Rapture Noir: I Live By Night

I take another drag from my cigarette and look out into the view provided by the large windows of the Kashmir. The ocean, teeming with life and activity. But as far as I'm concerned it's the loneliest sight in the world right about now.

Over the sound of live music and clattering glass I hear a woman's voice. Tired, but with an air of dignity. "Am I interrupting anything?"

I turn to face the woman addressing me. To be blunt, she's old. Older looking then most people around here let themselves appear, in any case. That's not to say she wasn't beautiful, her lines and creases gave her a look of maturity and wisdom sadly lacking among the Rapture elite. Her long gray hair tumbles down both sides of her face, charmingly framing her features.

"I guess that depends." I reply, leaning forward and taking another drag of my cigarette. "On what your business is."

The woman smiles. Her eyes betray a sadness, or is it disappointment? "I just thought you could use someone to talk to." She says, pulling an empty seat and folding her coat over the back. She's dressed in a long back skirt and a tight button-up blouse. "Men troubles?"

I tap my cigarette on the ashtray. "Is it that obvious?"

"I'm afraid so."

I turn back to the ocean view. Sure, why not talk about it? It might make me feel better. Besides, it beats making another dumb mistake on a Friday night.

"Yeah, it's a man. He's...special to me."

"Are you two involved?"

"It's complicated." I respond between sips of my drink. A personal favorite mix of mine, Devil's Kiss. "Let's just say he's moved on, has his own life now."

"And you don't want to ruin that?" She inquires as she pulls out a cigarette from her coat pocket.

"Something like that, yeah. But I keep making mistakes. Keep getting myself involved in his life and just make things worse for him." I reply with a frankness that surprises me. This woman had an unnerving talent for getting me to talk.

"I take it he cares about you as well?"

"Part of me just hopes I'm a fling to him. He deserves a normal life, and I just complicate things."

The woman smiles sardonically and exhales cigarette smoke. "Sweetie, nobody around here is normal. And if you've been paying attention, you know how complicated things are going to get."

"I-"

"Obviously care about him a great deal." The woman says, pointing her cigarette at me. "Yes, he deserves to be happy just as much as anyone else. And that includes you. Ask yourself, 'what makes me happy?'"

I pause for what seems like an eternity, swallowing the lump in my throat. I can't deny it, after everything we've been through. After all we've said and done together. I honestly can't imagine a life where he isn't involved. "He does." I start. "He makes me happy." The woman's eyes light up at this.

I stand and shake my head, trying to fight the spinning sensation in my head. "Listen, I need another drink. I'll be right back."

The woman simply smiles in return and takes another drag on her cigarette.

By the time I order my drink and navigate my way back to my seat I can see that she's gone. A slight pang of regret shoots through me, I never even bothered to learn her name. As I retake my seat I notice that she left something folded up on the table. A small advertisement reading "Arcadia Tea Garden: Rapture's playground.

I smile as I stuff the card into my pocket. "Arcadia, now there's an idea..."