Post by Robert McClister on Dec 2, 2017 19:56:30 GMT -8
He could see it turning, and had to push back his typical responses of annoyance or apathy. He took a second to pull a memory of a friend maneuvering tense social situations, and summoned the willpower to exhibit just a bit of that charisma that he sorely lacked.
"And as you fine people can probably tell, I spend way more of my time with the residents here than actual people. As amazing as these animals are, you keep up something like that and you become the equivalent of a human typo." He said with a smirk, adopting a more passive stance and body language.
The chuckling and levity that followed were a relief.
That seemed to get things close to where they needed to be. The timer told him it was just about over, and he continued to hold onto the semi-friendly grin with all the control he could muster. Relief was coming in a trickle that slowly turned into a wave. The feel of the crowd shifted on to a more positive direction, and he was determined to keep it there, smile and all. It wasn't perfect, but it wasn't a crash and burn.
This time last year he would have just walked away from a situation such as this. There was no need or use for it back in Tennessee. He was out of practice dealing with people. There was a lot to work on apparently, and he didn't have much choice in the matter. This was where he had to be for the foreseeable future.
Outstanding, he thought wryly.
Robert closed everything up, maintaining the atmosphere he'd struggled to salvage until the class was over. Admittedly his mind strayed to the idea of a drink before driving home. The thought was appealing, and helped keep the smile on his face as people said their good byes.
The irony of the nights events was not lost on him.
"And as you fine people can probably tell, I spend way more of my time with the residents here than actual people. As amazing as these animals are, you keep up something like that and you become the equivalent of a human typo." He said with a smirk, adopting a more passive stance and body language.
The chuckling and levity that followed were a relief.
That seemed to get things close to where they needed to be. The timer told him it was just about over, and he continued to hold onto the semi-friendly grin with all the control he could muster. Relief was coming in a trickle that slowly turned into a wave. The feel of the crowd shifted on to a more positive direction, and he was determined to keep it there, smile and all. It wasn't perfect, but it wasn't a crash and burn.
This time last year he would have just walked away from a situation such as this. There was no need or use for it back in Tennessee. He was out of practice dealing with people. There was a lot to work on apparently, and he didn't have much choice in the matter. This was where he had to be for the foreseeable future.
Outstanding, he thought wryly.
Robert closed everything up, maintaining the atmosphere he'd struggled to salvage until the class was over. Admittedly his mind strayed to the idea of a drink before driving home. The thought was appealing, and helped keep the smile on his face as people said their good byes.
The irony of the nights events was not lost on him.