Victory Lap
When we returned to the house, the bartenders car was parked next to Pauli's old Toyota. She met us at the door with cold Beers and a smile, "We're celebrating!"
Pauli and I just looked at each other and shrugged as we accepted the beers.
"You are now in the presence of Greatness!" the Bartender proclaimed.
"Oh really?" I asked.
"Mmhm" she nodded, "I finally passed my Realtor's Exam!"
Her happy-dance was a thing of beauty!
"O.M.G. Do you even know what this means?" she asked excitedly, "No More Bartending...unless I want to."
"Congratulations" said Pauli.
"What did you fella's do while I was gone, hmm?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.
"Oh nothing much" I replied, "Took a walk, drank some beer..."
Pauli finished the sentence "...Killed a giant lobster monster, brought a teen-aged girl back to life."
The Bartender looked concerned for a moment "You're kidding, right? Right?!"
"I wish!" he replied.
She looked at me, I just shrugged.
"It happens" I said, in explanation.
"Holy shit! Are you both okay?" she asked.
We assured her that we were uninjured. We sat at the table, drinking our beers while the Bartender described the test, the preparation, and the hours she'd spent learning the trade-craft. She really loved the work, and seemed to be able to forget about everything else while she was talking about realty.
"...and so the proctor said 'Nice job, this is one of the highest scores on record' I could have just kissed him!" the Bartender paused and looked at Pauli, "I didn't though, I just want you to know that!" And she went on with her tale.
I got up and fetched another round of beers, Pauli accepted his gratefully and took a long pull on the bottle. The bartender took a sip of hers and continued with her story about the incredibly exciting world of realty. I returned to my seat at the table and nursed my brew while she talked.
"...and I'm getting a big fat signing bonus on top of the new job" she said, "so
that's
why we're celebrating!"
She sighed theatrically and flopped back in her chair, "Thanks for letting me talk your ears off, I just had to get it out or I was gonna explode!"
I finished my second beer, Pauli had got up and grabbed another round for everyone, and the Bartender made a show of counting the bottles on the table.
"By my count" she said, "this is the round of beers that causes nudity!"
Pauli took drink of his beer and swished it around in his mouth "Yep, tastes like naked beer to me."
I looked at them both critically, "Really, getting naked after three beers, that's the rule now?" I asked,
"If that's the case I should have been stripping as I walked into the house!"
The Bartender giggled, "And I should have met you at the door nekkid."
Pauli just snorted "Amateurs, I would have been naked from age 20!"
All of us laughed and quickly finished our beers!
After an awkward pause, the Bartender spoke "Nobody is stripping."
"And nobody is getting me another beer" said Pauli.
Both of them looked at me expectantly.
"
Fine!
" I stood and kicked off my shoes, grinning as I walked to the fridge, "Here's yer goddam beer!" I said as I tossed a can of Tecate to Pauli, "And here's yer goddam tits!" as I pulled my tee-shirt off and threw it at the Bartender. "Now get those fucking clothes off and
dance
for me!"
She laughed as she stood and slipped out of her smart business clothing. Pauli just enjoyed the view while he drained his beer. Under the carefully coordinated business look was an equally well coordinated pleasure look. The silk camisole and the French knickers left much to the imagination, while revealing much as well.