25

Chez George

He could see Chez George’s dim yellow lights on the intersection of Shadal and Rothschild from afar. The place appeared far removed from all that was going on in the country that day. Ariel was surprised when the bald security guard (whose bald spot looked even brighter under the light) stopped him. Many restaurants had done away with security guards, who stood at their entrances to search bags and scrutinize the identity of those they deem suspicious. He still remembers the first time he was at a restaurant and saw that a “security” fee was added to the bill, like an indisputable tax. When did restaurants start using security guards to check bags? Was it after the second, or the first intifada? He doesn’t remember exactly. He didn’t dwell on it. The guard had broad shoulders and stood leaving ample space between his confident legs. The green color of his jacket bestowed some military prestige.

“What’s the need for a search if the Arabs have disappeared?”

“We didn’t get any new instructions.”

Ariel raised his eyebrows and then his arms in the air, surrendering to the search. Then he opened and showed his bag quickly to the guard before being allowed to enter. The bar was surrounded on all four sides with burgundy leather stools. Just the night before, around this time, it was crowded with loud customers. But today there was only one couple.

“Hi Ariel.”

“Hi Alex. How are you?

“Good. You?”

“Fine. Worried a bit, but good. The place is quiet today!”

“I’ve never seen it like that since it opened five years ago. As quiet as a cemetery. God protect us. What will happen to us?”

“What is going to happen? Things will be ok!”

“It’s strange that you say this. Are you joining that chorus of those who reassure people, but without having any idea about what’s going on?”

He just smiled in seeming agreement. Alex had soft chestnut hair whose ends tickled her cheeks whenever she moved or bent down to wipe the bar.

He gazed at her as if seeing her for the first time, even though he was a regular. That’s a woman who loves her body, celebrates it, and wants to be desired, he thought. She never saw his eyes devouring her before the way he was doing tonight. His Arab friend is not with him tonight of course. They used to drink and talk politics and art until closing time. She thought about asking about him, but then remembered it was senseless.

Most of those who frequent the bar try, sooner or later, to flirt with Alex, even if they don’t want anything. Tel Aviv is awash with desire, just as Jerusalem is awash with religious folks and with soldiers everywhere. Tel Aviv is the city of sins, as its denizens like to call it.

“Tel Aviv women are very beautiful,” a German tourist once told Ariel while sitting at a café on Shenkin Street on a Friday. He stopped reading the newspaper to look at the beautiful women the German was ogling. And he told the German, “If short skirts and generous cleavage are the criteria, then they are the most beautiful in the world, without a doubt.” The tourist smiled and gulped his Maccabee beer and kept ogling. Alex’s voice brought Ariel back to Chez George.

“What will you drink?”

“I don’t know. You know? I just don’t.”

“Ok, one ‘I don’t know’ then?”

“Oh, Alex. Pugnacious as usual. A glass of the Zin I had yesterday. I think it was the 2011 . . .”

“With pleasure. What’s on your mind right now?”

“You don’t want to know!”

Alex smiled and made sure to look into his eyes as she poured him the wine.

“Just be honest. You have nothing to lose. This could be the last time we ever see each other. Who knows what’s going to happen? Maybe the Arabs will crawl out of every corner like zombies and return to exact revenge. Anything is possible. Our ancestors never believed that we would ever have a sovereign state, and one of the strongest armies in the world. Who knows what our end will be like?”

“Why all this pessimism? Why do you think the state is coming to an end? Are you one of those who book tickets to leave and run away to Europe or America whenever a war erupts, and only return when it’s all over!”

“No, I’m not one of them, and I only have one passport. But I’m not one of those naïve optimists either. I neither hate the Arabs nor love them. They don’t mean much to me. I just want them to leave us alone. But I doubt that that’s possible.”

“We can’t breathe or live without politics. You asked me about what I was thinking and you forgot the question. Instead, you give me gloomy prophecies about the future.”

He said this while looking at her cleavage. Alex smiled and wet her lips, reciprocating his thirsty looks.

“Your eyes are gorgeous. I love that color in men’s eyes. Something in that green attracts me!”

Ariel laughed and got more comfortable in his seat. He spread his legs and started wiggling his right foot.

“I want you to have a drink with me, Ah Alex!”

He elongated the syllables on purpose as if kissing each letter. She smiled and brought another glass and poured wine for herself. She lifted it and bent forward, leaning on the bar with her left elbow.

“Lakhayem.”

“Lakhayem.”

Ariel extended both hands toward her and asked her to put her hands in his. He kissed her. She didn’t say a word, but he felt that she was nervous. He could see her hard nipples through the black silk shirt.

“I have to finish a few things here. I have to close early tonight!”

“Why?”

“Why? Can’t you see that we don’t even have ten customers? It’s usually packed this time. I sent most of the workers home early. We can drink something at my place later.”

“Yeah, why not?”

He said while checking his text messages. Distinctive ringtones were announcing the arrival of breaking news.

“Looks like you’re busy with more important things.”

“No, Alex, but I’m a journalist and I have to follow the news closely in this type of situation. I felt lonely at home, so I decided to come here to write the article I have to submit. That’s why I brought my laptop along. Don’t take it personally.”

“No worries. I understand. I have to tend to the other customers anyway. We’ll talk later. The Arab workers didn’t show up and I’m here with only one worker whose shift will end soon. We still have a lot to do. Clean up and see about tomorrow. I’ll come back.”

She smiled and Ariel noticed her dimples for the first time. He blew a kiss and she snatched it in the air with her hand and went out of the bar.