I take a seat at the bar, requesting a shot of whiskey from the bartender. I pull my pack of red Marlboro out of my jacket pocket, a lighter in hand as I fire up my first stick of the evening. I take a long drag on my cigarette as I take in the surroundings of the dimly lit bar before me, examining the patrons and the atmosphere. The Jazz music playing in the background mingles with the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses--the air is lively and energetic.