He sat at this same bar again, like he did last week. Same drink. Same look of defeat. He stayed at the same motel- different room this time. Oddly enough he recognized a few faces, especially the one that tried to fight him and the one who cost him forty bucks just to tell him he had no clue to what he was looking for. Glanced at the woman leaning on the other end of the bar, she had been there the whole time, unlike his last visit where she seemed to be in and out by herself, or with one of the other two women who seemed to be main stays, either to another part of the bar, or from the bar completely, he'd long deduced she was a prostitute and he made sure to look like he wasn't interested nor had anything for her. It must've been a slow night as her presence was uninterrupted.
"Great," he thought, "here she comes."
"Hi."
He looked at her, she looked like a porn star or stripper past her prime. She had never ventured this close to him, he couldn't think of any time he saw her even close to one of them dim lights. He could see the stress on her face, yet life in her eyes, with a smile that was oddly warm in an honest way.
"Hey."
"Welcome back."
He looked her up and down; jean skirt, t-shirt with the bottom half cut off showing a stomach that looked like it used to be toned and legs that look like they spent a long time walking and standing in heels at one time.
"See something you like," she smirked.
"Oh, umm... sorry about that," he quickly looked her in the eye.
"Don't be... it's not like I'm not used to it. I'm Mandy," she held out her hand.
"Danny," he shook her hand.
"Nice to finally meet you."
"You say that like you were looking forward to it,"
"Well... a place like this, where it is, most of the girls are on the menu so to speak. I just figured you were nervous and you looked like you were going through something. I wanted to get to you before one of the others-"
"The competition that serious here?"
"No," she gave a light chuckle, "there's some that'll
really
take advantage of a guy and like prey on his emotions. I wanted to talk to you but you left and I never saw you again."
"And you don't do that?"
"Call me a hooker with a soul, I've done my dirt and learned sometimes messing with the wrong one is the right one to give you a bad time."
"So you're here to give me a good time? I'm not really into this kinda thing."
"Yeah, yeah, you're young and get all the bitches," she rolled her eyes.
"I'm not really into that either."
"I don't know what you're going through, you look as miserable as you did last week. A little relief couldn't hurt, something to get your mind off your problems, just for a little bit, huh? Couldn't hurt," she nudged him.
"Slow night?"
Mandy scoffed. He didn't think she was too terrible looking.
"I'm just saying a good release can do wonders."
"I'm just not that interested," he ordered another drink.
"Am I
too
old for you?"
"Aren't I too young for you?"
"No you- how old are you?"
"Twenty-eight. And you don't look that old."
"Not too young for me at all."
"Yeah? How old are you?"
"Young man, don't you know you're not supposed to ask a lady her age?"
"That old, huh?"
She looked at him incredulously and he almost laughed.
"Ya know, I can show you a few things and manners are one of them."
"Not helping your case."
"I'm forty-three."
"Ah."
"So?"
"That's not that old. But still."
"So I'm too ugly, or not your type?"
"Ehh... I wouldn't say ugly and you're pretty sexy."
"Come on, let's make something happen!"
"I'm still not that interested."
"Danny, Danny, Danny," she whined.
"Mandy, Mandy, Mandy."
"You're young and probably don't have that much money, is that it? I haven't even told you my rates."
"I'm sure you'll give me the pitch."
"I can work with you, if you don't have any money, I'm flexible like that- in other ways too."
"Money's not an issue."
"
Sure
it isn't, that's why you're in this hood," she teased.
"I'm not here because it's cheap, I'm here because I was told it was a good start to find what I'm looking for."
"Maybe I can help."
"I doubt that."
"I've lived here a few years, I know people, I can show you around."
"You really are trying, huh?"
"I'm being serious!"
"Why would you help me?"
"You look like you could use a break or something... and I think you're kinds cute."
"Like every other guy is cute."
"No, most of these guys; I can see why they're paying for it. Whew, some make me want to quit."
"Then why don't you?"
"I can't. There's nothing out there for me and it's not like I can retire and collect a 401K."
"How long do you think you can do this?"
"How long I think I can and how long I'll have to are two different things. I don't really like doing this, there's something I want to do once I get enough money together."
"And you want my donation to aid in your venture?"
"What would it take, Danny, c'mon talk to me."
"Not tonight, I gotta stay focused."
"So raincheck? Yeah? You promise?"
"Sure, I promise."
"Awesome. How's about you buy me a drink to seal the deal?"
"Really?"
"Think of it as a down payment for pussy. I do make good company and it's reason to keep me here."
"Who said I wanted you here?"
"I can see it in your face, you're enjoying this conversation."
"You are the best person I've dealt with in this hole."
"I knew you'd understand," she smiled that smile again, "yo Kev, rum and coke, he got it."
The man nodded and went to make her drink.
"So what do you wanna do that's worth doing...
this
for?"
"Something well worth it."
"What is it?"
"That's a private matter."
"Hey, I bought you a drink, so it's part of the deal."
"What? Since when?"
