Here's the situation thus far. HBasian (a definite 8.5) and I went to high school together and partied in the same social circle. Went to different colleges, she got married, divorced, and moved to Chicago. Hadn't seen or heard from her in years until my buddy and I decided to "get the band back together" while everyone was home for Thanksgiving.

Made small talk before, and I must admit I stepped in it a few times, but don't think it killed me. For example, when we where waiting for drinks...

Gypsy: Are you staying at your mom's?
HBasian: I haven't spoken to my mom in four years...so no.
Gypsy: Ok, let's get you a drink! (this got a smile and a laugh)

I found out she has a second job as a bartender, so I neg'd her about her best shots. I was also able to neg her on her college, which has an intense rivalry with mine...in fact, there was mutual negging on this subject (which could be chalked up to the rivalry, and not necessarily interest)

The rivalry was a very useful tool. It helped me gain acceptance from her sorority sister (who'd I'd never met, but ended up inviting me to a dinner at her house the next night...and sorority sis's fiance, the resident AMOG, who was an alum of my school...instant approval)

Our group of friends was never smaller than 4 when we were around each other, but I managed to # close before we left the first bar. I was passive about DHV, I knew that would come up once she asked what I did.

HBasian: Do you live here? What are you doing now?
Gypsy: I'm a butler in Las Vegas.
HBasian: OMG! Do you see any celebrities?
Gypsy: (nonchalantly, as I had intentionally turned toward a TV, pretending to be uninterested) Hm? Oh, yeah, a few.
HBasian: Like who?
Gypsy: (run of a list of names that would pique her interest...actresses, singers, athletes, etc) ...but I don't generally like celebs. They're all high maintenance and don't tip.

I let this simmer for a bit while I played it cool for a while...then she said she was coming to Vegas for New Year's with "about 10 girls" and asked where would be good. I told her I would make some calls and see what's what, and see if I could swing any deals. Then I number closed.

I know I was dangling a carrot, but this seemed like a natural point to get her number. Remember, I was sarging her in the middle of a group of mutual friends.

At the next bar, there was a little kino, I did the "high 5 to high 1" routine I read about here (sorry, forget who came up with it.) and some dancing. We took turns buying rounds, she bought Buttery Nipples and I neg'd her on choosing a common shot. I DHV'd a bit by ordering unique shots that I've perfected over time, but are virtually unknown...then I neg'd her on being a bartender and not knowing them. She counterneg'd by calling me an alcoholic, but in a playful way. I reminded her the first times I got drunk was at her house parties...would that be anchoring? Creating comfort? I'm a bit unsure.

I got a little drunker than I anticipated. No chance of f-closing that night, I was staying in my parent's guest room and she was on her best guy friends couch.

Next day was Black friday...she was shopping and we didn't meet up, but some texting kept me involved. I neg'd on the rivalry game that was the next day, but no real contact.

Next day, she comes over to my friend's house to watch the game, truly I was so focused on the football game that I didn't truly game her. One good line was this...

Gypsy: Do you want a Boulevard Wheat? (it's a popular beer only sold in KC)
HBasian: Oh, you have Blvd? Sweet! Yes!
Gypsy: Someone once told me "you're in KC, you have to drink Blvd!" (she had said this to me at the first bar, after she discovered I was drinking a different beer...she instantly remembered and I got a smile and laugh.) Another good neg was this...

HBasian: I need to get a hair cut.
Other friend: Are you getting it cut here?
HBasian: In Kansas City? No.
Gypsy: Oh, look who is too good to get her hair cut in backwards KC! Who's your expensive stylist in Chicago? (everyone laughed and joined in...then she started qualifying herself by saying she get's her hair done at great clips, blah blah.)

The rest of the afternoon was mostly small talk. Again, I felt uncomfortable trying to get her alone with our friends there, but I told her the info I'd gotten from my contacts in vegas and helped plot her holiday.

That night, we met her and her guy friend at another bar, but she was holding court with her sorority sisters. I had a female friend of mine meet us, and there was a perceptive shift in HBasian's attitude. Not much chance to game, but she did initiate kino a bit when leaving, she kind of rubbed my back and asked if we were going to a dance club they were going to. Played it cool, but of course I was going.

At the club, luck was on my side. I ended up accidently DHVing by wandering into the VIP area while looking for everyone. When I found them, I was in VIP like as if to say "why aren't you all up here? Nevermind, I'll come slum it on the dance floor." The music didn't really help, mostly house music that isn't great for kino.

As we left, she gave me a hug and asked if I was coming home for x-mas. I replied no, but reminded her I would send her the info about her Vegas trip. A k-close would have been a bit awkward, and with her plane leaving four hours from that point, f-close was again out of the question.

My question is...where to go from here? In Las Vegas, she will be on my turf (talk about a location change!) and I have the added advantage of it being a "loose morals environment" and a major party holiday. Since she is traveling with all girls, it will be no problem getting her on guest lists at no cost to me (but she doesn't have to know it's that easy).

What now? I have her number and myspace...a plan for future encounters...how do I sarge this one?

By the way...all the game I ran on her with the exception of a few things came naturally...I was kind of getting lucky with a lot of it. I need to get more comfortable "being in the game" and not "pulling it out of my ass." I guess I have a couple weeks to work on that, huh?

LV Gypsy