Alois and Claire had hoped to use their savings to open their own establishment in Lisbon. But finding a space that met Alois’s exacting standards—shaped by his time in Chicago—proved impossible. Plans unraveled and their funds were running out. Rather than compromise, Alois returned to life on the edge of the law. He began mixing drinks for wealthy exiles in the cellar of the building where they rented an apartment. Their favorite became a cocktail combining gin, grapefruit aperitif, citrus and cranberries.
Unfortunately, the entire operation was illegal. By mixing and selling drinks without a license, under the radar of the authorities, Alois had returned to the life of the gangster he had once fled in America. On top of that, quality spirits were heavily taxed in postwar Portugal so Alois had to buy them on the black market. Although money started coming in again, Claire refused to have anything to do with this new venture. One day, she packed her things and left nothing behind but a short note:
"This isn’t the life we dreamed of together. I’m leaving. Don’t try to find me. — C."
