Casino royale ft. Georgia

Tuesdays aren’t the busiest of days. There are always people here, addiction runs deep in these parts of town but you know that on the weekend, there are also the non-addicted people coming, those who simply want a bit of fun and games, no strings attached.
It saddens you, at times, not that you really care, but being a bartender means getting a real deep look on the faces of these people. You see their sorrow, their worry, you hear their stories and mostly think that it’s better on your side of the counter.
New faces are rare on Tuesdays, which is why you’re always on the lookout for them. You don’t want to hook up with old Reginald over there, who is always sitting on the same stool and looking at you like a creep. You also don’t want to deal with Helen, who talks and talks and talks about her dead husband. But you still smile your smile and go with the conversation, just to be polite, and get some good tips.

So yeah, Tuesdays are boring but she is not. You’ve never seen her before, you’d have remembered. Young people are rare, tiny young blondes are rarer still. She sits at the bar and you wait a bit to go to her. Rule number 1, don’t make yourself too readily available. You can’t wait forever though, if you want good tips so, a minute or two are enough. You make your way over, plaster on your best smile and say « hey there, Georgeous, what can I get you? »

en français s’il vous plait:

« I think I'll go for a Vodka Martini, fits with the scene » she says and that takes you aback a little. « What scene? » You wonder, « pain and misery ? » you add as you glance at Helen. Weird choice of words but eh.
You focus on making her her drink, add your stuff and work your magic as you try not to gag at the presence of olives. To each his own should have a limit, but what wouldn’t you do for a pretty face. « There you go, darling, » you say as you set the glass before her.
She doesn’t seem like the type to come to such places, especially alone. Pretty girls like that usually come with men or girlfriends. There have been so many bachelorette trips and parties, so many girls who swore faithfulness a couple days after fucking him and probably also half the town. Marriage isn’t what it was anymore. She’s not old enough to come by just out of boredom so it really is a bit of a mystery. This job has made you curious, you know it, it may not be great but it is what it is.
« Why thank you, » you answer the compliment with your Flynn Rider smile, « I am, in more ways than one, » you let the innuendo slide through your lips, as you do. « But to answer your question, I’ve been here a couple years but I was bartending before, back home. » Might be she works at another place and came to check up the competition. Classic industrial espionnage. It always adds a bit a spice. « In the states, if you couldn’t tell » you add, your accent is a dead giveaway and pretty popular with the ladies, and the gentlemen, although they are usually less impressed. Or just don’t show it.
 « You working in the field? » now that you’re looking at her, really looking at her, she doesn’t seem like the type, but you never know and you want to see where this could go, so, playing along it is.

Spoiler:

You look at her raised glass and see the change on her face immediately. You may not know your crime movies, as more of a Star Wars type of guy, but you know your cocktails and this, this ain’t it.
You can’t help but chuckle at the question. « Regular martinis taste like mom but vodka martinis do taste like asshole, figuratively of course », you answer. « I only advice the clients when they ask, otherwise it’s inappropriate and bad for business, that’s what my old boss used to say all the time ». You remember with the sigh those harsh harsh times trying to bartend, learn cocktail recipes by the million and also have a life.
Investigator huh. You’re tempted to ask if she is not a cop, by any chance, but that would give suspicious and that is probably also very bad for business. You get the feeling she would make quite the investigator though, probably able to get anything out of anyone with a smile and a bat of her eyelashes. Which you know, because you also do it, for tips though, most of the time at least. « I could help but I’ll need something in exchange, some things if the questions are really difficult or could get me in trouble, it’s only fair, right? » You ask with a smile, because two can play this game and they can do it all night long.
« For starters, you can try something for me. I’ve been trying to come up with new recipes, and my palate only goes so far. » Which is true, your most favorite thing is probably when clients say « surprise me » and mean it.  « Just give me a minute », the magic is worked with rum, blackberry liqueur, lime juice, syrup and some basil for a bit of green. « I call this the midnight muse, » you say as you set the glass in front of her, « maybe the name will really mean something after tonight, » you give her the flirtiest of the smiles, and look down to her eyes as you wonder aloud about what she truly wants.

oui oui baguette :

“Flatterer. It’s working,” she says and your reply is a simple “I know,” and a smile. You’re used to working with people, you’re also used to working people. And that may just be your favorite part of the job. “Glad you liked it,” you add after she tried your creation. This might be your second favorite part of the job. Which is why you’re bartending and not simply waiting tables. You don’t particularly pride yourself as being someone who is incredibly creative, but you like to have fun and to try new things, so you do.

You can help but chuckle as she explains her ideas. “That sounds like fun,” you say and it does. You’ve seen enough clients to see how you could figure certain things out from shared cocktails tastes, for sure. “6’5 though, ain’t that a bit much for you?” The Americanism slips out, easy as anything. God you miss it so much sometimes, and you haven’t been here for that long but nothing beats the fiery blaze of the Arizona desert.  “It would be fine for me but, you definitely seem to be part of the below 6 feet team.” And even for you, 6’5 might be a stretch, literally. “I’m sure you could submit your ideas to the owner, might work. He’s partial to nice smiles, I can attest to that.” You’ve managed to get extra sick days with a nice smile and the big brown eyes trick. Works like a charm. Maybe the people who say you have no morals are actually right, but whatever. Having no morals means you don’t care, so there’s that.

The question takes you aback a little. You wonder what kind of investigation she is leading. Chances are she’s some sort of PI looking for a cheating husband or wife, or both. “You get your occasional hand under the skirt kind of thing,” mostly at the booths, but isn’t that what they were invented for, really? “The bathrooms have seen some things, probably.” Definitely, you’ve been there yourself.  “I have some stories, but I swear I don’t kiss and tell and I may or may not be involved in those so, maybe you should stay and see for yourself.” You get away for a minute, because Helen is asking for a drink and as you advice her to get home already, you try to convince yourself it’s for her own good and not so you can focus your whole attention of the pretty PI.

oui oui baguette :