It's Friday night, the bar is bustling with people who are celebrating their weekend early. All the tables were full with people playing cards, drinking, and watching the big screen T.V. in the back. Misty seemed flustered as she went from table to table taking people's orders. I was busy myself, mixing drinks, but mostly pouring tequila in shot glasses. I swear I've served enough shots equivalent to make one big shot glass for the Jolly Green Giant. Randy was in back working the grill. They have to throw up something when they get smashed later. I scanned the room and noticed that the strange man that has been occupying the seat in the back was there. He still had those purple sunglasses on from before. I've had theories that this man doesn't want people to know who he is, either that or he's just uncomfortable to take them off.
"Can you believe it in here?" Misty set down a tray stacked with empty mugs and shot glasses.
"No, but I love Friday nights, it keeps me busy." I smiled as I served a couple of margaritas to women seated at the bar.
"It's almost eight o'clock, you know what that means." Misty did a little jig out of excitement.
I sighed and rolled my eyes, continuing to make drinks for the never ending flow of customers. "Yeah, yeah karaoke time, but I'm not singing tonight no matter how much you beg."
"Oh come on Ava, people love it when you sing."
"Love it when I sing? I think they enjoy it just because the guys can have a good look at my chest." I muttered sourly.
"Well, I like it when you sing, because half the time the people who go up there are terrible."
"Misty, they're terrible because most of the people who go up there are hammered." I giggled.
"Please? Just one song? I'll never ask you ever again." Misty attempted puppy dog eyes while pouting.
"Fine, but just one song."
"Yay! You're the best." Misty bounced off with a new tray of beverages.
By the time eight o'clock came around more people started flowing in, while some were escorted out by their friends because of their intoxicated state. I noticed Fred as one of the people who have just arrived. Fred spotted me and sauntered over to the bar.
"Hey babe! You gonna sing me a song tonight?" Fred winked.
I sighed out of annoyance, but then the light bulb in my head went off and I smiled. "Of course Fred, why don't you go sit down and I'll fix up the usual for you." I winked.
Fred smiled and migrated to his usual spot in the bar. Misty came back with yet another tray full of empty glasses.
"What are you so smiley about?" Misty raised a brow.
"Oh nothing, I'm just going to give Fred what he deserves when I sing later." I smirked.
"You're up to something Ava. What exactly are you planning?"
"You'll see."
"Can I have everybody's attention?" Randy announced on the karaoke stage with the microphone. "It's eight o'clock and you know what that means. It's karaoke time. I've been informed that our one and only Ava Bucket will be performing later for you all, but right now I'm accepting any brave volunteers to come up here and give us a show." Randy set down the microphone and started sorting through his music.
It wasn't until eight thirty that I decided to get up on the stage, getting a lot of whistles and wolf calls. I whispered to Randy what song I wanted, grabbed the nearby microphone, and waited for the song to start up. As Randy was sorting through his music I made my little announcement.
"This song is for a very special customer...Fred." I winked in his direction.
Fred winked back, while others looked at him with envy.
I heard the song start up and waited for the first verse...
Superstar, where you from? How's it going?
I know you, not a clue what you're doing
You can play brand new to all the chicks out here
But I know what you are, what you are, baby
Look at you, gettin' more than just a re-up
Baby, you got all the puppets with the strings up
Fakin' like a good one, but I call 'em like I see 'em
I know what you are, what you are, baby
Womanizer, woman-womanizer, you're a womanizer
Oh, womanizer, oh, you're a womanizer baby
You, you-you are, you, you-you are
Womanizer, womanizer, womanizer
(Womanizer)
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
(You)
You got me goin'
(You)
You're oh so charmin'
(You)
But I can do it
(You)
You womanizer
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
(You)
You say I'm crazy
(You)
I got your crazy
(You)
You're nothing but a
(You)
Womanizer
Daddy-O you got the swagger of a champion
Too bad for you, you just can't find the right companion
I guess when you have one too many, makes it hard, it could be easy
Who you are, that's just who you are, baby
Lollipop, you mistake me you're the sucker
To think that I would be the victim not another
Say it, play it, how you want it
But no way I'm ever gonna fall for you, never you, baby
Womanizer, woman-womanizer, you're a womanizer
Oh womanizer, oh, you're a womanizer baby
You, you-you are, you, you-you are
Womanizer, womanizer, womanizer
(Womanizer)
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
(You)
You got me goin'
(You)
You're oh so charmin'
(You)
But I can do it
(You)
You womanizer
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
(You)
You say I'm crazy
(You)
I got your crazy
(You)
You're nothing but a
(You)
Womanizer
Maybe if we both lived in a different world
(Womanizer, womanizer, womanizer, womanizer)
It would be all good and I could be your girl
But I can't, 'cause we don't, you!
Womanizer, woman-womanizer, you're a womanizer
Oh, womanizer, oh, you're a womanizer, baby
You, you-you are, you, you-you are
Womanizer, womanizer, womanizer
(Womanizer)
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
(You)
You got me goin'
(You)
You're oh so charmin'
(You)
But I can do it
(You)
You womanizer
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
(You)
You say I'm crazy
(You)
I got your crazy
(You)
You're nothing but a
(You)
Womanizer
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
Boy don't try to front
I-I know just-just what you are are-are
Womanizer, woman-womanizer, you're a womanizer
Oh, womanizer, oh you're a womanizer baby
The bar erupted with applause, except for Fred of course who was sitting there with his arms crossed, turning redder than a lobster. The men who were envying him earlier seemed relieved and started laughing. I got off the stage and back to my position behind the bar. The rest of the night I had a smile on my face to last me a lifetime. Misty came over to me and gave me short bear hug.
"That was brilliant, now he just has to leave you alone."
"You should try it too, then he'll stop slapping your ass."
"You know what I noticed?"
"No, what?"
"That man over there couldn't keep his eyes off of you while you were up there." Misty nudged her head in the mysterious man's direction.
"Would you give me a break, if he's that interested, then he would've come up here by now."
"I'm just saying, I think he's got something for you." Misty winked and went off to serve waiting customers.
Thoughts about the mysterious man swam in my head for the rest of the night. Does anyone know who he is? What if it really is Willy Wonka? If anyone knew, it would be grandpa. I made a note in my mind to ask grandpa later. I suddenly got this feeling that things were about to get worse before they got any better for my family. I'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow will bring.