I Dare You to Try It

JUNE 1, 2012

At 7:40 p.m., the gentleman wore his black suit on his way to his second job. It was his first time working on a Friday night as bouncer for Team Undercover. He had to cover for a security guard who went on vacation. His only regret was that he would not be able to watch Spartacus, his favorite TV show. He took the 3 train heading to the Bronx. He was playing a brick game on his Blackberry, unaware of what was about to happen that night.

Calm as usual, he got off at Atlantic Avenue and transferred to the B train for West 4th Street. Around 8:30 p.m., the gentleman reached his destination: The Flow, a bar and restaurant on 90 West 3rd Street. The gentleman met Carl Henry, the manager of The Flow who suggested to him that he take a walk and come back one hour later. He stepped out of the bar and went to the McDonald’s on West 3rd Street where he ordered a hamburger and a smoothie.

At 9:25 p.m., he left the fast food restaurant and headed back to The Flow where he received instructions and equipment from Carl to start at 9:30 p.m. He had to work with another security guard who came in at 9:45 p.m.

The Flow had two floors: the first floor was a restaurant from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. when it turned into a lounge for cocktails and the second floor was a dancing room opened from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. The Flow had all glass doors and an old rustic staircase that led to the second floor, where large windows looked out onto West 3rd Street. It contained a bar with some bar stools. Attached to the cement walls were two big flat screen TV’s that played sports games until 11:30 p.m. Every Friday, a large crowd composed mostly of college students gathered at the lounge to enjoy its affordable drinks.

“Good evening, ID please?” the gentleman asked like he was a programmed robot. After inspecting information on each ID card, he thanked, welcomed, and opened the door for the customers. He paid attention to every single detail in the place because he wanted to make sure he provided his best service.

Antoine Perez, the other bouncer arrived at 9:55 p.m. He was five feet nine inches tall, muscular, good-looking with a clean haircut and dark brown eyes, and friendly. He wore a black suit with a black t-shirt. Perez made a quick introduction of himself to the gentleman. He explained everything to the gentleman about the bar and its customers and helped his new colleague to set up the security equipment.

Activities were slow that night due to a little rain earlier. The DJ was barely playing any good music. Many customers left The Flow to go to other bars. Carl ended up shutting down the second floor. However, the few customers who stayed were having a good time. They were talking about work, relationships, politics, and many other subjects. There was also a nerdy college kid trying to talk to every woman. He was out of his league and comical to watch.

Perez stood beside the gentleman in front of the doors and observed his attitude. He glanced at him many times and wondered why his co-worker remained quiet. Finally he asked, “Why don’t you say anything to any girl?”

The gentleman chuckled and replied, “I’m like that, quiet at work.”

“Relax! No stress man. That’s how we do it here.”

Even though Perez worked for over three years at The Flow and nothing bad happened, he knew he had an unprofessional attitude. For him, looking for friendship that led to sex showed skills of a macho man. Thus, he wanted the gentleman to have that same mindset. As the night went on, the gentleman stood like an English guard in front of the doors and limited his conversation. Meanwhile, Perez, who worked every day at the bar, was enjoying cigarettes with customers.

As time passed, many ladies were wandering in the streets — some alone and others accompanied by their friends. The gentleman flashed a glance at his watch almost every fifteen minutes; he could not wait until 4:30 a.m. to go home.

Around 2:15 a.m., a lady who appeared to be in her early twenties walked by The Flow. She looked attractive and was alone. She wore a green mini skirt and an off-white blouse. The lady was curvy and carried a green purse over her shoulder. She looked at the two good-looking bouncers, smiled at them, and continued to walk.

Perez glared after the lady for few seconds, and then he nudged his co-worker, blew a whistle, and commented, “Damn! Shorty looks good, man.”

The gentleman acknowledged his comment and nodded, “Yeah man, she does.”

They glared at her ass as she was strutting away. Half way down the block, the lady turned back and smiled once again at the bouncers. Perez rubbed his chin and could not resist her charm anymore.

“Yo! I’ll be right back, gonna holla at that chick,” he said before he followed the lady.

The gentleman shook his head, smiled, and kept doing his job.

Half way down the block, Perez realized the lady was too far ahead. He came back to his post and said, “She’s interested, man.”

“Yeah, so why’d you come back alone?” the gentleman mocked.

“I ain’t walking two blocks down to talk to that bitch. Are you crazy?”

The gentleman smiled at him and focused on his job. Five minutes later, the lady came to the bouncers and asked, “Who wanna drive me home?”

Perez could not wait for that moment. With his right hand dipped into his pocket, he asked her, “Where do you live?”

“Brooklyn,” she answered.

Perez stared at the lady and started his speech with a flirting smile, “You’re a beautiful lady. I won’t mind taking you home.”

“Don’t think I’m gonna have sex with you for a ride,” she snapped.

“Who said anything about sex? And I don’t think it’s a bad idea to have sex with such a pretty lady like you. My name is Perez. What’s your name?”

The lady looked at him, shook her head, and answered, “Tatyana.”

Perez took four steps toward Tatyana, shook her right hand and said, “Nice to meet you Tatyana. Do you have a cigarette?”

Asking for cigarette or a lighter is a simple request that could lead to a long conversation. Smoking means we have the same connection — we could share words, emotions, and desire. Obviously, nobody has to wonder why residents in big cities buy so many cigarettes. Unfortunately for Perez, it didn’t work out well for him this time.

“No, I don’t. I’m sorry, I don’t smoke,” Tatyana answered with a firm tone of voice.

The gentleman remained quiet and stood straight by the doors as three women walked by; one in her mid-twenties and two who appeared to be in their fifties. They were on their way home from another bar. From the smiles on their faces, anyone could tell they were having a great time together.

Five feet after they passed The Flow, the youngest woman stopped, turned her head back, and said to the gentleman, “Can you hug and kiss her for me please? She’s my mom. She’s visiting New York City. It’s her first time.”

The gentleman glared at her for a couple of seconds. This could not be real; her beauty and confidence amazed him. She wore a strapless, off white short dress with yellow shoes and a heart’s medallion on her neck suspended just at the exposed top of her breasts. Her long, natural, black hair fell along the left side of her face. She held a gold purse in her left hand and wore a nice gold bracelet on her right wrist. With her five feet seven inch frame accentuated by her heels, she looked gorgeous with her gold sparkly fingernails.

The two other women stared at the gentleman and hoped he did not deny her simple request. He smiled at the youngest woman and said, “Of course, no problem.” The gentleman did not want to refuse a favor to a woman who could have been his own mother.

The mother of the youngest woman moved toward the gentleman with a smile and happiness of a child who was about to receive a Christmas gift. He drew her into his arms and she said, “He smells so good.”

The satisfaction of the mother following that hug aroused curiosity in all the other women present at the scene. Smart people do not think twice when great opportunity is presented. Suddenly, the other older woman walked toward him and said, “Let me have a hug as well.”

The gentleman opened his arms and hugged her. She exclaimed, “Oh my God, you smell soooo gooood!”

“Oh yes, he does. I like his cologne,” added the mother of the youngest woman.

Perez and Tatyana stopped their conversation and paid attention to the comedy that would turn into an unbelievable night. The youngest woman among the three motioned toward the gentleman with a confidence from nowhere and said, “Since I asked for a hug and kiss and you already gave the hugs, let me have the kiss then.”

“Where do you want it?”

With no hesitation the woman put her finger to her lips to point out the destination of the kiss. The gentleman wondered if he was dreaming. Before he could...