It felt as if being here magnified every hidden thought in the depths of his heart.
Yet he also knew, deep down, that everyone here was just like him. No one would discriminate against him or give him strange looks.
He felt a bit more at ease and downed his red wine in one gulp.
'Liquid courage,' he thought. Once he'd had enough to drink, he would join the crowd dancing to the pulsing music. He had to verify his own preferences—was it men, or was it women?
"Why drink by your lonesome? I've been watching you for a while," a refined voice said.
Howard looked up to see a man in his early thirties, wearing a silver suit and rimless metal glasses. He had the air of a corporate elite.
For some reason, Howard felt nothing at all when he looked at the man.
"Did something happen to upset you? You can talk to me about it," the man in glasses added.
Howard sized him up. He had no intention of sharing his personal troubles, but he didn't mind having a drink with the guy.
