He regards my hand for a moment before taking it and politely gives me a firm shake, a hand enveloping mine with sheer masculine size. A sign of a real man, one of my regulars used to say—a good firm handshake and eye contact means you will always know where you stand with someone; except I don’t think the rules apply when someone has soulless eyes and dark depth behind an emotionless face. I kind of get the feeling he is analysing every detail about me and evaluating how to play ...