2020-05-25 - New phone, who's this?

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : Did my favorite fiddler get his groove back after the casino opening?

An interesting note. Ruiz does not have Harper's phone number. How many Harborites might text Ruiz to ask about Itzhak? Probably quite a few.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : Depends who's asking.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : So many choices. Who shall I be?

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : Whoever you are, if you're fucking with me, know that I can get a stingray hookup and a tower dump done, and have a number and a name in an hour. Do you really want to play this game?

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : It's Harper. Forgive my game.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : (a minute or two later) Harper?

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : As in, Miss Price?

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : Your friendly neighborhood librarian, yes. One and the same.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : (...)

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : I uh, sorry about that.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : You wouldn't believe how many threatening calls I get.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : I don't have Rosy's cell phone number. Figured you'd have the inside scoop.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : Sure, you want me to pass it on? I'm certain he won't mind.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : I can threaten if it makes you more comfortable, Captain.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : You can try.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : You really need the glare for full effect.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : No. I'd rather he be the one to give it if he chooses.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : Plus I'm finding it is really quite pleasant to pester his sweetheart.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : All right. I'll let you two sort it out, then. And I think you just like the idea of making me hot and bothered.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : ...

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : You have a secret penchant for anonymous texts. Admit it, Javier.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : I wasn't the one contacting women I barely know, playing coy about who I was, Miss Price.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : I rarely contact women I barely know, Captain. You, however, continue to be a fascinating target.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : But men are fair game? In any case, Itzhak's doing fine. I'll let him know you asked.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : Not men, so much. Just you. And thank you.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : De nada. Is that a yes to coffee, then? Or am I pushing my luck.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : I may not have realized that was an actual offer.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : I don't make offers I have no intention of following through on. It was a promise, not a threat.

Some minutes pass before she texts again.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : You defy expectations, Javier. Is that intentional?

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : Tú también. Te hago la misma pregunta.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : A moment while I hunt down a dictionary.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : Certainly.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : You are avoiding the question in another language?

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : Did you find your dictionary?

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : I did.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : As for me, captain, most people would say what you see is what you get.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : I'm impressed. Most people use google translate or whatever the fuck it is.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : Bullshit.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : I'll remind you that I work in a library. What I needed was at my fingertips.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : And I'm not at a computer just now. Lunch outside in the sun. While it lasts.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : I am not shitting you. Perhaps you see something that isn't there.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : But if you tell me what it is, I might play at it just to enjoy a few sips of coffee.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : (a few minutes later) Perhaps. But I don't think so.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : So that's a yes to coffee, then.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : That's a yes to coffee.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : Good. Tomorrow? I'll buy.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : I am resisting quoting Macbeth at you. But only just barely.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : When tomorrow? And where?

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : I'm afraid I'm not very up on my Shakespeare, so it'd probably be wasted on me.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : Shakespeare is never wasted on a man who quotes Milton off the cuff.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : There's a hole in the wall place down on the docks, beside the boat repair shop. Hell if I can remember the name of it. They make good pies and decent coffee. Three?

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : I'll see you at 3, Javier.

(TXT to Ruiz) Harper : My best to Rosy.

(TXT to Harper) Ruiz : I'll pass it on. Te veo pronto.