“Putting on a Show”

by Layne and Stacey

Libby sipped her drink and made a face at the notebook in front of her on the table.  Frank had been mentoring her in her aim to become a private investigator and she'd thought she was doing well.  It was disheartening, though, how much studying she had to do for the licensing exam. 

Casting a quick glance around the tavern, she saw pretty much the same as she usually saw.  She usually stopped in for a drink and to study a bit a few times a week.  Just so she'd be around people more and didn't need to just sit home alone.  Frank had told her she needed to quit reading and cast a few looks at a few men and she wouldn't need to go home alone, but with her heart lying somewhere else entirely, Libby had no interest.  It was good, though, to hear murmuring voices and know that people were around.  Her eyes went back to her book.

Arthur had been sitting in the Tavern having a drink with Colin's brother-in-law, Adam, when he first noticed the pretty girl sitting across the room from them. He tried his best not to stare at her, tried to keep listening to whatever it was Adam was going on about.  He'd promised Colin he'd keep an eye on the troubled lad while Adam and Raine were staying at the boarding house where Arthur also currently resided. If Colin wasn't his boss and also a good friend, Arthur would have told him to piss off when he'd asked him the favor of 'baby-sitting' his brother-in-law.

He smiled, took another swig of beer, managing to dribble it down his chin a bit. Nervously, he scrambled to find a napkin and wipe up the mess he'd made, casting quick glancing at Libby to make sure she hadn't seen his clumsiness.

"Mate, really, can you at least try and act like you've been in a pub before?" Adam was teasing him, as he handing him another napkin and called out to the bartender for another round for them.

"Sorry, sorry," Arthur nervously apologized, casting another quick glance over to Libby.

Adam noticed his friend's wandering gaze and grinned, "Ah, so its a sheila's got you all fussed," Adam told him, slapping him on the shoulder. "She's a real beaut. Well, what are you waiting for, giver a go, then, mate."

"Oh, no, that's quite all right," Arthur told him, worriedly. "She looks quite preoccupied with her books. Don't want to disturb her, ya know."

"Mate, c'mon, she's all alone... might be insulted if you didn't go up and have a go at her. Hell, if I wasn't already spoken for I'd have a go myself. Go on now," Adam encouraged.

Arthur looked over at Libby again, straightened his collar, "Well... if you think she might...um...like the company...," he said, grabbing his bottle of beer and taking another long swig, careful not to spill it this time.

"That's the spirit, mate," Adam grinned, "Go get 'er."

Arthur smiled, nodded, and clumsily made his way across the room to where Libby was sitting reading her book. When she didn't look up, Arthur cleared his throat, "Um... excuse me, Miss... but would you terribly mind if I sit here with you?"

She'd been lost in the requirements for a private investigator using a gun in Australia and the voice startled her.  "Huh?  Sit here?"  Libby looked around.  "Is there a shortage of seats or something?"

Arthur blushed, "Umm... no, no, it's just, well, a pretty sheila such as yourself shouldn't be unaccompanied in an establishment such as this and well, I myself do hate to...um... sit alone, and well... I just thought... but if its a bother I'll just go, I don't wish to be a bother or anything and I can see that you're busy and...," he rambled on nervously.

Libby didn't think she could remember ever seeing a guy blush before.  He was obviously nervous and she felt guilty about the way she'd spoken without thinking.  She smiled up at him.

"Oh, no-" she said quickly.  He looked as though he'd never tried to deliver a line to a woman in his life, and she wouldn't be surprised if his buddy over there at the bar hadn't put him up to this.

"Please, do sit down.  I've studied so much my eyes are almost crossed.  It would be nice to talk to someone." 

And she'd put on a show for his buddy over there too, she decided.  As the nervous guy sat down across from her, she adjusted her shirt, letting another button slip open to show a little more cleavage.  Then, she smiled over at him again.  "I'm Libby.  What's your name?"

"Arthur, Arthur Baskin," he told her, managing to keep his voice level. He smiled shyly, fidgeting with his beer. "Would you...um... would you allow me to buy you a drink?"

"I'd love that, Arthur.  Thanks.  I'm having a margarita."  Libby sat back in her seat. 

"I know you from somewhere, don't I?" she asked.  "Oh, I know!  Down at Colin's garage!"

Arthur's face brightened when she'd mentioned knowing him, "Yes, that's right. I run the front office. The lads couldn't manage without me around. Keep a tight ship and all I do. Why, if it weren't for me the place would have gone under long ago when that ex-girlfriend of Colin's went and pushed him from the window. Broke man's heart and leg, she did." He smiled, then quickly took another long swig of beer, his hand shaking as he did so, splashing the amber liquid all around.

Grabbing a napkin, Libby mopped it up for him.  "Um- That ex-girlfriend of Colin's happens to be my colleague at work, and my friend, Abby."

"Oh, oh sorry," Arthur replied, "she's...um... lovely, truly. Colin was quite sad to lose her, even if she did... well, enough about that. She's dating my good friend Alex Ross now, so I've heard, though I haven't seen much of either of them since that terrible ordeal where she...um... stabbed him..." Arthur cleared his throat, realizing he'd better change the subject quickly, "Oh, speaking of dating, I must confess I have seen you in here before... with the town's solicitor, I believe?"

Libby's eyes narrowed a little.  "You probably have.  But we're not dating.  We're just friends.

Arthur's smile brightened at hearing that. He straightened in his chair, jutting his chin out a bit, "Ah, well, then seeing how you are...um... unattached... perhaps you will do me the honor of accompanying me out to dinner one night soon then?" He smiled again, nervously waiting for her answer.

Libby nearly giggled.  She couldn't help herself.  He'd asked her so quickly!  "Well...I don't really know you, Arthur."

Arthur blushed slightly again, fumbled with straightening his collar again. "Oh, of course, of course, sorry," he apologized, "I just thought, I mean...er... you might like to get to know me better if we had a proper date and all, but I'm sure an attractive young lady such as yourself probably has an appointment book full already." He looked back at the bar where Adam was sitting watching him, smiled and waved and began to stand to leave. He was halfway out of his seat when Adam motioned for him to sit back down and give it another go.

Watching the exchange between them, Libby asked very softly, "Did he put you up to this Arthur?"

"Who? Adam?" Arthur asked, letting a slight nervous giggle escape his lips. Embarrassed, he cleared his throat, "No, I just saw you here and well, I thought you looked nice and perhaps could use the company and...um... Adam did give me a bit of encouragement... but...but it was my idea, really... and...and...my isn't it hot in here," he quickly grabbed his bottle of beer and down the last of it.

"Listen, Arthur-"  Libby gave a sigh.  He seemed like a nice guy, just a little clumsy and inexperienced with girls, and she didn't want to hurt his feelings.  Given that her heart lay with Richie, though, she hadn't been interested in anyone else at all.

"I'm gonna be honest with you." She spoke low, not wanting his buddy to overhear anything.  "I'm not really interested in dating anyone.  I-uh-  I'm kind of in love with someone."

"But-" She gave him a sly grin across the table.  "There's no reason we can't put on a good show for your buddy over there.  Make HIM think there's something going on.  If you want to?"

Arthur's smile faded a moment as he processed what she'd said. So she had feelings for someone else, huh? Well, that didn't really surprise him after the stories he'd been hearing about her from Mr. Jessup recently. But yes, saving face in front of Adam would be a good thing, and who knew, perhaps after all this she may change her mind about him and decide she found him appealing afterall. He lifted his head, managed a smile and nodded, "Yes, if you don't mind, I'd much appreciate it."

"This'll be fun," she told him, with a look at Adm out of the corner of her eye.  "Come on over here with me to this side of the booth, then."

Giving Arthur a seductive smile, she slid over a little and patted the seat beside her.  Over here, they'd be facing his buddy, so he could get a clear picture of everything.

Arthur quickly jumped up, knocking his chair backwards onto the floor as he did so, and slid into the seat next to Libby.

She winced a little as his chair hit the floor, but some guy passing by the table picked it up for them with a nod.  Libby nodded back at him, thanking him.  As Arthur slid into the seat next to her, she took one of his hands and placed it on top of the table, holding it in both of her own.  Leaning over, she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Briefly, she wondered how many people in here knew her.  Mr. Jessup would probably have tongues wagging all over town about her again tomorrow, but so what?  For once, this bad reputation she had around the Glen as far as men were concerned could be put to good use.  For Arthur, anyway.

"Put your arm around me," she whispered to him.

She'd said...something... Arthur could see her mouth moving, but for the life of him he hadn't heard a word since she'd pressed her lips to his cheek. It took Arthur a minute or two to realize exactly what she wanted him to do and another several moments for him to actually go through with putting his arm around her shoulders.

Across the room, Adam nearly spit out a mouthful of his drink when he saw what was going on between Arthur and Libby. He shook his head, chuckling to himself. "Oi, another shout for my mate there," he called out to the bartender, who quickly sent over another bottle to Arthur's table.

Arthur meanwhile was sitting stiffly in his seat, his arm aching from the awkward way he was holding it around Libby's shoulders. As soon as the beer Adam had sent over had reached his table, he downed about half of it, managing this time not to spill a drop. He smiled, sloppily, at Libby, "Throat's quite parched," he tried to explain, a small hiccup escaping his lips.

Arthur was holding his arm so rigidly around her shoulders that it had begun to tremble.  "Relax your arm a little," Libby told him with a grin.  "I don't bite.  Honest."  She hadn't known there were guys around who were this nervous and awkward any more.

She raised one hand and ran her fingers lightly down his cheek and over his throat, watching his buddy out of the corner of her eye.  "So, what do you think we should do, Arthur?  What'll impress him most?"  She nodded slightly toward the bar.

Arthur about fell out of his chair when Libby ran her fingers down his cheek and throat. It was all he could do not to faint. She'd asked him a question again, he'd heard her speak, felt her warm breath on his skin. He knew she'd said this was all just pretend, but still Arthur couldn't help but to hope. He smiled again, his arm trembling so much he could feel it shaking Libby. When she'd repeated her question he looked up, then over at Adam and nodded at him. "I...I dunno, really," Arthur replied, "what do you suppose might...um... do the trick?"

"Hmmm..."  Libby thought for a moment.  Then, she raised one of her legs and let it slide across his knee to rest over his.  "Tell you what, Arthur...  In a few minutes, I'll act like I gotta leave.  You walk me over to the door and I'll give you a nice, long goodbye kiss.  You think that'll impress him?"

"Oh, yes please!" Arthur answered almost too eagerly.

She'd seen this same thing pulled so many times when she was in college, Libby thought to herself.  Sometimes guys used to pay girls to do it, just to get their friends to think they'd actually done something with a particular girl.  She settled in to talk to Arthur for a little while, making sure to give him her full attention.

"What do you like to do for fun, Arthur?" she asked him easily.

Arthur thought for a moment. "Well," he said, pausing as he thought, "I do fancy a good book, and I'm not a bad dancing partner I've been told.  Oh, and back home I enjoyed singing with our church choir and having a laugh with the lads here at the pub." He smiled, hoping he'd hit upon something that she might fancy doing with him sometime.

"I love reading," Libby told him, remembering to smile and bat her eyelashes a bit for the sake of his friend at the bar.  "Dancing?  Uh...sometimes."  Her mind was on the time she and Richie had gone dancing in Coffs and how that night had ended up.

"Oh, well, if you ever wish to go sometime, I'd be quite happy to accompany you," Arthur replied, brightly, "if, that is, you are in need of a companion. We could go as friends, if you prefer." He was starting to loosen up a bit, mostly thanks to all the beer he'd consumed.

"Well, uh-"  Libby was torn between not wanting to lead him on and not wanting to hurt his feelings.  "I'm pretty busy lately.  My job at the paper, and I'm studying for a tough exam."  She nodded toward the papers and books on the table.

"Oh, of course, I've been pretty busy down at the garage, myself," Arthur replied, trying not to sound too disappointed, "Busy time of the year, inventory to do and all. Though Australia Day will be coming up soon enough, lots of celebrating and such there. Perhaps we'll run into each other there, share a dance or two if you like." Arthur's arm was getting really sore from having it wrapped around Libby's shoulders and he began to shift awkwardly in his seat. "Um... do you mind... perhaps I could...um... hold your hand instead... if its alright with you."

About that time Adam came sauntering over, a big grin on his face, "Excuse me miss, is this lad being a bother?"

"Not at all," Libby replied, sliding her hand very slowly down Arthur's arm to hold his hand.  Continuing the show for his friend, she smiled up at him.  "As a matter of fact, we were just discussing seeing each other again.  Weren't we, Arthur?"  Not a lie, Libby reasoned to herself, since they had just mentioned running into each other at the Australia Day celebration.

Adam chuckled, pulled up a seat across from them, "So, let me get this straight," he said, pausing to take another swig of beer, "you...and...him? Seriously?"

Arthur straightened in his chair, jutting his chin out, "And just what do you find so amusing and hard to believe about it?" he asked, offended by Adam's question.

Adam tried to stifle a giggle, "Well, nothin'... I guess," he said, grinning at Libby, "Just, well, didn't think you had it in you, mate, that's all." He leaned in towards Libby, "Sure he didn't go and pay you or anything, luv?"

"Pay me?" Libby asked, her eyebrows raised.  "Just what are you insinuating there, friend?"

"Just trying to figure out how a bloke like my mate Arthur here can get a lovely sheila like yourself is all," Adam grinned, knocking back the rest of his drink. "No offense, just seems like you're...well... a bit out of his league is all."

"You think I'm more in your league?"  Libby was getting ticked at this guy now.

Adam cocked an eyebrow at her an grinned, "Well... yeah," he chuckled, quickly adding, "no offense, Arthur."

Arthur simply glared at him.

Fixing him with a hard stare, Libby asked, "Then why is it you didn't come over here yourself?"

"Nice friend you have here, Arthur," she told him sarcastically.

"Because his wife wouldn't like it very much if he did," Arthur chimed in, "Colin's sister, you know. Lovely girl, though between you and me I certainly don't know what she sees in this hooligan." He hiccupped again, a sloppy smile spread across his face.

"Hold the line there, mate," Adam told him, "I'm just havin' a bit of fun with you is all. No need to go calling names or getting wives involved."

Rising from her seat, Libby gathered her things.  She gave a glare in the other man's direction and a nice smile to Arthur.  "Well, Arthur, I do hope we see each other again soon," she told him with a wink.  Then, leaning over, she gave him a long, lingering kiss.

Arthur sat there, dreamily staring into space as he watched Libby get up and walk away. Adam shook his head, chuckling, "She probably takes in stray animals, too," he commented, still having a laugh over the thought of Arthur getting a pretty sheila like that. "C'mon, loverboy," he told Arthur, scooping him up from his chair and helping him out of the tavern, "let's get you to your room before you go and ruin the moment by chundering all over the place."

Arthur nodded, a sloppy smile plastered on his face as he stumbled along beside Adam up the boarding house stairs.