UNDER A TIARA OF SMOKE RINGS

The consummate French bar tender pours the well-heeled Englishman his drink. He knew right away; saw it in his customer’s eyes. Always a giveaway. Discreetly he says bugger all. Keeps it to himself. A reliance on ‘tips’ ensures tact.

Under a tiara of smoke rings, the racy girl perched delightfully upon a bar stool. Nonchalant and available. Her chosen expression, gently lascivious. She is sipping cognac. Her only concern, affordability. Being all too well of the patron at large hovering this way and that, she meticulously follows his path.  Only when he’s out of sight will she make her move.

Against a backdrop of floodlit, half-naked dancing girls who she largely ignores; then again, largely appreciates. Such is the way of night life in Paris.

The Englishman spots her before she does him. He orders her another drink, whether she wants it or not. A mere gesture. The Frenchman behind the bar hands it to her, glances down the counter, an affirmative nod, says all that needs to be said.

Surreptitious eye contact, a subliminal yet prudent exchange as she idly sizes up his watch brand. A tasty Rolex. His attire, a Saville Row number, ‘That’ll do nicely,’ her random thought. She estimates his monetary worth. He meets her approval. A bargain is struck with hardly a word passing between one another. After all, an English gentleman never haggles. Une dame de la nuit; Elle connaît bien sa valeur

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Should it be of interest, my new book is available across the globe via AMAZON. It’s for free on KINDLE UNLIMITED, alternatively just a nominal price on regular KINDLE or, if the PAPERBACK takes your fancy, a mere, $8.99 in the USA and £7.99 in the UK or equivalent outside of these nations. You can access the USA link to the book by clicking the picture below. If you are not from either of these countries, simply link up with your appropriate Amazon. All the best, Mike

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