[Bolago Club-Base Street]
John didn't return to Dan Street Apartment but instead crossed the commercial street and found a cheap bar in an alley with faded red walls and overflowing trash.
Nothing's changed here—it's narrow, damp, and complicated in terms of smell.
It was still early, and the drunk brawny guys and shift-working gangsters hadn't shown up yet, only some tired-looking middle-aged men were silently scattered around.
A snoring sound came from among the makeshift chairs.
John withdrew his gaze and bumped into a barmaid who tossed aside a rag. "Something to drink?"
"Not for now, I'm looking for someone." John pointed to a corridor beside him with sequin curtains. "Gino. She's still here, right?"
"Are you two friends?"
The barmaid looked skeptically at him, grinning mischievously as if some fun was about to start.
"Maybe."
John shrugged and nodded.
