As Bernie and Sandra sat and smoked, they traded life stories. Bernie explained that she worked for Philip Morris, but was on annual leave at present. She told the new smoker that tonight was her final night of her vacation, and invited Sandra to join her on a night out in town. Before meeting Bernie, Sandra was glad of the anti-smoking law affecting nightclubs and bars. But now with her new mindset focused on smoking, she raised concerns to Bernie. Bernie reassured Sandra and, after another round of chain-smoking in the hotel room, they made their way into the center of town.
“This is a favorite place for tourists and locals.” Sandra said as they got out of the taxi opposite The Bellshire Arms. Bernie saw a few scattered smokers puff on their cigarettes outside the building with disdain.
How can the authorities treat smokers like second-class citizens, Bernie thought as she introduced herself to a small group of smokers at a table outside the bar.
After being invited to join them, Bernie and Sandra sat down and lit up as the group ordered drinks. They quickly introduced themselves as Michael and Claire.
“Be gentle with Sandra…it’s her first time.” Bernie teased the group as Sandra smoked nervously.
“Don’t worry guys…the more the merrier! Most of our mates are quitting in light of this ban.” Michael stated as he enjoyed the sight of Sandra filling her lungs with smoke.
Michael went on to explain that he and Claire took up smoking in their teenage years. They had experimented with many brands while growing up, but settled on Silk Cuts. Janelle, their other friend, returned with the drinks and explained she just started smoking recently out of protest of the ban itself.
“So you just did it in spite of the law?” Bernie asked innocently as she sipped her beer.
“Yes. I was only going to do it for that last night before the ban with Michael and Claire…. but soon two or three became five, six and seven. It’s amazing how easy smoking can be when aided by some alcohol – we all got wasted that night!” Janelle smiled as she lit up her own cigarette.
Sandra sat and smoked with intrigue at Janelle’s smoking story and found herself enjoying the company and conversation. Her current smoking position she had never envisaged herself doing.
“Is it always like this out here?” Sandra asked innocently as she took another drag, noting how only a few smokers were scattered outside at several tables.
Claire nodded her head but conceded that on some occasions nonsmokers would come out to mingle with smokers for romance.
“So are you telling me they fake smoking in order to get it off with someone?” Bernie asked as she tapped her cigarette against the ashtray.
“Absolutely. Just look over there.” Michael pointed to another table at a couple. He explained that one of them, wearing a blue t-shirt and denim jacket, was a non-smoker. The girl had been following other guys from the bar all week, trying to get close to them and pretending to smoke. Bernie could recognize this by the way the woman held her cigarette tentatively. She also watched as the woman failed to imitate her partner by blowing the smoke instantly from her mouth. The girl frowned to herself as the smoke was harsh. Bernie hated the idea of fake smokers, and decided that she would rectify the problem before the night was out.
As all the ladies chained into another cigarette, Claire explained the bar owner was also a former smoker before the ban came into play. She revealed that the owner only quit as an example to her fellow customers.
“We have to get back inside before Tanya goes nuts sitting herself!” Janelle joked as she, Michael and Claire walked back into the warm, noisy atmosphere of the bar and joined their lonesome friend. Bernie saw through the window as they sat down beside Tanya, who frowned at them, waving her hand in disgust.
Bernie noticed that the smoker left Danielle to go back inside and order more drinks. Sandra ground out her latest cigarette and went inside to the toilets. Bernie decided to use the time alone wisely to ‘teach’ Danielle how to really smoke. She wandered over to the table, watching as Danielle continued to put a brave face on ‘smoking’.
“Do you really want to get off with that smoker guy?” Bernie stated bluntly into Danielle’s ear.
“What business is that off yours!” Danielle barked at Bernie’s intrusion.
“The guy you are idolizing is a smoker. You look pathetic and uncomfortable, but I am here to help you.” Bernie stated, using her influence over Danielle.
Danielle’s demeanor changed, and the anger had eroded by the time Bernie sat down beside her.
Five minutes later, Sandra returned to the outside table, holding a couple of beers.
“I do stink of smoke. In the past, that smell would have bothered me, but not now thanks to you.” Sandra reasoned as she sat down and lit up another cigarette – Bernie was happy that Sandra was now comfortable smoking.
“You remember that fake smoker we were talking about earlier…” Bernie suggested, nodding in Danielle’s direction.
Sandra watched as Danielle inhaled powerfully again and again from her cigarette, devouring the smoke as her partner watched on with amusement. Bernie thrived on the fact that Danielle no longer smoked to impress her partner…she smoked for her own pleasure.
Bernie and Sandra continued to chain-smoke as customers began leaving the bar. All the time, Bernie watched Michael and his friends drinking inside while Sandra talked extensively about her life and her new smoking passion.
Finally, an opportunity arose to complete her night’s good work when Michael, Claire and Janelle returned outside for a cigarette. They joined Sandra at the table as Bernie excused herself to enter the bar. The atmosphere was unlike anything she encountered. Bernie had been used to smoky environments for years, and sensed that the atmosphere was flat as a result of the ban. She looked around the bar to seek out the recently quit smokers, fidgeting with their hands as they lost themselves in conversation with their peers. Bernie watched from the bar as Tanya stood up and walked into the toilets at the back of the bar. Bernie followed Tanya, picking up a sign from the adjacent room.
Do Not Disturb – Cleaning In Progress, the sign stated.
Bernie placed the sign on the outside handle of the door as she entered the toilets.
She checked the cubicles and found only one engaged – her victim Tanya.
As Bernie leaned against the cubicle door, she extracted her pack of Reds from her pocket and lit up casually, admiring her reflection in the wall mirrors. She smiled as the smoke oozed from her mouth and up towards the ceiling lights.
“What’s going on out there? Is someone smoking?” Bernie could hear Tanya’s voice from behind the cubicle door.
Suddenly, she could feel Tanya struggling as she leaned against the cubicle door, locking her captive in.
“Who the hell is in here?” Tanya shouted in frustration.
“It’s a friend, Tanya. I’m here on behalf of Michael.” Bernie smiled as she inhaled again.
“You better put that out or I’ll kick you ass.” Tanya screamed.
“You see Tanya, that attitude just won’t do. That’s why you’re isolating yourself from your friends. You need to learn to be sociable. The only way to do that is to smoke.” Bernie commanded, allowing her influence to take over.
With nowhere to run, Tanya fell prey to Bernie’s hypnotic insistence immediately. Her mindset began changing as Bernie spoke about the benefits of smoking.
“Let me out.” Tanya meekly muttered against her captor.
“Sit down and shut up…I’m talking!” Bernie commanded as Tanya complied.
“I will let you out…but not before you vow to make up to your friends for tonight. You’ve berated them all night, so it’s time to ask for forgiveness. Smoking is the only way to do this. You have to join your friends in this activity. Only that way, can you really be part of their group. Go out to your friends and learn to smoke. You will love the feeling and it will make you feel special. You will fall in love with smoking from its first taste, and enjoy sharing a habit with your friends.” Bernie justified as she inhaled again.
“Yes.” Tanya replied, in a trance.
Satisfied her work was done, Bernie ground out her cigarette before letting Tanya leave the toilets back to her friends.
As Tanya left, another woman entered the toilets and approached Bernie.
“Have you been smoking in here?”
“Who’s asking?” Bernie replied shamelessly.
“The owner of this bar!” The female bartender said.
“Oh right…we need to have a chat.” Bernie smiled as she put her arm around the female bartender’s neck and whispered in her ear.
The customers had left the bar for home as it was late. Bernie, Sandra and Michael’s friends finished off their final round of cigarettes before leaving.
“I just can’t get over you smoking, Tanya!” Michael said, astounded as his childhood peer sucked effortlessly on a Silk Cut, bummed from Claire.
Holding the smoke in, Tanya parted her lips and exhaled leisurely towards the night sky.
“You’ve got Bernie to thank for that. I realized that I was a pain in the ass, and decided to do something about it. Plus, I was fed up sitting alone inside while you were all out here enjoying yourselves…” Tanya smiled as she took another drag before continuing “…You will no longer have to dash in and outside for my benefit. My seat is here in the smokers’ area from now on.” Tanya claimed proudly, exhaling once more.
As they finished their drinks and got up to leave, Bernie saw the female bartender lock up the bar, with an unlit Marlboro Light dangling between her lips. After putting her keys back in her pocket, she extracted her old Zippo lighter and brought the cigarette to life. Puffing furiously, she walked towards her car and drove off. Another happy punter, Bernie thought as she said goodbye to Tanya and her new smoking friends and walked back to the hotel with Sandra.
Early morning broke overhead as Bernie sat waiting for the coach to arrive in the hotel lobby. The holiday had turned out more productive than anything else as she watched Melanie and her smoking colleagues finish a final cigarette before ending their shift. Bernie realized that although she gave a new sense of pleasure to others through her gift, she took her own immense pleasure from watching others turn into dedicated and grateful smokers.
The coach drove up outside the hotel, and Bernie walked towards the vehicle, passing Melanie on the way.
“It’s been a pleasure, Bernie.” Melanie stated as smoke surrounded her.
“The pleasure has been all mines.” Bernie murmured as she boarded the coach.
