Chapter 2
Hannibal and Will walk across the busy Manhattan street into the smoke filled bar. They sat on the two closest stools. Hannibal pulled out his pack of cigarettes and offered Will one as he lit one and pulled an ash tray close. "No thank you. I don't smoke." Will said politely. "You work and stocks and you don't smoke? You are definitely the first." Hannibal laughed then smirked at Will once more. Will smiled. "Oh so you do have a sense of humor! I got scared that I was going to have drinks with a man who couldn't take a joke." Hannibal laughed again. "I feel a little more comfortable here then I do in that office. I don't see why we have parties there! I can't unwind because all I can think about there is how am I going to sell the next stock."
"I understand." Hannibal smiled, "You would be surprised of the amount of men and women who come into my office, who worked in the stock market. Some people cannot handle the stress. I prescribe them a few Quaaludes and send them on their way. There is not much more you can do." Will laughed this time, "I'll probably be your next patient."
Will ordered a scotch on the rocks and Hannibal ordered a martini straight up… 'Typical…' Now Will was starting to feel the alcohol affecting him. They were on their 3rd cocktail and he thinks it was affecting Hannibal as well by the way he was slightly slurring his words. "You kn-n-n-o-o-w I really like y-o-o-o-u-u-u! You aren-aren't like anyone I've ever met. HOW can you work in stocks and be quiet?! I don't get it!" Yes, Dr. Lecter was definitely over served. Will drunkenly smiled, "It's quite simple doctor," "Call me Hannibal! I insist!" "Ok well it is quite simple…Hannibal. Like I said before I am practically a different person outside the office. As soon as I step into that office I am a loud, confident person…unless there is a Christmas party that involves me being social, then that is different situation. I am very good at my job Doctor….Hannibal." Hannibal then smiled at Will with a smile he has yet seen from this mysterious man. "The bar is closing soon fellas'!" the bartender nodded towards Will and Hannibal. Will looked at his watch, 'It's already 4am?! Where did the time go?!'. Will could tell that Hannibal was thinking the same thing. "Listen Will, it's late and honestly I don't care to go home alone right now. If we are being completely honest my wife left me on this evening 3 years ago and it still is a lonely day for me, so if you don't mind I would like for you to come back to my place. Just so I have some friendly company. What do you say?"
Will seemed thrown off by this, 'I literally just met the guy a few hours ago! But why not…I don't want to be alone on Christmas either.' "Okay." Will stated. "On one condition, I stay the night because I unfortunately live on east end and do not wish to go all the way home at this late of hour." Hannibal smirked.