THE CROWD IS DEAD !

Tom's Wall of Text.

"Hm? Oh right. Yeah, hard liquor? Can't go wrong here." Truth be told, this was normal for him. If he was going to drink, he was going to drink to feel something. To lose himself in it all like he did when he was alive, except there are more vices here than ever before. He doesn't have to drink himself into a stupor, but it's all he's really known. His mask being halfway off was a telling sign as he drank. Not like anyone truly cared for the anchor who got his ass handed to him every morning and night. Only now, after so long, the blonde decides to enjoy it in public rather than the safety of his home. This place wasn't usually the kind he enjoyed, but it'll do as he sits upon his stool. His mind is elsewhere when he hears someone speak to him. He doesn't hesitate to answer, but then he turns to look beside him. Who he finds confuses him for a second. The sockets of his mask shift furrow a little before he realizes who it was and can't help but laugh. "Cat's out of the bag? I didn't think they let you outta that hotel." His confidence didn't wane this time with some spirit inside as he took another swig and motioned to the bartender. "Another and another for him." Things were already looking brighter, weren't they?

Tom might've been backtracking, panicking, possibly even having a full-on crisis, but his body said otherwise. He's excited. Just looking--hell, smelling him had his pants feeling tight. His words did not help in the slightest, like he'd been hypnotized. Almost immediately, there's something dirty there. Many dirty thoughts are running through this man's mind. How many times had he thought about having him? ". . . Are you. . Are you sure you want to know?" Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. He really couldn't bring himself to just say it. To be as confident as others, wasn't there others looking to fuck him? NO- God, that's even worse. He can't help the slight hitch of breath at that. An internal battle within as he lifts his hand up to grab his mask to lift it slightly, revealing a little of his chin, the skin below scarred and marred. He needed to cool down.

"I know this is important. Urgent, I'm guessing? I understand the feeling, but maybe taking a break right now is best. We don't have to have those drinks. I could have something delivered here instead?" The anchor would reach over and touch his shoulder, giving a bit of a squeeze. He wasn't entirely certain it would help, as he's usually the one being stressed out or otherwise panicked, not the other way around. If anything, this had been the calmest he'd been while at work. Though if he took a glimpse at the various cameras, the stress might spike a little, but surely Vox wouldn't care that much to see them like this, right? It's already getting late anyhow. They weren't exactly on company time either, right? His hand immediately leaves him at that. Sudden and quick, he rummages his pockets for his phone before pulling up Helleats. "So. . . any cravings?" What the hell am I doing?

"Travis? Why are you so nervous-" He looks down at the bingo card he filled out. His expression shifted from confused to surprised. "You got everything but one?" Now it's his turn to be a little nervous. ". . . Wow, I- Well. . um. . should we get some coffee sometime? drinks? anything?"

" Wait, really? We can?" This man really did a 180. "What do I need to do?"

"You got a double bingo? Well, you seem a lot more interesting than I thought." He's just looking at Layton, a little interested but also perplexed. "Weren't you the man who nearly died down the street?"

" W-What?!- I mean. . ." Clears his throat. "I could take you out sometime?" He's playing it cool, but he's both panicking and excited at the same time. Body swaying a little back and forth; Tom might actually pass out.

If there were ever a time for Tom to feel a sudden impending doom, then this would be one of those times. He hadn't felt this way in a long time since he arrived in hell. That feeling practically lifted the second he decided to sign his soul away. Now he's wondering if maybe [ possibly ] that was a mistake. He's done a lot for Voxtek in terms of his feeble presence, even remotely being seen on TV. To truly hit all those demographics, as it were, because what better way to have all of hell watching than to have the co-host thrown around and nearly die every set. Tom didn't try to think about it too hard because he was indeed in the spotlight! To be seen and heard, even when such things were done to him. All he ever wanted in life. Now he's wondering if another death is on the horizon for him. Vox says he can order whatever he wants, calls it a treat, but he's looking between the lines. Trying to figure out if he went a step too far or if something happened without his knowledge. There's that grin of his that he could never really tell whether it meant well or not. "Thank you, sir." Tom's quick to answer, but he's hardly looking to cost him a fortune, but the menu has more dollar signs in it than his bank account. His mind jumped to the day he asked for a raise. Is that what this was about? The fact that he wanted one while Katie had at least three already? For someone who hated all her advances, he was throwing her all the biggest bones. "I'll just take the house salad and Manicotti. " Those at least looked like reasonable prices, but just as he sets his menu aside, he realizes that now he's essentially leaving room for conversation. Normally, that wouldn't be a problem, but what exactly could he say? Should he just outright ask before he gets a meal for his troubles, or does he just sit there and wait? Hollowed eyes of his mask shifting from the overlord to the glass of wine before him as he's tempted to just down that there, likely ask for another to calm his nerves. Or excuse himself for one of the cigarettes burning in his pocket, waiting to be used as he can feel the sweat beneath his gloves soak through the leather.

"Sir? Is there something you need?" Tom's aware enough to know it was better to play kiss ass when it came to those in power than anything. Still, it wasn't like he was looking to piss off the man either, but his stare ultimately had him wondering what the hell he did to warrant such a thing.

@reportingdead