Testing For Hope

Chapter 14 - Another One Barkeep!

Sofia opened her eyes and released her breath that she didn't know she was holding. Looking around the area she was in, it looked like a bar. Being very familiar with how things were run in the bar, she headed behind the counter to the back to get changed.

She walked into a room full of lockers and went to the second one from the door and opened it. Inside there was a wig and an apron. Sofia grabbed the apron and tied it around her waist. She then wrapped her hair into a ponytail and put the wig on her head to cover it. After some adjusting of the placement, she felt ready to leave the room.

Closing her locker, Sofia walked out of the employee room and to behind the bar. She opened the cash register and saw no money. Nodding to herself, she closed it and pulled out a notebook to set on the table behind her. After that, she grabbed a closeby cleaning rag. Scrubbing the counters was always a necessity when you're waiting for orders, according to company policy.

The orders started coming soon after I got to the counter so I grabbed the required drinks and gave them out. At first, keeping up with the orders in the bar section was a little difficult, but it helps that there are waiters for the parlour areas. Speaking of which, one of them came over to the bar and sat down, ordering water to quench her thirst. I turned around as she talked about the recent clients she dealt with so far. A few of the names stood out, but it was because they were regulars at the speakeasy.

"I wish we could drink on the job." Vanessa said as she took the drink from my hand.

"You know that we would get fired on the spot for 1, losing our cool with the newbies and making them run away, and 2, just plain drinking on the job? Really Vanessa?" I replied while I started to shake the most recent order in the shakers.

"It's the least they could let us do here. Do you know how many hands I've had to swat away? Hands off the merchandise boys and girls!" She said, turning to the other filled bar seats for the last sentence.

"You could just find them. We do reserve the right to do so. Unless.."

"Yup. They're mainly from the 1900's. Also, I really don't want to start a fight unless I have the bravery and excuse of a good drink behind it."

I reached over to her head to pat it after pouring the shaker into a glass. Suddenly we heard her name being called over to her box room for more drink orders. "Good luck!" I said, giving her a thumbs up as she walked away.

As soon as she left, I grabbed an ice ball and put it in the drink. I then gave the drink to the person who ordered and moved onto the next drink. It turned out to be a plain whiskey with no ice. An easy alcohol to make, really.

When I got the whiskey, I turned back to the person to ask them how much they wanted. They held up their hand and raised 3 fingers. 3 shots is what I got out and when they were finished being poured, I slid them over to the person. They downed them in seconds then got up. They walked over to the stage opposite of the bar and asked the person running the music something, pointing to the microphone. The person playing the piano raised his thumbs up and walked over to it.

"Hello. My shift is almost done here." A few groans of protest. "Oh, don't worry! This nice fellow siren here will take over and sing you guys some of their own music. Enjoy the show boys, girls, and everything in between!"

When the man was done, he walked off and let the mysterious person have the stage. The shadow of a siren walked up and grabbed the mic. They cleared their throat and started to sing. They were doing nothing much. Just some vocals for music that didn't exist except in their head, yet everyone in the bar seemed entranced. I guess some humans got in then. I'll just have to kick them out then, I thought while cracking my knuckles and going around the counter, signalling some guards to come over with me.