Neil's face is filled with worry as they walk to the location.

'What have I done?' Why wouldn't I just run away, what have I gotten myself into? I don't know how to talk to women; the only women I've ever met before are my mother and my students. I can't talk to her the same way I talk to them.'

As his thoughts continue, he notices her looking down at her foot while walking, but when she realizes he's staring at her, she looks up and he looks away. He then tries to ease the awkward situation by asking her a few questions about herself, but she doesn't say a word, not even her name.

The silence lasts until they arrive at Neil's favorite pub, the "Safe" Bar. The name sounds ridiculous, but this place that Neil's familiar with is very secure, no fight has ever taken place and no one could rob the bar.

The reason for this is that this bar does not welcome Russians or anyone from the Soviet Union, and the owner is allowed to keep weapons and guns for self-defense so that no "outsiders" would dare to visit. Military officers and anti-Soviet people like Neil enjoyed it, it made them feel relaxed and comfortable after a long time fighting on the battlefield.

Neil decided to be a gentleman and opened the door for her, however, she showed no acceptance of his kindness, she immediately stopped the moment he opened the door and waited for her to go first. It took him a while to realize what was going on; this woman was demanding gender equality, showing that she didn't want to be complimented just because she was a woman.

He understood what he needed to do and decided to go first.

"Like always Nick!"

As they sat in the chair, Neil requested a usual drink from the Bartender.

"Okay sir, then how about this lady?" Nick turned to ask the woman who came with Neil.

She looked around for a while, and it seemed like this place wasn't anything special compared to what Neil had said, so she ordered a Beer. Nick took the orders and began to move his hands.

While she was talking to Nick, Neil stared at her with a feeling of frustration.

'What the hell?! She doesn't say anything to me the whole way here, and now she's chatting with Nick like they're best friends, what does she even want?'

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Neil took a drink to clear his mind and stopped thinking about the bothersome woman. He makes an "Ahhh" sound as he tastes the slurpiness of the alcohol. The woman turned to face him.

"Hey!"

"Huh?"

"Why did you save me?" She asked.

"Is there even a reason to do that?" Neil took another sip while talking.

"That was none of your business, I could help myself out of it."

"If you could do that then why do I have to help you in the first place? Besides, if I just ignore a poor woman like that in trouble then I wouldn't be a gentleman."

She returned to enjoy her beverage. Thinking about Neil's words

"So where were you going?"

"Huh?" She wondered.

"I mean, why would a woman go to a dark and narrow place like that? Especially at night?"

"I have some business with my boss and you don't need to know what."

"Your boss works in that dark place? Creepy..."

"So where do you live?" As he continues to ask that question the third time, the woman gets upset.

"Haven't I told you? I don't live here!" She responded angrily, hoping it would be the last time she heard the question.

"Okay okay don't need to be mad! But if you're having something to do with your boss, should you be here?"

"Wait. You're right; I have to leave now." She answered after checking her watch.

But, before she walked out the door, she turned back to Neil: "You're a good man, and I'll give you some advice, get out of here before tomorrow, and... thanks for the drink." She quickly leaves after she has finished speaking, leaving Neil alone.

"Is that even advice?" He wondered.

"What a strange woman, am I right? Who is she by the way?" Nick thought Neil had been dumped so he turned to comfort him.

"Just a weird lady I've met earlier, I would probably not want to meet her again."

Finishing his conversation with Neil, Nick went on to serve other customers, and Neil was about to drink his drink while watching the news on TV when he noticed something.

"It's September already?"

The news was talking about the preparations for the President's visit to the 9/11 Memorial site tomorrow. Police are erecting fences and detecting bombs, and agents are securing the area to ensure that no criminals or suspects attend the event.

Although 9/11 was a tragedy for many Americans, Neil feels normal about it because he has no relatives who were killed in the attack. Not only that, but he finds it inconvenient as the roads will become more crowded and narrow tomorrow, making it more difficult to travel.

That's all he cares about.

After licking the last drop of wine, he realized that it was time for him to go home. He put the money and tip on the table and left. Nick, however, called him before he reached the door.

"Hey, where are you going?" He said

"What? I have already paid for the drink."

"I know but you also have to pay for her too!"

"WHAT?!? She didn't pay?!!"

"Yeah! And she ordered the most expensive drink here. Sorry man but that's the business."

"Aww, Man!!"

Neil had no choice but to pay the bill; he didn't want to flee like a coward, so he accepted to lose his money for something he didn't order. Leaving the bar with tears in his wallet, he promised to never see that annoying woman again and would never get involved in any trouble he encounters on the street.

He finally understands why she followed him, just like any slutty bitches make money out of poor rich guys.