Chapter two
Okay so if I had told my uncle that I was thinking about working in a bar, he would have totally flipped out. Luckily, I was wise enough not to bring it up. The truth was that I was determined to make some money and cover at least some parts of my expenses myself.
So I saw this ad in the newspaper and it just seemed perfect. The bar wasn't far from my place, the payment seemed good. Plus, I had just turned twenty, so it wasn't illegal to work there.
I probably could have found some other good opportunities if I searched more, like working in a restaurant or a flower shop. But honestly? Working in a bar seemed more daring, and I was eager to do something daring.
I must admit though, when I reached the given address in the ad, I felt a little disappointed. Seventh Heaven, wasn't some kind of big, fancy bar. It was old, shabby and one of the letters of its sign was missing. 'Don't be a pussy Teaf!'
I pushed the door open and entered. The bar was crowded; filed with the sound of talking, laughter and glasses clinging together. I could barely make out some music playing in the background and the smell of liquor was overwhelming.
I went to the bar where a young man was serving customers. He turned to me. "ID, please," he said before I could open my mouth.
"Um, actually I'm here to speak with Mr. Wallace."
"Oh, he's over there."
I turned around and saw a burly man, pushing the door open with a large box in his arms. He was a broad, muscular man with dark skin and dark smart eyes. As he got closer, I could see a tattoo on his left arm. He put the box on the counter.
"Take these to the cellar," he said roughly to the young bartender.
I stepped in, trying to look as confident as I could, "Mr. Wallace?" He turned toward me.
"Yeah?"
"I'm Tifa Lockhart, we've talked on the phone-"
"Here for the ad, ain't you?"
I nodded. He pointed at a door behind the counter, "Wait there, I'll be with you in a minute,"
"Alright."
I went to the room and closed the door behind me. The room was quiet, the noise of the bar didn't reach there. Could I get that that job? And if I did, could I work at some place like that? I take a deep breath and turned around.
That was when I noticed that I wasn't alone.
A little girl was sitting there at a table with a bunch of papers and pencils scattered in front of her. She was answering my shocked look with her curious one.
"Hello," she said in her melodic voice.
"Um, hi," I said as I took some hesitant steps toward her.
"Who are you?" she asked, her eyes filled with innocent curiosity.
"Oh, I'm Tifa … Um, I'm here to see if I can get a job here,"
"I'm Marlene, you're here to see Papa then?"
I nodded, although I wasn't sure who she was talking about. She looked at me for a few more seconds before going back to her drawing. I didn't mind, really. Truthfully, I didn't know how to treat children. I hadn't been around them since, well since I was a child myself. I looked at her as she drew something with her colored pencil. She didn't look more than five. She had large beautiful brown eyes and her brown hair was braided neatly with a red ribbon.
As moments passed in silence, I got bored. I went over to Marlene and asked, "Can I see your drawing?"
She glanced at me, then pulled back her hands so I could see the paper. I looked at those unintelligible lines and color. I bend down to take a closer look. What was that, really? Was that a fish tail? And that was a face, right?
"Is that a mermaid?"
She looked at me, looking truly amazed, "How did you tell? No one ever could tell!"
I smiled, feeling somewhat proud of myself. "Well it's just there, it's so clear!"
"That's what I say all the time," she said, glowing with happiness.
Just then, the door opened and Mr. Wallace entered.
"Sorry about that," he said closing the door, behind himself.
"It's alright," I said with a smile as I straightened up.
"Take a seat," he said, sitting on one a chair at the table himself. I sat down in front of him.
"Okay, so…um…"
"Tifa," Marlene came to his help.
"Right, Tifa, you twenty yet?" he asked doubtfully.
"Yes, I turned twenty three month ago."
"Have you worked places like this before?"
"No, sir."
"Drop the formality kiddo, just call me Barret. Have you worked at all before?"
"No," I admitted reluctantly.
He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. He probably had already made his decision.
"But," I added before he could say anything, "I'm really willing to take this job, and I'm sure I can manage it, I'm a quick learner. If you just give me a chance."
"You saw out there. We have our hands full in the afternoon, so I need someone-"
"Papa?"
He turned his head toward Marlene, "What is it Marl?" Every bit of his face softened at he talked with her.
"Give her the job."
Both Barret and I looked at her shocked. Marlene continued, "She can do it! Please give her the job! I like her," she looked at his father with big puppy eyes.
Barret held her gaze for a moment, then sighed and turned to me, "Alright, How much do you know about drinks and cocktails?"
"I know the basics." Or at least I was going to do some studying in the first chance.
He glanced at Marlene's hopeful face and sighed again. "Alright, so I guess I see you tomorrow."
"You mean I'm hired?" I asked, not believing my luck.
"Yeah, you're," he mumbled. Marlene pumped her fist in victory.
"Thank you so much si… I mean Barret, Thanks! I won't disappoint you."
"You'd better not," he said, smiling slightly at my enthusiasm. "Okay, so you're gonna work Wednesdays to Sundays, from six to eleven. And no drinking when you work, Clear?"
"Yes."
"That's it then," he said as he stood up, "see you tomorrow."
"Of course," I said as I made my way out. "Thanks Marlene."
"Bye, Tifa!" She waved happily at me.
I waved back as I exited the room and closed the door.
Okay, so I might know little about children, but Marlene was really a sweet kid.
A/N: So here was the chapter two. It was short but I'm working on the next chapter. The legal drinking age in this story is assumed to be 20.
Thanks you guys all for reading. Let me know what you think.
