The barkeep and the model Pt. 02
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Back inside I spent the next couple of hours mingling with the crowd. My staff were excellent and I wasn't needed to help out. Instead I chatted up our regulars and introduced myself to folks I didn't recognize. As I was catching up with Ronnie, a regular, I spotted a guy I didn't know stumbling as he stood up from his barstool. He staggered into the Men's room and a few minutes later, staggered back towards the bar.
I signaled Rob to cut the guy off as I walked up next to him and spoke. "Hi, I'm Dusty. I own this place. How are you doing tonight?"
"Jess great if I can get a refill on my drank," he slurred.
"Are these your keys?" I asked as I grabbed them off the bar.
"Hey, yeah they are. Gimme," he said, almost shouting.
"I think you've had enough for tonight. And too much to drive. If you'll give me your address, I'll call a rideshare for you. My treat," I said.
"Ah man, I'm cebralating tonight. Jus one more, okay?"
"Sorry, state law. Once we identify that a patron is inebriated we're required to cut them off. May I see your driver's license, please?"
The entire time I made certain to look him in the eye. If you stay calm, but firm, they rarely cause trouble. I pulled my cell phone out and opened the rideshare app. "License?" I repeated.
He pulled out his wallet somewhat reluctantly but handed it to me. "Is this your current address," I asked while looking at the license.
"Yeah," he mumbled.
I put in the pickup point and the destination and submitted the request. Being Friday night and Dusty's being a popular place, there were several cars just a few minutes away. I walked him outside and in just a minute or two the rideshare arrived. I handed his wallet back and opened the back door to usher him in before walking around to the driver's door.
"He might need a little help getting into his house," I whispered.
"No problem," the driver said before driving off.
Fifteen minutes later the app notified me that 'I' had been delivered to 'my' destination and asked if I wanted to tip the driver. I gave him twenty percent and closed the app.
"Thanks, boss. I was just about to cut that guy off," Rob said.
"Probably one drink too late, Rob," I replied.
"Yeah. He's one of those guys who seems completely sober then Bang! one more sip and he toast," Rob explained. I knew exactly what he was talking about. In my business we all hate that type of customer. Best thing to do is flag them in case they return. If they do we have to cut them off before they hit that point, which often creates an irate customer. Not good but better than risking our alcohol license.
The night wound down and I pitched in to help the staff clean up and close out the shift. We closed at 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and finished up by about 1:45. After bidding everyone a good night I locked up and headed upstairs to get to bed.
I was up at eight and downstairs shortly thereafter. I had two liquor and one beer delivery coming and state law requires payment on delivery. I fired up the coffee pot and waited for the trucks to arrive. As each showed up I verified that the deliveries matched what I'd ordered and the invoices they presented. I wrote out each check and thanked the delivery guys - all of whom I knew from the years they'd been coming. Then I stowed the liquor and filled the beer coolers with bottles to chill. Kegs had been wheeled into the cooler by the delivery guy.
The entire time I walked through the required motions by rote as my mind was on Xanthe. I analyzed every bit of our conversation the prior night vacillating between 'She was just being friendly' and 'She's into me, right? She did agree to another date.' Then I realized how out of character that was for me. I'm usually very confident and decisive, traits I acquired in the service. In Special Forces you don't survive multiple deployments and dozens of engagements by being wishy washy.
At ten thirty the day shift showed up to open the place for lunch. They had an hour before we unlocked the doors but all were experienced and knew what had to be done. With only friendly chatter with one another, each automatically did all the things they knew were needed to serve our customers.
Just before noon my message notification played and I was a bit surprised to see a text from Xanthe. With the studying and paper she'd said she needed to do I wasn't expecting to hear from her until later in the afternoon.
'Hey sexy. Take a gal to lunch?' I read.
'Thought you were up to your neck in school work,' I answered.
'I am but I'm starved. Can't work on an empty stomach.'
'How about I bring you some takeout. That is, if you're okay giving me your address. Quicker than if we go out to eat.'
'Awesome! Thanks. Can I get some soup and a salad?'
'Soup du jour is New England Clam Chowder. That okay?'
'Perfect!'
'K. I'll get the kitchen started on it. Text me your address and I'll let you know when I'm on the way.'
Half an hour later I rang her doorbell, lunch in hand. Xanthe opened the door wearing a huge smile, cute white shorts, and a summery blouse. Her hair was in a ponytail. All in all, a huge change from the night before when she'd come straight from work to Dusty's. Last night she exuded the fashion model vibe. Today she was every bit as beautiful but in an almost girl next door way.
With our food in my hands I couldn't fend off her tight hug and deep kiss even if I'd wanted to. Naturally that would have been the last thing I wanted. Mamma didn't raise no fool! When she finally broke off I was able to say "You look great today! Casual suits you."
"Thanks. I enjoy dressing professionally for work but off-duty I'm just a gal," she replied. "C'mon, we can sit in the kitchen to eat."
Her apartment was small, but clean, neat, and nicely furnished. "Did you do the decor yourself, or cheat and hire someone like I did," I asked.