Free Black Onyx by Victor Methos

eyed. The line was only ten or so deep and he waited. There was no cover charge and he knew the watered down alcohol was where they made their money.
    The club was packed and the heavy bass of the music vibrated his feet. He walked to the bar, which was off to the side and a little quieter than the main floor. He sat and the bartender came to him.
    “ O que posso fazer por você?”
    “Um, English?”
    “Sim. A little.”
    “Heineken?”
    “Sim.”
    The bartender took out a Heineken and popped the top. “ Isso será de quatro real.”
    “I only have dollars,” Dillon said, taking out a small wad of cash he had brought in his shirt pocket.
    “Five dollars.”
    He handed hi m the cash and took a sip of beer. Turning to look at the writhing bodies in the club, he realized he missed home. Not home, exactly. He missed Jaime. He thought about calling her but knew he couldn’t hear her inside with all the noise. And it was probably the middle of the night back in Honolulu.
    “You’re definitely American,” he heard a n accented voice say. He looked over to see an attractive blond, about his age, sit down next to him. She held up a cigarette and waited.
    Dillon reached to the package of matches on the bar. He struck one and then lit her cigarette.
    “How can you tell?”
    “Only an American would wear pajamas to a party in this country. Everyone else is trying to show off how rich they are.”
    He sipped his beer. “You got me. And they’re not pajamas although I have slept in them an awkward number of times.”
    “So, what brings you to Sao Paulo?”
    “Is that where I am? Huh. I’ve never been here actually.”
    “Wow. You don’t even know what city you’re in? You are the adventurer. Or a junkie. Which is it?”
    “Right now, not much of either.”
    “Why?” she said, blowing out a puff of smoke. “You not feeling well?”
    “I hav e an opportunity that I’m not sure I’m prepared to handle.”
    “Well, my father always told me to try new things because you never know what was going to change you.”
    “You believe that, huh? That people can change?”
    “You don’t ?”
    “I don’t think so. I think we’re pretty much born the way we are. It comes with the package.”
    “Hmm,” she said, placing her hand on his thigh, “that’s such a sad way to view things. Are you sad right now? ‘Cause I think I may be able to help.”
    “Try new things, huh?”
    “That’s my…como é que se diz? My motto.”
    He pulled out his remaining cash. “And I suppose this would be enough to experience that motto?”
    “It would be close.”
    He grinned and finished his beer, handing her the cash. “Keep it. I have to go.”
    “Really? You don’t want anything?”
    “You helped me make up my mind about something. Consider it a consultation fee.”
    She smiled and placed the cash in her bra, leaning in and giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Well good luck in your adventure then, jungle man.”
     

18
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    It was morning in Honolulu and Dillon woke up early, about six, and called James.
    “ Where the devil are you?”
    “Back home.”
    “Home in Honolulu?”
    “Yeah.”
    “You’ve only been gone twelve hours. Are you telling me you went from Antarctica to Hawaii in twelve hours?”
    “No, like two , actually. I stopped a few places. But that’s not why I’m calling. I want you to know I’m heading to Zaire.”
    “Dillon, just stop. Stop whatever you’re doing and just wait for me. I should be there in—”
    “You want me to wait for you so you can talk me out of it.”
    “You’re bloody damn right I’m talking you out of it. I’ve spoken to George. We’re both in agreeance that we’re selling the suit to the highest bidder. Henry has already gotten interest from a buyer representing the Israeli government and—”
    “I’ll see you when you get here, James.”
    “Dillon, Dillon! Don’t you hang up on me! ”
    Dillon hung up. He smiled as he