The Bartender

Where there are people, there are shadows. There are the shadows, and then there are the shades of the shadows. Lucas noticed one on his first day of school. She was just navigating through the sea of students, aloof, minding her own business.

Since then, he had always caught glimpses of her around a corner or disappearing through a doorway. His curiosity of the wallflower grew by the day. However, no convenient opportunity has yet to arise for him to safely approach the mysterious swish of raven hair. It is hard to escape the spotlight.

“Did you hear?”

“Rumour says Lucas was a juvenile before transferring here!”

“He only got bailed out because his father’s rich.”

“Money is everything in this world.”

“How despicable.”

No one took notice of the figure behind the bleachers who abruptly stood up and walked away emoting a distorted expression. To her, unreliable rumours were meaningless. The definition of attractiveness(mention somewhere) is elusive and easily varied, especially to vacuous no-brainers. She has no time for others. It already took too much effort just to keep her own dark secret.

Every evening, after studying and completing her homework, Vivian Dai would perform her usual routine: shower, brush her teeth, and go to bed. Only when she was sure that everyone has retired for the day would she pull on her dress shirt, a pencil skirt, and a pair of tights, grab a gold ribbon, kick on 6-inch high heels and climb out her window.

From there, it would be another couple of blocks before she arrive at the rusted metal door that leads down to the hidden underground nightclub. Here is where she moonlighted as the bartender, for the past 3 years, where she learnt all the liquor names by heart, had junky lyrics engraved in her mind and lived her second identity.

Tonight was no different. Tying the gold ribbon loosely around her collar, she was ready to go. Checking in the mirror one last time, she jumped out the window. One thing she’d learnt over the years was that when she’s able to scare herself with her own reflection, she knows that she’s got enough make up on.

The pay isn’t bad, Vivian decided as she cleaned the last of the cocktail glasses. She has been slowly lowering her remaining debt balance, careful to keep the difference insignificant. Another 2 years should do. Looking around at the already tipsy clubbers, she shook her head. They’re beyond hope.

“Brandy.”An old customer said as he pulled up a chair. Kris was his name.

“Jack Rose or Paradise?”Vivian offered.

“Nikolaschka.”

“Interesting choice, unfortunately, we’re out.”Vivian replaced the last cocktail glass.

“Too bad.” He sighed heavily.

“ Tough business?”

“No kidding. Those young brats are trouble.” Kris rubbed his temples.

Loud bangs and yelling were heard.

“Speaking of trouble...”

A mob has intruded. More than half of Kris’s gang were on the ground, knocked out. Kris lost all sense of logic and charged into the fight. He was, of course, down within seconds. Impervious to the danger, Vivian stepped right out.

“Take this outside.” She ordered.

“Well, look if it isn’t the infamous Bartender. It is an honour to meet you at last.” One man smirked. “But it might take more than just words to order me around.”

The gang closed in on her.

“I’ve about had enough fun for one night.” A voice interrupted. “Let’s get a move on.”

The closing in predators dissipated to reveal a lean figure standing at the exit.

“But boss...”

“Let’s go.” The guy turned and marched off. The gang reluctantly followed.

Vivian was left to clean up the aftermath.

“Who do you think that was?” Vivian asked her feral cat, Vivi. “He seemed familiar...”

“Meow.”

“These vendettas never end. I have a feeling he’ll come again. Right Vivi?”

“Meow.”