A WhatsApp text suddenly popped up on Litz’ mobile screen, while she was looking for internet connection. It was not by the friend she was waiting for, though. She was at the outside area of a secret Speakeasy club near Palermo neighbourhood, where she had rent a flat on her own. “These places have always problems with internet connection”, she thought. This one in particular was underground and you had to cross an old metro car to enter.
The friend she wanted to meet wouldn’t reach the party, as it was 2 AM already and she hadn’t texted her back. However, the gentleman texting her was a friend of a friend, he was by chance in Buenos Aires and was inviting her to a networking meeting the following day. “Coffee Sunday”, she thought. “Why not?”. She confirmed the appointment and went back to the club.
The party was crowded, the place had a retro look with industrial furniture, the bartenders were professional and her cocktail – based on Champagne rosé – was exquisite. The barman had even put a little red ribbon around the glass (failed attempt to catch her attention, but she appreciated).
Her international friends were all there that night. She drank a cocktail or two, then left the party.
Juan, the gentleman she would meet the following day, was originally from Chile, he was an artist and he travelled a lot. Later on she learned that Buenos Aires was his favourite city and he had lived there for many years. She had never met him before, but from his profiles on social media she could easily see how much of a talent he could be. A Johnny Depp’s look, a charming smile. “Just a coffee. No more artists. Remember, Litz: connect only with gentlemen who can solve differential equations”, she thought. She had recently introduced a drummer to her circle and the outcome had been a disaster.
The following day she was on her way toward Plaza de Mayo. It was a sunny day and she was wearing casual summer clothes. They had a long walk all around the famous San Telmo market, a very folkloristic environment. They were drinking an Americano coffee in an Asian restaurant facing the street, when he asked her in his mix of Spanish and English:
– What kind of partnerships do you coordinate?
– I match established investors with raw talent.
Litz replied without hesitation.
He brought her to a nice park and basically told her all about his life, as predictable by a narcissistic artist. His English was poor and so her Spanish, then the conversation was a bit awkward. Anyway, he didn’t ask her investors’ contacts. He invited her to another meeting that night for a drink. She was curious to know him better and she accepted.
They walked around Palermo area, which was full of bars and restaurants open till late. They drank a couple of beers in a rock club and then Fernet & coke, the most famous Argentinian cocktail, at a tiny jazz club. He was very passionate about the topics they were talking about, so he didn’t realize he was heavy drinking. Litz was a bit concerned at his fourth Fernet & coke, but he looked very present and awake, so she didn’t say anything.
The club closed at 2 AM, so they were obliged to leave, plastic glasses on hand. She started to feel a little bit of tension, as he had been very polite so far, but she didn’t know him well enough to feel safe. He offered to walk her home. While walking, they stopped in front of an impressive mural and he told her all about it and its artist. Once arrived in front of her building’s door, before she could even speak, he said:
– Excuse me, could you hold my glass for a second, please?
– Sure.
He vomited at her feet.
