Closing the bar an hour early?

I’ve said this many times, but I’m not one for gossip. When people tell me things, I keep it to myself unless it’s relevant and I’m not betraying anyone’s trust in the process. That said, Maria is very important to Diana and she was going to find out eventually, so when I got to the hotel that Friday afternoon I told her what Thomas and I talked about earlier while we finished some preparations at the bar.

“Yes, I think you hit the nail in the head,” she told me as she squeezed some more lime juice. “Maria’s biggest worry about Thomas is that he’ll be the one to break up with her if or when he decides he’s had enough.”

“Any chance she’ll be the one to change her mind?” I asked her.

“Not unless he starts acting all different. For the worse, I mean. She has a stable life, after all. She has her shop and is happy with it. What she wants is someone who’ll accept that and stay with her.”

Dylan arrived just then, already in his work clothes. “Hello, hello. Everyone doing well today?”

“You are, apparently,” I said.

“Well, I got a call from the boss saying I could leave an hour early and still get paid, so I’m pretty happy,” Dylan said, grinning as he walked around the counter and got ready to make the simple syrups.

Diana and I looked at each other, confused.

“Did he tell you you could leave early?” I asked her.

“No. I knew he’d be coming back tonight and he said he’d come to check the place out, but that’s about it.”

“Wait, so it’s just me?” Dylan frowned. “Sh-Should I be worried?”

“Maybe?” I said.

“No, relax,” Diana said. “If you were in trouble, I’d have heard. He probably has something else in mind.”

“Maybe we’re the ones in trouble,” I said, mostly in jest.

Just a few minutes later, Diana received a text from Luke that said to leave a notice at the door that the bar would close at 1:00 am that night. I went to the front desk and asked them to print us something.

We were confused, but we left it at that for the moment. We opened the bar and customers started rolling in already. I waited tables, Diana and Dylan made the drinks and I paid attention to learn everything I could.

Someone asked Dylan for a grasshopper in a pousse-cafe style and he made it with no issues. Like Diana said, the guy had skills, of that there was little doubt.

It was around 12:45 am that the boss, Mr. Luke Allen, showed up at the bar. He made little show of it, simply entering while wearing his usual suit in prime condition, looking around at the place with a satisfied smile.

I went up to him and before even greeting him, I asked for confirmation. “Sir, should I start reminding customers we close at 1:00 am tonight?”

“Yes, please do, Oliver. Thank you. I’m very sorry that this is so sudden, but I need you and Diana to stay. Please also give Dylan the confirmation that he can leave for tonight.”

“What should I say to the customers if they ask for a reason?”

“That I have a very important guest I need to personally attend to.”

“Very well.”

With that, Luke exited the bar and I started approaching the tables, telling people we’d be closing up shortly. Most took it well, happy to leave in favor of going back to their room. Others were not so happy.

“What? You’re kicking us out!?” a man asked, raising his voice at me. “You’re supposed to close at 2:00 am! You lazy bastards…!”

His cheeks were red and I could smell more than a few cups in him. His date, though not as ****, seemed every bit as upset.

I needed to deescalate the situation without

I bowed. “I apologize for the inconvenience, sir. Owner’s orders. If you wish, there is still enough time for you to order another drink and have it delivered to your room.”

“Oh, that sound nice…” the woman said, her glare easing up. “Come on, babe. I don’t want to wait anymore…”

“Agh, fine! Send a scotch on the rocks and a tequila sunrise up to room 223!” the man demanded, aggressively standing up from his seat.

“Of course, sir. Would you like it immediately or in a few minutes?”

“...” Suddenly he seemed to calm down, maybe the question made him stop and think. “Bah, send it immediately. I don’t want to be interrupted later.”

“As you wish, sir. Your drinks will be there soon.”

I saw the couple leave and let out a sigh of relief. The atmosphere of this place may agree with me more than the coffee shop, but working with drunks is a bit more dangerous and a lot more nervewracking.

I turned around to see both Diana and Dylan giving me a silent thumbs up. I gave them a nod while keeping a straight face, but I felt pretty damn proud. Still, I had to deliver on what I offered the man, so I asked Diana to make the tequila sunrise and Dylan poured the scotch while I continued talking to customers. Then I asked one of the room service guys to take the drinks to room 223.

By 1:00 am, the bar was empty, customers relatively satisfied, and by 1:10 am, Dylan was ready to leave.

“Well, see you guys tomorrow,” he said, waving. “Hopefully. Don’t die.”

“Here’s hoping,” I answered with a sheepish smile.

We didn’t have to wait too long for Luke to come back. He came into the bar, and as he had just told me, he had his guest behind him. And much to my surprise, I recognized that guest.

It was the old man that was drinking alone last week.

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