Leaving the Flamingo, Bill continued down the street and couldn�t stop himself from noticing the ravishing young girl waiting for the light at the pedestrian crossing to change. Something was very familiar about her, but Bill couldn�t put his finger on it.

She turned to face Bill smiling.

'You in my building... aren�t you?' she remarked before Bill could figure out why she seemed familiar to him.

�That�s it!� exclaimed Bill, instantly realizing that they worked in the same office block.

��I�ve seen you at the office� I�m Claire� she continued, holding out her hand to Bill. �I started there six weeks ago��

Bill shook her hand, the nagging feelings of wonder having being quelled.

�I�m actually from the East Coast� she informed him. �I moved over here when this position opened up...�

Claire was heading towards Le Café and asked Bill to join her for a cup of coffee.

�Sure, why not�?� answered the distracted Bill and they crossed the street.

�There�s actually a funny story surrounding the name of this café� he informed her, �but I won�t bore you with the details.�

�Oh, please tell me�� she pleaded intrigued.

�No� it�s actually quite silly really� responded Bill.

�Lets sit in the corner' suggested Claire. �I do hate those window seats; they're just too bright. Sitting close to windows makes me feel so exposed.�

When Bill opted for a mug of beer, Claire cancelled her coffee order and had the waitress bring her a glass of red wine instead. The waitress returned soon thereafter to enquire if a second round of drinks would be in order.

�Oh, don�t leave so soon� pleaded Claire, realizing Bill was already getting up to go. �I haven't had a chance to make any new friends around here yet��

Ordinarily, Bill would have sidestepped this laborious babysitting duty. But Claire was lively and he liked this about her. Her sweet request along with the fact that he was enjoying the good conversation made Bill realize that good conversation was one of the things lacking in his mundane existence at present.