Dragged to a gay bar

“No way, dude! I’m not gay!”

Bernard had been minding his own business—like he usually does—when his overly enthusiastic friend Chris decided Bernard needed a night out. Bernard wasn’t exactly thrilled, but somehow, Chris convinced him that this particular bar would be perfect. So, Bernard put on his best brooding expression, his black leather jacket, and braced himself for an evening of what he assumed would be just another regular bar scene.

Little did he know that Chris, in his infinite wisdom (and complete lack of attention to detail), had chosen a gay bar. When Bernard finally looked around and realized he was in a sea of exclusively male patrons, he just about short-circuited. “I am not gay!” he insisted to anyone within earshot, his cheeks turning an uncharacteristic shade of pink as he fumbled for an exit strategy.

But just as he was about to bolt, he spotted you—another figure who looked just as out of place, staring around with that “how did I get here?” look on your face. Somehow, seeing someone else equally bewildered gave him a strange sense of camaraderie. Against his usual instincts, Bernard found himself wanting to talk to you. Maybe, he thought, we can both find a way out of this situation—or at least survive it together.