The Arcadian made the black woman as police as soon as she entered the bar. The young Asian behind her was a copper also. He looked again at the Asian. He was terrified. He smiled to himself. Wanted to go up to the young copper, whisper in his ear, ‘The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. If you hate something, and fear it, it’s because you’re secretly scared that you might love it.’ But decided against it. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself.
He watched as they went up to the bar. Talked to the Irish barman. Showed him something.
The Arcadian got up from his seat, made his way nearer to the bar, tried surreptitiously to see what was on the paper. He only caught a glimpse of it, but knew straight away what it was.
The helix.
Shit. I’ve got to get out of here.
He turned away from the two coppers. Tried to make his way as quickly and unobtrusively as possible across the bar. He almost reached the door.
‘What’s your hurry?’
The Arcadian stopped, turned. A tall, bearded bear of a man was in his way. Smiling.
‘Off to a better party?’
The Arcadian looked back at the bar. The police were still talking.
‘No,’ he said. ‘Well, maybe.’ He smiled.
‘Maybe we could go and find one together,’ the bear said.
The Arcadian looked back at the bar. The police had finished talking now and were making their way to the front door. Towards him.
‘Yeah,’ he said, pressing himself up against the bear. ‘Let’s.’
They left the bar seconds before the police officers did.
‘What’s your name?’ said the bear.
The Arcadian, he was about to say, but stopped himself. ‘Are names important?’ he said instead.
The bear shrugged. ‘Suppose not. Got anywhere in mind?’
He turned, saw that the two officers were walking away from them.
‘This way,’ he said, heading in the opposite direction. The bear smiled, walked with him.