************Skeleton closing crew on a dead Monday. The Shift Manager and Server-1 are already checked out well before clocking in for their last shift. The giddy exhaustion from happy hour break quickly peaked within the first hour of the dinner shift at which point they began nursing themselves on vodka, whiskey, and beer - drunk energy to the rescue till close. The staff had finished closing duties early, but a two top 10 minutes before last call dashed any budding hopes of leaving early. The young couple at table 23 is the first and last of the night.
Shift Manager (SM): Another round?
Server 1 (S-1): Nah. She ordered one but he said no.
SM: What the fuck? He said no?
S-1: Yeah. Fuckn weird dude.
SM: What'd she say?
S-1: Nothing. Just kinda glared at him in silence. It was awkward as fuck.
SM: He doesn't get to cut her off.
S-1: Right? That’s our job. And if anybody’s getting cut off, it should be him.
SM: And that's still a big IF. Definitely not cool dude. What'd she want? Feel like I should make it anyways. For spite.
S-1: Another espresso martini.
{The Shift Manager casually starts to make an espresso martini behind the bar.}
SM: I can only think of maybe one, two valid reasons why. Like she's driving or he's paying and doesn't wanna pony up the cash for another round.
S-1: But even still. Her drinking problem is just that, hers.
SM: Cheap ass controlling mother fucker. He's a piece of shit, is what it is.
S-1: Piece of human garbage. Thought I saw Florida tags above a set of truck nuts pulling into the parking lot earlier. Didn’t realize it was them.
SM: She's a grown ass woman. She can decide when she's had enough.
S-1: Right? Blink twice if you need help, hon.
SM: For sure.keyboard_arrow_down
Todd heads to the back of the restaurant in search of the bathroom. The Shift Manager and Server-1 glare at Todd with contemptuous smiles refusing to give direction as he struggles to find the bathroom entrance. Once out of sight, Emily quickly approaches the bar with cocktail glass and credit card in hand.
Emily (E): Can I get a shot of whiskey and another of those coffee martinis?
SM: Yes. You most certainly can. Got you right here.
{The Shift Manager motions to the already mixed cocktail in the chilled bar glass ready to be shaken and poured.}
SM: You want the shot chilled? Any chaser?
E: Nah. And you can use the same glass. keyboard_arrow_down
The Shift Manager pours three shots divvying up the rocks glasses between them. Emily downs her shot without a shudder and holds up her finger before finishing off the dregs of her first cocktail. She then pushes the martini glass forward. The Shift Manager shakes and strains the espresso martini into her now empty glass as she shares an impressed look with Server-1.
SM: Yeah you right. And don't worry about it. I got you.
{She slides her card back across the bar.}
E: Thanks
{Emily gulps a third of her cocktail before returning to table 23. The Shift Manager holds up her rocks glass.}
SM: Truck nuts, eh?
S-1: Oh yeah. For sure. Cheers mother fucker. Happy Friday.
{The Shift Manager and Server-1 down their whiskey shots.}
