To his surprise, she agreed—eager, even—for a chance to see what drew him there so often.

As they stepped into the bar, the woman was immediately struck by the sensory overload—the pounding music, the thick haze of cigarette smoke curling in the air, and the relentless laughter that bounced off the walls like echoes in a cavern. It was loud, overwhelming… but she stood her ground.

At the bar, her husband leaned in with a teasing smirk. “What’ll it be, sweetheart?”

She hesitated, uncertain. “I don’t know… I guess I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

With a nod to the bartender, two small glasses appeared—filled with a strong, sharply scented liquor. Without flinching, he knocked back his shot in one swift gulp, barely blinking at the