The place was only half full, and the patrons were of the tired and tattered kind. Cheap beer and old habit drew them in. Nothing like a good old' Germanic carouse, spiced with the bellowing of old hits into the karaoke microphone. She sat alone in a corner, hunched over her drink, waiting. Her clothes were a lot less elegant than they used to be. One might think she was doing penance of some kind; but really, all she was doing, was hiding.

When it was her turn, she walked up to the stage and turned off the screen and the music. The tall, thin woman lifted her head. A set of intensely blue eyes swept over the patrons and took in the room, as she nervously pushed some of her dark, long hair back. She raised the microphone to her lips and spoke timidly into it, "I've a song I want to sing tonight. It's an old jazz standard. Hope you like it..."

She inhaled and let her voice fill the room, and the minds and hearts of the patrons with a slow, a capella performance.

Someday he'll come along
The man I love
And he'll be big and strong
The man I love
And when he comes my way
I'll do my best to make him stay

He'll look at me and smile
I'll understand
And in a little while
He'll take my hand
And though it seems absurd
I know we both won't say a word

One of the ratty patrons, a grey mouse of a woman, middle-aged and alone, closed her eyes and lifted her face towards Heaven. She smiled and whispered words that no mortal could hear. And Liriel sang...

Maybe I shall meet him Sunday
Maybe Monday, maybe not
Still I'm sure to meet him one day
Maybe Tuesday will be my good news day

He'll build a little home
Just meant for two
From which I'll never roam
Who would, would you?
And so, all else above,
I'm waiting for the man I love...