45. A TINY WOMAN LIKE YOU

Lena trudged up and down the casino pit, serving drinks to the men who were there to gamble. She had served four times now. As she went to get the last glass of liqueur, she halted at the bar counter, hand perched on her side. With bloodshot eyes, she glared at the man who poured the drink at the bar and questioned. "Where are the other hostesses?"

"I should ask you that, I am not one of you." The big man roared, his voice sounding like a sharp machete forcefully cutting irons.

"Whatever!" She stretched her neck and jerked a middle finger at the...