Back at his apartment bedroom, Otis chats online with his roommate Brad who is mere footsteps away in his own bedroom. Frustrated by this sad state of communication, Otis intrudes upon Brad’s personal space and demands that they go out to eat and then attend a local nightclub. Brad demurs, and instead offers to share his takeout. He tries to persuade Otis to rejoin their online network of friends and reminds him that the indivisible girl in particular has lamented Otis’ recent absence. Otis is scornful and states his preference for conversation with real live females. Brad cites Oddman’s Laws which essentially state that for guys like them, chatting up strange women in strange places can only lead to embarrassment. Otis is undeterred and ventures out alone into the night.

Outside the alley entrance of a local hotspot, Otis cools his heels in the unaccompanied male line. Three fetching young ladies sashay through the front door as if they owned the place. Otis makes brief eye contact with Natasha, the more demure of the three. He enters into a brief romantic fantasy about her as fashionable Derek and his two buddies line up behind Otis. Derek breaks his reverie to let Otis know that the line is moving.

Inside, Otis struggles to get the attention of the busy bartender. With overpriced drink special in hand, Otis uncomfortably wanders about the crowded, noisy room. His luck seems to turn as he finds an open seat in a large semicircular booth. Across from him sit Natasha and her two loud friends. At first, his existence is blithely ignored but finally Otis makes sustained eye contact with Natasha. Otis is content with this improved state of affairs when Derek and his boys make their grand appearance. Otis reluctantly slides in to make room for them and soon finds himself stuck in the middle of the booth between the three ladies and the three dudes, the odd man out. The six are obviously attracted to each other and engage in fatuous conversation over a round of drinks. Otis’ presence is tolerated but barely acknowledged. An opportunity to escape presents itself as the six head off to the dance floor. But one of the girls asks Otis to watch her purse while she dances and Otis meekly agrees.

Alone with his beer, Otis falls into a sustained fantasy conversation with Natasha. When the six actually return, Otis is emboldened enough to attempt a joke which dangerously backfires. After a series of misunderstandings, the six viciously turn on Otis, which leads to his final abject humiliation and exit from the club.
Thus chastened, Otis returns home with a newfound acceptance of his virtual social life.
 

Copyright 2009 Michael Wheeler
All Rights Reserved