“Nice to meet you, Brigitte. Have we met somewhere?” “She’s in the movies. Maybe you saw one of them. She goes by the name of Brigitte Bardo.” “Oh yeah.” He nods. Half smiles, apparently not sure what to do with his face. “Sure. Okay.” Another customer flags him down for a drink. “I think you made him blush,” I say. “That’s sweet. I didn’t think California people could blush.” “They’re an endangered species. The government tags them like condors and pandas.” “You’re not what I expected. You’re a very silly man, James.” “I come from a long line of tall-tale talkers. Our family crest is bullets over crossed fingers and underneath it says, ‘Bullshit Uber Alles.’ ” She takes cigarettes from her purse, but Carlos stops her. “Sorry. You can’t in here.” “I’m in a bar full of vampires and witches, but what people are afraid of is my cigarette.” “Welcome to America, where everyone lives forever and everyone is beautiful if you have the money.” “Why do you drink that horrible drink?” “It’s a bad habit I picked up along the way.” “When you were gone?” “Gone, yeah.” “And you still drink it? I’d think you’d want to forget about that place.” “No. I don’t want to forget anything. Not one second of it.” “Why?” “Because someone owes me for it. Every second I was there. Every beating. Every bad habit and every shitty dream. And for Alice.” “There you are. That’s the man I was looking for. He was hiding in your eyes. A killer’s eyes.” “What are you doing down here, Brigitte? Shouldn’t Ritchie be buying you France or something?” “Simon is with Mr. Macheath just now. I don’t expect him back for some time. He says they’re discussing the movie, but I think he’s lying.” “He’s trying to renegotiate his soul deal? I’d love to hear that conversation.” “Simon can be very persuasive.” “That I believe.” It bugs the hell out of me how beautiful she is. I’ve seen friends go through this. Falling for porn girls can be like mainlining Twinkies. It’s usually more about addiction than nutrition. Both are sweet and oh so irresistible because they can’t help it. Then you get jealous or she gets bored and the sugar rush ends. The crash hits and there you are, depressed, toothless, alone, and with crumbs in your sheets. I don’t need to take Brigitte to Donut Universe. She is Donut Universe.
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