. He grinned and gave her a short nod, "won't get any push back from me. I could definitely use it." He was really starting to like this small town stuff. "Since August of last year, so less than a year. How about you?" @aarinxvaughn

Griff nodded and gave her a smile, glad she didn't take his question the wrong way. He meant no harm or disrespect, and glad she was cool with things. "Oh," he watched and listened intently, "good to know I'm not the only curious one then. And I see. Well I'm glad you did because I like having you as a friend." He grinned and ordered before motioning for her to, letting her and the cashier know he'd pay for both. "From my experience here in Kismet, I can absolutely see why no one wants to leave. It's a really special place." @genovevaxmarrero

Griff sheepishly grinned, thankful the other understood, because he'd hate to have ruined a friendship. Any friendship but moreso with a dude he had watched in the very same league as his favorite team. "Thanks," he said with a nod, his gaze focused upon the other before he took a sip of his drink. "I feel like Duke is always a safe bet," he turned to the TV, "touche. And I absolutely love a good rivalry honestly. Makes for some fun games. And well as a born Philly fan, we have plenty of rivals across sports and it's always a fun time." @omarxmorrison

All of his life he had lived in major cities, from the east coast to the Midwest and now being in the west coast it was vastly different. But since moving to Kismet he had been pleasantly surprised at how nice everyone was and how sincere they actually were. He gave her a soft smile then a nod, "honestly sometimes I need that extra push. To stop working for a little bit." As she sat down, he closed his laptop, wanting to give her his full and undivided attention. "Pleasure is all mine Aarin," he reached fir a handshake, something he had always done when meeting someone new. "I'd say I have other reasons for sleepless nights so anything to help is fine by me." @aarinxvaughn

"Fucking right. I don't know if I've just aged out of the demographic they're marketing to, but I don't get 'em half the time." His enthusiasm was coming through as he talked, hands animated as he spoke. There were few things that could get Knox as fired up as talking about sports or even just sports adjacent things could. "Hell yeah, man. Lots of fun places to travel when it comes to gambling. I play on cruises sometimes? That's pretty fucking cool." Those were some of his favorite work trips, right up there with the tournaments he got invited to in Vegas. Anywhere that he could vacation during the day and play tournaments at night was exactly why he got into the job in the first place. "Yeah, the teams are what they are, but you're right. Any live game is better than nothing. If you ever need someone to go with, I'm always down for that shit." Knox had a handful of friends now since he'd moved to town, but always could use more people around to give him more reasons to stay.

Griffin nodded with a chuckle, "honestly me too. I feel like after you hit like your mid-twenties you age out of the demographic." He lifted a shoulder before adding, "unless they have like life insurance or medication ones." The commercials definitely didn't excite him like they had used to, unless the caliber of them had dwindled over the years instead of him just getting older. Griffin was enamored by the other as he spoke more so because of the potential for stories or even learning about their travels. "That's gotta be dope. I haven't t been on a cruise in ages, and definitely didn't realize you could gamble on them," his eyes had gotten wide before showcasing how he was impressed. "Exactly, if you don't necessarily like the sport," he grinned, "that would be awesome. I'm always down. Just say when and where and I'll be there." @knoxwallace

"Exactly, better late than never," he smiled back at her, looking away for a moment, before focusing back upon her. Just two friends hanging out but he wondered if maybe she thought differently; he hoped maybe they could do this more often. "I can imagine," he then nodded and his expression softened, wondering why she hadn't been there and also why she had moved away from the state but he didn't ask. "When did you move here? If you don't mind me asking," he didn't want to cross any boundaries especially as he still wanted to prove himself to her. He still wanted to make good on that promise that he would work on himself so they could give each other a shot. "Perfect," he grinned, "I agree, and hopefully that'll make way for other things we can get along about. I am absolutely game for any and all food." @genovevaxmarrero

Knox's hands clapped together once before gesturing vaguely in Griffin's direction to acknowledge his agreement. "Budweiser does know how to fuck with a commercial. Others are either just too fucking sad now or dumb as hell." Which, granted, once he was a few drinks deep watching a Superbowl they did have their comedic appeal even if they were stupid as hell. His head bobbed along as Griffin listed off some of the places he'd been to casinos at, his own journey having taken him to most places around the country for poker tournaments over the last stretch of years in his life. "Yeah, yeah, they have some good ones there. I've done a lot of little tournaments around all sorts of places. It's fun to travel for." It gave him a reason to travel and put him right in the middle of places that had a lot going for it usually, all things he couldn't complain about. Even if he'd taken a step back from traveling as much since moving to Kismet, he still made the effort to get out for in-person games where he could. "Nothing like it at all. It's a shame there's not more going on around here. Trip to Portland isn't too bad for the Blazers or the Timbers, I'll make the drive if they've got a good team in town to play."

Slamming a fist on the table, Griffin agree and gave the other a nod, "exactly! Plus some of these commercials are fucking weird and make no sense." He could go on and on about it, the Super Bowl as a whole including the commercials and how other professional sports championships didn't match up. Griffin watched them for the love of the game but also but he got a kick out of the commercials and even half time shows; plus he had been to a couple of them in person when his beloved Eagles had played. He wasn't a gambler but he enjoyed seeing others win big even at casinos. "Damn, that's good to know...though not that I play well or even at all, but traveling is always fun." That part he liked and would never pass up an opportunity to do so whatever the reason behind it was. Nodding, he sighed, "yeah don't have too much out here. Sadly the teams Oregon has aren't at the top of my list of ones I like. But a live game for any sport beats anything else." @knoxwallace

Griffin was slightly taken aback, slightly flabbergasted at the other knowing or even caring to come over and offer a refill. " Oh wow," he said with a laugh, "I don't mean to laugh but I'm still getting used to this small town living thing where people actually care about you. Even caring about patrons, especially when not like a waitress or anything." He slightly shook his head but then gave her an earnest and soft smile, looking at his cup and then her, "I really appreciate it," and he shook his head again. "Trust me you were not interrupting at all, plus it's a welcome break from work, a little pick me up and refill," he took in a breath, "that's for sure, I know I for one need the juice to keep myself running. I'm Griffin by the way, and I definitely do not want any sleepless nights if we can help it." @aarinxvaughn

Realizing what he had said, Griffin made a face, "shit I didn't mean anything by that you know. Like you're cool and all. Just some of the dudes in all of sports play for the money and that's it." He hopes he hadn't just blown everything up with Omar and all he could do was nod. "I can only imagine how the vibe was different. I mean playing as a team in general has to be great." Griffin had never played past high school level but there was just something about a singular goal and sharing it with others. "Hmm," he thought for a moment, "not really. I mean Duke is always a heavy favorite. How about you?" @omarxmorrison

Griffin listened intently and gave her a nod, his eyebrows threading together at the same time. "Oh I see, I mean it's never too late though right?" He lifted a shoulder, figuring it couldn't hurt to get in touch with one's culture, any day being the best day to get started. "But I can understand, Florida and Kismet are very different," having been to the sunshine state he can understand how here was different than there. "Pulled pork and Mac and cheese sounds delicious actually," he could already sense it was going to be tasty, "I am definitely a fan of meats. Including pork. Though definitely nothing wrong with not liking either. Or with sun dried tomatoes either. Honestly I kind of just like food of all kinds." @genovevaxmarrero

"They make such a big deal out of the damn commercials and like, yeah, some of them are pretty funny every year, but they've gotten way lamer over the years," he mused. The draw of what the superbowl commercials used to be was still enough to get him to stay locked in every year and he'd thus seen plenty of the sports betting commercials because of it. "Some really cool casinos around too, not just in Vegas. I've done some smaller tournaments around at some of the other casinos, it's a blast. Way better than the apps." Even if most of his time was spent competing on online games, he always preferred when he had the funds and time to go to games in person. His head bobbed in agreement, fully on board with Griffin's assessment of a real game being the peak of sports when you could get to them. "Mostly the same, the big four. I'm from Detroit, so I've got a vested interest in all four of the big leagues. College sports too. I'll watch anything, though, man. It beats the hell out of the other trash they put on screens these days."

Griffin leaned forward and gently knocked his fist on the table, "exactly! Some of them are still great and like the Budweiser ones are cool to see what they come up with each year. But yeah most of them suck now." He shook his head, blowing out some air from pursed lips before adding, "and they cost a shit ton of fucking money too." He felt that it was blown out of proportion nowadays too many people getting excited over them despite them not living up to par. Humming, he nodded, "oh no doubt. I've been to Atlantic City in Jersey and some in Connecticut," he leaned back in his chair. The real thing always beating apps, way across the board in every aspect of everything he thought. Growing up Griffin had loved sports, and getting to games was his favorite thing with his dad. Griffin smiled, "so you get it. A good sports tow like Philly for sure and there's nothing like it. The roar of the crowd!?" He blew out air again and whistled before agreeing, "yeah TV is shit nowadays." @knoxwallace

With his head buried deep in his laptop, Griffin was too far in the zone to have gotten a refill on his coffee. His croissant was down to a crumb and the last sip of his coffee was stale and ice cold. He was finishing up the last remnants of a report he left to the last minute after a weekend if gaming with friends back east. He barely noticed someone had come up to him, it not registering until he smelled the aroma of the drink wafting through the air. "Oh, uh," he sturttered for a moment, "how'd you know?" He asked and leaned back in his seat and blinked, his eyes adjusting to the light. "Thanks." @aarinxvaughn