Worst beer on the market is not good advertising

[Kentaro Itonokogiri]

This couldn’t be the right place. Aside from the fact the name was different than what he was looking for, he was in searched of a restaurant and this looked more like a bar kind of establishment. Scratching the back of his head, he told himself the same thing he did as he started to wander the streets of Kalispell: he should have gone with the others. A few of the staff members suggested they went out together. They said there was this little restaurant that was the go-to place if you were in this part of town. Kentaro wasn’t sure what ‘this part’ of town had that made it so different from ‘another part’ of town but he never lived here before so what did he know? Did those parts had names? Did they mean this district or just that street in particular? He didn't bother to ask, that would likely just add to his confusion.

It was apparently weird to see someone on a bike. It was the impression he got when he noticed some people staring at him. He didn’t get why, it was a pretty regular bike. And driving a car was not the solution with him. While he was not exactly a menace behind the wheel, he was not the best driver either. And it was so much easier to turn around on a bike when looking for a place than to do so with a car. Maybe he should get himself one of those GPS app for his phone, that would really be useful.

Anyway, he was hungry and didn't want to keep looking anymore. They likely had a table already and were halfway through their meal, assuming he preferred not to go in the end. It was not like he had been forced to join them, they only proposed it to him. Since they wouldn’t mind, and even if they did he could just admit he got lost, he figured that place was as good as any other. After tying his bike to the nearest ramp he found, he walked in.

It was... bar-like? Seriously, he sensed no atmosphere in it. There was a jukebox playing music and he could see a television showing sports results. He did notice some people having food along with their drink so there was that. Still, this pub was lucky he was hungry otherwise he wouldn’t be in here. He moved to the counter and was immediately asked what he’d like to drink. “You’ve got a menu?” he asked after he ordered a beer. He got his ale along with a piece of paper covered in plastic. The list of suggested meals wasn’t long. He studied it while taking a sip of the beer, only to choke. He did his best not to make a sound, let alone spit it back in his glass. Just what kind of beer was this, the worst the world had to offer?

[Georgia River]

"C'mon, it's a college town, what did ya expect?" asked the blonde who leaned over to smile up at Kentaro. Georgia knew when to turn on the charm, and this was hardly her first time in this place, or in places like this. A few of the servers were already giving her weary looks.

Georgia leaned over and tapped the menu. "If you're gonna try anything here, you should aim for something fried and smothered in something. It'll kill your gut, but it's pretty much the only stuff here that passes for real food," that being said, Georgia reached over and took a sip of the beer, wincing and shaking her head at the taste before sitting it back down.

"Man, you got the shitty stuff," she said, wrinkling her nose. "Shoulda gone with some microbrews or something. Such a lost little lamb," she sighed, leaning on an arm to look up at him. "What are we gonna do with you?"

[Kentaro Itonokogiri]

Kentaro came here unaccompanied. As such, he didn’t expect people to simply come t him and pick up a conversation. Yet it happened. A blonde girl just leaned on the counter to his side. Kentaro couldn’t say he knew her but that was hardly saying something, as he didn’t even know every one of his colleague yet. He turned his head and observed her. A woman like her, coming over and talking like this... Even if he was not big on flirting, he could get the message. The question was more just how far he should let it go.

She even leaned on closer as she touched the menu and started giving him advice. “Nice advertising. Our food will kill your guts,” he let out in response to what she said. It made him fear what their salad must be like if she said the fried stuff was the only thing that looked like food. He made a sign to a server in order to get some, he looked back at the menu, chicken wings and fries. He would have opted for the club sandwich but for some reason he chose to listen to her and ignore something that would have just too many ingredients that could be potentially damaging to his health. His guts often enough begged him for some rest not to add food poisoning.

He noticed how she took his beer while he gave his order. He was a tad shocked by it. That girl certainly wasn’t shy. He couldn’t agree more with her about the shitty stuff though. “Microbrews. You’ve got some around here?” Hey, if he got lost on his way to a restaurant and wound up here, you couldn’t expect him to know about the better places around town. The lamb reference was not exactly pleasing him. If her flirting implied mocking the person first, it was not working with him. “I think for now I’ll try to survive the meal for now. Then I’ll see for myself,” he said, giving her a brief smile. She was not annoying him per se, but he was not quite sure yet what he’d do with her. Anyway, she seemed bold enough to invite herself so either she’d go or do just that. He’d see once that would be taken care of.

[Georgia River]

Georgia had to chuckle and shake her head at the mention of the food. "Nobody's here for the grub," she pointed out. It was definitely there more to simply soak up the booze and/or give some of the chunkier dudes something to do with their hands during sporting events. But Georgia figured she wouldn't have to explain that to the relatively cute Asian guy: he seemed to be able to figure out some of it on his own.

Some: "We're in Montana," Georgia replied, adding a slight snort. "Every other guy with a beard has a mini-brewery and a secret recipe," she leaned over to point toward the bar wall. "That one, that one, aaaaaand," she nearly leaned against Kentaro for the last, "that one are probably the best," Georgia settled back into her seat. "Unless you wanna keep killing brain cells with that," she flicked her fingers at the brew, nose wrinkled. Georgia could see one of the bartenders looking her way, and she responded with a rude gesture.

"If you really want food, you should head down the block or so. This part's pretty good for, like, wings and stuff," Georgia shrugged again, then nudged the guy. "And you totally forgot to ask my name and offer to buy me a drink. C'mon, I'm wearing my ass-hugging jeans and everything."

[Kentaro Itonokogiri]

“If you’re not here for the food, and the beer tastes like that, what are you here for?” he couldn’t help but ask. This didn’t look like the best spot to flirt or... no, she wasn’t trying to get him to pay for some time with her, right? A girl like her though, if she really was working the streets, could get to better places. It reassured him that his imagination just went a little too far on this one. A cry let out by some men over the television had him startle and stare in their direction. “Ah,” he simply said. That would explain, even if that didn't make this place any better. Did they even know what sport they were watching or they were like that about just anything showed through that screen? Better not to ask. Anyway, he didn’t really care.

Kentaro was actually ready to believe what she just said about Montana and breweries. After all, why not? “I’m kind of new here,” he shared with her. This was no secret, he saw no point in hiding it. She probably figured it out on her own. He felt her as she leaned closer and closer towards him under the pretense of pointing him some of those ‘secret recipes’ this place must have. His gaze fell on her as she did that. “How many of those did you try?” It wasn’t a reproach. He was smiling to her as he said that. It was more a challenge as to how she could tell those were the best ones. He actually laughed at her gesture for the bartender. He should feel sorry, but he had been offered their worst brew and he considered they deserved it.

“It’s not really wings I want. Just food,” he admitted. Still, she seemed to know her way around the town. She at least did better than he did. “Down the block you say?” He had yet sampled the food to tell whether it was as terrible as she claimed. And he was starting to think that he wouldn’t have the time for she was expecting him to invite her. He had to admit, those American girls were forward. “Here, be my guest,” he said on a teasing tone as he slid his glass over to her. He laughed at this. He was not going to let her drink this, unless she had a taste for bad beer. “If you really know a better place, maybe I would,” he said, certain that she’d walk away the moment she’d realise he didn’t have a car. Oh well. That would be her loss. And he’d still have wings and fries here, for what it would be worth.

[Georgia River]

"The atmosphere," Georgia drawled, dripping as much irony and sarcasm into the words as she could manage. They both knew the place looked like a hole in the wall and smelled worse. But there were only so many places that Georgia, who was getting a bit of a reputation around town, could saunter in and get some booze without drawing too much attention. it was that or she had to start tapping her sources. She glanced at the disgusting beer, considering it again. But she liked to think she wasn't quite an alcoholic, despite what some people likely thought.

"See this side of the menu?" she asked, drawing her hand over the same section she'd been picking some from before. "Tried all of them. I'm a local girl, and I'm here a lot," she shrugged. She'd tried nearly every kind of booze around now. You had to if you lived mostly off the generosity of others.

It looked like said generosity might get Georgia some food. She wasn't exactly hungry for it at the moment, but most people approved. "Cool," she twisted, "we're heading down the block to..." Georgia looked back, "food truck or carts okay, or you determined for a--get that crap away from me," this last was said as the bottle got close and she nudged it away. "But okay, there should be a food truck showing up..." Georgia wiggled to look at a clock, "soonish? Outside. There's a cart, like," she pinched an eye shut and pointed the opposite direction, "a block that way? And there's this kinda hole in the wall diner place, kinda like this but with actual food and less assholes---oh c'mon," this was said to the bartender who looked her way, "you know I love you!"

[Kentaro Itonokogiri]

Kentaro normally steered clear of places like this one. As big a sports fan as any other, he couldn’t say going to some random, and somewhat suspicious, pub to watch the game surrounded by other fans like any other was something he did often. Never was more accurate. He didn’t even choose this place, it more sort of landed right in front of him just as he decided he was too hungry to keep looking for something else. And there was no bouncer at the door to decide whether or not he was worthy to come in. This place just called him in and he responded. It just proved not to live up to the expectations.

His gaze fell onto the plasticized piece of paper to where she was pointing. Again, to him, the fact she tried them all meant nothing. Had she said she tried them all in one night... But they weren’t there. The fact she was a local only added to the expertise he was ready to grant her in that matter. Since he already told her he was new, he felt no need to repeat himself however he started to wonder just how old she was. Local or no, he suddenly came to realise she was rather young. Didn't you need to be twenty-one or something to drink in here? Kentaro didn't know how they did it. It was only one more year than in Japan but he was thankful for those three hundred and sixty-five days.

Kentaro was well aware that he ordered some food, yet the thought of it did not even deserve a shrug from his part. One could argue it was not the best way of making an impression when you’re new, and with his incredible sense of direction he may well accidentally end up here again, but he still didn’t show any care as he more or less suggested leaving right after ordering something. He laughed again as she shoved the beer away. He disposed of it, placing it further from them. A bartender was staring at them though and Kentaro seemed to finally understand what might be best for him to do and was ready to pull a bill, at the very least for the beer they two one sip out of each, but her words left him with the money hanging in his hand instead of hitting the counter where the bartender wanted to see it.

“That way or that way?” he asked, suddenly confused and thinking she pointed in two different directions. “I think you’re as good as I am at finding your way around here.” Her little banter with the bartender had him remember the man and he placed the money on the counter. “But okay, I’ll go along. I’m curious,” he told her. Or maybe the beer was so terrible that it made him ready to try anything else.

[Georgia River]

"Yeah, that way or that way," Georgia said. She rolled her eyes. "I told you: I grew up around here. Technically we moved here when I was super young because of messes and jobs and crap," Georgia shrugged before turning and pushing her way out of the door, pausing only for a moment to wiggle fingers back at the bartender.

The fresh air made Georgia shiver slightly, rubbing at her arms for a few moments. Montana weather had always been... crisp after all. She waited for Kentaro to come out, turning to him when he did show.

"Did you say where you wanted to go eat? What kind of food you interested in eating? I'm guessing crap, because you were seriously ordering stuff in there, but that could, like, narrow our chances. I think the truck's a really cool burger one? The stand's..." Georgia tilted her head. "Tacos. diner's, well, a freakin' diner," Georgia shrugged. "So, yeah, that way," she pointed up the street, 'or that way," down this time.

[Kentaro Itonokogiri]

Kentaro was glad right now that he was fluent in English because that girl’s words would have made his head spin by now. Messes and jobs and crap? Maybe he should just try and focus on the important part of her tirade: she pretty much lived here all of her life and knew her way around town. This was what he had been looking for when he wounded up in this hell of a place. “I get it,” he assured her, hoping she wouldn’t go on another one of those lines, especially if she was to speak it fast. He understood, but there was a limit.

There was a chilly breeze outside. It made him shiver a bit. He’ll have to get a warmer coat next time he’ll go out, a bike didn’t exactly have a heating system attached to it, other than pedaling faster that is. She laid out the choices again, this time offering a bit more details. And insulting him in the process. “I go for good first too, but I’m not as picky when I’m starving,” he corrected. The taco stand was a no. He could be adventurous and take it but not when he was so hungry his stomach would start eating itself. He was not against a burger but he ultimately opted for the diner. “The diner then. At least we’ll be inside,” he said as he stared at her. He noticed how she rubbed her arms as he walked out after her. Kentaro wouldn’t mind freezing himself a little if the food was worth it but he had a guide with him and he didn’t think it would be very nice to make her go through that as well, even if she was the one pointing those out in the first place.

[Georgia River]

"Whatever you say," Georgia replied, nearly rolling her eyes. She wouldn't have thought someone like him would've been thin-skinned, but she had been wrong before. Best to just soldier onward and head to the food, especially as that would get them out of the chill. Jackets and coats were among the hardest things to "borrow" from people that she wasn't actively and regularly sleeping with, which was definitely part of why Georgia was cold right now, but she could manage. "Should've had more of the beer though," she mumbled.

It wouldn't take them long to get to the diner. It was a simple one with a red flashing "diner" sign, and as far as Georgia knew, people just called it by the owner's name... or at least, Georgia thought Flo was the owner; sometimes that got confusing. "probably for the best; you'll find this place again easier," she said as they got close to Flo's.

Georgia nodded, then moved to lean against the door, pushing it open and gesturing for Kentaro to head inside. The building was narrow, stretching back and looking like it had been carved out of an alley at some point. A long counter had several individuals hunched over plates of food, while a handful of tables shoved to the side handled a few more. Everyone clearly looked to be enjoying their food, and the air had a rich, full aroma: a hint of grease. Soft sizzles and cries could be heard in the back.

"Wonder what's the special today,' Georgia said, craning to look at a chalk board that boasted a few regular items and whatever the cook felt like throwing up there on a daily basis.

[Kentaro Itonokogiri]

Her tone made him wonder if she would have preferred tacos or burgers. Sadly for her, his stomach was doing the choosing. Well, that and he tried to be polite but he didn’t want to justify his choice. He heard her muttered words as she made her way to the diner. “Just how old are you exactly?” he could no longer keep inside. It was something that kept nagging him ever since she approached him. She could be in age to drink, but she also looked young enough not to be.

At least the diner appeared to be at a walking distance. He could only imagine her face had she looked around for his car and found him going to his bike. Kentaro looked around, trying to find some mark he could use to remember this place in the future. Like this, should he get lost in the area again, he may remember about that diner and find his way from there. “You’d be surprised,” he admitted though without any shame. He knew he was terrible with direction, he learned to accept it by now. At least here he had an excuse, he was pretty new and had yet explored the town properly.

Kentaro entered the diner as Georgia let him. The atmosphere in here was drastically different from the previous place. The smell was better and people didn’t look more interested in some game on a television than their plates or whoever accompanied them. It was more like his kind of place, at least for that. Because, for the food, he could yet say. Still, he shouldn’t complain. The chances to find a Japanese restaurant that served more than sushi ought to be small, he should go with what he had here. She mentioned the menu and he looked around until his eyes fell onto the chalkboard. “Broccoli cream soup, you like that kind of thing?” Kentaro would more call that torture food but the rest appeared to be more interesting. He preferred to focus on a table. He could tell his stomach threatened to grumble and he wanted to have a seat and a plate of food before that happened.

[Georgia River]

"I'm legal," Georgia said, adding a sly smile as she did. That's generally what most of the guys cared about, and she knew she looked in that nebulous point where she could be as young as sixteen or as old as somewhere in her mid-twenties. But why give away that information when Georgia could keep them guessing? Particularly when this was much more fun.

Though by now, Georgia's stomach was starting to feel a little rumbly itself. After all, she'd been talking about food and had now led this guy to one of the best places in Kalispell to eat. "It's not bad," she offered when he explained the soup. "We're in pretty good cheese country," with that, she waved to the guy behind the counter. "I'll have the usual!" she called, before looking to Kentaro. "They've got these really good, like, platter meals," she held her hands out a fair distance. "Great if you like stuff smothered and gravy. Better if you like 'em fried."

She grinned before turning to figure out the best place to sit. The counter was pretty good, but she didn't know what her companion might want...

[Kentaro Itonokogiri]

This didn’t answer Kentaro’s question. Unless that was her way of saying she indeed had the age to drink. It could. But then, she had this smile, and he doubted everything. If her legal meant something else... well, he was not interested in that. Okay, maybe he could have. He couldn’t say he disliked bold. But there was still something, at the back of his head, sending him a red flag whenever she looked at him like that. He preferred to listen to it. He was in no position to take that kind of risk.

At this point, he didn’t know what surprised him the most, that she seemed a regular in every place she went or that it still surprised him. “Not something we use a whole lot,” he admitted as she mentioned cheese. He didn't add anything about it. He doubted she’d argue with him on that one. Or care for that matter. He took note of her suggestion, though more curious as to what ‘the usual’ was for her. Given what she told him next, he assumed it was fried with lots of gravy. Fred, he could get. Gravy, he was less interested. He ordered something, not entirely sure what it was but it sounded like it was fried so at least it followed partially what the girl suggested. At the very least this place seemed to care more about healthiness which made this choice appear less risky. And a soda, because he wasn’t sure they served beer and his previous experience with one made him a tad more careful.

He picked a table for them, letting someone working her bother themselves with bringing them their order. “So, you got the drink, you even got a meal. I’d say I earned the right for your name, don’t you agree?” he asked once he was comfortably sitting. Oh, he had no illusion on who was meant to pay here. She was showing him around but he was the one paying. For now, he found her entertaining enough to allow it. And there went that red flag again.

[Georgia River]

Now that they were sitting there, Georgia was much more interested in the food than anything else. She knew darn well that her fried tenderloin order would be absolutely delicious, if not the most appealing thing to eat in front of someone she could potentially flirt with. then again, most guys seemed to appreciate a girl that would throw back a fair amount of food, particularly when Georgia made suggestions about how to burn it all off later...

"I guess," she said, shrugging and leaning back. "Not like you couldn't ask about half the folks around here about it," Georgia nodded and put on a fairly friendly smile as she waved to a few old timer, blue collar sorts who were perched at the end of the counter. One or two replied in kind, one asking about her mother. Georgia just rolled her eyes at that and shrugged before looking back to Kentaro.

"Georgia," she said, dragging out the name. "Y'know, like the state," she added a slight wink and smirked at that. "You're awful curious for someone who's just buying a cute girl a heavy meal. Planning on meeting my mom next?"

[Kentaro Itonokogiri]

Kentaro didn’t take the time much to explore what the town had to offer. He didn’t get the time to do much since he arrived, he had to work as soon as he unpacked. With the school providing the basic need, and Kentaro immersing himself in work at first, he was a bit ignorant of Kalispell. In a way, the blonde girl should be happy with this, as he wouldn’t have ended up lost otherwise. Or perhaps he would have, but he didn’t need to admit he could get lost even in a town he knew well.

“I didn’t get the chance to go out much until now,” he admitted to her. She knew he was new so it was not like it was all that weird. Not as weird as it would have been had he lived here for nearly as long as she claimed she has. “But I’ll make sure to ask next time.” She proved to be a regular alright when she greeted some guys at the counter, one even inquiring about her mother. He hoped it was because he had a thing for the mother and not the girl because, without giving him the age he could guess her mother had, he was a bit old for her. “I see what you mean by regular.” Considering he had asked for a guide, he believed he ended up on the right person.

Kentaro learned that she was named after a state at the same time that he learned there was one called Georgia. Hey, he doubted she knew the prefectures in Japan, she couldn’t seriously expect him to know the names of the American states. “I think I’ll leave her to that guy,” he said, nodding towards the man who asked about her mother. “And I believe you were the one who said I should have asked you for your name while buying you a drink, right? I say you’re the one not curious enough.”