HAPPY NEW YEAR || OPEN STARTER/DRABBLE

Sitting aside in a quiet corner of a rowdy little bar in New York City, the
mercenary’s gaze flicks to the TV – barely visible through the crowd of drunken
men & women – as the ball drops, & with a wry smile he lifts his half-filled glass
in a salute to nothing & no one in particular.
“Happy new year.” Clint mutters to himself, placing the glass back down on
the table with a quiet thud. For a moment he’s caught up in old & faded
memories, a small, almost sincere, smile crossing his lips as he thought about
days & people long since passed. Then, shaking himself from his reverie, he
pushes himself away from the table & stands, downing the last of his drink. He is
numb to the merriment & festivities going on mere feet away, ignoring the other
patrons of the bar as he slowly slips on his jacket, placing a few dollars tip on the
table before taking his leave, stepping out into the cold embrace of a new year.
OPEN STARTER
“Halloween? That’s still a thing? Jesus, it’s been…
years. Wow. I need to catch up with the times.”
