I smiled.
Arthur was in his element again. Centre of attention, very animated whilst telling some funny story to his crowd of admirers. They all broke out into loud unrestrained laughter after the apparent punch line, leaving Arthur beaming at the anecdotes success. He glanced over at me, sitting a little way away on a bar stool and grinned even brighter. I responded with something equal to his expression and he started making his way towards me.
'But what will your disciples do if you've come over to amuse me?' I winked at him.
'They have to learn how to make their own way in the world. I can't delight them with my tales forever; they'll have to make their own amusement from now on.'
A quick glance over to the group showed me this wasn't something they found agreeable. Several members of the group were looking longingly over to where Arthur and I were now sat.
'I don't think they'll take to that kindly, Arthur. You make quite the impression on people. Charming bastard that you are. You could run for Prime Minister and get elected on charisma alone.'
'Ah yes, and someday I might try that, but for now, I'm content teaching. Moulding young minds into the sharp, knowledge filled organs that they one day strive to be.'
Arthur had been teaching physics at the local comprehensive school for four years, and had loved every minute of it.
'And what an excellent job you do at getting them to that point. Anyway, we should go, it's getting late and I have to be up early at the studio. I'm doing piano tracks tomorrow, I do believe.'
'Okay, I'll just pay up and we can get out of here then.'
Arthur paid the bill, and as we left a chorus of 'Bye Arthurs' followed us. Arthur really did know how to charm the masses.