The lamp should have been off

Shuttered lounge on a layover deck that still smelled like someone else's perfume. Piano sparse. Bass walking like it was tired of arguing. I sang One More Night Watch to six people and a tip jar that knew better than to rush me. That is the job when it is honest.

I am not Otho's swing party and I am not Vasha's floor command. Crodoc torch is a different contract with the room — dim it until the hush does the work. Family still calls it retirement music. Regulars tip in hard coin for off-book encores. Both can be true.

KFAD one-oh-three point seven. Exit before dawn crew change.