It was the kind of heat that drained you of all energy during the day. Which was why Captain Renault enjoyed the night so much. This morning he had met with a pretty young thing in his office. She and her husband were desperate to get out. But alas, they didn’t have the necessary funds for the exit papers. No matter. Why for the right price anything can be bought in Casablanca. It’s just that sometimes the medium of exchange isn’t money. She had dark hair and a dancers body. Her sad desperate eyes and her full lips made him look forward to collecting his payment.

He walked into Rick’s place. It was one of the few places he felt completely comfortable. It’s not that you felt the graft, but it was like an undertone. A subtle flavor of money, fear, sex and gambling. Rick, the American owner, was quite the character. His was a world weary, realistic attitude of do what it takes to get along. He liked that in Rick. Much more than that officious, overbearing German Strasser.

He strode in and smiled.