Customers started to slowly make their way in and order drinks. Lauren felt good being back at work. She was concerned about Jennifer, she never got sick but it didn’t seem to be interfering with work. Jennifer was still making drinks at her normal pace, tonight would be the real test though.
Lauren wondered when Jessie would get to work tonight. She couldn’t wait to hear more of Jessie’s music. Lauren thought about how Harper stood her up earlier today and still couldn’t believe it. Lauren ran her fingers through her hair, pushing the thought out of her head, and went back to work.
Jessie got there about an hour after customers started coming in. She walked past the bar and gave Lauren a devilish grin. She made her way to her stand and set up for the night. People were starting to fill in around the bar, keeping Lauren and Jennifer busy.
“Tripp!” Lauren looked to the other side of the bar to see Matt calling her over.
“Yeah?” Lauren replied, continuing to pour her customer’s martini in their glass.
“We need six Liquid Marijuanas, five Flaming Volcanos, and three Menage a Trois for the V.I.P. section. Go up to their bar and make them. Then come back.” Matt barked across the crowd.
“Isn’t there somebody working that bar already?” Lauren said agitated.
Matt walked behind the bar “They don’t know how to make them and this is a high paying party. I’ll cover here for you while you take care of them.”
Lauren was astonished that Matt offered to cover the main bar. He was a terrible bartender. But Lauren knew Jennifer could handle the mixed drinks while Matt got beers and poured single drinks. “Fine.” Lauren said hesitantly. “Jenn, you okay for a bit?”
Jennifer nodded “Matt I’ll handle the mixed drinks. You handle beer and single alcohol drinks.”
Lauren smiled at Jennifer taking charge. Lauren made her a fine bartender. Matt fumbled around the beer cooler trying to help. She headed up to the V.I.P. section so that she could hurry up and get back before Matt killed the vibe.
When Lauren got behind the bar, she looked around the section at the customers. She could tell these were important people. She told the other bartenders, Sean and Ash, to watch her as she started mixing the drinks. It took her ten minutes to make the entire order. The customers were amazed at Lauren and how quick she was. They thanked her and she headed back to her bar. She made a note to go back over training with Sean and Ash, or at the very least tell them to learn to find a tool to look up how to make drinks.
“That party must be pretty wealthy. One of the guys was wearing a gold Rolex watch. And that was the cheapest I think I saw.” Lauren tapped Matt on the shoulder as he was struggling to pop the top off of a bottle.
He handed the bottle to Lauren, unopened “Yeah they are doctors and lawyers, all in some organization. They paid a shit ton of money to rent the section for the whole night.”
Lauren used her bottle opener and was handing out the beer in seconds before jumping on the next order. She knew they must have made a hefty payment. Normally Matt only rents it out for a few hours to each party, especially on nights like tonight. Matt headed off back to the section to make sure the party was happy.
“I’m glad you’re back. Matt is terrible help. I almost fell behind.” Jennifer passed behind Lauren grabbing for a clean shaker.
“I knew you could handle it.” Lauren smiled. “You learned well Young Padawan.”
Jennifer shook her head “Whatever Tripp. Don’t get cocky.”
Lauren smirked. “Oh yeah, cause you would like it.”
“Yeah right.” Jennifer smiled.
The night seemed to fly by. Once Lauren heard Jessie’s playlist going, it seemed like the entire club got a hundred times busier. It was drink after drink coming in. Lauren could tell Jennifer was starting to get tired and slow down so Lauren picked up the pace. There was no time for breaks. The bar never slowed. Lauren barely had time to talk to Jess when she came in. Jess brought a few friends and they all made their orders with Lauren. Lauren tried to be friendly and pay attention to them talking, but she didn’t have much time. Lauren told Jess to go have a good time with her friends out on the floor. Lauren walked around the bar to hug her sister before getting back to work.
At the end of the night, Lauren and Jennifer were both exhausted. They counted out the tips and split the money. They made triple compared to what they made the night before.
Lauren saw how bad Jennifer looked “Go on and head home Jenn. I’ll clean everything up.”
“Are you sure Tripp?” Jennifer asked.
“Yeah I don’t mind. Feel better.”
“Thank you.” Jennifer picked up her stuff, kissed Lauren on the cheek and headed out.
Lauren got to work cleaning up the bar and restocking. She looked up at the DJ stand, Jessie had already left. Lauren wondered why she didn’t say anything to her. But Lauren had gotten the feeling that Jessie got what she wanted and she was done with her now. Lauren knew how it went, she had pushed off women countless times. She wasn’t proud of it, but Lauren knew that nobody really wanted anything other than sex from her.
“Tripp.” Lauren looked up to see Matt walking up to her.
“I’m almost done restocking then I just have to mop.” Lauren continued to fill the beer cooler.
“Don’t worry about mopping. The cleaning company will take care of it in the morning. You made a damn good impression on the people at that party Tripp.” Matt handed her an envelope.
“What’s this?” Lauren took it, opening it.
“I don’t know. One of the lawyers told me to give it to you.” Matt watched her.
Inside, she saw it was at least $1500 and a business card. “Holy shit. You sure they already paid you for the rental?”
“Yeah why?” Matt looked curiously.
“There’s money in here and a business card?” She took out the card and turned it over.
Someone had written on the back “This tip is for you. If you want to make some extra cash, give me a call. K.T.”
“What’s it say?” Matt looked at her.
“Just that it’s a tip and if I want to make some extra money to call them.” Lauren tucked the card back in with the money and put the envelope in her pocket.
“Well shit Tripp.” Matt walked off.
Lauren finished stocking everything before she grabbed her stuff and headed out. She got on her motorcycle and headed for her apartment. When she got home she took out the envelope and reread the note. Then she counted the money it. She couldn’t believe someone gave it to her for a few drinks. All together for the night, she made almost eight grand. That was unheard of for bartenders, but she was used to bringing in at least a grand or two on a regular basis. Matt built an amazing club and she knew she made a pretty good reputation for the drinks. People drove for up to two hours just to have a good night at that club. Lauren never understood it, she was always fine with a small little bar. But she couldn’t complain. Lauren took her phone out of her pocket and saw she had a text message. It was Harper.
“I am so sorry. I promise I didn’t stand you up. I got stuck assisting in surgeries all day. There was a massive accident. If you are free tomorrow night, we can do dinner.”
Lauren was relieved that Harper didn’t stand her up. She texted her back. “Dinner, your choice, at 7?”
