Back inside the vestibule, he glanced through the porthole style windows for a glimpse inside.

      . . . at the mahogany bar a heavy set fellow with the requisite towel over his forearm served drinks while he quipped with a few of the regulars swivelling slowly on the bar stools . . . over in the corner, an animated brunette with panther embossed stockings tossed quarters into the old style juke box, tapping her feet while making her selections . . . and at the table beside her, a woman with long dark hair watched the scene and the people.

      The brunette had just finished choosing songs when a dark haired man walked up to her. He whispered in her ear, laughed once, then kissed her on the cheek before sidling back to bar to join the flaxen blond arguing good naturedly with the bartender.  Just before he reached them, both burst out laughing; the blond almost spilling her scotch as she rocked back and forth.

      With a wave to the bartender and the blond, the newcomer walked slowly across the room to the table occupied by the dark haired woman.  Her glance told him he was welcome to join her, so he took the seat next to hers and spoke.

      "Hi Sue, looks like there's still quite a few missing. Wonder if they heard"

      "Ahhh . . .they heard. They'll be here all right . . .sooner or later."

      She'd just spoken when several "old regs" came in together.

      "See...I told ya. There's Jude and Ray; and Marie; Krysia, Steph, Myrna, Cath...and isn't that tall blond . . . "

      "Yes. Yes, it is. If you'll excuse me, I'll go say hello."

      He picked up a scotch from bartender Billy, then smiled at the tall blond woman and sat down beside her.   While he spoke with her, several other regulars filed in from the street and joined those already in the lounge. Some sat with the flaxen blond at the bar; others circulated among the tables trading stories of "the old days".

      Most of the talk was of the imminent demise of the lounge, and of the good times they'd all had there through the years.  Plans were made to meet in other locations, addresses were exchanged, and promises made to show up.

      All knew that it wouldn't be quite the same though; wouldn't be quite as "close".

      When the tapping of a spoon against the side of a glass brought all discussion to a hush, all turned to watch Deb as she spoke.

      "OK...we all know why we're here...but let's not make it a damn wake.  Jeez! I want everyone up dancing. And if you won't do it on your own, I'll come'n getcha."

      Over the next hour, most complied; even "I - dance - like - a - chair" Sue.  Despite its antiquity, the one song that brought all to the floor was Nat "King" Cole's "Stardust".

      Then, too soon, it was time to leave.  The bartender spoke of how he'd enjoyed the company of the "old regs", singling out a few of the more "colourful" personalities for special attention, and recounted the hilarious Attic to main floor and back again "fight" with the "Pest- No-Mor" insect spray.  When he mentioned "blond haired vixens", Kar just giggled, and pretended to be studying the contents of her glass.

      One by one, the party-goers filed out into the vestibule and put on their coats.  Kisses and handshakes were exchanged, and again, promises were made to meet in the future.

      When Billy turned off the lights, little knots of friends assembled in the street to watch the bartender lock the door for the last time.  A few of the women were crying openly by this time, and even the guys were busying themselves playing with car keys, twisting jacket buttons, and studying unruly shoe laces.

      As Billy turned to the group, the old reg who'd gone back to his car earlier spoke up.

      "Billy...you really should have this.  You invited many of us here for the first time, and saw the lounge through good times and bad."

      From his case, the old reg drew an object wrapped in cloth, and handed it to Billy.

      As everyone watched, Billy opened the cloth, and held up the object.  It was the plaque that read "Maple Leaf Lounge".

      Last goodbyes were whispered, and within minutes, the friends had split up, and disappeared on their separate ways into the dark of the night.