On nights I do go out and head to the Office, I have a routine of just heading to the VIP section, having mostly impersonal chit chats with other known celebrities before getting a drink and then going to visit Dee. Seeing as this crazy bitch, I mean Madison, is on a mission, and Lucy is the regular bartender for VIPs, we veer of course past the stair case to the main bar. Part of me hopes Ashley isn't here tonight, while the other is well, I guess excited. Either way, a drink is defiantly in order. When we get past the mob of people, who luckily are so into whatever DJ Greg is trying to get them to do, that I go by partially unnoticed. DJ Greg is really great with music, but being around him enough, the guy comes on way to strong.
We take a couple recently vacated seats and wait for a familiar face to grace us with her presents. "Shit Spencer, haven't seen you around here for at least a couple weeks. Where you been?" She asks while finishing a few drinks in an orderly fashion, getting them out to the surrounding customers. After she hands them back their change and thanks them for the tips, the bartender wipes her hands on her bar towel and gives me a hug I graciously accept.
When we break away she is busy working on more drinks. I think the girl can't sit still for two seconds, unless a paint brush is involved. "Hey Chelsea. Been living in a trailer for a couple weeks, you know trying to please the people. How's the art coming for the next show? You remember Mads, right?"
"Arts coming along, just not enough for the show before Christmas. I've kind of picked up a new hobby of watching football, so boys in tight pants take priority until the end of the season." I was about to comment or ask about this sudden love for the game, but drinks were placed in front of us and she continued. "Of course I remember Madison. Last time she was here, a fight broke out. Somehow she ended it with just a few choice words, even brought one guy to tears. Dee's been waiting for you to come back just to offer you a bouncer job."
"Chels, glad to see you remember my drink of choice." Madison picks her drink up and tips it in favor of Chelsea before taking a healthy sip. "God, Chelsea! Not only did you remember my favorite drink, but still make them the best. It's orgasmic!"
The blushing bartender takes a graceful bow. "So how can Dee get you off Spencer's payroll and employed at the Office?"
"If the pay is right and you keep these flowing, absolutely. This chica," she hooks a thumb in my direction, "Drives me loca."
"Hey!" I bump her shoulder almost causing her to spill her drink. "I should have had my body guards throw you out of that premiere so many years ago. You're fired." I play angry but a smile creeps on my face.
"You can't fire me; you love me too, damn much. Besides you would totally be lost without me. And to top it off, I'm just so damn hot, any assistant would pale in comparison." She winks at Chelsea who is just laughing at the exchange.
"You are right, and so damn modest. It's hard when you are around; I just want to confess my undying love to you. Oh Baby!" Sarcasm rolling off my tongue.
Madison places her freshly made, newly finished drink down. "Oh yeah, speaking of love,"I am not liking where this is going. Chelsea places a new drink in front of her. "Thanks Chels. Is Ashley working tonight?"
Chelsea looks at me for a moment before addressing Madison. "Ashley was bartending for the early shift, but we are pretty well staffed tonight." Good, maybe this mission is a bust. "She is still around here somewhere though, as a customer. Last time I saw her, she was headed to the DJ booth." Not good.
The Office is packed but still not as busy as most Saturdays. I'm guessing there is some kind of event happening in town, maybe a concert. It's a fair assessment considering the bartenders are steady, but don't necessarily need my assistance. I get to be a customer tonight, with the added bonus of not having to pay. The only problem is the friends I have made in LA are working. So when in doubt, bug the DJ.
From the DJ booth you get a good view of most of the bar. It's set higher up so you can peer over the sea of dancing bodies. This is my favorite part of the bar, aside from the stage. Up here you can control the mood of the night and also control the movement of the bodies below with just your song choice.
"Ashley, you made it perfectly clear nothing is going to happen between us, more than once. With you being in the booth with me most of the night, people are going to start to talk. Plus, you're ruining my game being up here."
"Game? You're kidding right?"
"I got game. If I really wanted you, you would be mine."
I am trying to contain my laughter. He sounds like he believes himself. "Uh, not so much. You're a great DJ, Greg. I am sure it helps get girls interested in you, but you have no game once you open your mouth." I smile at him to ease the blow.
"Oh, you think you have better luck with the ladies? More game then me?" I just shake my head yes. "I have yet to see you even dance with anyone tonight, let alone go home with anyone since you began working here."
"I know I have more game, it's just more fun to ruin your "game" then to be picking up random drunk people."
"Prove you have more game."
Confusion written on my face. "What? No, Greg. I am not going to try to pick you up."
"Ha, as much fun as you would have with a round of Greg, I wasn't talking about me."
"What are you getting at then?"
"Willing to test this with a bet Ashley?" He sticks out his hand. "I get to pick out a lady from the bar and you have to get her phone number."
I hesitate before shaking his hand. This isn't hard. Hell, it makes me think of times Jess and I used to go to the bar together. "Alright, you are on. Now what are the terms? And please pick someone decent looking that I might be able to have a conversation with." I'm not shallow, but I don't get to pick the girl either.
"Oh don't worry your pretty little head. If, I mean when you strike out, you have to get over the microphone and tell all the ladies how great I am. Your statement has to be convincing, too. Then proceed to kiss me to put your words in effect." No way am I losing.
"What do I get when I win?"
"Duh, the number and a chance to go out with her again. Plus bragging rights."
"Eh, I'll take it cause anything's better then hanging out with you all night. "
We shake. Greg scans the bar from his view in the booth. Didn't take long. His face lights up like it was Christmas and he was ready to unwrap a big present. "Blonde with her back to us, she's sitting at the bar."
"Greg this is LA. You have blonde hair as well as most everyone here."
"Funny Ashley. Fine, would it help if I said the blonde next to the sexy Latina who keeps looking up here? The one talking to Chelsea." I look down and see the blonde in question. "Before you leave this booth, remember I can see everything from up here. Consider me God, cause I will be watching you."
"Consider this bet won, my friend." We shake again and I make my way down to my prize.
