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[ruff_patch]

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[superjournalist]

Lois inhales, contemplating. “I don’t want to say too much, because it will all be in my article, but there was evidence that has come up missing. Suspicious coincidences, things like that.”

Things that don’t add up.

[ruff_patch]

"Huhn, sounds like something out of an old pulp detective novel." He says with a little smile.

"You ever read any of those? Or were you too busy cracking skulls in mosh pits?"

[superjournalist]

“I read a few,” she replies. “I read a lot of books, actually.”

Lois didn’t like the social aspects of school, but she was a good student, especially in English class.

“I was always very polite in mosh pits, thank you very much.”

[ruff_patch]

"A polite punk eh?" He teases before having another sip of his beer.

"What kind of books do you usually read?"

[superjournalist]

“Polite until people I’m interviewing start dodging my questions,” she replies. Then she becomes like a bulldog.

“Fiction or non-fiction? I read a lot of non-fiction books by journalists who have invested various topics or incidents. On the fiction side, mostly mysteries. What about you?”

[ruff_patch]

It doesn't surprise him to hear that about her, she has that kind of vibe and he's thankful they are just hanging out and that he's not being interviewed by her because she'd sense something off right away. He's not a great liar by any means.

"I love a good mystery, or any kind of dumb pulp fiction thing. Especially if it's got some raunchy sex in it."

[superjournalist]

Lois can’t help but roll her eyes at that. “They have whole books filled with just raunchy sex,” she replies. He’s pretty horny. Not that Lois isn’t horny. It’s part of why she came here tonight.

“Why do you think you’re an asshole?” she asks. He’s been pretty nice so far, raunchy sex mentions aside.

[ruff_patch]

"Well yeah but that's just porn without plot, if I want that I'll just put on an actual porno." He says with a little shrug. "If I'm reading I like there to be a little more story with my raunchy sex."

The sudden question causes him to blink in surprise and shrug again.

"Because I've been told I am one? I'm rude, blunt, have no class. The list of my shortcomings goes on and on."

[superjournalist]

“Is there raunchy sex in those pulp fiction detective novels?” she asks. Clearly, she’s not reading the right ones.

Lois takes a sip of beer before continuing. “And I’ve been told that I’m a bitch, but I don’t think that I am, most of the time.” She can’t say never. “Do you think that you act like an asshole?”

[ruff_patch]

"Some of them, yeah."

Another pause as he thinks about her question.

"Yeah. I think I can be. My mouth kind of has a mind of its own and I sometimes say shit I shouldn't or without thinking. And that hurts people."

[superjournalist]

“You’re not doing it on purpose though, are you?” Lois asks. “That’s what makes someone a real asshole.”

Speaking without thinking… he can work on that.

[ruff_patch]

"No, not on purpose." He doesn't like hurting people on purpose, he's just kind of an idiot with a smart mouth.

"I mean unless someone is a dick to me first, then yeah. I might say shit to hurt them."

[superjournalist]

“Well, yeah,” Lois replies. “That’s different. Saying wrong things doesn’t make you an asshole. Maybe inconsiderate at times, or brash. I just think of assholes as being mean on purpose, which is why I was wondering why you were so quick to refer to yourself as one.”

[ruff_patch]

"Probably because I haven't had a lot of people disagree or question it."

[superjournalist]

“Congratulations, I question everything.”

She really does. Lois finds it difficult to trust most people, and she will never just blindly accept something.

“What other shortcomings do you have?”

[ruff_patch]

"I've noticed." He says but it's with a smile, he actually finds her tendency to question everything kind of cute.

"Wow, uh okay. I can't hold down a job, I don't have any ambition, uhhh.... I've got a really hairy chest and ass?"

[superjournalist]

Don’t tell her it’s cute if you value your life, Richard.

The first two faults are a lot more problematic than the last two. “If you’re not working, then what do you do all day?” Lois asks.

[ruff_patch]

"I play video games, watch movies, listen to records."

A pause and because it's him he has to add.

"Masturbate."

[superjournalist]

“TMI,” she replies, her nose scrunching. “Are you living with your mom or something? How are you paying rent and bills?”

Because shit certainly ain’t free.

[ruff_patch]

"Hey I know you like details." He teases, his grin turning his face into something almost charming and handsome.

"No, she's back in Canada." Which is where he's from originally.

"And I pay for shit by doing a lot of odd jobs."

[superjournalist]

That’s the thing about Richard. While he’s certainly not conventionally hot, he’s not terrible-looking either. Lois isn’t unattracted to him physically. It’s his personality and work ethic that give her pause.

“I should know by now not to ask,” she replies. “What kind of odd jobs?” Lois puts a hand up. “If the odd jobs involve OnlyFans or something, please spare me those details.”

[ruff_patch]

Richard actually laughs at that, shaking his head and finishing off his beer.

"Fuck no! No one would pay me for that kind of stuff."

He leans forward enough to signal to the bartender that they want another round.

"Let's see....I was a security guard at an empty parking lot for a while. That was pretty odd."

[superjournalist]

“Did you get fired?” she asks. “I mean, it’s not a great job, but money is money.”

Their next round of beers come out and Lois takes a sip of hers.

[ruff_patch]

"Sure did." He says with a nod of thanks to the server who takes their empties away in exchange for their new beers.

"I missed a couple of shifts in a row and they fired me."

[superjournalist]

Lois gives him a look. “Well, yeah.” What did he think would happen?

She leans back against the booth, appraising him for a moment. “I’ve asked enough questions.” If she digs any more, whatever she uncovers probably won’t endear him any further to her. “Do you have any questions for me?”