"Sure, Charley. Same way?"

"Yeah, a double on the rocks. Thanks a lot babe. Anyone ever tell you how pretty you are?"

"All the time, Charley. Just wish someone would mean it sometime."

"Well I do darlin'! Why don't you and I go to a place I know after you close this dump?"

"And where is that, Charley? Your apartment?"

"What's wrong with that? I've got all the booze there you want. We could have a good time, just you and me."

"I gotta hand it to you Charlie, you're a real smoothie. You get right to the point. Maybe some other time, but not tonight, okay? You've had too much to drink. I'll call a cab for you."

"Aw, no I haven't. I've got plenty of spark left. Just let me show you. Come on, what do you say?"

"No! I'm calling a cab. Now get going. Hey, Jimmy! Help Charley get a cab. See you, Charley."

Ten minutes later Jimmy poured Charley into a cab, and returned to the bar. "Well I got rid of him for you, Denise. He's on his way if he can remember where he lives."

"Thanks Jimmy. It's about time to close. Get Frank to clean the floor behind the bar before he goes home will you?"

"Sure."

A half hour later, she was walking home. The dark, narrow street had the familiar New Orleans smell of mildew and damp vegetation. Streetlights glowed faintly here and there where vandals hadn't broken them.

A shadow appeared out of an alley and advanced through the dim, murky light. She slipped her hand into her purse and continued straight ahead. "Hey Denise! Is that you? It's Charley."

"Charley? I thought you were on your way home. What are you doing here?"

"Hell, I couldn't remember where I lived; so I had the cabby drop me off a few blocks from the bar. Why don't I go home with you."

"Charley, you're drunk. I don't want you coming home with me."

"Aw come on Denise. I promise I won't be any trouble. Just let me sleep it off at your place. I'll leave in the morning, I promise."

"No, Charley you can't stay the night. I don't live alone."

"Come on Denise. Think how you'll feel in the morning if you read about me being involved in an accident and killed. I shouldn't be driving in my condition."