6. Fantine, Jade, and Little Nell
The bar was full of noisy revellers; the atmosphere was excited and animated. The historical, rank stench of stale menthol smoke, beer spilled onto carpets, and sweat had matured since the fifties and blended with another, popular overwhelming scent — the sweet and heavy pall of patchouli oil. The décor was small tables with threadbare red tablecloths, spindly wooden chairs, and brown plaster and wood walls. The lighting was dim away from the bar, which was too bright in front of the lights that blazed behind the paisley panels of the lampshade that ran the length of the bar. Secondary islands of light glowed over the worn blue felt on two pool tables, illuminating dozens of faces clustered around the games. The crowd was a mixed group of white and brown;
