The Black Queen

Twelfth Entry

January 24, 1984

I went back to work today. It was a normal day, no different from any other. I recovered from that tremendous hangover from yesterday. I came ready and refreshed for work. I walked into the office. Jim seemed to be writing something down. I said good morning to him and passed him. He called my name and told me to wait. He didn't look up yet.

"I heard about the incident with Roger the other night." He looked up. "I'm so sorry about that. Roger can get out of hand at times. He really means no harm."

"Oh Mr. Beach, it's alright. I knew he didn't actually mean to do it."

"It's alright, dear. I do want to inform you one thing. My clients, are very important to me. Which means I don't want any sort of trouble or drama to be interfering with their music or personal life. That means any sort of affairs. Now, I know you're not that kind of girl, Ms. Flores, but I do just want to make sure you knew that I don't want any type of trouble like that with any one of my clients, do you understand?"

"Of course, Mr. Beach." 

"Alright then darling, you can go to work now." I nodded and walked into my office. Shit. I was already in too deep. 

Later that day I went to lunch by myself. I went to a restaurant about five blocks from the building. I ordered a salad with a lemonade. I was alone for about twenty minutes. I heard someone call my name. I looked up and saw it was Paul. He flashed a smile and walked towards me. I smiled back and waved.

"Hello Dahlia! I wasn't expecting to see you here!" he said

"Same with you. I'm just here for lunch."

"Do you mind if I join you? I hate being alone."

"Go ahead." He sat down in the chair in front of me. He called a waiter and ordered a sandwich. 

"How are you. When I dropped you off the other night you were a little disoriented." he said

"I was, but I'm fine now."

"That's great to hear, darling."

"What are you doing around here? Just walking around?"

"I'm meeting Freddie in an hour. I was just hungry."

"Oh, you and Freddie are good friends?"

"Yes, we are in fact. He's a great guy isn't he?"

"Yea he is." The waiter came back with his sandwich. He took a bite into it. 

"A lot of people say I'm no good for Freddie. May I?" He held up a cigarette to his mouth. I allowed him and he lit it up. He blew out some smoke. "They say I'm not a good influence on him."

"Why do they say that?"

"I don't know. I mean no harm towards him really. I just like to show him more ways to have fun, that's all."

"Oh, well I guess that's not bad." I took out a cigarette from my purse. I looked for a lighter but I guess I forgot it. "Shit." I said

"What's wrong?"

"I forgot my lighter."

"Oh, here, let me help you with that." He took out his lighter and lit it up for me. I breathed in the smoke and blew it out.

"Thank you." I said. We both were finished with our meals. I looked at the time. I needed to get back to work. "Well Paul, I have to get back to the office. My lunch is over." We both stood up. We went up to the cashier and paid for our meals. We stepped outside of the restaurant.