New York

New York – Cat Power(listen in new tab)

The sound system of the bar was cranked up. The steadily dragged thump of the bass pounded into K’s skull. He presses up against the bar, leaning over the wet polished wood surface. He's trying to get the bartender's attention. She is busy. V.I.LENIN’s is crowded for late on a Wednesday. There is a cluster of women on his left talking over the music, or trying to. One keeps bumping her elbow into his side and apologising. K is congenial, but otherwise ignores them. He knows how that goes; better to leave it be.
K's longtime friend saddles up beside him, wedging himself in on K's right. Gregory Tours is trying to give every women there just a little attention. Statistically, that night he's been often ignored.
"Listen G.T., it's too busy here."
G.T.:"Leave? I know, but you said Claire was coming."
Another nudge from the errant elbow.
K: "Don't look so hopeful."
G.T.: "C'mon."
K: "Never gonna happen."
The bartender comes, finally. Her eyes look frustrated as too many try to order. K leans far over,. Stepping up on the tarnished brass rail at his feet, holding up two fingers, he says "Fifty". She nods and he lowers himself down again.
The elbow returns with more force.
In annoyance, K turns to her. "Oh C'mon."
And he pauses.
She gave him pause.
Can dark hair glow? Must be the light. He couldn't see her eyes through the glare of her glasses.
"Sorry," they both say. The words drop from their mouths and pile together on the floor.
Her: "You're in my way." A wry smile
K shrugs. "Hey, it's crowded."
The beers come. K leaves a ten on the bar.
"Let's go find Claire, G.T." He doesn't turn his head away. Her friend taps her on her shoulder. She leans over to listen, but doesn't look away.
G.T. comes around him to hear him. "What? Shots."
K looks at his feet and rubs the back of his head with the cold bottle of beer, feels the condensation drip onto his neck.
"Claire. Find," he says.
G.T.: "Oh. Totally."