Issues

Chrome

"Don't get in any fights tonight, have a meltdown, get too drunk, or take some skank home with you tonight okay Emily? You have a big day tomorrow. I only say this to you because you know I love you and have your back" said Hanna over the phone. Sighing loudly I replied, "Yes Han I know. That's why you're the best. I promise I won't do any of those things. I'll just have a drink at this new bar okay? I'll be awake and ready for you by 6:30". Even though Hanna could come across as a little rough sometimes, it's what I need. As my assistant, she knows me better than most people. She knows my weaknesses, my triggers, and my behavioral patterns. That's why she's okay with me going to this new bar. I don't do well when I'm alone. My mind needs the stimulation. Darkness and silence breaks me. That's why I'm hardly ever home, alone, and sober at night. An endless flow of alcohol and easy women fill the void so I don't have to look at myself, my actions, and my choices.

I hail a taxi and sit silently in the back seat in my dark denim pants, ankle boots, cream lace shirt, and my hair slicked back in a tight bun. Within 30 minutes, I arrive at the new bar. I hand the taxi driver a $100 bill and tell him, "Keep the change. Buy your wife some roses. Tell her you love her". Stepping out of the cab, my eyes are instantly drawn to the entrance to the bar. Very sleek, shiny, and obviously brand new. Simply lit above the doorway is the word Chrome. I swing open the front door, step inside, and take in my surroundings. The interior of the bar is very minimalistic. Black and chrome are the only colors in the place. Slowly walking through, I grab a quick drink at the shiny bar top. "Scotch. Make it a double" I say to the bartender. Raising his eyebrows he says, "Alrighty then. Coming right up". As I look around, there aren't too many people here yet. There's a few young business men loudly laughing at a table, two old guys in a booth, two chicks at the bar, and a few other random people. I eye an empty booth in the very back of the bar because it has the best view of the entire place. Sitting down, I take a sip and then process all the things happening around me. The place smells clean and like new metal. The lighting is dim and casts the perfect balance of mystery, intimacy, and intrigue upon each person's face. The music is soft yet loud enough that you can clearly recognize what's playing. My my, is that Sinatra I hear? So obviously the owners are going for a modernized touch with a hint of old timey New York. Sitting back in my seat, I take a deep breath and slowly sip at my glass of scotch. I like this place. I feel calm when I'm here. I like people watching too. No one seems to recognize me, so that's a major plus.

I've been sitting here completely uninterrupted for a few hours now. I've been people watching and conjuring up their life stories and current situation. I'm amusing myself with stories of lost loves finally reuniting, coworkers stepping out of the friend zone, old men sharing war stories, and countless other nonsensical imaginative stories. I begin to think about what I would give to be one of these people right now. My daydream is cut short by a new customer that just walked through the front door. I sit up in my seat, eagerly watching and waiting to begin my storytelling process with this new customer. She's of average height, maybe a couple inches shorter than me. She's blonde, average weight and proportional curves, and has a heart shaped face. Even from all the way back here and in the dim lighting, I can see her most prominent feature... her eyes. They're blue. Not just any sort of blue either. They're... almost indescribable. Her gait is very smoothe and even. Her hair is up in a tight bun, just like mine. She's wearing a simple black dress that cinches at the waist and flows outward. Her makeup is very natural and minimal. That's okay though cause she clearly doesn't need it. She picks an empty seat away from everyone at the bar and orders a glass of red wine. By now, she's unknowingly caught the attention of every younger man in the bar. "Impressive" I whisper to myself. She's not even trying and she's completely unaware of the effortless draw to her. My eyes return to this woman only to see her periodically staring off at nothing, sipping her glass, and mindlessly running her finger around the rim of the glass. I can see various men whispering and point at her as if they're building up the courage to go talk to her. The most attractive young business man in the bar is the first to make the move. Resting back in my seat again, I wait to see how she's going to react to this potential romantic prospect. Coyly stepping up to the bar a few steps from her, he orders a drink. While waiting, he begins to talk to her all the while flashing an admittedly sexy and charming smile. Much to my surprise, she politely smiles, says a few words to him, and turns back to focusing on her glass of wine. With a look of utter shock on his face, the attractive man politely says goodbye and returns to his buddies, completely confused, and obviously not used to being rejected.

"Oh damnnn.... she flat out rejected him. That was unexpected" I say to myself. I can immediately feel myself becoming more and more intrigued by this woman. Time and time again, various men try their hand at attempting to win her over. Time and time again, she politely rejects them and returns to nursing her glass of wine. Maybe she's gay, I think to myself. The mere thought of that sends a sudden tingle through me.

The usual Emily would have instantly stood up at that thought and had my hand at trying to get in this woman's pants. Cause let's face it, it's never been a challenge for me. I can pick up a woman at the drop of a hat, take her back to my place, and have my way with her. Maybe it's the bar, the mood, the tranquil state I was currently in, or Hanna in the back of my mind reminding me to not pick up some random girl, but I just sat there and watched this appealing and unassuming blonde. After a few minutes I decide to get up to go talk to her in a purely friendly sort of way. Just as I get up from my seat, the blonde looks at her phone, downs the rest of her glass, leaves some money at the bar top, and heads for the door. Crap, I better hurry after her before she leaves. I quickly force my way through the room completely ignoring the few people saying, "Hey, wait a minute. Isn't that?" and I'm instead stopped in my tracks by the first man that approached the mysterious blonde. "Hey girl. What's a pretty thing like you doing leaving a bar alone" he says drunkenly smiling, grabbing my waist, and pulling me close to him. "Don't touch me" I angrily say while quickly weaseling myself from his clutches. My eyes dart for the door. Damnit, she's gone. Bursting through the door to the outside street, I scan both directions looking for any sign of her.  I quickly spot her ducking her head into a cab and riding off into the bustling New York street.

"So close" I whisper to myself.