Hallie had a good first day on the job and was seeming to like the people she worked with. She was still ever curious about Randall though. Maybe he was the way he was with only 'certain' people.
She went to a special restaurant that night for dinner. There were some that worked here who knew her. They were happy to serve her.
While she was waiting, it was quite a surprise when she saw a certain someone come into the restaurant to get some coffee and dinner too.
Hallie was at the other end of the counter and she asked the bartender to ask the male lizard at the counter if he would be able to join her. He gave her a wink and a smile. "You got it, Hal." He said.
Hallie went to go sit down at a booth that was available. She was so nervous. She wanted to be able to talk to Randall away from their job.
Randall was waiting, if a little impatiently, on his dinner. He wanted to eat so he could have energy to go back and work on the machine in a while.
"Excuse me, Sir." The bartender said. He was a big brown monster.
"What? Where's my food?" Randall asked impatiently.
"It's getting close to being done, but the lady over in that booth over there has asked to have your company."
Randall looked over to where the man was pointing. He couldn't see clearly what she looked like from here, but he could make out a little color. The color looked familiar. He wondered what lady would request his company.
He got to the booth and he saw it was, once again, Hallie.
"Hi, Randall." Hallie greeted.
"Oh, hi, uh?" He began.
"Hallie."
"Hallie."
"I have some food ordered. Do you feel like sitting with me?" Hallie offered.
"I ordered some too and the bartender said it was almost done. I really have to go soon, but I guess I could join you." Randall replied. He got into the booth.
Again, this female was very alluring to him. It was amazing she had wanted to sit alone with him.
Both of them were nervous around the other.
"So, what made you decide to begin a career in scaring?" Hallie asked.
"It's always been the top career most monsters would want. How come you didn't become a scarer too? You should have great potential at it."
"It never was my strong suit at wanting to feel like I was hurting another's feelings, even if it was an animal's. I just can't do it. I've just always been peaceful, but when I have tried to stand up for myself, I try to use words over violence."
Randall felt this girl was soft. But then, females could be more so than males.
"I am good at cooking, so that's why I preferred joining the kitchen staff. They all seem nice."
"Nice is only an exaggeration." Randall said.
"What do you mean?"
"I used to be like you. Being polite all the time, but what did it get me? Nothing. I was hated everywhere I went, no matter how nice I tried to be."
"Are you talking about being a kid? It's just that kids don't know what they're doing all the time. Some don't know any better. And later, when they're older, they regret what they did as a kid. And yes, I know, some never do and they get worse. But most of the monsters at Monsters, Inc act so friendly."
"Maybe right now because you're new, Hallie. They want you to trust them."
"I heard that you got respect when you were the top scarer."
"I loved those days. It was the first time I felt admired for earning rightfully was mine. Then, someone else came along and stole the title from me. I knew him in college too and he was nothing but trouble then. He beat me in the Scare Games. And after that, anytime I'm around him, he just seems to cause me trouble. I hate him." Randall said with a certain disgust in his voice.
"Who is he?"
"James P. Sullivan." Randall growled. "I wish he would get out of Monsters, Inc. He could get a job elsewhere. Everything comes so easily for him. I had to work so hard to be at the top. Even my boss likes him more than me."
Hallie could see some pain behind Randall's grumpy attitude. And this was coming from someone who obviously hadn't had much acceptance in his life. No wonder he was so competitive and jealous. To work so hard to get to the top and having it taken away would be hard for anyone who just wanted some attention just for doing things to help the community, since she knew the scarers were the key to the energy of their city, and their world.
To her, it was obvious that Randall needed someone to believe in him, to be a friend. It was amazing he was even telling her this and they only just met.
Their food was soon served to them and they ate their food. They ate in silence at first, but Hallie wanted to break the ice.
"What school did you go to?" Hallie asked. "College I mean."
"Monsters University." Randall said.
"I graduated from there not too long ago. It's a great school."
"I got good grades, but it was one screw up in the scare games that I said that made it miserable for me. I was a tease for everyone just because of it until I graduated."
"Sorry for that. What was it exactly?"
"I don't want to talk about it. Another time maybe."
"Okay. You don't have to tell me. You can tell when you're ready." She said.
'Which might be never.' He thought to himself. But he was glad she was understanding in not pushing him to tell her. She obviously didn't know what it was. She was younger than him.
"Were you in any fraternities?"
"Yeah, the RORs. They were supposed to be the greatest on campus. For my mistake in the games, they kicked me out of the group."
Hallie could again see that Randall had faced rejection.
"I never had much luck with fraternities. I was too quiet a girl and many were not liking being around a lizard girl."
"Same thing."
"Maybe we could be friends, Randall? Just be there for someone to talk to when needed. If we need to get something off our minds. We have had so many others pass us by in our lives. I may not have turned all grumpy, but if you need me, I'd be happy to hear what you have on your mind. I won't push you, you can just tell me what you want to." Hallie said.
Randall liked her words. There would be some things he wouldn't reveal, but he did like how she was listening to him. He smiled at her.
"Deal?" She held out a hand.
He took her hand and shook it. "Deal."
"You just seem like you could use someone to listen to you. A friend. Is Fungus your friend?"
"My scaring assistant more so."
"How long have you known each other?"
"A few years. He's always mumbling about and it annoys me."
"If I may, your demeanor seems to affect him. When you said you were like me once, if you used that side of you more, or brought it out again, he wouldn't be so jumpy."
"It's just that at times, he's so slow to do his job and that's when I can lose my temper with him."
"You just need to be more patient with him. I'm sure he tries his hardest to do what he can for you."
"Well, it often doesn't seem to be enough. I have to remind him a lot of what he needs to do."
"You still should try to work on controlling the temper."
"It's just that so many people tick me off. Especially Sullivan and Wazowski. They are the top team above me. I used to be the top scarer until they showed up."
"I applaud you for getting to the top position of it, but we aren't always going to be the top one in the field. Just maintain a fair competition with them. That's all you can do, and maybe someday, you might beat them again. Just keep trying."
"I have just worked so hard all my life to get where I am today. At least before Sullivan took the top scarer title from me, I felt like I had some respect. Now it goes down the drain, all to him."
"What about family? Do you get any support from them?"
"I don't want to talk about them."
"Okay. But you do have family, right?"
"Yes."
Hallie and Randall talked about a few more things before the waiter came and wanted the payments. They both paid for their meals and walked out of the restaurant together.
"So, do you believe in seeing people again, Randall?" Hallie was trying to be the bold one. "I did enjoy talking to you."
"It was nice of you to listen. Yes, if you want to see me again."
"I do. How about Saturday night, Harry Hausen's?"
Randall admired how this girl was the one making the initiative. "Sure. How about six o'clock?"
"That'd be great. See you at work tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
They went their separate ways for the night.
Both couldn't stop thinking about the other one on the way home and when it was time to sleep later. Maybe this was meant to be.