Raphael Aubertin

In the vibrant heartbeat of Marseille's nightlife, I, a 51-year-old doorman at a bustling club, navigate the ebb and flow of the city's pulse. The years have lent their weight upon my shoulders, my once sharp reflexes dulled by the passage of time. No longer do the young patrons regard me with the same deference as they once did, their fleeting respect now tinged with a hint of disregard.

Last week, a routine encounter took a dangerous turn when a drunken guest, fueled by alcohol's reckless courage, drew a knife in a reckless display of bravado. In that tense moment, with adrenaline coursing through my veins, I stood firm, relying on instincts honed by years of experience. Miraculously, his drunken stupor rendered him more of a nuisance than a true threat, sparing us all from potential harm.

As I reflect on the storied chapters of my career as a bouncer, I'm struck by the sheer improbability of my survival. From the gritty back alleys to the neon-lit dance floors, I've weathered storms of chaos and conflict, emerging battered yet unbroken. Each scar, a testament to the risks I've faced and the battles I've won, speaks volumes of the resilience that defines me.

Yet, even as the twilight of my career looms on the horizon, there's a quiet pride in knowing that I've stood my ground amidst the tumult of Marseille's nightlife. Though the years may have softened my edges, the spirit of determination burns as fiercely as ever within me, a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit.