World Cup Part II

It's halftime of the Argentina vs. Serbia match and even though I don't know much about soccer I know Argentina is playing damn good. They are my new favorite team. My wife likes the players with their flowing hair and clean shaven faces. A friend comments that it's the beautiful team vs. the ugly team, and he's right. The Serbians could use a little work on and off the field. Anyway, they have a beer chugging contest at half time. Five people compete to see who can chug a bottle of beer the fastest, the winner getting some meaningless prize ¨C maybe a new liver. It takes some work, but they finally get five contestants, three Americans and two Chinese men. It's a little weird demographic wise as there are about 300 people in the audience, slightly more than half men, and only a handful of Americans. I can consume plenty of beer myself, but don't chug. The contest over ¨C a Chinese man beat the Americans ¨C the second half proceeds with Argentina seemingly toying with Serbia. There is one play in particular. An Argentine player is closely guarded, so he kicks the ball through the legs of the defender, runs around him then sidesteps another defender, then curves the ball around the goaltender for a goal. It was pure magic. And, only their second best goal of the night. Game complete, the four of us head over to the Russian nightclub. I was a little hesitant to bring it up ¨C after last time ¨C but it seems the couple actually enjoyed the last time so we went. Besides, I had a bottle of vodka on hold there from the time in between the last time and this time. We arrive, and start drinking screwdrivers. The Russian hookers start to look good. After a few more drinks even my friend's wife starts to move with the music which she's never done before. I walk around to check out the scene. My wife is fascinated by some young Russian men at the table behind us. I remind her that men that age don't even need 15 minutes between rounds. They just reload. This does not discourage her. They put on a dance show. A black man and female crew dancing to Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean". Then a group of belly dancers one of which eventually makes her way to our table. My friend's life is complete at this point. He could die at that moment and be happy. Me, I've died a long time ago as it is. Then we are treated to a Las Vegas style dance troop without the nudity. Eventually the dancers take a break and a live band comes on. They are pretty good, especially the male singer. They are Russian but sing most of their songs in Chinese. When the band is done, the dance floor opens up complete with go-go dancers. I pay particular attention to a Chinese woman dancing with her Chinese man but looking straight at a hot go-go dancer. My friend is standing directly behind the go-go dancer. Eventually he takes his wife on the dance floor. My wife and I don't dance, can't dance really, so we stay behind and just people watch. Feeling pretty wasted but frisky, we stumble home to our small condo. In our bed are our two children. In the tiny second bedroom are my wife's nephew and her mom. Downstairs is the Ayi. Somehow we still manage. A young Russian man I am not, but I can pretend for¡well..two minutes at least.