Chapter Text
The latest in performers was up on stage. She was singing a newer jazz piece that had the drunken crowd involuntarily swaying to the beat. Tearing my eyes away, I quickly get started on the latest order of drinks, taking a deep breath to settle my aching ribs before pouring (heh) myself into my task.
Allowing an appropriate serving of gin to settle into the shaker, I add a measured half ounce of lemon juice before including the splash of sugar syrup. Taking the container under the bar, I add the crushed ice before putting on the other half of the shaker. Tapping it down to securely fit together, I thoroughly shake the ingredients together then knock the top off and strain it into a flute. Adding the champagne, I wait for the bubbles to subside, before topping it off with a bit more. Swirl with a bar spoon, rub a lemon twist around the rim, put it in the glass and serve.
Repeating this process once more, I quickly pass off the French 75’s and gather my payment before hearing a knock at the door. Eyes flicking to the entrance as the band quiets automatically, I gently place the bills in the drawer, lock it, and make my way over. I slide the flap open in routine to receive the password only to be presented with the chin of a taller person; not only that, but a monster one at that. Holding my hand behind me with three fingers up, the atmosphere relaxes as the band starts a new song to play, knowing that it wasn’t the police as no monster wanted to be a part of that. I subtly force my voice to lower as I speak.
“Password and who sent you.” Nodding to myself at keeping my voice steady, I almost miss the response.
“tweed flat cap, sent by Shawn Avery.” The baritone voice fed my suspicions of the monster being male. He had a Brooklyn accent that sent a fear down my spine for unknown reasons, but as he was correct in the password, and that he mentioned one of my regulars, I had no reason to turn him away. Sliding the flap shut with a click, I unlock the door to let him in. Once the door was open, I had a clear view of who I was dealing with.
It was Red, one of the most notorious gang leaders in Ebbot. My heart leaps into my chest, yet I force it to calm as I actively deal with the more illegal members of society, he would be no different if I follow the courses of respect. His gold tooth glinted from the lights inside, and the darkness of the night silhouetted him into an even more threatening figure than what he naturally was. Waving him in, I dodge a table and go back to tending at my bar. Lifting the bridge, I quickly slide back into place and begin to wipe down an already clean glass. Definitely not because I was nervous and needed something to do with my hands.
He sits directly in front of me on one of the bar stools. I raise my eyebrow as most illegals take a table in the corner, and this was a clear divergence from the routine I was expecting. Glancing around, I see that he didn’t even bring any lackeys with him to my bar. Keeping my eyebrow raised, I cover my rude gesture with a nod to the liqueur behind me, offering him a drink. He looks away and towards the band before answering.
“surprise me.” This was an obvious trap. It was a test to see what this bar had to offer. It had to be. A bead of sweat forms on my forehead as I glance over at what alcohol I had on hand, as well as what drink he would like. I quickly settle on a Scofflaw, as I remembered that he had a particular affinity for whiskey, as well as needing to give him a mixed drink to show off my prowess.
Putting the glass and cloth away under the bar, I grab a new mixer and begin my routine. Taking a dry vermouth from next to the cloth, I take a peek at Red to see him watching me intently. I put the bottle back under the bar and instead grab a fresh one, cracking it open in front of him to prove that I hadn’t put anything into his drink that could harm him. I measure an ounce into my jigger, take another glance up, and pour another ounce to double the mixture so the drink would be of appropriate size to the monster himself. I put back the drink and grab a rye whiskey from over my shoulder. Pouring each ounce of the four individually felt very awkward, and while pointedly avoiding his gaze I settled to myself that if this went well, to go out and get a double jigger for monster sized drinks.
Adding a half of grenadine, and a quarter of lime juice, I finish off my mixture with a healthy scoop of crushed ice. Knock the top on again and go to shake. Ok, wow, this is heavier than expected. Quickly adjusting to the added weight, I begin to shake the shaker with enthusiasm. I could feel the liquid and ice slowly mixing together, so I throw in a few tosses behind and over my head to keep him entertained as I struggled my way through the difficult mixing process.
I finish off as I feel my chest binding begin to slip out of place and pour into a monster sized whiskey glass instead of the traditional cordial. A cordial had no chance of holding all of the drink, and this was the only monster sized thing in my bar. Pushing the drink toward him, I place my mixer off to the side and rest my hands behind my back, finally looking up at him only to catch his intense gaze boring into my eyes.
“Scofflaw, double everything.” It’s a few more moments of silence before he takes the glass. He brings it to his face and scrutinizes it, putting me even more on edge, only to break out into a large grin and chest shaking guffaws as he replaces it on the table.
“aww, i’m just messin with ya. i can tell you didn’t add anythin’ to it.” A huge sense of relief engulfs my chest as I relax and he takes a long drink from the glass. Placing it down once more, he gives a sigh and nods in approval. Giving a charming grin in return, I avoid the confrontation by heading to the person at the other end of the bar, who can be seen blatantly staring at Red. After all, I knew he would call me back over if he wanted information, which he so obviously did as I could still feel his gaze on me as I moved away. I just hope he didn’t ask if I had protection for the bar as I had avoided paying anyone for it so far.