As the extraction team walked down the street, not a lot of words were exchanged but all agreed to walked into the nearest bar when the rain started to pour. However they were stopped by a bouncer who announced they were not on the list before anyone said a word.
"We are friends of Mr. Saito," said Cobb professionally.
The bouncer took a look at Cobb and asked,
"The word?"
"Carpet," and they all followed Cobb in, dumbstruck.
"Um, how?" Muttered Eames as they all sat around a booth facing the bar and the dance floor.
Arthur smiled and replied,
"Some previous job we did that lead to some insight."
They were all just getting comfortable when Ariadne pointed at the bartender and said,
"He cute isn't he, Arthur?"
Arthur glanced at her with a weird expression before taking a peep at the bartender and back to her.
"Sure Ariadne," Arthur paused. "Why are you asking me?"
"Thought you might be interested," answered Ariadne absent-mindedly. Cobb, Yusuf and Eames were all trying to hide their laughter when she added "I thought you would appreciate guys with green eyes."
"I don't actually pay that much attention to eye colour," was the only response Arthur could give before Ariadne slide out the booth pulling him along towards the bar, announcing that they were going to order drinks.
"She didn't even ask what we wanted," said Yusuf, well out of their ear shot.
Back at the bar, Ariadne and Arthur were waiting for their 5 pints of beer when Ariadne was scouting for potential new boyfriends and soon noticed someone else across the bar.
"I think there's someone interested at you. Two o'clock," nudged Ariadne at Arthur. Arthur took another quick glance and replied,
"Maybe he's looking at you."
"I doubt it. When you looked over just now, I swear he smiled at you,"
Arthur sighed and looked again. There sat a guy who wore a navy dress shirt and had dark brown hair. He was now giving Arthur a seductive smile before slowly taking a sip of his liquor on rock. Arthur returned a polite smile before turning around to face Ariadne.
"Um I have to tell you something. I'm not actually-"
"Gay? Don't kid me, I know," interrupted Ariadne who went back to waiting for their drinks. Arthur was going to say 'not actually looking for a relationship' because he was in one but clearly Ariadne did not want to listen. He was not ready to tell her about his relationship with Eames; after all, he only knew each Ariadne for a couple of weeks and did not want to make a fuss about it. He decided to take the 3 pints that were ready back to the table first to avoid more drama.
"Now which one of you, so eloquently told her I was queer?" Questioned Arthur who stood in front of Cobb, Eames and Yusuf with his arms crossed.
"Dom did," exclaimed Eames cheerfully before dragging Arthur back down into the booth.
"You," as Arthur pointed at Cobb. Cobb simply took a long sip of his beer and grinned at Ariadne when she came back.
"Ariadne, I'm not interested in finding-" explained Arthur but was interrupted when a waiter came over with a drink and placed it in front of him.
"Compliments from the gentleman at the bar," said the waiter who pointed to the guy in the navy dress shirt before leaving. All eyes followed his fingers, followed by approving nods and giggles. Arthur turned a lovely shade of crimson before sipping his new drink and gave navy shirt an appreciative nod and smile.
"I think he likes you," whispered Eames in Arthur's ear.
"He has nice eyes," said Yusuf with a grin.
"Maybe you should say hi to him," suggested Cobb.
Arthur decided all of them were on his death list. He himself remained at his seat trying to act as if he was not affected by all this nonsense.
As if things could not get any worse, navy shirt actually walked towards their table and introduced himself as 'Greg'.
"Arthur," muttered Arthur and shook Greg's hand.
"I couldn't help to notice that finely tailored three piece suit of yours," complimented Greg who looked at Arthur swiftly from toe to head.
"Um, thanks," responded Arthur. This was getting slightly uncomfortable.
"I also think you are sexy in that three piece suit," whispered Eames even closer to Arthur's ear and had a hand on Arthur's upper thigh. Arthur shoved Eames's hand away and gave Greg an apologetic.
"I hope I'm not intruding on anything," said Greg to the team before addressing Arthur personally, "I hope that you join me on the dance floor,"
"What a gentleman," exclaimed Ariadne quietly. Arthur restrained his urge to kick her under the table. He turned his attention to the dance floor instead; it looked more like a grind-floor to him.
"I'm really sorry but we are having a meeting of some sort," explained Arthur nicely. Greg was about to leave when Cobb raised his voice and said,
"Its okay, the meeting can wait. Why don't you go join him Arthur?"
Arthur's eyes could not open wider in horror.
"Yeah, go and have some fun," said Yusuf who was exchanging happy glances as Ariadne.
Before Arthur could resist again, Eames practically pushed him out the booth.
"Have fun, darling," smirked Eames and took a sip out of Arthur's new drink.
On the dance floor, things could not be more awkward. It was hot because there were a lot of people. A lot of sweaty people grinding to the left and right and back. Arthur was in a dress shirt and vest trying to act interested at a guy named Greg. He will admit that Greg is good looking but he was not in the mood to make small talks or answer questions about his likes and dislikes. But it was not before long when Greg thought they had enough mutual interest in each other to dance a little bit closer. By a little bit closer meant an arm was sneaky onto his waist and chests nearly touching.
Eames came out the toilet to Ariadne, Cobb and Yusuf staring at the dance floor.
"Is it that interesting?" Commented Eames who sat down and joined the 'stare at Arthur and that guy' event.
"I think they're hitting off quite well," said Ariadne without taking her eyes off the 'couple'.
Eames looked and looked again. That guy was practically harassing his Arthur, with his arms around him and bodies touching... Eames got up and straightened his shirt and drank the remaining beer in his glass before walking towards the dance floor.
"What is he doing?" Ariadne asked. "Eames is going to ruin my plan!"
"He's being the knight in shining armour," answered Yusuf. Cobb nodded in agreement.
Eames walked right up to Arthur's back and grabbed his shoulders lightly before giving a soft kiss on his neck. Arthur jumped and his own reflex was about to smack whoever that was when Eames whispered,
"Time to go, love,"
Greg gave Eames a cold look that clearly meant for him to back off but Eames just mouthed over Arthur's shoulders, 'He's mine.' Thank goodness there was Arthur to break the tension.
"Hey Greg, it was really nice meeting you but I have to leave," said Arthur politely and was ready to leave and roll his eyes when Greg caught his hand.
"Call me, tomorrow," said Greg before whipping out a pen and writing his name and number on the back of Arthur's palm. Arthur and Eames turned around and headed back to the booth.
"Well that was a party pooper, Eames," commented Ariadne. Arthur waved it off but not without Ariadne noticing the number on his hand.
"Oooh, what's that?" said Ariadne coyly before grabbing Arthur's arm for a closer look, "A number, how sweet. At least Eames didn't ruin everything."
"Whatever you say, girl," said Eames before saying goodbye to the three and pushed Arthur out the bar.
"What was that suppose to mean?" Mumbled Ariadne before taking her phone out.
"What are you doing?" Cobb Asked. Both he and Yusuf peered over her shoulders.
"Writing down Greg's number," remarked Ariadne.
"Smart," said Yusuf.
Arthur was not getting away that easily.
