You shouldn’t stare at a woman like that, darling. People might think you’re interested. She wore a dress the color of midnight, and shoes that barely made a sound, a little silver at her throat, and trouble when she turned around. She had a cigarette burning between two fingers pale, and eyes that made a guilty man forget the story he would tell. She said, “You’re new here, aren’t you?” I said, “Does it show?” She smiled and took a little sip. “Only to people who already know.” She’s the woman Velvet, with a heart like a loaded gun, she’ll kiss you like a promise then leave before you’re done. She’s a little bit of heaven, she’s a little bit of sin, and once you let her choose the lock… she’ll decide which door you’re in. She asked me if I liked gin. I said, “Only when it’s cold.” She said, “That’s funny… I prefer mine when the story’s getting old.” She laughed into her glass and looked toward the band. The trumpet caught her eye like he’d been warned in advance. There was a scar beneath her glove, a little mark of red. I asked her where it came from. She smiled and shook her head. “Some questions, darling, are better left unsaid.” Then she reached across the table and straightened up my tie. I swear for just a second… her eyes weren’t human eyes. She’s the woman Velvet,, with a secret underneath, she’ll tell you that she’s lonely with a smile that shows no grief. She’s a little bit of heaven, she’s a little bit of sin, and every time you think you’re close… she disappears again. The clock struck twelve. She didn’t move. The band kept playing. She didn’t blink. I said, “What’s your name?” She looked at me. “Tonight?” “You can call me whatever you like.” She took my hand. Her fingers were cold. Colder than the rain outside. For the first time that evening… I wanted to leave. But she pulled me from the doorway. “Don’t go yet, handsome. The night’s still young tonight.” There was laughter from the tables, gin and smoke beneath the light, and somewhere down the hallway someone whispered: “She’s there.” I looked behind me. Nobody stood there. I looked back at her. She was smiling. And suddenly I couldn’t remember why I’d ever wanted to leave. She’s the woman Velvet, with a heart like a loaded gun, she’ll kiss you like a promise then leave before you’re done. She’s a little bit of heaven, she’s a little bit of sin, and once you let her touch you… the night comes rushing in. She’s the woman Velvet, She’s the secret in the room. She’s the reason men walk through the door… and never notice when it’s closed. You shouldn’t stare at a woman like that, darling. You might fall in love. Or something worse.
