Mardi Gras... A time for tourists. I was glad my bar was away from the main streets. I didn't tend to get the rowdy crowds, just the regulars and friends that frequented my bar. It was settled in an alley, with no sign above the door. I advertised by word of mouth, and I called it Nightshade. It was a place for people to get together away from the crowds, and I did do a lot of business on Mardi Gras. I had a bouncer that sat just inside the door by the name of Nick. Nick did his job well, keeping all the rowdy kids away. I liked my bar quiet; that's why my regulars always came back. It was relaxing.
I always opened at 6 PM, and it was 5:30. I rushed through the crowds, starting to regret not leaving sooner. A few guys grabbed my butt or my boobs, but I ignored them. I'd gotten used to this after a few years. I was a bit agitated by the time I reached the street to get to Nightshade. It was my birthday, and I had to deal with this every year. I turned into my alley, and sighed. It was 15 till. There was nobody back here. Nick was waiting for me, and grinned. "Happy Birthday, Sara. Fun in the crowds?"
I smirked back. "Smartass." Opening the door, Nick took his usual post, and I set about opening the register.
There was a knock at the door, and Nick called out, "We open in ten minutes." Again, the person knocked, more urgently. Nick stood up, and looked out the peeophole. "Oh my god..." Hurriedly, he opened the door and wrestled someone in, pushing a bunch of young women out. Finally getting the door closed, he apologized profusely to the man. "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize..."
A slightly raspy voice chuckled. "It's ok, I didn't think I would be recognized." Pulling off his sunglasses, I realized who it was myself, and almost dropped the glass I was putting away. I hurriedly turned around and started busying myself with figuring out what I needed to restock in the way of spirits or beer when I heard him drop heavily onto a barstool behind me and sigh. I forced myself to not blush, but I had a feeling my pale skin was almost as red as my tank top. I turned around, and smiled. "Hi."
He grinned, and asked, "I assume you already know who I am?" I just nodded and looked down at the shotglasses behind the bar, arranging them a little. Chuckling, ahe asked for a beer. "On the house, Mr. Cornell."
"Call me Chris. What's your name?"
I blushed slightly again, and replied, "Sara," before turning and heading into the back. I started to silently curse myself. I was acting like a stars truck fan! This bar was a safe haven for the people who wanted to escape the craziness, and I had had a celebrity or two here before. Never one I had fantasized about, though.
Nick laughed, watching me walk into the back. "You know, Sara has a thing for you. Don't worry, she'll be a professional, she wont ask for your autograph or nothing, she'll treat you like a normal person after she gets over the shock." Chris smiled, and drank some of his beer. "Why can't my other fans do that? They're always crazy...Hey, could I call some friends and have them come here?"
"Sure, this isn't exactly an exclusive club. We just like to keep out the troublemakers and the crazy people." Nick grinned, and looked out the peephole. The girls had given up on pounding the door and returned to the main street. He sat back down, and picked up his book.
I returned to the front, carrying a large keg. Chris smiled at me, and I almost melted. He made a call on his cell phone, and started talking to someone.
I had pulled my long black hair behind me into a ponytail so I could see better. I busied myself with changing the keg, and carried the empty one into the back. When I returned, He had hung up his cell.
"Well, all my buddies have hooked up with someone or found something they would rather do. They like the craziness. I prefer the relaxation." Chris finished off his beer, and I replaced it with a fresh one. "You are right on top of your job, aren't you?"
I grinned. "Yeah, I like to think I'm the best bartender/owner in New Orleans. I'm not in it for the profit, but for the people. It's better that way." Chris just smiled at me, and settled back into his barstool and drank some more. A few of my regulars had arrived, and they recognized Chris. A few asked me if he really was who they thought, and I confirmed it but reminded them, "Treat him like a regular person, and try not to talk about his career unless he brings it up. Don't be nosy. Please." They all agreed, without hesitation.
A few hours ticked by, and I had given Chris a few shots and a couple more beers. He didn't seem to be getting drunk, but then again he just kept his attention focused on the TV above the bar. I had made polite conversation a few times with him, and he asked me a few questions. I think he enjoyed being able to kick back at a local bar and not hide who he was. At about 9:30, a few of my friends walked through the door. Starting up a loud chorus of "Happy Birthday," they all settled at the bar next to Chris, with Marissa leaning way over and grabbing a beer. "Happy Birthday, Girl! I thought you might keep the bar closed and get laid! But no, work first. You turning into a Nun on us?"
Rolling my eyes, I laughed at her. "Yeah, nun in the morning and nun at night. I keep my bar open every day, Missa, you know that. I like working. Besides, I am closed one day week, so I have my turn for getting drunk."
John, Mike, and Mandy laughed together, and Mandy said, "Shit, I don't think you've been laid once in the past year and a half. You need it girl. You get plenty of customers, some of them are pretty hot, too. Hook it up!"
I turned around and wiggled my butt at them. I was wearing my black leather mini with my fishnets and knee0high boots, and John whistled. "If I wasn't gay, I'd do you." Mike elbowed him. John smiled, and took a drink of the beer I had given him.
I noticed Chris was staring at me by this point. I grinned, and looked at him. "Hey, would you like to meet some friends, Chris?"
Mandy and Marissa looked over, and their jaws dropped. "Wow, you definitely get some sexy guys in here." Turning back to me, they grinned evilly. "I think we should talk to him, Sara." Before I could say anything, the girls had already introduced themselves to him and asked him to come back to an empty table away from the bar. I had an inkling as to what they were up to, but kept my mouth shut. I would not go for it. I wasn't a one-night-stand kind of girl. Never in my 26 years.
Mike and John noticed the bar was getting a little busy and offered to help. "Sure, Mike, you run the register, and John, you clear tables. I'll just keep takin' care of drinks."
Marissa and Mandy were still talking to Chris, and he seemed to be getting more and more drunk. I was worried they might make him leave, and I didn't think it was a good idea in his state. They were laughing together, and Chris seemed to be enjoying himself. I started hoping they hadn't said anything about me. They knew I had the major hots for him, but those hopes were dashed when he looked at me and grinned. He knew.
I blushed again and turned back to my work. Time started to go by quickly, and before I knew it, it was almost 2 AM. Marissa and Mandy helped Chris back to the bar. He was pretty well drunk. Poor guy. I yelled, "Last Call!!" my patrons began to finish their drinks and slowly drift out the door, and Mike and John immediately cleared bottles and glasses from the tables.
Chris chuckled at something, and I turned. "Yes?" "You know, your friends are pretty cool." I smiled, and shook my head. "They're strange."
After another 15 minutes or so, Mandy and Marissa left with Mike and John. They winked, and were out the door. Chris and Nick were the only ones left other than me, and I smiled. "You look pretty drunk, Chris."
His eyes met mine again, and they were really bloodshot. "Yeah...I was supposed to meet my buddies at...I don't remember, some bar...I'm too late now."
Nick smiled at me. "Want me to call a cab for him?"
I shook my head. "I parked just 2 blocks down behind that Italian restaurant." I tossed Nick my keys. "Go get my car for me, will ya?" Nick nodded, and was out the door.
Chris watched him leave. "I have to pee." I laughed, and pointed to the men's room. He smiled and staggered to the bathroom. After a minute, he walked out. "That's better. You gonna give me ride?"
I nodded. "It's easier than trying to get a cab."
Chris almost stumbled, and turned a little red. "I think your friends got me a little drunk. I haven't gotten this drunk in a long long time." Grinning, he sat down on the barstool. Nick came back about 10 minutes later, while Chris and I were making small talk. He was a pretty cool guy, I thought. "Well, Chris, can you walk to my car, or should Nick carry you?" Chris chuckled slightly. "I'll walk."
I locked up, and got out to the main street. Nick turned and walked down the sidewalk, and I drove away from the crowds. They were a hell of a lot smaller, but they would be there until close to dawn. It was 2:30, and I yawned. "So, where are you staying at?"
Chris grinned. "That's why I was supposed to meet up with my friends. I was staying at their place, but I don't know how to get there."