Hook has been biding his time.
He has been waiting, just for a short time, to see
the Darling middle child alone - hoping he might take
a detour from his usual path or something similar,
but this? Why, this is unexpected, but nonetheless
directly within Hook’s sights.
The bar is named THE PRINCES, its name titling
its door in faded, neon lights. It isn’t the warm, inviting,
modern club one might see upon the city’s well-walked
high streets - it plays quiet, pulsating music, and there is
no dancing or bright, disco lights. The dingy little place
is decorated in browns and purples, and the only colour
is in the tattered rainbow flag hanging over the bar. There
aren’t any women in sight, but the men are numerous
and varied, and there sits John Darling at the bar, apparently
trying to make himself as small as is humanly possible.
Oh, yes, this is perfect.
Hook takes an easy step forwards, and he ignores the
heads that turn eagerly to look his way, settling on the bar
stool beside the boy. He gives him a long, sideways
look, and says breezily,
“Good evening, John. Might I buy you a drink?”