Cocky Brat, chapter 4
"Guess what people!" Kathleen yells, "You get two hours for lunch, starting now!" Vanessa puts her clipboard back in her bag and pulls out her meal ticket before heading to the canteen. She waits about five minutes in line before receiving her meal. The canteen tent is getting a bit crowded so she decided to eat outside.
As she walks to the green area of the venue a roadie bumps into her causing her to drop her Styrofoam lunch container. Her sandwich and fries splatter across the ground.
"Shit," she mutters as she picks the food up.
"Let me help you," someone says as they scoop up the food.
"Thanks," she says as she looks at the face of her helper, "Joseph."
"Please, call me Joey," he says smiling. Vanessa just rolls her eyes as she takes the lunch container to the trash can.
"Joey," she says half smiling as she digs in her bag in search of another meal ticket. "Fuck."
"What's wrong?" he asks sincerely.
"I'm out of meal tickets for the day," she says stressed out.
"Then come with me for lunch," he offers.
"Got no money till Friday," she sighs. Sighs out of stress not in hopes of pity.
"I'll pay for you then, I'm just a bored rich kid remember."
"Sorry, I was pissed, you're probably really nice but-"
"I'll have you back here in time. And if it makes you feel better we'll go just as friends."
"Fine, but just friends," Vanessa says as she follows him through the venue.
"Can I call you Ness now that we're friends?"
"Sure," she says shrugging as they near a rental car.
"We just have to wait for my brother and Stella," he says as he leans against the black car.
"Stella, is . . ."
"Her full name's Estelle if you're trying to remember her profile," Joey adds in as she too goes to lean against the car.
"Oh! Mike Dirnt's daughter."
"Yeah."
"Your brother is Jakob right?" he nods, "Tre Cool's kids are Ramona and Frankito."
"Yeah, but they're not coming."
"Why not?"
"I dunno, they didn't want to and Ramona pisses me off."
"She can't be that bad."
"I guess not," he shrugs, "There's my brother." He points to a guy and a girl walking towards them.
"Oh he's cute," Vanessa teases, "I think he might change my rule about younger guys."
"But everyone says we look the same."
"That's just to raise your self-esteem and keep him grounded," Ness says with a laugh, "Oh I just wanna have my way with him."
"Shut-up," Joey says shaking his head.
"Is this her?" Jakob asks pointing to Vanessa.
"Yee-ahh."
"Thank you for telling off my brother," Jakob says shaking Vanessa's hand.
"Yup, it was long over-due," Stella nods in agreement.
"I call shot gun!" Jakob yelps as he gets into the car. Stella and Vanessa climb into the backseat of the car.
"I hope one of you knows how to speak German," Vanessa gibbers as she buckles her seat belt.
"We're in Germany?" Jakob says in mock bimbo.
"You don't travel much," Stella states as Joey starts up the car, "There's bound to be a waiter who speaks English."
"Jake, you have the map?" Joey demands as the car starts down the highway. Jakob arches his back in his seat to get a paper out of his pocket. He unfolds it to reveal a computer printed map.
"You gotta get off at the next exit," he points out.
"They're like an old couple," Stella whispers to the second source of estrogen in the car.
"I heard that," Joey says glancing into the rear view mirror.
"Good," Stella says crossing her arms.
"Turn left here!" Jakob commands and Joey practically swerves the car down a small street.
"Nice driving," Vanessa snickers.
"Hey, am I or am I not buying you lunch?" Joey asks cocking an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry, I withdraw my sarcasm."
"There!" Jakob yelps, "That's the restaurant."
"Alright, just let me find a parking spot," Joey says as he bites his lower lip.
"There's one." Stella points out. Joey turns and successfully parallel parks and the four people get out of the car.
They walk into the casual dining restaurant and glance around.
"Reservation for Armstrong," Joey says to the host.
"But you reserved for three people," The host says in a thick German accent.
"I know, we had a change of plans."
"One moment please." The host disappears further into the restaurant and reappears moments later, "Right this way Mr. Armstrong." They follow the host to the back of the restaurant where they take their seats at a window table.
"Told you they spoke English," Stella says as she opens her menu. "Fuck, the menus are in German."
"I got an idea," Jakob says standing up, "Just look at other peoples food and then we tell the waiter."
"Why don't we just ask what the specialties are?" Vanessa suggests.
"Yeah Jake, sit your ass down," Joey says pulling his brother's arm.
"Waiter," Stella says clearly, a young guy comes over to the table.
"How may I help you?"
"Could you tell us what the restaurant's specialties are?" Vanessa requests.
"Well we have the bratwurst platter, served with fried potato slices, we also have grilled chicken breast with the house sauce, served with fettuccini and salad."
"I'll have the chicken," Stella says quickly.
"Me too," Vanessa says quickly.
"I'm have the bratwurst," Jakob says smirking evilly.
"I'll have the chicken too," Joey says as the four people hand the waiter their menus.
"And to drink, would you like to see the wine menu?"
"No thanks," Joey says shaking his head, "I'll have a beer, Heineken."
"Me too," Jakob says eagerly.
"He's underage," Stella pipes up.
"I cannot serve alcohol to minors," the waiter says clearly.
"Coca-cola," Jakob mumbles.
"Sparkling water," Stella says nodding.
"Coca-cola," Vanessa states as the waiter nods and walks away.
"So Ness," Jakob says eagerly, "Can I call you Ness?" she nods, "How the hell did you get a job with the film crew?"
"My mother works for the company and her assistant got knocked up and long story short she didn't feel like finding a new assistant on such short notice."
"So what exactly do you do?" Stella asks, also interested.
"Basically I get people, paperwork, coffees, and at one point lipstick." She takes a deep breath, "I run around and get stuff for people."
"Sounds stressful," Jakob says laughing.
"Only when your brother comes into the picture."
"I'm insulted," Joey says laughing. "I'll try to be more considerate."
"Here are your drinks," the waiter says placing the glasses of soda in front of Vanessa, Stella and Jakob. "And you sir, I'd like to see some ID before I open your beer," Joey stands up and reaches into his back pocket to produce a wallet with the anarchist symbol on it. He opens it and pulls out his driver's license. "Thank you," the waiter says as he opens the beer bottle and pours it's contents into a tall glass.
"I like Europe," Joey says sipping his beer. "In the states I can't buy booze."
"I can," Vanessa teases. "Proudly since May."
"Nessy, buy me a beer," Jakob says with big eyes.
"Nope," she says smugly as she sips her soda, "And don't call me Nessy."
"So why aren't you drinking?" Stella asks curiously.
"Gotta go back to work after lunch and-"
"One beer isn't going to get you wasted," Joey laughs.
"I know, but booze this early in the day makes me queasy."
"Oh, that sucks," Jakob says sipping his soda.
"Yeah, oh what a shame I can't drink at 12:30 in the afternoon!"
"Your meals," the waiter says as he places the chicken plates in front of Stella and Vanessa. "Bratwurst for the gentleman and chicken." He leaves the side of the table to go back to the kitchen.
"This is bratwurst," Jakob hisses as he stabs the sausage with his fork.
"You didn't know bratwurst was sausage?" Stella laughs.
"I knew it was sausage," Jakob states as he looks it over, "I just didn't know it was so funky coloured and smelly." The other three people at the table burst out laughing.
"You ordered it, now your going to eat it like a big boy," Joey says still laughing.
"More like a big mouthed hooker," Vanessa snickers.
"Shut-up," Jakob mumbles as he cuts himself a piece. He puts it in his mouth and chews slowly, "Not the worst thing I've eaten. Anyone want a taste?"
"No!" Everyone says at once as they go to eat their chicken.
"Cowards," Jakob sneers as he takes a big bite out of the sausage.
"Don't eat like that, you're turning the people at the next table on," Stella teases as the other three people turn their heads to see the people at the next table are an elderly couple.
"Ew," Vanessa laughs.
The four young adults finish off their meals and Joey goes up to the front desk to pay.
"I gotta get back to the venue now," Vanessa states as she looks at her watch as they step out onto the street.
"Kay, I'll drive you back," Joey says smoothly.
"We'll stay here, run a muck," Stella says as she check out the shops on that particular street.
"Yeah whatever, Jake give me the map," Jakob reaches into his pocket and hands his brother the folded piece of paper. "I'll be back in about fifteen minutes."
"Thanks for lunch," Vanessa states as the two get into the car.
"No problem," he says pulling out of the parking space, "You're fun to have around."
"So have you ever had a job or do you freeload off your parents?" Vanessa asks cautiously, Joey just laughs.
"Yeah, I'm not complete spoiled brat," Joey says still laughing, "I learned the value of a dollar."
"Doing what?"
"Well when I was twelve I started to mow the lawn for some pocket money," he says thinking, "Then when I was sixteen I got my first summer job at the movie theatre."
"Cool."
"Then I had a stream of other summer jobs, but I don't want to bore you."
"Alright," she laughs, "This summer I was supposed to work at my aunt's restaurant, waitressing but Europe seemed so much more inviting, and the pay's better." He just laughs.
"Well right now I work at the restaurant near my college. I cook." He says proudly.
"You don't look like much of a cook."
"HEY! I make a mean spaghetti sauce."
"I'm sure you do," Vanessa laughs.
*
The day continues fairly routine until after the show when everyone is packing up.
"Hey Ness!" Joey calls as he runs up to her.
"Oh hey," she says awkwardly as she packs up her papers and folders. "What's up?"
"So are you up for drinks tonight?"
"Joey, I told you," she rolls her eyes, "Just friends, and just friends don't go for drinks."
"But-"
"Why don't you take Ramona then?" she asks cocking an eyebrow.
"Ness, I really like you," Joey insists.
"You had a casual lunch conversation how could you possibly know you like me!" Vanessa exclaims, "You like the idea of me."
"The idea?" he laughs, "C'mon Ness, don't be ridiculous."
"Yeah, I bumped into you, you looked me over and decided you 'liked me' before I even said a word, so your motives are shallow."
"And like you haven't ever had shallow motives," Joey says crossing his arms, "Am I that disgusting?"
"Right now, yes," Vanessa says slinging her bag over her shoulder. "This afternoon, you seemed like a nice guy, but now you're pressuring me to go out for drinks with. You do realize you're asking me to put my job on the line!"
As she walks to the green area of the venue a roadie bumps into her causing her to drop her Styrofoam lunch container. Her sandwich and fries splatter across the ground.
"Shit," she mutters as she picks the food up.
"Let me help you," someone says as they scoop up the food.
"Thanks," she says as she looks at the face of her helper, "Joseph."
"Please, call me Joey," he says smiling. Vanessa just rolls her eyes as she takes the lunch container to the trash can.
"Joey," she says half smiling as she digs in her bag in search of another meal ticket. "Fuck."
"What's wrong?" he asks sincerely.
"I'm out of meal tickets for the day," she says stressed out.
"Then come with me for lunch," he offers.
"Got no money till Friday," she sighs. Sighs out of stress not in hopes of pity.
"I'll pay for you then, I'm just a bored rich kid remember."
"Sorry, I was pissed, you're probably really nice but-"
"I'll have you back here in time. And if it makes you feel better we'll go just as friends."
"Fine, but just friends," Vanessa says as she follows him through the venue.
"Can I call you Ness now that we're friends?"
"Sure," she says shrugging as they near a rental car.
"We just have to wait for my brother and Stella," he says as he leans against the black car.
"Stella, is . . ."
"Her full name's Estelle if you're trying to remember her profile," Joey adds in as she too goes to lean against the car.
"Oh! Mike Dirnt's daughter."
"Yeah."
"Your brother is Jakob right?" he nods, "Tre Cool's kids are Ramona and Frankito."
"Yeah, but they're not coming."
"Why not?"
"I dunno, they didn't want to and Ramona pisses me off."
"She can't be that bad."
"I guess not," he shrugs, "There's my brother." He points to a guy and a girl walking towards them.
"Oh he's cute," Vanessa teases, "I think he might change my rule about younger guys."
"But everyone says we look the same."
"That's just to raise your self-esteem and keep him grounded," Ness says with a laugh, "Oh I just wanna have my way with him."
"Shut-up," Joey says shaking his head.
"Is this her?" Jakob asks pointing to Vanessa.
"Yee-ahh."
"Thank you for telling off my brother," Jakob says shaking Vanessa's hand.
"Yup, it was long over-due," Stella nods in agreement.
"I call shot gun!" Jakob yelps as he gets into the car. Stella and Vanessa climb into the backseat of the car.
"I hope one of you knows how to speak German," Vanessa gibbers as she buckles her seat belt.
"We're in Germany?" Jakob says in mock bimbo.
"You don't travel much," Stella states as Joey starts up the car, "There's bound to be a waiter who speaks English."
"Jake, you have the map?" Joey demands as the car starts down the highway. Jakob arches his back in his seat to get a paper out of his pocket. He unfolds it to reveal a computer printed map.
"You gotta get off at the next exit," he points out.
"They're like an old couple," Stella whispers to the second source of estrogen in the car.
"I heard that," Joey says glancing into the rear view mirror.
"Good," Stella says crossing her arms.
"Turn left here!" Jakob commands and Joey practically swerves the car down a small street.
"Nice driving," Vanessa snickers.
"Hey, am I or am I not buying you lunch?" Joey asks cocking an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry, I withdraw my sarcasm."
"There!" Jakob yelps, "That's the restaurant."
"Alright, just let me find a parking spot," Joey says as he bites his lower lip.
"There's one." Stella points out. Joey turns and successfully parallel parks and the four people get out of the car.
They walk into the casual dining restaurant and glance around.
"Reservation for Armstrong," Joey says to the host.
"But you reserved for three people," The host says in a thick German accent.
"I know, we had a change of plans."
"One moment please." The host disappears further into the restaurant and reappears moments later, "Right this way Mr. Armstrong." They follow the host to the back of the restaurant where they take their seats at a window table.
"Told you they spoke English," Stella says as she opens her menu. "Fuck, the menus are in German."
"I got an idea," Jakob says standing up, "Just look at other peoples food and then we tell the waiter."
"Why don't we just ask what the specialties are?" Vanessa suggests.
"Yeah Jake, sit your ass down," Joey says pulling his brother's arm.
"Waiter," Stella says clearly, a young guy comes over to the table.
"How may I help you?"
"Could you tell us what the restaurant's specialties are?" Vanessa requests.
"Well we have the bratwurst platter, served with fried potato slices, we also have grilled chicken breast with the house sauce, served with fettuccini and salad."
"I'll have the chicken," Stella says quickly.
"Me too," Vanessa says quickly.
"I'm have the bratwurst," Jakob says smirking evilly.
"I'll have the chicken too," Joey says as the four people hand the waiter their menus.
"And to drink, would you like to see the wine menu?"
"No thanks," Joey says shaking his head, "I'll have a beer, Heineken."
"Me too," Jakob says eagerly.
"He's underage," Stella pipes up.
"I cannot serve alcohol to minors," the waiter says clearly.
"Coca-cola," Jakob mumbles.
"Sparkling water," Stella says nodding.
"Coca-cola," Vanessa states as the waiter nods and walks away.
"So Ness," Jakob says eagerly, "Can I call you Ness?" she nods, "How the hell did you get a job with the film crew?"
"My mother works for the company and her assistant got knocked up and long story short she didn't feel like finding a new assistant on such short notice."
"So what exactly do you do?" Stella asks, also interested.
"Basically I get people, paperwork, coffees, and at one point lipstick." She takes a deep breath, "I run around and get stuff for people."
"Sounds stressful," Jakob says laughing.
"Only when your brother comes into the picture."
"I'm insulted," Joey says laughing. "I'll try to be more considerate."
"Here are your drinks," the waiter says placing the glasses of soda in front of Vanessa, Stella and Jakob. "And you sir, I'd like to see some ID before I open your beer," Joey stands up and reaches into his back pocket to produce a wallet with the anarchist symbol on it. He opens it and pulls out his driver's license. "Thank you," the waiter says as he opens the beer bottle and pours it's contents into a tall glass.
"I like Europe," Joey says sipping his beer. "In the states I can't buy booze."
"I can," Vanessa teases. "Proudly since May."
"Nessy, buy me a beer," Jakob says with big eyes.
"Nope," she says smugly as she sips her soda, "And don't call me Nessy."
"So why aren't you drinking?" Stella asks curiously.
"Gotta go back to work after lunch and-"
"One beer isn't going to get you wasted," Joey laughs.
"I know, but booze this early in the day makes me queasy."
"Oh, that sucks," Jakob says sipping his soda.
"Yeah, oh what a shame I can't drink at 12:30 in the afternoon!"
"Your meals," the waiter says as he places the chicken plates in front of Stella and Vanessa. "Bratwurst for the gentleman and chicken." He leaves the side of the table to go back to the kitchen.
"This is bratwurst," Jakob hisses as he stabs the sausage with his fork.
"You didn't know bratwurst was sausage?" Stella laughs.
"I knew it was sausage," Jakob states as he looks it over, "I just didn't know it was so funky coloured and smelly." The other three people at the table burst out laughing.
"You ordered it, now your going to eat it like a big boy," Joey says still laughing.
"More like a big mouthed hooker," Vanessa snickers.
"Shut-up," Jakob mumbles as he cuts himself a piece. He puts it in his mouth and chews slowly, "Not the worst thing I've eaten. Anyone want a taste?"
"No!" Everyone says at once as they go to eat their chicken.
"Cowards," Jakob sneers as he takes a big bite out of the sausage.
"Don't eat like that, you're turning the people at the next table on," Stella teases as the other three people turn their heads to see the people at the next table are an elderly couple.
"Ew," Vanessa laughs.
The four young adults finish off their meals and Joey goes up to the front desk to pay.
"I gotta get back to the venue now," Vanessa states as she looks at her watch as they step out onto the street.
"Kay, I'll drive you back," Joey says smoothly.
"We'll stay here, run a muck," Stella says as she check out the shops on that particular street.
"Yeah whatever, Jake give me the map," Jakob reaches into his pocket and hands his brother the folded piece of paper. "I'll be back in about fifteen minutes."
"Thanks for lunch," Vanessa states as the two get into the car.
"No problem," he says pulling out of the parking space, "You're fun to have around."
"So have you ever had a job or do you freeload off your parents?" Vanessa asks cautiously, Joey just laughs.
"Yeah, I'm not complete spoiled brat," Joey says still laughing, "I learned the value of a dollar."
"Doing what?"
"Well when I was twelve I started to mow the lawn for some pocket money," he says thinking, "Then when I was sixteen I got my first summer job at the movie theatre."
"Cool."
"Then I had a stream of other summer jobs, but I don't want to bore you."
"Alright," she laughs, "This summer I was supposed to work at my aunt's restaurant, waitressing but Europe seemed so much more inviting, and the pay's better." He just laughs.
"Well right now I work at the restaurant near my college. I cook." He says proudly.
"You don't look like much of a cook."
"HEY! I make a mean spaghetti sauce."
"I'm sure you do," Vanessa laughs.
*
The day continues fairly routine until after the show when everyone is packing up.
"Hey Ness!" Joey calls as he runs up to her.
"Oh hey," she says awkwardly as she packs up her papers and folders. "What's up?"
"So are you up for drinks tonight?"
"Joey, I told you," she rolls her eyes, "Just friends, and just friends don't go for drinks."
"But-"
"Why don't you take Ramona then?" she asks cocking an eyebrow.
"Ness, I really like you," Joey insists.
"You had a casual lunch conversation how could you possibly know you like me!" Vanessa exclaims, "You like the idea of me."
"The idea?" he laughs, "C'mon Ness, don't be ridiculous."
"Yeah, I bumped into you, you looked me over and decided you 'liked me' before I even said a word, so your motives are shallow."
"And like you haven't ever had shallow motives," Joey says crossing his arms, "Am I that disgusting?"
"Right now, yes," Vanessa says slinging her bag over her shoulder. "This afternoon, you seemed like a nice guy, but now you're pressuring me to go out for drinks with. You do realize you're asking me to put my job on the line!"
