The Tavern

Harry shakes his head, sighing, as the man stalks back out of the bookstore. The door slams shut behind him. He checks his watch, and sees that he's been off the clock for the last twenty minutes, and should be long gone. He pulls his sweater on, bids adieu to Mrs. Ryan, and leaves, softly closing the door.
He inhales the fresh, chilly air, and closes his eyes. It smells like winter in the city. It smells like it'll be cold. His eyes open and he sees the neon lights on The Tavern. It's a derelict bar sitting on the corner of the block. He steps towards it, falters, and then continues.
He sits at the bar. "Just... an Amstel Light... please...." The bartender nods, and a few seconds later, there is a cold bottle of beer before him. He holds his nose over the mouth of the bottle, and inhales the crisp scent of his mother. "Ahh," he sighs, and sips deeply from the bottle.
His eyes light on a familiar-looking girl sitting alone in the corner. She scribbles furiously into a noteboook. He stares for a moment, understanding the need for solitude in a crowded place. "Bartender? Send the girl in the corner another of whatever she's having. Put it on my tab."
The girl seems startled when the bartender places another drink before her. Harry cannot hear their interaction but suddenly their eyes meet. He raises his drink to her, finishes it off, and leaves a five and a ten on the bar as he pads back out into the cold air. He wonders about goings-on downtown, and makes his way back to his apartment.