Chapter 2 Part IV
The Drunken Yankee had been a lot of things over the years, but two things it never was, was Euro-friendly, and safe.
More bar than club, it was where the American crowd went to enjoy a show or two, and despite the name, Stiel Granate was thoroughly American, a male-female couple that programmed and sang respectively. Harsh electronic tones, a lot of people thought they should have been bigger. Personally I was happy to keep them here in these shitty bars playing for 'kami and blue collar workers alike. Say what you would about the Eurotrash and the Kuuru, at least they brought a little musical style over with them.
The show was about as good as I remembered. Crowds jumping in time to the music, that mingled smell of body odor and chemicals from glow sticks that twirled through the air. It wasn't a rave, and it wasn't a rock show.
Maybe something in between?
The neon green bars clenched in hands across the room formed waves as the music bounced. I bounced with it, I didn't have a glow-stick, but that was only because I couldn't afford it. Just getting into the show was literally the last money I had saved up. Food money, utilities, rent, that sort of thing.
With another instrumental flourish, my attention was brought back to the Drunken Yankee, a flop establishment if there ever was one and as the name implied, full of America's “good ol boys” the guys who sweated away the hours in the tool shops that dotted this region, almost as common as the cash advance buildings that garishly advertised their presence, like neon-lit parasites.
This bar, and the others like it in this part of town, were like little Americana museums of their own, as American as Mickey Mouse, but with a smile tainted by rust and decay.
Despite all that, I was in a place I wouldn't trade, between Serpent and Ex on a dance floor full of what was left of an American crowd, gathered like the orphan children of history. I couldn't help but imagine the envious looks I must be getting, a guy like me bringing two attractive girls, and 'kami to boot. Shallow? Sure. But I wasn't above shallow.
“God damn man, it feels good to cut loose!” Serpent shouted at me as the set ended and the crowd dispersed before the next act took the stage. I smiled back at her and then beamed at Ex for good measure. The night (or was it early morning?) was passing by like lights from a train window. I was catching fleeting glimpses of the fun I was having, but perhaps not quite understanding. What started as a harmless enough visitation, arguably a date, had turned into a jubilant celebration of our past as a group of friends. Laughter dropped like chemical weapons in a war zone.
“When was the last time we did something like that?” Ex laughed. I couldn't help but grin back like a wind up monkey.
“Last time I went out at all was with Howie,” Serpent said, that hint of sadness the only intruder in the moment.
We migrated to the back of the club as the next band up took the stage. I was surprised Serpent came with us, the following band looked more her speed, a Trad-goth outfit, the usual grinding guitars and steady bass and above all the mournful vocals.
Not such a big scene as it was when I was in high school, the “back to black” movement Ex mockingly called it. That post-fall depression was starting to simmer into something more like resentment.
“Having fun Ex?” I asked.
Ex beamed at me and made my heart leap again. “Oh yeah, I can't remember feeling this alive in a long time.”
“Are we gonna talk about the case at all?” Serpent asked.
I gave her a blank look and my porcelain smile wavered.
“Oh yeah, did you want to do another briefing?” Ex asked me, her joy replaced with concern.
I sat back in my chair and studied the bottom edge of the table briefly. “Nah, I don't think we need to do that.” I said it through lightly clenched teeth before regaining my composure and looking at Serpent's black-ringed eyes. “Don't see the point in reporting on something till there's something to report. Right?” I hoped Serpent would drop it.
“Guess not.” She said and glowered back coldly.
Fine. Serpent wanted to play that game she could. Just because I decided to look into this whole thing didn't mean it was going to consume me the way it had her.
“Doesn't have to be all we talk about huh? Why not just have a good time?” I gave her a weak smile and then gave a carbon copy of it to Ex.
“Kinda hard to enjoy myself when Howie's cooling off in a freezer in city morgue,” Serpent said, crossing her arms.
I looked away from her and back at Ex who was clearly uncomfortable with the whole exchange.
Hot rage flooded my thoughts. Serp, you frigid bitch, can't you be happy if anyone else isn't smoldering like you?
I expected Serpent to storm off then. Although we were friends she had always sat on a hairline trigger, for as long as I had known her. She didn't move, just studied me blankly from those coal pit eyes.
“I've gotta piss,” I muttered and stood up quickly. The darkened lights hopefully hid my displeasure from Ex. I left them quickly, knowing that both of us could cool down in the few moments we had alone. I would have rather she not be there at all. But, best to ease into this date easily, I was new to this whole thing, and giddy with anticipation.
I wasn't thinking as I stepped into the bathroom.