And still I rise

So the guy who was just a friend is now the Mr. It sounds like the past is not as innocent as you want to portrait, Joan.  Are you reminiscing the past? 

Maybe you have some unfinished business with your past and this new guy just remind you of Guillermo?! Who knows?

In my line of business you learn to be very pragmatic about these things. Even those tech genius, there is always something if you know what and where to look. You just have to dig deeper.

You are the lucky one, dear Joan. But somehow, if I may say, you doesn’t look happy. 

I never said I was innocent, Don. I made my fair share of mistakes, to be honest. But I never wronged my late fiancé nor my current husband, if that’s what you might be implying. Not to my knowledge, at least. It’s just... Like seeing a ghost, I guess. Having lost someone and remembering them like this is just... painful. 

And where would you look, exactly? If you were looking for that.

So this new guy is bringing back old memories? That is interesting, no? Wasn’t that Guillermo who had a beef with the Mr. ?

So do you think this guy is a new rich type? You know, in New York this usually means illegal money. 

True. It’s very easy to keep the status quo, some of us just don’t see reason to change. What good can come from change over here? 

We were all friends back then, Don. If there was any beef, it was just a squabble, nothing much. But Guillermo was my fiancé, and I guess you just don’t forget that, even decades afterwards...

I don’t know. Nowadays there are those unicorns and tech companies and whatnot, people are figuring out all sorts of things to make money. But would you be able to spot an illegitimate business like that?  

Tell me about it. But I’m not going to be complaining here, it’s not the place or time.

That Guillermo? Is not the one who vanished many years ago? Or was arrested? Around here is always one or another. And that man, who is he? How did you meet him?

Some things change, like you, Joan. But other, I’m afraid they always stay the same. 

Yeah, that Guillermo. He was arrested and passed away shortly after, actually. But that was over 20 years ago. This other guy... He’s new in town. A new money type of millionaire that keeps popping up in Manhattan, you know? But it just striked me somehow... I don’t know. I might be going crazy at last.

In my line of business you’re always in or you’re dead. So yeah, still in business. But I guess some people manage to get out of here, right?!

Good things or bad things? If I may ask. 

Well, since you’re out and about, can I invite you for a cup of coffee? I bet old Joe would love to see you.

Everything comes with a price, I’m afraid.

Oh, I don’t know? It was just the strangest thing... I met this man, and he reminded me of Guillermo somehow? His looks, his voice, him. There was... something. I don’t know. All I do know is that now I can’t stop thinking about it. 

It’s hard to believe that anyone wants to come back here, but I guess I’ll have to believe in you.

As well as it can be, business are intense these days, a lot to do. A lot happening in the city. Always something, but again, nothing new. But really, why are you here, Joan? I though your husband was, well, kinda of a jerk, and didn’t like you around.

Nostalgia, I guess?

So you’re still in the business? I hope you’re doing alright and taking care, Don. 

I’ll have to plead guilty for that one. Alright, start with your opening arguments, Mrs. Kerrigan. You’re here all by yourself having drinks with a stranger… seems like you’ll need a good alibi.

I sure try my best. 

If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime. Oh, you mean I’m a married woman, all by myself, having drinks with a strange man... Fair enough. I see how society would condemn that straight away. 

Oh, no! You’be pretentious if you’d threw an old Hollywood themed party and harassed beautiful guests with wordplay. No one should ever be condemned for enjoying a fine drink. But then again, I’m holding my sentence until the end of the night.

I’m sure they will. I got my hands on the finest wine. Also, some great brandy. And you already savored the gin…

That’s just playbook Manhattan millionaire, I’m afraid. But alright, I hope I can make my case.

Are you sure you are in the right place, Miss? With those fancy clothes, I don’t think you’re from around here.

Of course Joan. Quem é vivo sempre aparece, ne?! How is the life in the rich party of town?

Damn, I should’ve suspected it when I crossed that bridge!

Well, well, well, if it isn’t the good ol’ Donovan O’Reilly in the flesh.

You definitely don’t strike me as the boring kind. Any woman who quotes James Bond at a stranger is anything but boring. 

Well, I guess I’ll have to find out. By the end of the night I let you know my sentence. 

You’re right, I think the word you’re looking for is pretentious, or perhaps drunk. But you strike me as a gentleman, so you’re probably not going to say it to my face. I appreciate that.

So let’s just keep the mystery alive. 

Well, that’s one way to put it. Don’t worry… unless there’s another reason why someone would accuse you of such thing. I have a feeling you do have the power to sway anyone off their path.

Yet again you’re being very flattering, but I’m afraid I’m actually much more boring than that. 

Actually… you’d be surprised. But then again, you rather not. Which puts us in a weird position. 

Oh, definitely. It may be the real reason behind my wardrobe choice just so I can justify it by quoting Rhett at the end of the night. But only if you’d be kind enough to drink with me.

Then I guess we’ll never know.

You’re right, I might have something planned. But then again, I won’t ruin the surprise just yet. Not a fan of surprises, I assume? 

Why, thank you. You may be the first one to recognize my efforts channeling Rhett Butler. Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.

I’m afraid I don’t have a good history with surprises. Once bitten, twice shy. Probably not your case.

Well, I think that’s really all that is to know. I’d rather keep everyone guessing. How else am I supposed to keep Manhattan’s elite entertained in such uneventful evening? 

Oh, it’s a shame. I was really looking forward to meet him. But I’m glad you made it. You’re a vision on your… Dorothy Dandridge homage, I suppose?

I have a feeling you might have a thing or two up your sleeve to keep them entertained for a few more evenings, but if you rather have it that way... We’ll just have to play along, won’t we?

Well, after that I surely will. Any drink that might get one quoting Ian Fleming is a fine drink in my book.

Of course, Mrs. Kerrigan! It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Heard great things about you and your work. Your husband couldn’t make it or is he walking around? 

The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Williams. I wish I could say the same about you, but I’m afraid all I know is that you are very generous and you know how to make an entrance.

@joankerrigan​

How’s your drink? You seem so focused on that glass that I’m considering getting one of those for me.

Enjoying the evening, Mrs…? 

Oh, it’s the way Mr. Bond would’ve liked it: shaken, not stirred. A very fine drink indeed. If you want to, you should, specially as I understand you’re paying for it.