Navya is at a semi-crowded bar, a whisky-based cocktail in her right hand. She’s dressed in black, sitting on a stool at the bar, deep in conversation with Mia, also in black.
“I know, right,” Mia interjects. “Dr. Robby is such an asshole this season.”
“I get it,” Navya replies. “His job is stressful as hell, and he’s got lots of issues, like we all do. But people are so distrustful of medicine these days, and everyone is watching this frickin’ show right now. Dr. Robby was the one guy people had faith in.”
“But that’s the point,” Mia argues. “There are no heros. There are just real people trying their best!”
“Sure,” replies Navya, choosing her words carefully. “But people aren’t ready to accept that yet!”
Navya and Mia’s conversation is 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.
“Sorry,” the guy replies without looking at her. “I’m just trying to get a drink.”
“And I’m just trying to be a human being who other people realize exists in the world,” replies Mia.
“What?” the guy replies, still trying to flag down the bartender.
Navya taps the guy on the shoulder. He turns and looks at her.
“Hey, could you buy me a drink?” Navya tells him, doing her best impression of demure.
The guy looks Navya up and down. His posture settles, and he smiles at her.
“Sure. What would you like?”
Navya thinks for a second. “Can you get me an old fashioned with a double shot of Get the Fuck Out our Way. We’re Trying to Have a Fucking Conversation. 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 Navya in disbelief. He then walks over to the other side of the bar.
“Nice,” comments Mia.
“Was that too harsh?” asks Navya. “He was just trying to get a drink.”
“Nah, fuck him,” replies Mia. “That was perfect. I loved it.”
At that moment, another guy, this time in a green sweater and slacks approaches them. He taps Mia on the shoulder.
“Caleb!” exclaims Mia. “Where have you been!”
“Sorry,” replies Caleb. “The trains are a mess. I waited twenty minutes for the 1.”
“All good,” replies Mia. “Where’s Jake?”
“He wasn’t feeling well. I left him on the couch watching Love Island.”
Mia turns to Navya. “Caleb, this is the new friend I was telling you about. Navya, meet Caleb. Caleb, Navya.”
“Nice to meet you,” Navya shouts to Caleb, making sure he can hear her over the noise in the bar.
“You’re the scientist, right?!” exclaims Caleb.
“Yes, I guess I am,” replies Navya.
“That’s so cool!” Caleb shouts.
Caleb looks around, grabs am empty bar stool, and sits down between Navya and Mia, but far enough back so that all three can converse.
“Where do you work?” asks Caleb.
“NYU,” replies Navya.
“Oh, cool! I love the village.”
“Actually, most of the research at NYU is done on the east side, around 33rd street.”
“Oh, cool,” replies Caleb. “I didn’t know that. So are you like a doctor?”
“Technically,” Navya replies. “I’m a PhD, not an MD. I can’t prescribe any drugs.”
“Well that’s a shame. What did you get your PhD in?”
“Pharmacology,” replies Navya.
“So you’re a pharmacist?” asks Caleb.
“No, not at all. More like drug discovery. But really, I just research basic disease mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease”
“Alzheimer’s?! That’s so awesome. My aunt had Alzheimer’s. It’s such a horrible disease.”
“Yeah, it is,” replies Navya.
“So, like, are you close to a cure? That would be so great.”
“Me? No. But the field is making a lot of progress.”
Mia interjects. “Navya studies peroxisomes!”
“The hell is a peroxisome?” Caleb asks.
“I have no idea!” replies Mia.
“That’s why I just tell people I study Alzheimer’s disease,” adds Navya. “Anyway, what do you do Caleb?”
“Oh, nothing as important as you! I work in fashion. Wait, how do you study Alzheimer’s disease? Like, what do you do every day?”
“I run experiments,” Navya says. “Mostly in mice. Also in cells.”
“Mice! Oh my god, that’s crazy.”
“It really isn’t,” replies Navya.
Navya takes a swig of her now drink, which is now mostly jut ice. She holding the glass to her mouth for an extra moment to extract all of the remaining liquid.
“I think I’m gonna go” Navya says, as she puts the glass down on the bar.”
“What? No!” Mia yells. “It’s still early!”
“I know,” replies Navya. “But I have a poster presentation next week, and it’s not even close to finished. I’m gonna have to work on it tomorrow, and I don’t want to be hungover.”
“A poster?” asks Caleb, confused. “Like a collage?!”
“No, nothing like that,” Navya says, as she stands up and reaches out to shake Caleb’s hand. “Nice to meet you Caleb.”
“Oh my god, soooo nice to meet you,” replies Caleb, giving Navya’s hand a double handed squeeze. “Good luck with the Alzheimer’s research!”
Navya grabs her coat and hugs Mia.
“I’m so glad you could come out” Mia says in Navya’s ear. “Are we still on for the MOMA next week?”
“I think so,” replies Navya as she finishes her hug and leans back. “I have to see how things go in the lab. But I’ll do my best!”
“Ok, love you!” Mia shouts loudly.
“Love you too,” replies Navya. “Now time for bed. Don’t stay out too late.”
“Fuck that,” Mia says. “Tonight’s gonna be a rager!”
“Alright, well then stay safe at least.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect her!” Caleb interjects confidently.
“See, who needs Dr. Robby, when I’ve got Caleb!” Mia exclaims.
“Oh my god, I loooove Dr. Robby.” Caleb replies.
“Right?!” Mia agrees.
And with that, Navya walks away, leaving Mia and Caleb to continue their conversation without her.