Skip pulled the ring of keys from his pocket and selected the one that would lock the office door. With his other hand, he wiped the irritated sweat from his forehead. He really didn't feel like going home. He had already had his fair share of stress for the day. As he walked out into the early fall night, he thought about returning home to his family. He shook his head to clear it when the only thing he could see was the red face of his angry wife. She was never happy with him. Seventy-five percent of the time she was drunk. The other twenty-five percent she was hung over. 

He passed a blinking sign. RESTAURANT AND ENTERTAINMENT it read in flashing bulbs. There was a faint light where the sign must have also alcohol. Skip stopped and looked at the sign for a few moments. A couple came out of the building. The man had a girl at least half his age hooked on his arm. He walked along with her staggering beside him, giggling and talking loudly. Saturated in alcohol, no doubt.

"Heyy there, paaaal." She slurred and giggled when she saw Skip. "Whachya doin'?"

"That's enough, Alice, dear." The man said, tugging on her arm. "Leave the gentleman alone."

"Oooh, but he looks so looonely." She tried to pull free from the man's grip. He didn't let her go.

"He's fine. Let's go home." He gave Skip an apologetic smile. "C'mon." He pulled her away and she finally gave in.

Skip nodded to the couple and watched them walk away. He turned his attention back to the club. He looked at it a moment more before deciding he'd step inside for a while. He walked in and took a seat at the bar. The bartender leaned on the counter.

"What'll it be?" He asked.

"Just water is fine." Skip took his hat off and set in front of him.

"Water?" The bartender gave him a funny look. "You look like you could use something stronger."

"I said water, thank you." Skip folded his hands on the counter. "I don't drink much." He gave the bartender a warning smile.

"Whatever you want." He said slightly confused. He turned around and then back. placing a glass on the counter, he said, "One water. Water is free."

Skip took a sip from the glass and looked at his pocket watch. Half past eight. He put the watch back in his pocket and turned the glass in his hands. A hand slapped him on the back.

"Water, eh? Too stingy for the real stuff?" A man chuckled and sat down.

"I would hardly call it that." Skip held his hand out for the man to shake. "You're late, Rich."

"I know. But I'm here, ain't I?" The man chuckled again.

"Sure. Where's my rent?" Skip didn't find it the least bit funny.

"Hey! Relax! We're at a club." Rich said. "There's booze and pretty girls. Take some time off. Life ain't just about money and business. Get this man a whiskey. On me." He waved at the bartender. Skip didn't bother refusing. It would be bad taste to turn down such an offer. "And Charley! Go get that new girl!" He turned back to Skip. "Man, you are going to love this girl."

"This isn't a whore house." Skip took the whiskey from the bartender.

"I know. She's a cutie though."