Who Stole Vincent's Starry Night?

Franco's Runaway Child

Josefina led them down a few blocks, taking some corners, that finally ended up leading them to a nearby park in the shape of a square. Around the park were a couple of houses, a few small restaurants and a bar. The sound of the conversations floating in the air seemed to be swallowed by the trees from the park and bounce back to the streets in the form of a leisurely echo making it difficult to recognize the direction of where the voices came from. It was a pleasant view with a few of the restaurants' tables located on the streets with gentle candlelight as delicate tides of wine pass through the mouth of the customers.

"This is one of my favorite spots in the city. Not many people know of it, only the locals of the area. Is a haven from this gargantuan monster we call a city."

"Do you also live around here?"

"No, but some time ago a date brought me here. The best thing I got out of that. That's the bar!"

She pointed to a lit-up sign with a mermaid in a green tail wearing a cowboy hat. Light pink letters read, "Sirena's". Although the name of the place would make one think of some tropical topic or architecture to it, it was all the opposite. The place looked more like a lodge as the exterior structure had parts built out of red oak, and the roof was triangle shaped. After passing the main entrance one was greeted by western saloon doors. It was the juxtaposition of the outside scenery and the inside that gave this place a touch of uniqueness.

Josefina led Vincent to the bar counter, which ran from half of the place all the way to the back wall with an exit that seemed to lead to a hallway from where the bartender would walk to the storage room. The counter was laid out on a dark chocolate almost maroon oak. An isle of fake oil lamps hanged from the roof emitting a cozy luminosity, on the back wall were shelves filled with liquor bottles and a mirror in the middle with the cash register beneath it. Wooden stools with leather cushions welcomed the guests next to the counter, on the side by the entrance, was a jukebox. Two men in their working suits appeared to be having a drink at the opposite end. One, was quick to catch Josefina and have a good look at her while enjoying his whisky, before his companion gave him a nudge with the elbow to feign some decency. The man replied with a mug to Vincent (this one didn't even notice) letting him know what he thought of having such woman in his company. There was no one tending the counter for the moment.

It was when they took a seat by the stools net to the juke box that a short man in black attire, red tie, white apron, with gray hair and thick mustache came out the back hall. On the part line of his hair ran a stripe of white hair, he had bushy eyebrows and small black almond shaped eyes, the same pair of eyes that opened widely when seeing Josefina at the counter.

"Josefina! Such a pleasure to see you here. To what do I deserve the honor?"

"Hello Don Hector!" she greeted back with a smile, "I was nearby visiting a friend and opted to bring him to meet the place. This is Vincent, and this is Don Hector. He is the owner of the bar."

"Nice to meet you Mr. Vincent. Welcome! You in company of one of my favorite customers. Although, I do have a bone to pick with her. It seems she met my nephew a few weeks back."

"Such a fine young man he is! Quite the gentleman, I must say."

"Or quite the fool for brunettes. I heard a story he was rob at gun point just a few weeks back by a tall brunette girl with curls. Only problem there was no gun, only a sharp tongue."

"Oh, those can be a handful. Did she by any chance rob a champagne bottle?"

"And a few glasses of our finest cabernet."

"Oh my, and what might his punishment be?"

"It was taken out from his salary and tips. And I made sure to not let him work late night shifts for a while. Serves him right, but better to have learned his lesson now."