Martin: Boire et Manger 10th arr.
Outside the bar, by the barrel on the pavement, the American girls were trying to smoke.
It seemed like this was a new activity because none of them knew how to use a lighter.
“Hey girl!” one called out as another friend arrived.
They all did some air kissing.
“Oh my god…” someone started saying.
“You have got to go in there and check out the bartender.”
“Yeah,” said a different one, “he’s so…”
She thought for a moment.
“Extra.” she said finally.
Les Chics Types 19th arr
A man sat down and asked the waitress what kind of non-alcoholic beer the bar had.
The waitress replied that the bar had none.
"Oh, that's not possible!" the man gasped, as if the waitress had said that the bar had no beverages at all.
"There are other non-alcoholic drinks on the menu..." the waitress said, brightly.
"Juice and things."
She left him with the menu and returned after a few minutes.
"Have you decided?" the waitress asked?
The man nodded his head.
"Vodka." he said, a little too firmly.
Le Saint Valentin 19th arr.
“And between 1972 and 1978, Jesus Christ appeared to her...” the regular was saying.
I had no idea this woman was religious. I couldn’t even remember her name. I bought us scratchcards once when I was drunk. Mine won. Hers didn’t.
“But Madeleine Aumont was graced by his presence more than just once or twice.”
The regular was smiling now. I thought she might start to cry.
“In Dozulé he appeared for her 49 times. 49. Can you believe that?”
Honestly, I couldn’t, but I just nodded anyway.
“She said his eyes were like sapphires.” The woman stared out of the window, dreamily.
“When he looked at you,” she continued “you know, you…”
She stared directly at me.
“...you wanted him.”
This time, I believed her entirely, but I didn’t nod.