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R(oger) (deadiseasy) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-04-24 14:58:00

Who: R and John Connor.
When: Some recent afternoon.
Where: A smoothie shop.
What: Random encounter.
Warnings/Ratings: Low.
Status: Complete.



The job market, Roger decided, was awful no matter where you are. At least he’d gotten a good number of resumes and cover letters out, so hopefully something good was about to come his way. He realized, too, that he’d probably need to update his work wardrobe, at least to give some more variety. He had only ever really had two suits in Seattle that he tried to change up as much as possible.

So he set out one day to maybe add a few more pieces to his professional wear, but first he decided to stop somewhere and grab something quick to eat. Like a smoothie. He could really go for a smoothie, he figured, so that was exactly where he went.

John had skipped out on school, after enjoying spring break on the back of his bike with Glimmer he really wasn’t in the mood for it. He’d been thinking more and more about quitting it and looking for a job, he was 18 now and his mom and sister weren’t around to tell him what to do. He liked the thought of being able to work, earn his way and take Glimmer out more often. Neither of them minded staying home together but it would be nice to actually take her out more places like most other couples did.

So lost in thought John failed to notice the other man who was entering the little cafe at the same time and practically walked into him. “Shit, sorry mate” John said, “Wasn’t paying attention”

Roger blinked and stumbled a little, but caught himself before anything embarrassing happened. “Oh - it’s fine,” he said. “Really. Definitely. It happens.” He shrugged and offered up a smile.

“You get walked into a lot then?” he asked with a smile of his own, “Or do you do the walking into as well? Cos I gotta say that would make me feel alot better about almost knocking you on your ass”

“Er. Both, I guess?” Roger just sort of laughed a bit. “I mean, you know. People get distracted. But really, it’s cool.”

“Maybe it’s karma getting back at me for skipping out on school then” John said, as they entered the shop to queue as they had both been planning on doing.

“Could be. Though, to be honest, I’ve never really actually figured karma is a legit thing,” Roger continued, making conversation because - why not? “I think people just use it willy-nilly.”

"Yeah?" John replied, happy to talk while they waited to be served, "What about fate and destiny and all that?" he asked, interestedly.

Roger shrugged. “What about them? I don’t know. I don’t really think about stuff like that, I guess. It is what it is.”

John nodded, “I didn’t used to” he admitted, “But since the dreams it’s been on my mind more, fate is mentioned a lot” he explained.

Ah, the dreams. Those pesky dreams. Clearly, Roger thought, this guy wasn’t a zombie in his. Lucky. “Oh yeah? I guess they sort of do tend to make a person more introspective.”

“Yeah just a bit” John said with a wry smile, “I try not to dwell on them too much though. Tell myself they’re just dreams” which was kind of hard to do when your robot ‘sister’ was deactivated in your basement but he tried.

“Yeah, some of them seem to be more real to people than others. I’m sort of glad I got stuck with sort of hokey ones.” Roger laughed a bit, shuffling forward in line.

“I’d be happy with hokey ones too” John admitted as they moved forward, “Gets a bit much having such intense dreams every night”

“Ew, yeah. I bet.” Roger grimaced a little. He couldn’t imagine. “Must get a bit rough, huh?” Especially since this guy looked so young still. It seemed unfair he’d get sucky dreams, too.

“A bit” John nodded, more than a bit really, “But I’m sure as bad as they are, they aren’t the worst so I guess I should be grateful for small mercies. I just end up staying at my girlfriends more often, she talks me out of any melancholy mood they induce” he smiled genuinely then, thinking of Glimmer.

“That’s good.” He gave the kid an encouraging smile. “Uh. I’m Roger, by the way.” Since it seemed they ought to maybe introduce themselves at some point.

“John” he replied holding out his hand, “Good to meet you Roger, even if I did almost knock you through the door”

Shaking the hand, Roger just shrugged again with a smile. “Like I said, no worries.”

“So Roger, what is it that you do?” John asked, figuring he may as well get to know him a little better now.

“Uh. Well, you know, I look for jobs.” Roger laughed. “The job market everywhere sucks, though, so I just look. And never actually seem to get one.”

He nodded, “I’m considering giving up on school but as you say the job market isn’t so great right now and my skills are pretty limited in one area”

“Trust me, giving up on school is definitely not gonna help you with the job thing,” Roger said. “I mean. It’s not really for everyone and all, but it’ll at least give you more of an advantage over other people, you know?”

“I guess” John said, “But the kind of job I’d be looking for wouldn’t really need a high school diploma”

“I still don’t think it would hurt you. And it would save you from regretting the decision in the future, too. Just in case and all.” Roger paused their conversation to order his food. “Anyway, you can’t have a lot longer left to go?”

John thought about that as Roger ordered his food, "You have a point" he conceded, "Not long at all actually" he admitted before placing his own order.

“I mean,” Roger shrugged, “you know what’s best for you, and all. But as a completely unbiased opinion, that’s mine.” He shuffled along to wait for his order to come up. “Not that you asked for it.”

“All opinions are welcome” John told him, “Sometimes other people are better you know? Like, you know what the job market’s like right now and I didn’t so...” he shrugged, “All helps”

“Yeah.” Though Roger couldn’t help but feel bad that he pushed his opinion on a poor kid. Like for some reason it was too ... He didn’t know. It was too something at any rate. Roger grabbed his smoothie when it came up and gave John a nod. “Well, uh. Good luck, anyway. With whatever you decide to do.”

“Thanks mate” John nodded, “Good luck with the job hunt. Hope you find something soon”

“Heh, thanks.” Roger cracked a bit of a smile. “See you around, maybe. Or something.” He gave John a wave as he left.