5 Minute Freewrite 12/10/19 - STAR CRUISER

(Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay)

Here is a story for @mariannewest's always entertaining 5 Minute Freewrite (I don't abide by the 5 minute rule)(https://steemit.com/freewrite/@mariannewest/day-780-5-minute-freewrite-monday-prompt-hot-spot). The prompt is "hot spot".

STAR CRUISER

“This place is a hot spot for aliens”, Rick murmured conspiratorially, lounging against the back of his barstool and scanning the premises with a knowing look. I rolled my eyes. Things were only going to get weirder from here. They always did after the second or third drink. He nodded to indicate a tall, elegantly dressed woman, with caramel skin and high cheekbones, who'd just walked in, followed by the regulation gust of chilly November air. “That’s a model”, I told him patiently, “not an alien”. He shook his head. “Alien", he grunted. "I’ll prove it.” And sliding from the barstool, he sauntered across to her, committed to stalking this newfound prey.

She’d removed her gloves and was unbuttoning her coat when he reached her. An eyebrow arched in response to whatever it was he said, but after a glance in my direction and a moment's hesitation she responded, leaning in to make herself heard over the hubbub. They were too far away to catch any of what they were saying, so I made up dialogue for it in my head as I watched.

“Good evening madam.”

“How do you do?”

“I’m quite well thank you, and you?”

“Splendid, thank you for asking. And how’s the star cruiser running these days?”

“Why, it’s in tip top shape. The very latest model you know…oh! However did you find out about my star cruiser?”

“Ha ha I didn’t my dear. You just told me.”

“You monster! How dare you...”

But then I had to stop because they were coming toward me. “Stewart”, Rick’s eyes twinkled as he made the introductions, “This is Linava. She's from a planet in a star system known to our astronomers as Sirius A. Linava, this is Stewart”. He took a satisfied sip of bourbon, swishing it around his mouth, watching me like a hawk.

I nodded. “Nice to meet you Linava”, I said with a modest smile.

“Hello Derryx”, she replied.

Rick looked as if he might spew bourbon all over the bar. He coughed, managed to swallow, then goggled at me, then at Linava, then at me again. “You two know each other? What the... why did she call you…was it 'Derek'?”

“Derryx”, Linava repeated, smiling playfully, her gaze holding mine.

I grinned. “How’s the star cruiser running these days?”

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