If I Ever Lose My Faith In You

Americana Steak House
Friday, Aug. 9, 2019
7 PM

Meg's Uncle Ray had insisted Jay join him while he was in town at Americana for dinner, a fancy expensive steak house with a lakeside view off of the Vegas strip. He was a wealthy graying man that spoke loudly since he was nearly deaf but extremely personable and friendly.

Ray worked in LA and had some hand in a commercial real estate firm although he frequented Las Vegas every few months and often invited his favorite niece and nephew-in-law to nice places such as this. The man was involved in numerous side ventures and always dabbling in some new start-up company. It didn't matter if you were family, a close friend, an employee, or a new acquaintance... everyone referred to him as 'Uncle Ray'.

Uncle Ray was already aware that he and Meg had split before Jay had to explain. "Look, I don't want to get into you kids' business, but let's just have dinner," he had said firmly, dodging Jay's objections and questions. "I'll see you at 7 at Americana Friday," he'd said before hanging up. He'd texted Jay a few reminders as the date approached, but never responded to inquiries about Meg coming or anything that sounded like a protest. "If I don't have you at free steak dinner kid, I don't know what to say" the final text read.

When Jay arrived at the restaurant in the lobby, the hostess informed him that they already had a table waiting when he gave his name. The hostess led Jay through the dining room outside to a wonderful view of the lakefront. Uncle Ray already had a fancy cocktail and some seafood appetizers in front of him and was pursuing a menu as Jay approached. Meg was nowhere to be seen.

OOC: Restaurant's website for reference: https://www.americanalasvegas.com/

Uncle Ray was impossible to resist. Jordan knew that and still he tried, failed and was ultimately glad that he did. The past few weeks had been bad, probably the worst in his young life. He missed Meg like crazy. It was almost a physical ache. They've been together for so long, he almost couldn't remember who he was without her. And yet every time he was close to reach out, he remembered the fights. He remembered the disappointment, the fear of losing the house. The financial responsibilities heaped on him so early in life because his reckless wife could not commit and would not grow up.

He was looking forward to the affable company that was Uncle Ray. So long as Meg wasn't there. Great food he didn't have to pay for, a couple of beers with a good guy who seemed inclined not to judge him. Maybe some good advice.

"Hey" he said, a smile spreading on his face, wide and genuine. Uncle Ray smiled back. Jay sat down and the other man pushed the plate of appetizers toward him. "Good to see you, Uncle Ray. You look great". He spoke loudly, knowing the older man was hard of hearing. In a place like the Americana that could be a problem, it was a classy establishment. But Uncle Ray had enough charm for much worse behavior.

He'd grown grayer since Jay saw him last, but the eyes still twinkled with both intelligence and a bit of mischief. No sooner did Jay sit then a waitress put beer in front of him. "He told me to bring you one as soon as you walk through the door" she said with a sweet smile that was directed at the older man rather than the younger.

Jay shrugged and toasted the other. "Thanks" he said. "And thanks for insisting. I haven't been out for a while. I'm long overdue for some fun". I'm long overdue for a break too, he thought but didn't add.

"No problem kiddo," Uncle Ray replied loudly. "You want a cocktail or a martini? I knew what kind of beer you drank but wasn't so sure on that. You want some shrimp? If any of the other appetizers look good to you, feel free to order."

Tag Jay

"So, how's life been," Uncle Ray asked after Jay was settled. "I know you hit a rough spot, but I mean how ya doin' since then? I've been where you've been... twice. It's rough but the bachelor's life isn't so bad... at least it's nice to take a break from the married life."

Tag Jay

"A martini, please" Jay said. He wasn't a very refined drinker, but he could never say no to Uncle Ray. the drink arrived faster then he expected, and he took a sip. It was good. He had a feeling you weren't supposed to mix cocktails and beer, he thought he heard that someplace... but what the hell. You only live once.

"I'm doing... ok" he said, lying. He didn't want to upset the older man. Didn't want to force him to choose sides either. As much as he knew Uncle Ray liked him, he wasn't his uncle. Blood is thicker than water and all that. The rest of his words that coaxed more truth out of Jay though. "I don't know... maybe it works for you. I'm not enjoying it that much. I miss..." her smile, her body, that sleepy look in her eyes first thing in the morning, how she makes me laugh, watching Netflix with her on the couch until she falls asleep in my arms. "...my place". He shrugged. "I think maybe I'm doing the whole break thing wrong" he said, trying to make light of things. "I'm crashing at my parents, not exactly the place to be if you want to live life to its fullest. Maybe I should find a single friend to stay with for a while, go out at night a bit. This is Vegas after all". He didn't want to tell anyone, though he knew they weren't able to keep their separation a secret from their friends. The circle was too small for that. Still, going over to Mike's or Ted's would be like admitting defeat.

"Forget about me, though. How have you been doing? How's business? how's LA living?"

"A martini, please" Jay said. He wasn't a very refined drinker, but he could never say no to Uncle Ray. the drink arrived faster then he expected, and he took a sip. It was good. He had a feeling you weren't supposed to mix cocktails and beer, he thought he heard that someplace... but what the hell. You only live once.

"I'm doing... ok" he said, lying. He didn't want to upset the older man. Didn't want to force him to choose sides either. As much as he knew Uncle Ray liked him, he wasn't his uncle. Blood is thicker than water and all that. The rest of his words that coaxed more truth out of Jay though. "I don't know... maybe it works for you. I'm not enjoying it that much. I miss..." her smile, her body, that sleepy look in her eyes first thing in the morning, how she makes me laugh, watching Netflix with her on the couch until she falls asleep in my arms. "...my place". He shrugged. "I think maybe I'm doing the whole break thing wrong" he said, trying to make light of things. "I'm crashing at my parents, not exactly the place to be if you want to live life to its fullest. Maybe I should find a single friend to stay with for a while, go out at night a bit. This is Vegas after all". He didn't want to tell anyone, though he knew they weren't able to keep their separation a secret from their friends. The circle was too small for that. Still, going over to Mike's or Ted's would be like admitting defeat.

Uncle Ray simply listened and nodded sympathetically, not offering any advice or pressing Jay any further on the subject.

"Forget about me, though. How have you been doing? How's business? how's LA living?"

"Oh busy, a bit too hectic," Uncle Ray replied loudly. The waitress brought him another drink just as he finished his. "Want anything else appetizer wise?" He paused long enough for Jay to respond.

"Where were we? LA! Yeah, you know, it's a bit more fast-paced than that small-town feel of the City of Lights," Uncle Ray said laughing at his own joke. "Anyway, same ol' same old with the real estate business. I'm doing some consulting on the side. I was out in New York last week, hell, it's as bad as out there. I did catch a few broadway shows. I may check out a few here while I'm in town. Might as well enjoy my time while I can. It will be back to the grind soon enough. I'm off to Tokyo for a couple of weeks soon. Anyway, I've got this new thing I'm doing. You know me, I always have to try new things. "

Uncle Ray paused to take a swig of his martini giving Jay a chance to respond.

"So anyway, this kid is starting a media company. He's one of those whaddya call'em? Influencers? Anyway, the kid isn't doing anything groundbreaking. However, he's got some big company that is willing to back him. He's supposed to be some grand guru that knows how YouTube and all that other shit works. I'm an old man, I don't get it. Anyway, they want to put together this crazy-ass contest where people are going to go all over the US on this treasure hunt and it's going to be documented. I made a little bet with a buddy of mine about how good this kid'll do. Anyway, it sounded interesting and I've pissed away $10,000 in a casino in less than an hour, so why the hell not."

He listened to the older man speak, and wondered if his life will ever look like that. Ray was successful, confident, adventurous. Jorden used to think he could be that too, could have a life like that. But not any more. It seemed to him as if he's already made all the wrong decisions. He was on the wrong path, and there didn't seem to be anything that could get him off it. He'll be looking at life from the sidelines.

He nodded when Ray suggested another appetizer, opting for the Market Oysters this time. Another beer came with those and at least he was starting to feel lighter and more at ease than he had in weeks. In months.

He listened intently when Uncle Ray described this newest business venture. The alcohol took the edge of his envy, both in Ray and in the other man he was talking about. A guy who probably wasn't much older than Jordan. "That sounds really cool" he remarked. "We're... I mean... I like those shows. You get into them super quick, picking a favorite you want for the win, picking someone to hate on. Sounds like a smart way to invest". Like I know anything about it.. "What's the treasure?"

"That sounds really cool" he remarked. "We're... I mean... I like those shows. You get into them super quick, picking a favorite you want for the win, picking someone to hate on. Sounds like a smart way to invest". Like I know anything about it... "What's the treasure?"

"Glad you think so kiddo," Uncle Ray replied taking another sip of his martini. "It will be quite an adventure, going all over the country solving puzzles, following clues, not where you're heading next. It would be the adventure of a lifetime. The sponsor is putting up $1 million dollars as a prize. So, that leads me to my next question. How would you like to be one of the contestants?"

Jordan nearly chocked on his oyster.

He coughed, turning red. Uncle Ray strode over to pat his back with an amused expression. He likes springing things on people, Jordan thought, he must have loved this.. When he recovered, he took a long drink from his beer, which might not have been the best idea. But it was the closest liquid on hand and he needed something to south his raw throat.

"Are you serious?" he asked.

The other man gave him a shrewd look.

Jordan shook his head. Never, in a million years, did he think he'd be asked to be on a show like that. That seemed like something that happened to other people. Characters on these reality shows always had larger than life personalities. Jordan didn't even think he had a regular life sized one. "I'd love that. Do you think you can get me on it? Like... would they take your suggestion?"

"Let's just say I have some influence. I think this opportunity will do you good," Uncle Ray said with a wink. "Now, I know your next question. You're thinking, what about my job? I have bills... just let your Uncle Ray take care of all of it. It won't start for a few weeks, but if you want the opportunity, you're as good as in. I will warn you though, this could be... life-changing..."

Ray flagged the waitress down for another martini. "So, you ready to order? I think I'm going to have a steak," Ray said picking up the menu as the waitress inquired if they were ready to place their orders for the main course.

Jordan bulked at that suggestion. As much as the idea of being on the show appealed to him, we was reluctant to take money from Uncle Ray for his bills. "Listen, if you can get me in, that's more then enough" he said. "I mean... just the just to get a chance at a million dollars is more than I thought I'll have." He scratched his chin, thinking about how he could make it work. "My job won't be a problem, I'm working for my dad and uncles, what are they going to do - fire me? As for the bills..." he sighed, not sure how to explain. "That's kind of an ongoing problem".

Food was a good distraction though. "Yeah, a steak for me too" he said. "Medium please. And another beer". He folded his menu and looked up at the older man. "Any tips on how to actually win the thing?"

Jordan McBride"]Jordan bulked at that suggestion. As much as the idea of being on the show appealed to him, we was reluctant to take money from Uncle Ray for his bills. "Listen, if you can get me in, that's more then enough" he said. "I mean... just the just to get a chance at a million dollars is more than I thought I'll have." He scratched his chin, thinking about how he could make it work. "My job won't be a problem, I'm working for my dad and uncles, what are they going to do - fire me? As for the bills..." he sighed, not sure how to explain. "That's kind of an ongoing problem".

"That's what I mean," Uncle Ray replied. "You're not going to be gone for a day, a week or even a month. This game will likely going on for months, well over a year, perhaps. There isn't going to be time for you to be working and do this as a moonlighting side gig on the weekends or after hours. If you wanna play, you're going to have to think of this as your job for now on, at least until it ends. Instead of thinking of this as a gift, think of it as a salary. Trust me on this, kiddo..."

Food was a good distraction though. "Yeah, a steak for me too" he said. "Medium please. And another beer". He folded his menu and looked up at the older man. "Any tips on how to actually win the thing?"

"Now you're getting ahead of yourself. All will be revealed in good time," Uncle Ray replied. "That is, if you're still interested. This will be life-changing, even if you don't get the big prize."

"A year, ha?" Jordan said. But still... it was a chance at something that could turn his life around. He couldn't say no to that. "I'm in, whatever it takes" he said. He could talk to his dad, he won't like it but he'll accept it. And if Uncle Ray would help make sure they don't lose the house in the meantime, that would be a big load off his shoulders. He's been losing as much sleep about money as he had about the sad state of his marriage.

He cut into his steak, which was great. It's been a while since he allowed himself to eat in a really good restaurant. Even now he was only here since he won't be footing the bill. "I feel like I owe you" he admitted once he polished off half the stake and his beer and slowed his eating to a pace that allowed actual conversation. Picking up a fry, he dipped it in ketchup and chewed thoughtfully. "though I can't for the life of me think of something I can do for you".

"You already have, kiddo," Uncle Ray replied with a wink as he dug into his main course. The waitress had brought out the rest of the food while they'd been talking.

Jordan dug in gleefully. He had something to look forward to for the first time in a long time. Conversation flowed easily between Uncle Ray and him. The older man did most of the talking, he was both chattier and had more to talk about. Jordan's mind kept revisiting the adventure ahead. It occurred to him fleetingly that he'll have to tell Meg. He couldn't exactly let her find out when she turned on the TV and saw him there. But he could worry about that later.