WHISPERS OF LUST

ere essentially within arms reach. All it took was a flick of the switch and sound and image of the TV flamed on. Not much of a flame, though. Not like staring into the camp fire, the flames an intri

pastic jolts got my leg muscles contracting and l

" I sai

lone was no match for the ocean of it. Just make a quick splash. I wish I could vanquish it at its source, but I was powerless alone to storm those enormous vault doors. Only create a dent maybe but more likely smash myself creating a mess of my face. There was no revenge I could be at peace with what with the poor clown at the other end stuck jos

ot li

I cradled it, I don't think I was ready.

I said te

you gotta take a step or two back or you feel an intrusion on your space. It was probably a good thing on the job. I don't know, not having traded i

s side of the exchange a degree or two lower in volume and muscle. It wasn't complet

boy. But most import

oof and filled up enough. Putting screws on some little motor for some contr

dad's side, only similarity is to an eighth the genetics that made up the puzzle that was me, but thought not. I

ought, tainting the reply:

vors here. Favors both ways so they make

t see me selling those whatever it is you sell," I sa

n, I promise you. I have this place through... Well, that's a bit complic

ably could barely tell if I slammed it down. Not that I would ever slam a phone down on my uncle or anyone else for that matter. At

o be precise. It's over by the West Sid

uple

dress up. You don't

ho

See you

y to the solution. In an hour.

remaining 15 blocks. I never did learn how my uncle came to own this particular bar. I figured it was a trade deal gone sour, and this was his punishment. It seemed to sag despite being within a hard greenish yellow stone building. It w

k on the door. Eternally open. I stepped in. I st

e Cha

he said in a sprite manner matching the sprite of his persona: a quick darting mythic forest creat

I risked the water. He poured a hefty shot and poured in water and placed it before me. A skinny man with a late middle aged paunch, he had a rodent's attenti

s the drink. It was a momentum builder for my parched, well traveled palate. But the f

my uncle?

le Charlie's not here. Charlie

t. The jitters are contagious

ck's up. First let me tell you about the bar.

bout me?" I asked t

ou don't know it yet. And when you do I'll know more about you. All

I got

k too. Is it some kind of joke you preferring your name-sake? I guess I wouldn't offer

let the lady choose. Except maybe when we're

ght to offer it to her," he sa

et my eyes wander behind him to the racks of liquor and the large mirror which parall

t on it. I figured whatever had been attached to it, lights, sound system, whatever, had been stolen. It was a neighborhood filled with those looking for a quick fix. Hell, it was Manhattan

e lacking any consistency, creating no sense of rows. The club was enclosed by bare walls and no windows except the one facing 10th Ave