Re: Deck chairs; sitting.
The man didn't take the glass or the cigarette. No, it would be more accurate to say he hesitated before taking either, and the opportunity was gone before he considered curling his fingers in obeisance. Oh, well, so much for that, but he wasn't thirsty, and he didn't feel like a smoke, so it was no great loss. He wasn't much of a people-pleaser, and he felt no mounting guilt at having blocked his neighbor's attempt at greeting. He had the entitlement of a white guy on a very comfy lawn chair. But, by all means, put your drink down over there, and take off your shoes, if that was what you needed to do.
A bit longer than was necessary. That was how long it took him to realize he wasn't actually speaking. Heh. He considered whether or not to rectify, or whether he preferred not being known at all. It wasn't a long consideration, because it seemed a waste to be not himself and not known, simultaneously. Better jump right in. "Never been very good at taking orders." Did it matter if that was true or not? Not tonight, he decided, and he folded his hands behind his head. His suit pulled at his elbows, indicating it wasn't tailored to his specifications. A person couldn't have everything, and he reasoned the torchlight was forgiving. All in all, the evening still lived firmly in the + column.
"Do you always take your shoes off when visiting other people's houses? I think it's a bad idea. I'd even wear my kicks in the pool. Who knows how many little bottles will find their way into the water before the night ends. Yowch" He tapped the pointed tips of his shoes together in illustration of shoes properly located. The concern wasn't voiced with any real concern. This was banter, and he didn't really care about the guy on the other deck chair. He could probably be made to care, but he wasn't running into the open arms of empathy at the present.
His voice, for what it was worth, was solid. It was an A- voice. It wasn't loud enough for A+, but it came close. Solid man, solid voice, solid no one.