Tay let her dogs and herself out into the little courtyard that served as a beer garden in the summer months. Fiel led her brother in exploring every corner of the oblong area. Tay watched three tall, willowy women who cheerfully returned the dog greeting sniffs with giggles and excited peels of Russian exclamation. The xolos politely accepted pets and caresses. Tay smiled as the show girls walked past her. It was then she saw the bent little man with his guitar sitting on the boardwalk by the gate to the beer garden staring at her with eyes like coals. His hair was matted and greasy, his skin was wrinkled and tan. El Sombre sensed her fear and padded to the edge of the courtyard, Fiel watched him and returned to Tayanna's side. The man smiled at Tay and whistled in a burst. El Sombre knelt on the ground and Fiel began to whine. The wind changed and Tayanna smelled diesel fuel and cigarettes.

In the noise and heat of the dining room Atticus cleared his throat. Nasrin had struck up a conversation with a waitress while she prepared her station for the dinner crowd. Atticus was annoyed, the conversation was in Russian. He looked up at the staircase where the tattooed man had climbed after instructing the pair to wait. Tay was outside and Nasrin started to follow the waitress around. He wanted his team together. The restaurant began to fill with performers, staff and customers, all hugging and shouting at each other, in Russian. Just as he decided to follow Nasrin into the dining-room a striking blond, dressed in a skin tight suit barbed with feathers and sequins blocked his way. The showgirl smiled at him and put her arm around his shoulders and started to whisper Russian nothings into his ear. Atticus felt his face redden as she kissed his cheek. He wanted to fade into the wallpaper.