_OceanofPDF.com_Dance_Dance_Dance_-_Haruki_Murakami

her station at the front desk. Charming, if a little insecure.
I went up to my room and pulled a beer from the refrigerator to
wash down my department-store roast beef sandwich. Okay, at least
we have a plan of action. We may be in low gear, but we’re rolling.
But where to?
I washed and shaved, brushed my teeth. Calmly, quietly, no
humming. Then I gave myself a good, hard look in the mirror, the first
time in ages. No major discoveries. I felt no surge of valor. It was the
same old face, as always.
I left my room at half past seven and grabbed a taxi. The driver
studied the map I showed him, then nodded without a word, and we
were off. It was a-thousand-something-yen distance, a tiny bar in the
basement of a five-story building. I was met at the door with the
warm sound of an old Gerry Mulligan record.
I took a seat at the counter and listened to the solo over a nice, easy
J&B-and-water. At eight-forty-five she still hadn’t shown. I didn’t
particularly mind. The bar was plenty comfortable, and by now I was
getting to be a pro at killing time. I sipped my drink, and when that
was gone, I ordered another. I contemplated the ashtray.
At five past nine she made her entrance.
“I’m sorry,” she said in a flurry. “Things started to get busy at the
last minute, and then my replacement was late.”
“Don’t worry. I was fine here,” I said. “I had to pass the time
anyway.”
At her suggestion we moved to a table toward the back. We settled
down, as she removed her gloves, scarf, and coat. Underneath, she
had on a dark green wool skirt and a lightweight yellow sweater—
which revealed generous volumes I’m surprised I hadn’t noticed
before. Her earrings were demure gold pinpoints.
She ordered a Bloody Mary. And when it came, she sipped it
tentatively. I took another drink of my whiskey and then she took
another sip of her Bloody Mary. I nibbled on nuts.
At length, she let out a big sigh. It might have been bigger than she
had intended, as she looked up at me nervously.
“Work tough?” I asked.