A Bar at the Folies-Bergere

If you're interested, the mirror will show a flat, brilliant image of our lustrous clutter, of much white flesh draped in black, of green bottles, brown bottles, other mirrors, crystal, lanterns, jewels— glass and gems we’ve arranged as a barricade against dawn.

The woman behind the bar lets her gaze wander until you express your pleasure. She wears black velvet trimmed in lace, a brooch depended on a black ribbon, a golden bracelet on her arm.

After you order, your gaze wanders to the mirror behind her. There her back looks earnest and endearing. There’s our society, too—busy, cramped, posing, political, small. Your gaze prefers the solitary woman.

Nonetheless you take it and your drink, and you join the tables, and sense someone gazing at you, too.