On his way back to the bar, Mark saw his previous stool was free. Crawling onto it again, he stared at his reflection in the mirror, observing a glass spiderweb overlaying his face. He laughed for no one, then raised his hand, beckoning the bartender. She smiled back. Steepling fingers in front of his chin, he listened to the hypnotic music. Quieter here. Safer.
The bartender came over with an expectant gaze. Her torn-off crop top showed her belly button ring.
“Bourbon, double-neat,” said Mark. She shook her head. He leaned forward and tried again. She understood him on the third try.
Settling back into his seat, Mark saw someone’s hands on the bar next to him. Startled, he looked over and saw the dancer. She was wearing her green bikini again, and she was smiling at him. He smiled in return; it felt drawn.
“How’s it going?” Her voice carried over the music with apparent ease.
“Pretty good, and you?” She shook her head and leaned in. He yelled, “Pretty good!”
“Great!” She waved at the bartender, one finger extended. The bartender nodded.
“I haven’t seen you here before,” she said.
“My first time.”
“Do you like it?”
“Um, yeah! It’s great!”
She laughed, then said, “You liked it when I shook my boobies at you.” The bartender set a drink down in front of the dancer, a straight-walled tumbler filled with clear liquid.
“I saw you smile.”
“Well, um, yeah. That was pretty cool.”
She grinned and said, “My name is Natalie, by the way.”
“Mark.”
“Nice to meet you, Mark.”
A man came from behind Mark and stood by Natalie. He put a long fur coat around her and briefly massaged her shoulders. Natalie took a drink, and Mark watched. The man kissed her on the neck and went outside.
“Well, Mark, I’m off.” With her thumb, she pointed toward the doors. “My husband’s ready to leave.” She smiled, then hopped down, following the man. Her drink was left unfinished.
The song paused, and the DJ’s voice came over the speakers. Mark wondered what Natalie had been drinking.
