"Her name is Lola. She was a showgirl here back in the day and there was no other like her."

The bartender spoke with a deep gravelly voice but soft and smooth at the same time. This was my first time in the Copacabana club. Rumours about this place were frightening. I had heard that gangsters ran it back when prohibition was in force and it was a sleep easy. Now, rumour had it that now the mob was in charge.

"Lola. Why is she in that tiered old show gown?"

"Yeah you wouldn't believe it now but she used to pack in the crowds. She hasn't taken off that dress since the day her love died. He died right there on the floor next to her feet."

The old club had lost some of its shine from back in its day but it was still the place to be on a Saturday night. This man's story was intriguing to me I needed to know more.

"Do you think she would mind if I went over and asked her questions?"

"Knock yourself out and let me get on with some work."

The walk over to this woman was nerve-racking. Moving through the dimly lit room of round tables and chairs. I could see from where I was that she was a stunner back when she was younger but now the time had been harsh to her. Her dress was faded and it had holes in the lace in some places it had worn threadbare. On the table in front of her was a nearly empty tumbler of what looked like whiskey. I gesture to the barman to bring another for her. He just nods in acknowledgement.

"Hi excuse me would you mind if I joined you for a drink?"

"Not if your buying. Oh and just in case you haven't noticed I'm empty."

No sooner had she finished her sentence than the barman had sent the drink over.

"I like your style kid sit down."

A chair slid out from under the table. resting just on the edge was a small heeled boot attached to an old but shapely leg. It was not impossible to see why men came to see her. I put my drink down on the table and sat.

Lola's voice was roughly ravaged by years of smoke alcohol and club life. She must have been at least sixty but looked about seventy. When she smiled though there was a twinkle in her eye that made her look mischievous and like she had a youthful spirit.

"Go on then boy what can I do for you? I seriously doubt you want my dried-up old pussy."

Her frankness shocked me into silence. This was clearly a woman who had little shame and wasn't afraid of a fight. There was a fire in her that hadn't died when she gave up on life. To give me time to think I took a long drink from my beer.

"I saw you sitting here on your own and I was on my own... I saw your dress and said to myself I need to know her story."

"Oh, you need to know my story. What you need to do is piss off back to the bar. My story is for over twenty ones."

"Ok I might sound a little pompous but I love people and their stories. I will buy you drinks until the end and if you don't want to see me again then you won't."

Lola stared at me hard. A look that told her everything she needed and more.

"Ok kid I like you and I need to tell all and get it off my chest. It has been twenty five years since I found and lost my love.