You pull up to your favorite bar, the 'New Point Cafe', and standing outside against the wall is a fit punk girl you've never seen around here before. She looks like she's going through it, but you think to yourself it's none of your business. You walk past her, and go into the bar. After a few minutes, the girl comes into the bar, and takes a seat a few stools down from you. You look over at her, and she returns a quick glance before looking away. After about 10 minutes, you notice she hasn't ordered, or spoken to anyone. You take another sip of liquid courage, and stand up to approach her.
I was 40 year old man. I approached her and asked her "Hey you must be new in town isnt it?"
The girl nods slowly, her expression guarded. "Yeah... just looking for some company." She pauses and then asks, "You in the gang?" Her voice is thick with suspicion.
I said with smile "No. I am retired detective now working as Gym trainer"
The girl seems to relax a bit at your answer. "Well, thanks... I'm just trying to get by. My name's Maria." She extends her hand for you to shake. You can see the tattoos underneath her sleeve - Lotus wings, marking her as an ex-Lotus Rider.
I shook her hand firmly and said "Hi. I am John. Nice to meet you Maria" Then I asked her. "Why havent you ordered the drink. What would you like to drink"
Maria looks surprised by your offer to buy her a drink. "Oh... uh, sure. I'll have a Modelo and a shot of whiskey." She glances at the door before looking back at you. "Thanks for the drink, John. You seem like an alright guy."
She takes a long sip from her beer, her expression relaxing as she does so. "So, why'd ya retire? You get old or something?"
I chuckled and said "I am not old Maria for my job. It was just because of personal issues you can say. Well I am still fit being a Gym trainer"
Maria glances at you sideways as she listens, her expression hard to read. "Well, I'm sure there's a market for fit old detectives." She takes another sip of her beer and then quickly downs the shot of whiskey before signaling for another. "So, what do you think of this place? It's not bad for a dive bar, huh?"
She leans in closer to you, her voice dropping a little. "You ever been in any real fights here?"
I said "Some of it. I usually avoid fights. You know most of the fights are due to useless reasons"
The girl lets out a harsh laugh. "Yeah... that's how it is." She pauses for a moment before continuing, her voice softer now. "I used to love the rush of fightin', you know? Now I just feel trapped and alone." A sheen of tears begins to form in her eyes as she looks away from you.
I said "Some of it. I just avoid fights . You know most of the fights are for useless reasons. Just your emotions and ego involve in it"
Maria nods slowly, her expression serious now. "I get that. I just... it's hard to let go of the past sometimes." She wipes away a tear before it can fall and takes another sip of her beer. "Anyway, thanks for listenin', ya know? Most people just treat me like some kinda criminal 'cause of where I came from."
She glances over at you, her eyes bright with determination. "
I asked her "You are from lotus wings gang if I am not wrong. I saw that tattoo on your back"
Maria looks away, her shoulders tensing. "Yeah... I was. But I'm tryin' to change that." She takes another sip of her beer and then meets your gaze head-on. "I want a new life, you know? One where people don't look at me like I'm some monster."
Her voice is firm now, as if she's finally made up her mind about something. "But it's hard, ya know? The gang took everything from me when I left...
I asked her "So you are on the run?"
Her shoulders slump and she looks away again, her expression pained. "Not exactly... I just don't have anywhere else to go. They won't let me back into the old life, and no one else seems interested in giving a former gang member like me a second chance." She takes a deep breath before continuing, determination returning to her voice. "But that doesn't mean I can't make something of myself here, you know? Maybe if more people were willing to look past the tattoos and see who I really am..."
I said while clunking my glass against her glass "Well you seem to me like alright girl"
Maria smiles, her expression genuine and grateful. "Thanks... that means a lot coming from you." She finishes off the rest of her drink in one gulp before signaling for another round. "So, what do you think of this place? I mean besides me?" She laughs softly, trying to lighten the mood again.
I said "Well I like this place. I come here regurlarly. Well not because of drink. But because of curiousity. You know meeting new people seeing dark side of society here in the bar."
The girl listens intently to your words, her expression thoughtful. "I guess I never really thought about it that way..." She takes another sip of her beer and looks around the bar more carefully. "It is a good place to find out what people are really like... You know, when they let their guard down." She pauses for a moment before continuing, her voice lowering again. "I've always been curious about people too... why they do the things they do."
She glances back at you, studying your face. "
I then asked her "Maria? Do you have any family? Or Do you have any boyfriend now?" She smirked as I asked this question
Maria's expression darkens momentarily at the mention of her family and boyfriend. "My parents were killed in a shootout when I was thirteen," she says, her voice thick with anger and grief. "And as for a boyfriend... no, not really." She shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant but failing miserably. "Guys just don't seem interested in someone like me."
She takes another sip of her beer, avoiding your gaze. "But enough about all that,"
I said "Well the thing I mentioned to you why I left my detective job is because of my wife left me with my son when I was in 30s. Never seen my son grown up for years. I am alone but I am used to it know. Last month I turned 40. Life is hard and unfair isnt it?"
"Life's a bitch sometimes," Maria agrees, her voice barely above a whisper. "But you can't let it beat you down." She pauses for a moment, considering your words carefully. "I mean, I know that's easier said than done... but if you keep moving forward, even when everything feels like crap, eventually things do get better."
She glances at the door again before returning her attention to you. "You ever think about trying to find your son?"
I said "I want to but in court we settled that I will never come near them"
Maria listens intently to your story, nodding in understanding. "Well, maybe one day things will change and you'll get the chance to see him." She pauses for a moment, considering her words carefully before continuing, "Or maybe... you could make a new life for yourself, find someone else who needs you." Her voice trails off, and she looks away uncomfortably.
She downs the rest of her drink in one gulp, signaling for another round. "So, what do you think about this town?
I said "It is safe overall but at night sometimes things pretty get tough you know"
Maria nods in agreement, taking another sip of her beer. "Yeah, I've heard that. But it's not all bad here, you know? There are good people too." She glances over at you and smiles softly. "I guess it just takes some time to find them."
Her expression turns serious again as she continues, "So, what do you think about the Lotus Riders? You've seen me with that tattoo... Do you think I deserve all the hate?"
I said "If I were to hate you then I wouldnt have come near you and offer you the drink. No. You dont deserve hate. I can see people past their appearance thanks to my time at being detective. As for Lotus Riders. Whole gang is an asshole you can agree with me"
Maria listens carefully to your words, her expression thoughtful. "Thanks... I appreciate that." She takes another sip of her beer and seems to relax a bit. "I've met some good people in this town too, you know? People who don't judge me by my past or the tattoos on my body. It gives me hope for the future."
She glances at you again, her eyes searching yours for any sign of judgment. "So, what do you think I should do now? About my past, I mean?"
I said "You can hide you tattoos. Find someone who will not judge you. Change your life and start the family as all I can say" Then I asked her "Are you interested in finding someone in your life?"
Maria considers your words carefully before responding. "I've never really thought about starting a family," she admits with a shrug. "But I guess it could be nice... to have someone who loves me for who I am, not because of what I used to be." She glances away, her expression guarded once more. "And as for finding someone..."
She pauses, taking another sip of her drink before meeting your gaze again. "I don't know... maybe someday."
I said "I am tired of being alone anyway. Wanna take walk with me outside?"
Maria hesitates for a moment, unsure of what to say. She's attracted to you, but doesn't want to get hurt again. On the other hand, your company has been comforting tonight... "Sure," she finally says, finishing off her drink in one gulp. "Lead the way."
As you step out into the cool night air, Maria takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Thanks for listening tonight," she says quietly, not meeting your eyes. "I don't usually talk about this stuff with people."
You lead her down the sidewalk, past the brightly lit bars and neon signs of the city. The air is thick with cigarette smoke and the smell of cheap booze, but there's something comforting about it all. "So," Maria says after a moment, trying to make conversation. "
She hesitates, searching for the right words. "I've never been very good at talking about myself... I mean, there's not much to tell, really." She glances at you out of the corner of her eye, nervously picking at a thread on her sleeve. "What about you? What brings an ex-cop like yourself to hang out in this dump?"
Her question catches you off guard, and you find yourself laughing as you realize how it must have sounded. "It's not a dump,"