He turned back to the machine and continued on with the task at hand, threading the film under the glass and hooking it carefully into the take-up reel.

“Oh, that wasn’t meant as an insult,” she offered.

“No big deal. I wasn’t offended. I realize I’m old as compared to you. That part of my brain still works.”

Though their voices were already held low, she dropped her own down a notch and infused it with a cloying sweetness that bordered on an attempt at sultry. Shifting her stance, she leaned in toward the man and cocked her head as if sharing a secret with him. “The truth is, I really like older men…a lot…know what I mean?”

Now the hairs on his neck actually were starting to pivot upward. There certainly wasn’t what you would call a sense of physical danger by any means, but he knew the conversation was taking a turn down a path he didn’t want to follow.

He stopped what he was doing and hung his head. With a sigh he finally said, “Please tell me you aren’t trying to pick me up.”

There was an audible shrug in her voice. “Well, hey… You’re kind of cute. I was thinking maybe we could go get a cup of coffee or something and see where things go from there?”

He turned to face her. “I’m betting I’m old enough to be your father.”

“Yeah, probably. So what? That’s the point.”

He started to reply to the last statement but thinking it better left alone simply objected with, “I’m also happily married.”

“Yeah. Okay. But, she isn’t with you right now is she? You’ve been alone since I’ve been here.”

“Actually, she’s the entire reason I’m here at the moment, but that’s not the point…”

“Hey, I won’t tell if you won’t.”

“Look, young lady…”

“Erika,” she interrupted, holding out her hand. “And you are?”

He ignored the gesture but returned with a sigh, “Rowan.”