Later he explains that it was accidental, but he can't exactly explain accidental how.

I have written of the broken men before, such as the Guy Who Stares At Women's Asses Too Long. Being a bar, there is not really a shortage of broken men to be found. Some know that they are indeed broken; some even have an ex-wife on which they can lay blame. Some do not know they are broken: they believe they are simply misunderstood, usually. Maybe the world is against them: sometimes the world misunderstands.

In the evenings there are the college girls. They are in their own bubble: in that bubble they dance with friends, make suggestive dance moves to the jukebox, pose with Instagram pouts for selfies. Occasionally they briefly intersect with the broken men, usually as they wait in line at the bar for fresh drinks, Sometimes the college girls are also looking for party supplies.

One of the broken men -- the misunderstood kind -- is quietly asked if he knows where one can buy some cocaine. He says Sure, he can make that happen. I have no idea if he can actually make that happen or not; maybe he does know someone who knows someone, or maybe by saying Yes he just gets to be around the college girl a while longer.

He enters the bubble, and laughs and drinks and watches the girls from a better proximity. Somehow he forgets he is only in the bubble for the time it takes for him to procure what they need. Somehow he forgets he is broken. And somehow he touches the college girl's breasts.

Later he explains that it was accidental, but he can't exactly explain accidental how. Then he says he thought it would be funny, that's all. So you get two stories to choose from where it is not his fault: again, sometimes the world misunderstands.

The college girl shouts an obscenity, and pushes him away. College boys come to the table: maybe being the White Knight will help them get laid. The college boys do not think they misunderstand the world.

The bouncer comes, and pulls the broken man towards the door. He explains his story, versions one and two, but he is pushed out into the street. Eighty-sixed. Where another bouncer keeps a hold on him, in case the police are to be involved.

The bouncer inside asks the college girl if she wants to press charges. She says No, she just wants him gone. Maybe it wasn't something that was worth her time. Maybe it wasn't a big deal. Maybe she doesn't want him to mention to the police that she was trying to buy cocaine. There could be a lot of reasons for her decision, really. She returns to the bubble; a college boy goes to the bar to buy her a new drink.

The bouncer outside gets word, and lets the guy go. There is another bar with a looser crowd down the street; it has college girls, too. You see police cars outside the establishment not infrequently. He heads off in that direction.


- james james

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