The Bartender

[Scott O'Riley]

After about two and a half months of working at the pub, Scott actually liked being in such a calm environment. Fights barely broke, the drunks were always merry and the regulars could not have been more generous with their tips. Occasionally, he would get a fine young piece coming in just looking to get drunk. It was a pretty sweet gig. 

Tonight, much like every other night, things were quiet, though the jukebox was playing softly in the background. The regulars had gone to their booths and he could see straight to the entrance just as a young woman walked in. As he wiped the counter top, he smiled up at her and nodded.

"Evening, what can I get you?"

Tagged: Blue Gyhardt

[Blue Gyhardt]

Blue tucked her phone back in her pocket. She’d been on bad dates before, but this was genuinely the first time she’d been stood up for one. Not that she was heartbroken, exactly; the guy was practically a stranger she’d met around campus. Still, it didn’t do much for her self esteem. She reminded herself to delete the convo on her phone for later, not wanting to look at her unanswered texts for now.

Blue was used to waiting before the bartender noticed her. She’d never been to this place before, hadn’t been to a lot of bars in the first place. She felt a little out of place, more so tonight than ever. Scooting the ends of her jacket out from under her seat, she managed a tight-lipped smile. “Ah, just a Long Island,” she said.

If nothing else, a cool drink would make her feel better. It would’ve been a shame to come all this way without one.

When her drink was delivered, she gave him a slight smile. “Thanks.”

[Scott O'Riley]

As Scott made the drink, he quietly observed the girl he was serving. She looked a little down and quite frankly, a little standoffish. He didn't know if that was what she was going for so he concentrated on making the drink and sending it her way.

"Rough night?" He asked as he wiped down the counter. It was a mark of development on his end that he was even entertaining the customers. Then again, traveling the world did mellow him out a bit. He was still a rich brat but he was starting to be a little friendlier.

[Blue Gyhardt]

She was honestly taken aback. Her expression melded into a flustered smile. “Didn’t know it was obvious,” she said, curling up one shoulder. She took hold of the cup and tilted it back; the warmth spread through her throat. For a moment she reflected on the situation. It reminded her of a black-and-white movie, her sitting down in a dimly lit bar, the bartender leaning over with one elbow in the table, asking, with his cigarette sticking out one side of his lips, ‘rough night, buddy?’

“Oh… yeah,” she replied. “I was supposed to be meeting someone.”

Blue supposed that should have been an embarrassing thing to admit, especially to what seemed like an attractive guy. But she’d spent all her emotional strife within the past one hour and couldn’t be bothered any more. If anything, it was said with casual resignation.

“Is it true I get free dessert if I look pitiful enough?” she asked.

[Scott O'Riley]

"We're not a classy joint." Scott smirked. "Pretty girls don't come here alone to drink the night away unless there's a reason." He noted before nodding knowingly when she responded.

Her question brought a genuine smile to his face before pulled a contemplative face. "Ah no, you just missed Sad Sundays." He leaned over the bar with his arms crossed, gesturing for her to come close as though he had a secret. "But I'll make an exception just for you, don't tell anyone." He lifted a finger to his lips before standing back behind the bar.

"What would you like...terrible tiramisu, fucked up fudge sundae or brutal berry pie?"

[Blue Gyhardt]

Blue scoffed. "Next time, I'll be sure to schedule all my no-shows for Sunday."

She was pleasantly surprised when he offered. It might even be worth it for this; at least here was dessert without awkward conversation and first-date performances. Just Blue, herself, and a slice of whatever-it-was. "Wait," she said. "Are those their real names? Do you sell a lot of fucked-up fudge sundae like that?"

Oh, well. Could anyone really mess up a sundae?

"I'd really like a pity sundae," she admitted. "I'm not going to get you in trouble, am I?"

[Scott O'Riley]

"Atta girl." Scott smirked before chuckling at her question. "Like I said, this ain't a classy joint." He shrugged before reaching out across the bar to grab the menu for her.

"In addition to that pity sundae, you can get whatever it is on the menu. On the house. Just for today." Scott nodded. He didn't know exactly why he was being so nice but she looked like she could use a little bit of that.

"Ah honey, they knew what they were getting into by hiring me." He shrugged before holding a finger up and rummaging through the chiller behind the bar for the ice cream to make the sundae.