One quiet night

A quiet night at The Fish Bowl could be really boring. Maybe one or two customers enter, but without a real wish to seek fun or company. They gulp down their shots, or they sip their beers, exchange just a few words and leave. I could see them as a challenge, but sometimes I am not really in the mood. I smile, I cross and uncross my legs sitting on my stool, maybe I look at the guys with a certain intensity, but I don’t really put much effort in engaging them in conversation – or in further drinking. Those are the nights in which I could get a bit depressed, by the lack of attention, or I could have a genuine conversation with a perfect stranger.

So one quiet night a Stranger walked in. He didn’t look really remarkable: gray, short hair, even too gray for his age, a bit overweight. Thin lips, but he smiled corteously. His eyes didn’t smile accordingly, they were dark, shifty and a bit almond shaped. He looked a serious, decent fellow, possibly a businessman. He ordered his first drink and sat just beside me. I didn’t make a particular effort to attract his attention, I already noticed he was looking at my legs. I ignored him, waiting for him to start a conversation. And indeed he greeted me, he paid some nice compliments, in a very gentlemanly way. Yes, he was a gentleman, educated and kind. He treated me with respect, although it was pretty evident to him that I was working... he didn’t stay long, he said he was tired. He wished me goodnight and left.