One Minute

Chapter Seven- The Dance

You looked at me one more time before shoving your hands into your pockets, swallowing thickly. “There was no need to dress so fancy,” your jaw was clenching as you spoke.

“I-I wasn’t sure what to wear. I-I can go change if you—”

“We’re losing precious time here!” Eric called out from a couple fee ahead of us. He walked over and held his hand towards me. I looked down at it for a long time. “May I escort you Miss Montero?”

I smiled softly and took his hand before we both linked arms together. I felt special during that moment—like a princess almost. I looked at you and you kept your gaze averted from mine.

Eric snorted softly as he saw me frown and he nudged me, “He totally wants you.” He winked.

I couldn’t help but to laugh at this.

The bar looked nice—different from the one’s that I had seen. There was a huge yellow sign at the top that read:

The Hole in the Wall Arcade Restaurant

The lights were dimmed somewhat and there were a bunch of advertisements taped on the window, some for other restaurants or upcoming events, others offering services. The neon sign read open, but the door was shut. It made me wonder what was on the inside. 

From the outside of the bar, it sounded noisy and destructive. You didn’t seem to mind it—you almost seemed used to it. “Just stay by me and you’ll be fine.” You whispered in my ear, taking me away from Eric. I gulped.

“Taking away my lady?” Eric huffed.

“You’re funny,” you scoffed, smiling softly at Eric as you shook your head.

            “We’re not even old enough to go into a bar!” I yelled.

            “Oh hush—I know people. They owe me favors, lots of favors.” You looked down at me and smiled. I tried to smile back at you, but I still didn’t understand what you meant by that.

            “And what does a bar have to do with looking for Raymond exactly?” I watched a large and scary man walk into the bar. A shudder escaped me

“I know lots of people that have worked cases like this, with their knowledge we may have a clue as to where your friend may be.” Eric replied, fixing his collar. He reached into his jacket to take out a pair of dark shades before putting them on. “Anyways, on with the show.”

You snaked an arm around my shoulder and kept me close to you as we walked inside. My eyelids fluttered for a moment as I took in your sweet scent. You smelt of cologne, but I didn’t exactly know what kind it was.

Quickly, my eyes scanned the room. The building was rather spacious with its bar separated into two separate ones—one on one wall and one on the other. There were four tables towards one of the bars (the darker one) and three booths. The seats look comfortable, and the coverings to the chairs and tables were made out of black leather. The lighter bar had a stage beside it where live music played.  Both bars had bottles of different types of alcohol lined up all along the back of the counter, some more empty than others. The dark, concrete floor looked cold and the wooden walls (covered with various western photos and some of the customers themselves) and ceiling somehow gave it a barn/western feel to it. On the ceilings were multicolored lights and there was a pool table, were the usher was standing.

Once the door closed the usher turned to look at us. He wore a tattered leather vest with various patches, some Wranglers, chaps, and cowhide leather cowboy boots. He had a large, bushy moustache and he wore dark sunglasses along with a pink bandana tied around his meaty head. His voice was deep, manly, and his breath smelled like roses. “It’s best if you kids get out of here. This isn’t a type of place for runts like you.”