Navya is at a semi-crowded bar, a glass of scotch her right hand. She’s wearing a black shirt and jeans, sitting on a stool at the bar, deep in conversation with Mia, who has on a red shirt and black slacks.
“I know, right?” Mia interjects. “Dr. Robby is such an asshole this season.”
“Yeah,” Navya replies. “Although I do appreciate the honesty of it. He’s a good man, but his job is stressful as hell. And he’s got lots of issues, like we all do.”
“True,” replies Mia. “But people are so distrustful of doctors these days, and everyone’s watching that show. Dr. Robby was the one doctor we all had faith in.”
“A fictional doctor,” adds Navya.
“Yes, fictional,” agrees Mia. “But that’s how we learn about things. Through art.”
“Yes,” Navya adds, taking a moment to think. “But that’s why it’s so important to portray people accurately, especially health care workers. We build them up into these perfect saviors, and then when the public realizes that’s not true, they feel lied to. At the end of the day, doctors and scientists are just normal people who are trying their best. I say let’s rip the bandaid off and let the public see who they really are.”
“You think you’re normal?” Mia replies.
”Very funny…” Navya starts to answer. However, their conversation is abruptly interrupted by a tall guy in a dress shirt and jeans, who leans between them to flag down the bartender.
“Can we help you?” Mia asks.
“I’m just trying to get a drink,” the guy replies without looking at her.
“And I’m just trying to be a human being who other people realize exists in the world,” replies Mia.
“What?” the guy replies, finally looking in her direction.
“Hey, could you also buy me a drink?” Mia asks him, doing her best impression of demure.
The guy looks Mia up and down. His posture settles, and he smiles at her.
“Sure. What would you like?”
Mia thinks for a second. “Can you get me a martini with a splash of Get the Fuck Out our Way! We’re Trying to Have a Fucking Conversation Here! What the Hell is Wrong with You?!”
The guy jumps. “Jesus. I was just… What the hell is wrong with me? What the hell is wrong with you?!”
The guy backs away, still looking at Mia in disbelief. He then walks over to the other side of the bar.
“That was kinda harsh,” comments Navya. “He was just trying to get a drink.”
“Nah, fuck him,” replies Mia. “He stepped right in-between us.”
At that moment, another guy, similarly dressed as the first guy, approaches Navya.
“I’m sorry about my friend,” the guy says to Navya and MIa, shouting to be heard over the noise of the bar. “He’s just oblivious. Does shit like that all the time.”
“That’s ok,” replies Navya. “It’s just that we were in the middle of a conversation.”
“Right…” replies the guy. “…and I’ll leave you to it. I just wanted to apologize about my friend.”
But as the guy starts to leave, Mia shouts at him.
“Hold up! Are you single?”
“Mia!!” Navia shouts at her.
The guy turns back to face them.
“Um, yeah, I am,” the guy replies hesitantly.
Mia gestures to Navya. “You should meet my friend Navya. She’s a scientist!”
“Oh wow,” the guy responds, clearly impressed. “What kind of scientist?”
“She studies Alzheimer’s disease!” exclaims Mia.
“Wow, that’s so cool!”
Navya is clearly uncomfortable.
“It’s just a job,” she replies.
“So are you, like, a doctor?”
“Yeah, technically,” Navya replies. “I’m a PhD though, not an MD. I can’t prescribe any drugs.”
“Well that’s a shame. What’s your PhD in?”
“Pharmacology,” replies Navya.
“So you’re, like, a pharmacist?” asks the guy.
“No, not at all. More like drug discovery research.”
“Oh, cool. Do you teach?” the guy asks.
“Not a day in my life,” replies Navya. “Just research.”
“Cool!” replies the guy. “Are you close to finding a cure? Alzheimer’s is such an awful disease.”
“Me? No. But the field is making a lot of progress.”
Mia interjects. “She studies peroxisomes!”
“What the hell is a peroxisome?” the guy asks her.
“I have no idea!” replies Mia.
“That’s why I just tell people I study Alzheimer’s disease,” adds Navya. “Anyway, it was nice talking to you.”
The guy shuffles in place, not taking the hint.
“What was your name? Nadia?”
Navya is starting to look annoyed. “No, Navya.”
“Na-vy-a,” the guy repeats, spelling it out slowly. “Cool. What part of India are you from?”
“I’m from New Jersey,” Navya replies.
“Oh.”
All three just look at each other for a beat.
“Ok,” Mia finally interjects. “Time to run along!”
“Oh, ok,” the guy responds. “It was nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” Navya responds.
The guy walks away. Mia waits until he’s out of earshot before she speaks.
“You’re way too picky,” Mia suggests. “He was hot!”
“Well, maybe I want more than just hot.” replies Navya.
“What did you say about Dr. Robby?” Mia asks. “Stop trying to build men up into perfect saviors. They’re just normal people. Less than that sometimes. Just pick a cute one and have some fun.”
“I’m not looking for fun,” responds Navya, incredulously. “I’m looking for the real deal!”
“In this city?!” replies Mia. “Good luck with that!”
Navya takes one last sip of her scotch, which is mostly just ice now. She then waves her hand to flag down the bartender.
“I need another drink,” she announces.
“Now we’re talking!” Mia agrees.