The " Cheap Freedom " Bar

[Omi]

Few bars had had such a disappointing launch as the Cheap Freedom. Although the place itself was nice enough, it wasn't getting anywhere near the patronage that had been predicted for it. The few occupants mostly sat alone, staring vacantly into their drinks and generally looking glum. The atmosphere was dreary, dim - and, above all, silent.

That changed when the metal door was flung open, slamming into the wall with a thunderous BANG.
"Écoutez!" barked an imperious voice, as a five-foot annoyance loudly announced its arrival. "Soldiers of the Royal Navy, this facility is provided primarily for your enjoyment, not as a place to hold silent vigil and mope around!"
Lucie gazed around haughtily, standing on her tiptoes so that she could see the whole room clearly. She didn't see anyone from the Primary Fleet here at all, which wasn't helping matters. It was possible some were hiding out of sight, but she expected to see the place buzzing with them.
"I want to see things in here change!" she demanded, fixating an unfortunate sous-lieutenant with an icy glare, who was beginning to regret sitting so close to the door. "There is to be more talking and socialising with your brothers and sisters-in-arms, and less making friends with endless glasses of wine!"

With that, she made her way to the other side of the room, plonking herself down at an empty table. She whipped out her cigar case, prompting the barman to surreptitiously reach below the desk and crank the air conditioning up to maximum. It was rumoured that the General's cigars could fumigate entire buildings by themselves, and he didn't fancy people passing out into their drinks.

Gradually, a few chairs were moved around, and a low hum of conversation began to settle over the room at last - although Lucie suspected it was mostly people saying bad things about her. Which was fine, as long as it got people motivated to chat. And, as a bonus, if she actually heard anything she could enjoy herself by chewing the perpetrator out.

She exhaled slowly, blowing smoke everywhere and wondering when someone actually worth her time would bother to show up.

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