Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah I don't own the characters we all know and love, this is just for fun and to exercise my creative writing. Enjoy!
One: March 17th
"Hey Fuck Ass, get me a beer!"
The ambient drunken banter of McGuinty's erupted into laughter and hands reached out in warm welcome of the familiar voice. Rose MacManus grinned as Rocco's arm wrapped around her neck just briefly enough to plant a chaste kiss on her cheek on his way to her brothers. Murphy reached leaned back and snagged his sweater pulling him in to pat him on the back as Connor shifted down a seat to make room. Rose almost instinctively placed another round before them before wading through the crowd to take more drink orders. A few verses of Whiskey in the Jar over the speakers sent the entire crowd into a drunken frenzy of slurred verse. She laughed to herself as a few regulars attempted what looked like river-dance to the chorus of singing voices. The pretty girls alongside them shook their heads in embarrassment but laughed all the same, shying away when a hand was offered to them.
Rosie went to them against better judgment, figuring she'd rescue them from the drunken stupor of their beaus. In truth she would have loved to watch the awkward little things get hauled onto the dance floor, if for no other reason than they'd enjoy it. Finding raising her voice over an Irish crowd an exercise in futility, she pointed to the empty glasses on the table. The girls nodded and seemed more than thankful for the intrusion. Snaking her way through the human obstacle course, she made her way back to the bar.
As the night wore on the patrons shambled out, most hanging off their buddies or being hauled out by girlfriends. The floor was littered with bottles, beer, and a few dozen muddy footprints. By closing time there sat only six. Doc nodded for her to take a seat and she obliged him with a sleepy smile. Rocco stood up and dusted off his seat, presenting it to her as a throne.
"For the lady…" She snorted but took the offer gratefully and wrapped her arms around her two brothers. Doc slid a pint toward her and she drank it greedily.
"Jesus, I've not seen a lady who can drink like tha'" Murphy teased, elbowing Rocco.
"Shut it." She replied with a small grin and began sipping the dark broth.
"Aye, shut it." Connor repeated, swatting the back of Murphy's head with a giggle. He reached to hit his twin back much to the humor of the men around them but was interrupted by a sharp elbow jab from Rose.
"Listen boys…" Doc started, his wrinkled eyes tired and weepy. "I've got some very bad news. I'm going to have to close down t-t-the bar. The Russians are putting up buildings all over the city, including this one. FUCK! ASS! And their not letting me renew my lease."
Rose blinked before putting down her glass, near losing her thirst. "Doc…why didn't ya tell me? We coulda worked somethin' out." She frowned looking into the bottom of her glass unable to face the sad old man who had given her and her brothers so much.
"Aye, Rosie's a month away from being a certified paralegal, Doc." Connor glanced at her with only a hint of pride betraying his troubled features.
"Or y'know lemme talk to my boss." Rocco cut in.
"Aye, fuck. What in the hell's your boss gonna do?"
"Listen fellas. I don' wan' anyone ta know. Rosie I'm sorry, but it just ain't the way to be goin' about this."
A solemn silence fell over them and the bar seemed to look a lot bigger, a lot more empty. Memories flooded through the minds of the MacManuses and Rose couldn't help but hold a certain reverence for her green apron that had been stained time and time again from spills she had made in her earlier days at the bar. She shook off the nostalgia before it manifested itself in tears and raised her pint. "To McGuinty's. To Doc!"
"To Doc!" The bar echoed and as the last glass was downed the tired murmur picked up along the bar-side.
After a few drinks, Rose had found herself in yet another debate over the pronunciation of the word 'epitome' with Rocco. It was a petty argument and she figured he had just wanted to get a rise out of her like her brothers so often did. They had nearly agreed when the door creaked open and three large men sauntered in. Her gaze flashed to them the taller one bald with thick eyebrows in a black suit and burgundy tie and shirt. The one closest to Murphy in an obnoxious blue and yellow sport coat and dress shirt combo and the one closest to Connor also bald but looking like a throwback from the 70s. The bald one spoke first pulling off a leather glove finger by finger.
"I am Ivan Chekov and you vill be closing, now." His tone was haughty and his eyes nonchalantly aggressive.
Rose looked at Connor and Murphy quickly, gauging their reaction. Almost instinctively she went behind the bar and stood near Doc. As she checked his face for any sign of trouble she could hear Murphy faintly muttering a joke about his last name to which the entire bar flared with laughter.
"I'm in no mood for discussion. You, you stay. The rest of you, go now."
Rose shook her head as Chekov's fat finger pointed at Doc. She remained behind the bar near him, defensive. He patted her shoulder in assurance not removing his eyes from the large man. She huffed and began washing out pint glasses all the while keeping her eyes and ears on the conversation.
"Get the fuck outta here." The old man spat. Rose couldn't help but stifle a fit of laughter at her ornery employer.
Connor grinned too offering him a smoke and drink, talking around the cigarette in his own mouth. Murphy encouraged him patting the large man's shoulder in confidence. He didn't respond well and smacked the glasses from the boy's hands. The conversation the three had with their mother flashed into Rose's mind.
"No scrappin'"
"Yes mother."
"Promise me boys. Rosemary MacManus you make sure."
"Yes, ma." They said in unison.
Connor's temper flared and Rose could see it. He had tried his damndest to be civil all the guys had, but the Russians were relentless. Murphy looked back briefly at Rose as if in need of confidence. She knew better, but the three of them could have full out conversations with just their eyes in only a second. It was one of those moments.
"Ya think Ma'll be mad?"
"nah, they're asking fer it."
Rocco jutted in as a final attempt to lighten the mood. His commie-joke was received with a headshot and he dropped to the sticky floor. Rose's eyes flared and insults poured from her lips. She rushed around the bar toward Rocco just as she heard Russian spill from her brother's mouths. She could only imagine the look on Chekov's face. Almost instantly the bar was in an uproar. Connor, Murphy, and the rest of the boys leaped on the Russians pummeling them with hard and precision aimed fists. She knelt beside Rocco and helped him up as Murphy was thrown into the wine cabinet. Her heart raced as the now winded Murphy's face distorted. She got Rocco to his feet and removed her heels ready to jump in at any moment. They watched as a Russian fist collided with Murphy's cheek. He didn't take it well and Rose saw his eyes flutter. Starting across the bar toward her brother, over the struggle she heard Conner's voice.
"Rosie, leave him alone he can take care of himself!" She knew better, at least she wanted to but as rage flooded her cheeks she remained.
As if on cue Murphy drew two large bottles from the rack behind him and swung them into the Russian's head, he was thrown into a mirror and slumped to the ground. Murphy shook off the glass and jumped back into the skirmish. In a matter of minutes the fighting was over. Doc had been swinging his fists in excitement and Rocco nursed his soon to be black eye with a sling full of ice. Breathing heavily and slightly battered, Connor and Murphy laughed with hooked arms and danced around the subdued peons.
"You're real funny y'know tha?" She scoffed at Rocco, partially relieved. "What the fuck were you gonna do?"
"Hey Rosie, c'mon. It was a joke."
"Yer an idgit. Worse than those two boneheads."
Connor stopped suddenly and a grin came over his face, Murphy must've sensed it too and in a few moments the patrons hauled Chekov onto the bar. He was dazed and only struggled a little as they bound his arms and legs. Rose watched with amazement and quickly scurried behind the bar. She snatched a bottle of Hennessy, and poured a snort between Chekov's bushy eyebrows before tossing it to Connor. Newly lit cigarette in hand he crinkled his brow in admiration of the fine choice she had made. He and Murphy nodded and she grinned in triumph. Connor sprinkled the rest of the bottle across Chekov's large ass before handing the bottle back to Rose.
"Murph, will ya do th'honours?"
Murphy struck a match and watched as the flames consumed the seat of the Russian's pants. They howled in laughter as the large man came alive thrashing about screaming death threats to the three of them. After a few moments they beat out the flames and the smell of burning flesh filled the bar.
"Jesus, that's a nasty wound y'got there." Rosie mocked, crouching down to face their victim. "Guess you'll be thinkin' twice about comin' 'round here anytime soon."
"You're fucking dead. You, your family, and this shithole of a bar."
"Keep talkin' ya big bastard, be thankful this little angel gave ye a shot first." Murphy growled.
Eventually they had managed to knock him out and leave him to the alley. He was a mass for the three MacManuses to haul but with the help of the other peons who had retired to licking their wounds in fear of suffering the same fate as Chekov the Russian threat had been extinguished.
"Well. That certainly was an interestin' evenin' aye Murph, Rosie?"
"Aye." He rubbed the back of his head thoughtfully. "Suppose they'll be back?"
"Wouldn't doubt it."
"Can't tank ya enough boys, Rose."
"Don't mention it. Where the hell else are we gonna spend our checks?" Rocco chuckled slapping Doc on the shoulder.
Rose rolled her eyes and glanced at the clock. Nearly four. Wednesday was a cruel night for St. Patty's and she knew her and the boys would feel it the next day. Rocco stumbled a bit but managed to pull himself together enough to walk home. Connor and Murphy continued talking with Doc; the two had been given the gift of gab and it surfaced at all the wrong moments.
"C'mon boys get goin', Doc and I've gotta clean this place up."
"Nah Rosie, go on. Ya've got school, get your rest."
"You sure?"
"Go on. Make sure those boys get in safe and sound."
She smiled at Doc and hauled her brothers out the door. They more or less stumbled home, laughing hysterically at the Russian and how Rocco somehow managed to put his coat on backwards and upside down.
"Ah, it all makes sense now." Murph slapped his forehead in realization before pulling the cigarette from his mouth. "No wonder you an' Donna get on so well"
"Aye, I'll bet they shared the same bus too!" Connor slurred wrapping an arm around Rocco's neck. He sighed in defeat before submitting to the infectious laughter of the twins.
Rose remained silent, exhausted and was thankful her brothers only got out with a few scrapes. As Rocco split for his apartment she kicked him in the ass before hugging him.
"Don't do anything stupid like that again, ya fuckin' retard."
