I flash my signature smile and say, “Two scotches.” The barman gives me a strange look before dropping me a deep nod. I was a bartender in college—well, barback—so I know their language. He fills two glasses and with a thick Czech accent says, “$20” as I beat him to it and slap down a twenty.

“Someone’s a regular,” Mark whispers. I bask in the moment and hand him a glass. We toast with a roar, “Prague!” The barman stares at us with his hand open as we move off to the dance floor.

Mark looks out at the sea of undergrads, “These girls are so hot!”

“And they’re really into Americans!”

I lift my glass to a nearby brunette and she whispers something into her friend’s ear. The two laugh. They really love us foreigners. Re-tucking his dress shirt into his jeans, Mark asks, “Do they speak English?”

“Not many but they love to dance!”

A song starts that I don’t recognize and the brunette squeals. The girls pass us a playful grin and I answer with an up/down shoulder move and a charismatic smile. They laugh and smile, too. Mark leans in, “You have this.”

I walk over to the brunette, “Want to dance?”

“Sure.”

Taking her hand, I lead her onto the dancefloor. She appreciates my chivalry and giggles. After more of my shoulder moves I lift her hand up and let her spin underneath. She laughs hysterically, loving it. Her friend does too and is clapping nonstop. I’m a generous dance partner.

Time to close the deal. Legs out, then in, out, then in, shoulder roll, then drop, bounce—(pop!) My right knee gives out. I grab it as a shooting pain fires up my leg. The girl looks concerned but I force a smile and stand. Fighting off a limp, I walk back to Mark who asks, “Are you leaving her there?”

“Don’t want to give too much away.”

“Playing it cool, smart.”

I turn and pass her a goodbye nod, pain sweat beading on my forehead. She laughs trying to cover the embarrassment of me leaving and sits with her friend. I tell Mark, “Let’s find some chairs and get more drinks.”

“You’re so smooth. You gotta teach me,” he says. I nod, fighting the searing pain in my 42-year-old knee and look around for the next catch.