The Salvation Shark, Chapter 56

Jesse

It actually costs more to have me working in the afternoon than it does to close the bar. I calculated one afternoon when I was doing absolutely nothing. We don't get a lunch-rush, and not even the hard-core drunks don't get out of bed until about 3pm. They have usually already eaten when they arrive, or would prefer to drink a Guinness instead. The best they would get out of me is a frozen pizza, or maybe a cheeseburger. I don't even know how to turn on the fryer. Tammy and Chris are here again, and neither has mentioned our altercation. They are sharing high times with to other drunks and waiting for the Iceman to arrive.

I’ve always been convinced this place was a front. I’ve tried to ferret out any drugs being hidden, but my hungry nose has always come up empty. The egg-shaped man in the suit doesn't seem completely out of place when he comes in. Usually, these customers only want to talk to Kevin.

He takes a seat at the back table, which leads the drunks at the bar to believe he might be the Iceman. If he hears them, he doesn't acknowledge.

"Can I get you anything?" I ask in a tone of voice that I hope conveys that I'm not coming to him. He looks familiar, but I don't think I know anyone with a beard that thick.

"No, I'm okay," he says. "I'm waiting for someone."

Is it the bum from the bus?

Mephis Tyr comes in and waves to the egg-shaped man on his way to the bar. How did I not smell the demon before? We make eye contact and he smiles. He ambles to the other end of the bar by the cash register, leaning on his elbow and wrapping his knuckles for service.

I walk slowly. His smile is forced and unfamiliar. “Can I help you?” I ask weakly.

“Do you know how to make a Manhattan?” he asks, raising his eyebrows. "If you've never made one, I'll just take beer. Let me know beforehand, please." He tries to look surprised, but I can see through it. "You're the kid from the bus stop!"

“I know who you are,” I whisper. “Please let me go.”

He shakes his head almost imperceptibly. “And two champagnes... three champagnes. Would you serve champagne to a sixteen-year-old girl? It's for a celebration.”

"No."

"Two champagnes," he says.

I’m having trouble getting the words out. “I don’t want what you think,” I say. “I rejected it all, I just want to live out my life.” I smile weakly. “I’m getting married. You all win, I’m not going to fight against you. I just want to live out my life and go home.”

Then he chills my bones. “You ain't got a choice in the matter. You got a job to do." I feel like running now, but he puts a cold hand on my forearm. “Stick around, the fun is about to start.” The smile broadens. “Do you know how to make a Manhattan or not?"

"No."

He rolls his eyes. "Give me three champagnes. Wait to see who the guest star is this episode.”

"We keep the champagne in the back," I say quietly.

"Hurry up. The boss is going to be thirsty." He joins the bum in a suit and I go in the back room to hide.

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