Stone Men In Water Street

[Bjorn]

"Unless you got emailed something worth discussing," Bjorn shrugs.  "On the other hand, we could go to Coreena's now, and hope Victor shows up early.  At the very least, that'll be cheaper."

[Rezantis]

Rez nods, waves to the owner, and heads out the door.

"Not a great deal interesting, really . . . " Rez continues once they're outside, "but . . . ehh. Do you really want to hit the bar this early? Victor's probably going to be punctual, there's got to be SOMETHING to do around here."

[Bjorn]

Reflexively glancing up and down the street, Bjorn replies, "Unless you have a pressing interest in the history of American racial relations, nothing springs to mind.  Besides, we need to conserve money -- especially if we have to avoid using credit cards.  So, like I said, unless you have an idea of something to do...  We can find Coreena's, scout out the area, maybe get dinner, and then set ourselves up at the bar."

[Rezantis]

"Fair enough, I guess."

No more UT for Rez.

;_;

[Bjorn]

Bjorn leads the way back to the bus stop, with the eventual goal of finding Coreena's.

[Brian]

Coreena's is relatively easy to find.  It's pretty close to the airport, though according to the sign, it doesn't open until after sunset.

Which is still about three hours off.

[Bjorn]

"Christ," Bjorn sighs, "we're just not getting any breaks, are we?"  He shrugs.  "Let's wander the neighbourhood.  If we something interesting, then great.  If we don't, at least we'll be killing time.  Maybe we can find a good restaurant or something, have a good dinner.  We'll come back when this place opens."

[Rezantis]

Rez nods, then perks up.

"Second-hand bookshop!  There's GOT to be one or two around somewhere!"

[Brian]

There is a handful of resturaunts, but largely, the area around the airport actually seems pretty deserted.  There is a bookstore, but it's not second hand.

[Rezantis]

Rez goes straight into the bookstore and starts perusing.

This is liable to kill at least an hour or two, unless Bjorn drags him out by the ear . . .

[Bjorn]

Cursing his own weakness, Bjorn loses himself in the bookstore's history section, occasionally checking the time.  When it gets around time for Coreena's to open, he promises himself, he'll leave.  Really.

[Brian]

Sometime after dark, you're pried away from your respective distractions by a somewhat annoyed clerk, and told to buy something, or get out.  Realizing the time, you quickly make your way to Coreena's.

The bar is open, and there are a handful of people around.

You'd expect, with the 'not until sunset' opening hour that this place would be somewhat gothy ... and the decor is.  Most of the furniture is dark, the walls are lined with black velvet (or reasonable imitation) curtains, the bar itself has a padded (black) leather rail.

The tables are all swathed in dark tablecloths, candles burn low at all of them (even those that are not booths), and the mirror is oddly backlit with ultraviolet lighting, making it nearly impossible to make out your own reflection from across the room.

The barkeeper is a spindly, pale man with very thinning hair and possibly too-large eyes who eyes you mistrustfully.

There's not a television, dartboart, or arcade machine in sight, and there are no windows.  Traces of cigarette or pipe-smoke hang in the air, glowing ominously in the UV lighting over the bar.

The rest of the patrons, however, just look like your standard after-sunset bar-crowd, if more subdued.

[Bjorn]

"What," Bjorn pronounces, under his breath, "a fucking stereotype."  He shakes his head.  "I woulda hoped Victor had better taste.  Oh, well.  Go grab us a table."  

Without waiting for Rez' reply, Bjorn heads off to the bar to order drinks, looking about for a clock at the same time.  How long til Victor shows, anyways?

[Brian]

You think he said ten, and it's only eight or so.

After you have found yourselves a seat at one of the booths (there is an empty corner, surprisingly) you are attended by a waitress.  She's wearing a lot of lace, a scandalously short leather (green) mini-skirt, and a green-and-white lace bustier.

She eyes you dourly, and asks, "What'll it be, gents?"

[Bjorn]

Bjorn closes his eyes, and then smiles faintly at the waitress.  "What do you have on tap?"