- Just look at her over there. So smug and proud.
= What's wrong with that?
- Nothing in your simplistic world view, but there's something about her. I've had my eye on her all evening long and she's got this perma-smile as if she's having the time of her life.
= Maybe she is. Why don't you talk to her?
- And ruin her evening? I don't plan on it.
= Go on! You never know how a night will go.
- Sage ... there's something sage about that. Apart from the odd rhyming.
= Are you going to approach her?
- I guess, I might as well.

...

- Hi there.
: Hi, Do I know you?
- Not yet. Can I get you a drink?
: Sure, I'll have a Manhattan.
- A Manhattan for the lady. And a double Southern Comfort on the rocks for me.
: You trying to prove something?
- No. I just like a good drink.
: As do I. I should warn you though that I don't really plan on sticking around for conversation past the drink.
- You shouldn't feel obligated to. I'm hoping I'll be able to change your mind and get you to stay for a bit.
: It's going to be tough. I've got work early in the morning.
- What do you do, if you don't mind me asking?
: You know ... I do mind. I'd rather not talk about my job to a stranger in a nightclub, no offense intended.
- None taken. Would you at least do this stranger the honor of a toast?
: To what?
- To chance encounters.
: Why do I get the feeling that you're the persistent type?
- Because I don't give up easily like any other stranger you might find at a night club. In a nice way.
: So was that a friend of yours over there?
- Huh? Who?
: You were speaking to someone before you came over here.
- Oh, you were watching then? Not so much a friend as a business acquaintance. In a tenuous partnership.
: What do you do, if you don't mind me asking?
- Mergers and acquisitions.
: Wow. What ... aspect of the acquisitions do you deal in?
- I'm there on the front lines, not so much negotiating as making my demands heard and felt.
: It sounds exciting.
- Oh yeah, it's ... what keeps me sane, to be honest. Though there isn't much money in it, so it ends up as more of a hobby of mine, something I do on the side, as odd as that may sound.
: No, I guess not ... see, I really do need to go now, but if you want, here's my card - give me a call and we can chat a bit longer.
- Most definitely, mon cher. I'll get in touch real soon.
: Alright, bye.


...

- What you got?
= Hers is the Beemer SUV outside.
- Right. You did the deed?
= It's not going anywhere.
- I guess I'll go and give the lady a hand then, eh?
= Don't be too rough with this one, you hear?
- I hear you just fine. This is gonna be a great night.