Back to the city

I got a call out of the blue from an old sparring partner, Neil.  When I worked in the city, we used to go out for lunch and drink together.  He was at Merrill Lynch now. 

He wanted me to go out for a drink back in the old neighborhood...the city...I had avoided it for the longest time, not wanting to be sucked back into that life -- spending 100 pounds a night on beer.  But I decided to go...I dont know why -- maybe it was out of curiosity?  Curiousity of what the city had become?  But I also missed the life, that life of recklessness.

We were to meet at a bar called Prohibition near Liverpool St. station

http://www.citypubs.co.uk/pubs/prohibition.html

Upon walking in I felt the old passion come over me.  The place was filled with pin-striped suits and well turned-out PAs.  Pin striped-suits and long, black wool coats -- it was de rigeur.  I felt out of place, and in place simultaneously.

Inside was dark, but not so dark that you could'nt see people's faces.  Large, rectangular, cream lampshades hung low from microscopic wires.  The interior had been decorated by some trendy designer.   

Neil told me that this was the place to pick up women.  "Their here to meet rich men..." he said,"...a lot of traders come here". 

We stayed a while then I got a text from my other mate James...there was a free party on Kings Road.  This appealed to me as there would be free drinks and I would be close to home.  I told James to drive through the city and pick us up.  Thirty minutes later James turned-up.

The party was at a bar called Mahariji.  Nima said it sounded like a good bar.  When we got there it was about 11PM but it was empty.  We went in anyway.  The walls are white and the lighting is neon blue and green.  There was free champagne so we got stuck in.  Just as we wee about to leave more people started turning-up...women who looked like models...Victoria Hervey was there

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Victoria_Hervey

as was the young Collins, of the Collin's publishing family (English Dictionaries), and Prince William's friends.  Here, the men are all dressed the same: blue blazers, jeans, white striped shirts, and low-key Gucci shoes.

The people are freindly here though, not at all like I expected and the music is good, the atmosphere is sociable and there is a party mood.

At 4AM I call it a night and walk home.