++++++++++++++++++
The 5th chapter will follow Chris' undamped tailspin.
I am very thankful for the help of my editors Dale and LaRascasse. Any mistakes you stumble upon are to blame on me.
You guys are great. Thank you so much!
I wish you an entertaining read.
Ξ Ξ±Ξ½Ξ΄Οβ’Ξ±
++++++++++++++++++
Golf-India-Romeo-Lima - Chap. 5:
Impact
"The greatest hazard of all, losing one's self, can occur very quietly in the world, as if it were nothing at all. No other loss can occur so quietly; any other loss - an arm, a leg, five dollars, a wife, etc. - is sure to be noticed."
β SΓΈren Kierkegaard, The Sickness Unto Death
Rose and I left the cab and went down the stairs leading down to the 'Base' and slipped through the door. The girl at the cash point scowled at my greeting for a Merry Christmas and grinned broadly as I introduced Rose as a VIP.
Rose received the obligatory stamp on her wrist which would let her pass freely now. If she would show up under black light the ink would fluoresce and she would be recognized for having paid the admission.
We went to the bar where I took my place behind it. Richy welcomed me by pecking my cheek and was happy about the cookies I took with me.
"Merry Christmas, Chris. I didn't know you can do cookies," he grinned.
"There's not much a woman can't do for the ones she likes," I gave him a hug. "Merry Christmas, Richy."
I turned to Rose: "This is Richy. If I'd be ever able to condone his liability for dry ironies, I might discover that he's the best friend one can imagine."
I thought about how to introduce Rose. "This is Rose. The Valkyrie heaven sent to fight the dark waves of Christmas-loneliness which were about to throw me into the abyss of infinite despair," I gave it a try.
Rose shook her head, rolling her eyes and then smiled at him: "Does it also come to your mind sometimes that Chris is kinda nuts?"
Richy did not smile back, just shrugged and gave one of his dry replies: "Nope, it had occurred only once. But for all times. Nice to meet you, Rose. What would you like to have?"
She showed a nice ironic smile around the edges of her mouth and had a deep look at him: "Prosecco extra dry. I don't know why but right now I feel like something dry."
Richy grinned and went to get her a drink. I could not help myself from giggling and got busy taking some orders from other guests. The club was well attended and everything indicated we would have a nice evening ahead.
Rose was everything but a wallflower and was having a good time. She danced or had a chat with Richy or me whenever it was a bit calmer around the bar. As I was cleaning glasses in between and Rose had gone to dance Richy suddenly stood behind me.
"Who is she?" he asked trying so hard in not appearing interested at all that I burst out with loud laughter.
"You're a pain in my ass," he frowned.
I dried my hands and embraced his neck. "And in spite of it you like me. Or is that why? I don't care as long as it is that way. Thank you for being the wonderful friend, that you are." I pecked his cheek. "So what exactly do you want to know?"
He frowned again: "Nah, just curious. I haven't seen her around here before."
I told him where she lived and how I got to knew her. I told him that she was cool. Not the chichi kind of cool. That she was really laid back and cool in the basic concept.
"I got it Chris," Richy scratched his nape. "I just wonder why the coolest chicks tend to be queer," he shrugged and went off to tend to open orders.
I did the same serving some guests with a broad grin and thought about how queer Rose might really be? Indeed, I had no idea but I got curious myself. Probably there would be a way to find out.
Right now the work kept me busy and it was hard to find a moment to chill with Rose. Even harder as Richy took his turn chilling with her and it became pretty obvious to me that he had a slight crush on her.
I was just not certain whether she was just coquetting or had an eye on him too, but she was around the bar more often as she ordered a drink and did not hide much that it was not only because of me. Eventually she flipped her lashes at him quite intriguingly. I decided to have a talk to her later as I was really curious what this was really about.
Some hours later Rose and I sat in the rear of a cab on our way home.
"Did you enjoy the eve?" I wanted to know.
"Yes, a lot. It was really a nice party. I like this club."
"Great. So you won't mind hanging around there tomorrow once more? I'll have to work again tomorrow, that's why."
"No, not at all. I would propose to go there even if you would not work," she admitted twinkling.
"Oh really, why is this?" I grinned
"Because it's a cool club, good music, interesting people and... nice staff," she grinned back.