Dead eyes study his fingers, then she surprisingly gives a nod. She has seen these type of people before who cannot speak for they cannot hear, left to pan handle and be beggars in Scottland she would give bits of money to them now she had nothing but dust. Sloppy she is in communication, slim hands clad in black lace gloves move in the simple response, ‘Ok, one rum’ with that she moves away. Heading back to the bar, she takes the amber bottle off the shelf opening a small chest full of ice that has yet to melt but in these temperatures she is sure that is not possible.
Placing it down upon the wooden bar top, the sound of the ice chest’s latch being slammed shut echoes as everyone continues to play on in their favorite of vices. A dainty cloth is taken from her long jacket as she coughs in to it, sighing heavily at the blood that is spewed upon it– this illness will kill her surely but she mustn’t continue to think of such things. Tenderly, she folds the cloth sticking it in her louse down past her ample bosoms as she looks to the new addition of faces along the masses in the bar.
Giving a nod, it is a silent way to say that his drink is ready and to please come. Then, Alex points to a small chalk board with words describing small selections of items to purchase for dinner. Slowly, she mouths “fish and chips are disgusting, soggy and wet” her nose wrinkles in distaste as crooked teeth flash from her mischievous little smile.
She then goes on, bantering away with her soft voice despite the cold eyes that linger, “the meat pie is better, it is fresh and warm– tasty, maybe the most edible food you will have here” it is her job to socialize with the patrons. This will gain her tips and if she is lucky, a customer for the night paying highly in gold coins that will be used for food, boarding, medicine, and maybe some meager clothes that she could call her own to wear.
Though, many of the shops do not want a harlot treading around their business specially a harlot that has been inflicted by consumption. Those that are selfish enough to sell to a mere whore are the ones she likes the most, they don’t care so long as they are paid. She could hack her lung up on the floor as long as she wore their pretty clothes and gave them a shiny gold coin, all was well within the world truthfully she began to think maybe in the end that was what mattered. She hops up on a little steel stool, sitting there as her fingers run over the fabric of her black skirt smoothing it out to loo somewhat decent and presentable as she works.
Eye contact breaks from this new man as she sits there listening to lewd remarks and the sounds of glasses clacking together as drunks shout or sing off key. They now her by name, Alex or Alexanderia wafts in the air whenever glasses run low needing a refill for the time. Some touch where they shouldn’t only to have their hand slapped away with a nasty hiss and others are too intoxicated to care what is going on, this the normal every day far in to the night for her. Her head cocks to the side as she lifts her hands up again asking, “You are new here, I have never seen you. What is your name and what brings you here? are you a sailor or fisherman? I never have seen a man dress like you. If you need company for the night there are many women here willing to do so, please enjoy yourself”