[European Style] Praying Mantis

In terms of the composition of moviegoers, couples, families or a few close partners are the most common.Two female friends who have a good relationship can go to the movies together, and two young children can also do it, but if the protagonists are replaced by two adult men, the atmosphere becomes magical, just like carrying a bag in your hand It seems that it is easy to attract the attention of everyone in the field.

I was never a very cheerful and popular boy.Since I was a child, I didn't have many friends.At this moment, on this Saturday afternoon, my best friend Dwayne is far away in Chicago, and only David and I are closely connected in San Francisco, but he is on a date today.In the end, I had to choose to go to the cinema alone.I know it's silly, but it's a slightly more palatable option than being alone and doing other things.

However, the result of the matter was that I watched the whole movie drowsily holding popcorn.In a sense, I'm also a geek among young people - I have little interest in the superheroes that Marvel and DC have created.On the contrary, the stories that actually happened touch my nerves more.Perhaps this is a common problem of every reporter who pursues authenticity.

After the movie, I walked among the throngs of people swarming out, wondering what to do next to pass the time.It happened to be five o'clock in the afternoon, which was an embarrassing time. It was already past the afternoon tea time, and there was still an hour or two before dinner.Just as I took out my mobile phone to search for nearby cafes, planning to play with my mobile phone and drink coffee to pass the time, an unfamiliar voice suddenly sounded behind me: "Robby."

I turned my head in confusion, wondering which friend I met here.The faces of my colleague David, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper, Mr. Dacre, and the neighbor, Mr. Dali, flashed across my mind, but their voices were different from this calm and clear voice.In fact, I never imagined that standing behind me smiling was Dominic Curley, whom I had only met once.

Because of his outstanding appearance, he stands out from the crowd.The harsh body lessons of childhood had left his back so straight that he appeared to be several inches taller than he really was.I have to admit that like most of the people around me, I was deeply attracted to him, and it took about a few seconds to react, and I gave him a blunt reply: "Hi, Nick. What a coincidence."

He glanced down at the movie ticket I was holding tightly in my hand, and said in an exaggerated tone: "It's a pity that we didn't recognize each other in the same screening room. It seems that we should see each other more often."

The small talk sounded natural and comforting, even if it was just a polite way of saying it.I replied, "Yes, I thought so too. Where are your friends?"

"I'm here alone, Robbie." He smiled and waved the movie ticket stub in his hand. "I guess you are too. Why don't we have dinner together? I know there's a new steakhouse nearby that's very popular." welcome."

Of course I said yes to his invitation - who would have the heart to say no to a pretty boy?

As he said, that steakhouse has been very popular on the Internet recently, and I heard that it has reached the point where you can't eat if you come late.Before stepping into the restaurant, I adjusted my shirt to make myself look more formal.Suddenly, a pale and slender hand passed over my chest. Nick carefully brushed off the dust on my chest, then looked at me and smiled.

For some reason, if it's Dwayne or David, I don't feel anything wrong; but the fact is, I'm next to Dominic Curley, and as soon as the supporting role is him, the action starts Developed in an ambiguous direction.

"Let's go in," he said.

The decoration of the steakhouse belongs to the elegant and comfortable cool brown tone, accompanied by the soothing piano music played live, which makes people feel relaxed unconsciously.After ordering, we chatted like all diners.

"How have you been these days?" I asked.

"Not bad. What about you?" he replied. "I work at a 7-Eleven near my house. I want to save up for a trip to Las Vegas."

"Great idea," I said. "I've been there once. Las Vegas is a miracle of the desert."

Having said that, he suddenly touched his trouser pocket, took out a small and exquisite cigarette case, and handed me one of them.To me, this move was the biggest shock I felt on this day—he actually smoked!Strange, in my subconscious mind, he seems to be the last person who should not smoke.

"Sorry, I don't smoke." I waved my hand and smiled awkwardly, "Thank you."

Dominique retracted the thin cigarette, lit the cigarette end skillfully, took a deep breath, and then suddenly said in the midst of the mist: "Doug likes steak very much. I mean, my stepfather, Professor Curley. "

"Oh, is it?" I nodded understandingly.Many parents in enlightened families adhere to the principle of making friends with their children, so I have long been familiar with the fact that children call their parents by their first names.

"But he only eats sirloin steak." Dominique added, "medium rare."

I nodded thoughtfully.After a moment of silence, I finally couldn't hold back the curiosity in my heart, and asked the question I had been hiding in my heart for a long time: "Do you know Christian Grande? He is a student of Professor Curley."

"Chris, of course I know him," Dominique said. "He's one of Doug's best protégés."

"What do you know about him? What kind of person is he?" I pressed.

"Sorry, I didn't expect this dinner to turn into an interview."

"Sorry, I..." His words made me speechless for a moment, like an aggressive and ridiculous rooster strangled by the throat.

"It's okay, just treat it as a chat." He took the initiative to ease the embarrassment for me, and flicked the ashtray on the ashtray at the corner of the table, "Have you seen the photo of Chris? He is very handsome."

I nod.Justin showed me a photo of his cousin, a handsome dark-haired young man who reminded me of the famous Hollywood movie star Tom Cruise.

"But he's a nerd." Dominique shook his head resignedly. "No one likes a nerd, right? Fortunately, someone changed him."

"Who?"

"Someone." Dominic said mysteriously, "Actually, I don't know who that person is. But since meeting that person, Chris has become much easier to get along with."

"...are you even willing to try heroin?" I caught his words and asked.

Maybe it was my delusion, but for a split second, Dominique glanced at me warily.But immediately his eyes became calm as water again, and he continued to say unhurriedly: "Maybe. I heard that he died of an overdose. It's a pity."

He is still wary of me.In any case, there is no doubt about it.Even a fool can see it.

"Sir, your sirloin steak." The waiter brought Dominique's steak and poured a thick black pepper sauce on it.

"Thank you." After thanking the waiter, Dominic turned to look at me with a gentle smile on his face, "Let's eat first."

In the following time, we did not talk about any information about the "Praying Mantis Case", but chatted about our respective hobbies.Dominique told me that he grew up in Boston, where his only immediate family member — his grandfather — now lives.Although as Laura's stepfather, there was no real blood relationship between the old man and him.

"You should meet Grandpa James. He's the funniest old man I've ever met." Dominique said with a smile while cutting the steak gracefully. "When I was young, my mother and I lived together."

I'm not interested in ordinary people's kinship, and even now I can't remember the name of Dwayne's father, but Dominic is destined to be extraordinary-whether in the case or in reality, he is destined to be a character.That night, he told me how funny Grandpa James was, as if the best years of his life had been spent in childhood.

Although my gut tells me it's probably true.