Dance Club of the Year. Best Bartender-Owner of the Year. Live Music Venue of the Year. Entertainment Venue of the Year. New Night Club Concept of the Year. The small glass awards line the shelf. Behind them are framed nightlife magazine covers, and blown up photos of the club when it first opened.
"There is no Whiskey! I have rum, I've got vodka, I've got tequila but there isn't one bottle of Whiskey!" A seething brunette bursts in, "No, no, no, no! Do not tell me to check again. I've checked and I'm missing 2 boxes of Whiskey. The soft opening is tonight. Fix this Erick!" She shouts into the phone.
She's come in and sat down behind the large desk without even noticing me.
"Fuck this," She slams her phone down. She's wearing a pair of oversized black sunglasses but I recognize her instantly, Kyla Davies.
I clear my throat and shift in the velvet chair I've been sitting in for the last twenty three minutes. I'm not complaining, it's a pretty comfortable chair. I watch as Kyla lets her forehead rest on the desk. I hate it when I'm upset and people try to placate me, but I should say…something.
"However bad it is, I guarantee someomes got it worse." I say.
Kyla throws her head up and i can tell i've startled her but only for a second, she sighs, "I'm not sure about that, this week has been a special kinda trainwreck." She pulls off her shades and pushes back some of her hair, letting her head rest in her hand.
I know the feeling. The last few days have kicked my ass too. That's how I ended up here.
"Of all the boxes to be missing it just had to be the Whiskey." She groans.
"I hate to sound ignorant but can't you have someone run to a liquor store and pick some up. Is there something special about those boxes?" I ask her, genuinely interested.
The look on Kyla's face is a mixture of stress, fear, anger, this can't just be about alcohol.
"Yes and no. It's a pretty standard mix of top and bottom shelf whiskey but there's also a few bottles of Yamazaki that I ordered." She leans in and starts to explain, "It's a Japanese single malt, the only thing my sister drinks. So when she comes tonight and we don't have it…." Kyla trails off, running her hand across her forehead. "She already doesn't believe I can still run this place. I need everything to be perfect tonight."
"It will be. The great thing about other people's expectations is that they don't define what we can do. If your sister doesn't think you can run this place, prove her wrong."
I'm no expert but I've been dealt my fair share of complicated family dynamics and I've had people underestimate me my entire life. I know what Kyla's feeling right now because if i allowed myself i would feel it too, but i can't. Those emotions just get in the way. Kyla doesn't say anything and a quiet moment passes between us. I don't need to be a mind reader to know what she's thinking. Can I actually do this? How am I going to pull this off? I know because I'm thinking the exact same thing.
"What's your name?" Kyla leans back in her chair and asks.
"Spencer."
"I'm Kyla, I opened FADE with my sister Ashley but I'm the sole owner now. Is that your resume, Spencer?" She points to the sheet of paper in my hand.
"Yeah," I hand over the phony resume and Kyla looks it over.
"Ok, I'm going to be honest, I've hired enough servers and hosts. The only positions I have left are dancers and bartenders."
"I know my way around a bar," I fein confidence.
"Maybe you do, but with the soft opening being tonight I really don't have time to bring on someone with no real previous bartending experience." Kyla stands and grabs her sunglasses and phone off the desk. "I'm sorry."
I can't leave here without a job, "What if i can get you the Yamazaki?" I quickly get up from my seat and step out, standing between Kyla and the door.
"I would need at least 3 bottles," Kyla stops for a moment. "I've been running night clubs since I left high school, and it's still hard for me to get my hands on the stuff." She tries to get around me but I step between her and the door again.
"I can get the bottles. You'll have them tonight. You said you need them for your sister, right?" I'm taking a big swing here and hoping it pays off.
"I know you let me have a moment or whatever, and I appreciate that but I don't have anything for you. Come back in a few weeks I'm sure some of the new hires will have fizzled out by then." Kyla tells me.
My back is now pressed against the door blocking her from leaving. There's an annoyance in her eyes that wasn't there before. She's 2 seconds away from calling security to haul my ass out of here.
"I can get you the Yamazaki for Ashley, no bullshit. I just need a job, I can't leave here without a job. I need this. I have my own people to prove wrong." I tell her honestly, I know I sound desperate, and I am.
"3 bottles by 11pm and i'll let you run drinks for VIP. If you don't get the Whiskey don't bother showing up." Kyla's face is hard and her eyes are serious.
"Run drinks?...What like a bottle girl?" I ask and I can feel my face scrunch instinctively.
"Yes, exactly like a bottle girl. 11 tonight, take it or leave it." Kyla reaches around me for the door handle, using her elbow to push me out of the way. Ouch. "Now if you excuse me, I have other fires to put out today." She pulls the door open and I move before I'm hit with it.
"Got it, love that." I give her a thumbs up exaggerating my excitement and she lets out an annoyed laugh.
"Bye Spencer." Kyla holds open the door for me to go out ahead of her.
"See you later!" I start walking and glance down at my watch, 4:34pm.
I have just over 6 hours to find 3 bottles of rare whiskey. No problem. I walk down the long hall of doors and turn a corner that leads me back to the steps, which take me downstairs to the main floor. This club is huge. I make my way to the entrance and when I step out sunlight and warmth immediately wash over me. It's followed up by a nice breeze. The LA weather is perfect today. I don't have time to soak it up, I find my car in the club's parking lot and unlock it. Once I'm inside I grab my phone from my purse.
I need a favor. Yamazaki single malt whiskey. 3 bottles ASAP.
I send the text and start my car. I'm pulling out of the parking space when my phone beeps.
That's difficult but not impossible. Meet me at the distillery at 7:30. You'll owe me one.
7:30 is cutting it dangerously close. If this doesn't work, I won't have any time to track down the bottles another way. Kyla made it clear not to come back to the club empty handed…but I might not have a choice.
... ...
"Spencer!" I hear my name being called.
I'm being pulled into a bear hug. Surrounded by two big hairy arms and a round belly. An overpowering smell of a musky men's cologne hits me in the face. I try to wiggle my way out. "Everybody, this is Spencer. We go waaaay back. Spencer is the reason we have this nice new distillery." He's obviously being facetious.
"Thank you Issac, that's a very positive way of looking at it." I flash him a smile. Two can play this game. "I see you're really making the most of it."
I look around to see dozens of people at different filling, labeling and sorting stations. They've stopped working and are observing the spectacle their boss has decided to put on.
"Of course. What can I say, I am an optimist." Issac waves for his workers to resume and they begin working again.
"Do you have the Yamazaki, Issac?" I ask outright.
While I would normally play along with Issacs banter. I'm on a real time crunch today. I look overhead and see what looks like brand new machinery being covered by a white tarp. There's also a few pallets of large boxes, probably more equipment. This space is twice the size of Issac's last place. A problem for another day.
"You know, When you ask for this favor i say to myself, why would Spencer need 3 bottles of rare Japanese whiskey?" Issac strokes his chin, grinning. "Is she throwing a party?" He laughs to himself.
Issac dances over to a long metal table and I follow behind. There's a box and inside I see 3 bottles of sealed Yamazaki. I take one of the bottles out and look it over.
"These are authentic, right?" I ask seriously.
There's no way I'm bringing bootlegged alcohol to Kyla. That would be worse than showing up without it. Issac shrugs and continues to dance. "You should invite me to your party, Spencer. We could have a lot of fun."
"Issac," I bring my hand down hard on the metal table. Issac's dancing slows to a stop and his workers are looking at us again. I'm not fucking around with him right now. I was supposed to be in and out. I've been here too long. "Are these authentic?" I ask again.
"Yes. We keep real bottles on hand for….quality control." He takes the bottle from me and places it back in the box. He then pushes the box toward me.
"Good to know." I say picking up the box and turning my body toward the exit.
"You owe me one, my friend Spencer!" He calls out to me as I'm walking away.
"That's not how this works, Issac." I yell back.
... ...
What do bottle service girls even wear? My closet looks like a bomb went off. I'm rummaging through clothing I haven't worn in years trying to find something. I look over at the alarm clock in my bedroom, 9:48pm. Dammit, I need to speed this up. I find a black bodysuit and pull it on. It's a halter neck bodysuit that hugs me well. I quickly go through the pile of pants on the floor once again and pull out a pair of black leather pants. I haven't worn these pants in forever and I forgot what a pain in the ass they are to get on. After a lot of tugging, pulling and jumping, I'm finally in. I finish the outfit with black strappy heels and silver accessories. I grab my purse, my leather jacket and turn out the closet light, I'll clean this mess up tomorrow.
The drive to the club was a long one, Los Angeles traffic should never be underestimated. The parking lot of the club is full so I find parking on the next street over. The line for entry to FADE is around the corner. Sheesh, I thought this was a soft opening. This place is going to be packed. I walk down the alley attached to the club and knock on the side door. A dark hair stocky built guy comes out, he has to be almost 7 feet. He's huge.
"Lines around the corner. This is an employee only entrance." He looks down at me.
"I'm actually here to see Kyla."
The security guard pulls out a walkie talkie, "Kyla, i've got some blond-"
"My names Spencer" I interject
"There's some blonde name Spencer at the service door looking for you," He radios Kyla.
"Send her to me, im at the bar on 1," She radios back.
"First floor main bar." Security tells me and steps aside so I can pass him.
"Thanks."
He nods, closing the door behind us.
The club is pretty full already, that must be why the line out front is so long. They're trying to let people in slowly. The music is loud and I hear the DJ yelling back and forth with the crowd, getting people amped up. I snake my way through the crowd toward the main bar where I see Kyla. It looks like she's pouring shots.
"You have something for me?" She asks, as I approach the bar.
I hold the box out for her to take, "As promised." I smile, it feels good knowing that I came through on my word.
Kyla sets the box on the bar and pulls one of the bottles out, she rolls it from hand to hand looking it over and checking the seal. Then she puts it back in the box and looks at me.
"How did you get this?" Her face is a mixture of gratitude and suspicion.
"I have a friend." look at me, calling Issac a friend.
Kyla looks me up and down, "It looks like you came ready to work." She says.
"That was our deal."
There's a pause of a few seconds but it feels longer, so much longer. I can't afford for Kyla to go back on her word right now.
"Ok well it's simple. You go to VIP, you take their orders and bring the orders to the bar. Manny will make the drinks and you bring them back." Kyla brings me around to the back of the bar, "If anyone orders a bottle you can go back there and grab it yourself just scan it before you bring it to them in VIP." Kyla points from the door behind the bar to the register. "It's easy. On a slower night we'll see what you can do behind the bar and get you trained. Hand me your jacket. I'm going to put it in my office tonight, we'll sort you out a locker another day."
I shrug off my jacket and hand it to Kyla, "Seems easy enough." I nod to let her know I understand everything she's said.
"VIP 1 doesn't pay for anything, all of their drinks are on the house. That's also where you're going to take these," She motions to the box of Yamazaki. "There's a bar cart where you can set it up. Do that first then check on everyone else up there."
"Got it."
I pick up the box and turn to head toward the stairs when Kyla grabs my arm.
"Thank you." She says softly, giving my arm a soft squeeze.
"You're welcome. Thanks for the job." I smile.
I continue toward the steps, snaking through the crowds of people dancing. I climb the stairs and walk straight until I reach the first balcony area that overlooks the dance floor. VIP 1. I'm placing the bottles on the bar cart when I hear someone come up behind me.
"Uh, Hey," She says "Didn't mean to scare you." I recognize her voice.
"Not scared. Just surprised." I turn to face her. It's dark but I watch her drop down on the couch and spread her arms across the back of it. She lets out a heavy sigh, and moves her hair to one side then leans in, looking over the balcony. I can see her face clearly now, Ashley Davies.
"Would you like me to pour you a glass?" I ask.
"Sure," She doesn't look at me, her eyes are glued to the crowd of people downstairs. "Double shot, no ice."
I take a glass from the cart and set it down in front of her. Then I grab a bottle of the Yamazaki and break the seal. I pour her double shot and set the bottle back on the cart.
"Looks like a great turnout." I say, looking over the banister. People are packed like sardines down there.
Before Ashley can respond Kyla walks up, "Everyone is so excited we're open again, we've already met tonight's goals at the bar and the door!" Kyla squeals, excited to update her sister on what seems like a successful soft opening.
Kyla is beaming from ear to ear. She looks so much lighter than when I met her earlier today, stressed out in her office. I can't help but smile.
"This music is shit," Ashely says flatly and Kyla's face drops. "And what happened to the original staff? I barely recognize anyone working." She complains and I see Kyla's jaw clench.
"People don't really want to come back to work at a club where their coworker was shot and killed, Ashley! That's what happened to the original staff." Kyla fires back at her sister.
Ashley sucks her teeth and shrugs, "Whatever. I told you reopening this place was a bad idea." She throws back her drink and nods to me. It's a signal for me to pour her another.
"Go to hell, Ashley. Why did you even come tonight?" Kyla doesn't wait for an answer, instead she turns to face me, "Spencer, don't let Ashley keep you all night we have other VIPs" she walks away.
It doesn't matter that Kyla fulfilled Ashley's drink request. It doesn't matter that the club's reopening is going well. Ashley wasn't going to let her sister enjoy the moment. I take the bottle from the cart again and pour Ashley another double.
I'm fighting the urge to say something but when Ashley lets out a laugh, I can't stop myself, "Was that fun for you?" I ask her.
"What?" Ashley throws me a look.
My job would be a whole lot easier if Ashley liked me. I can't exactly backtrack now but I can choose my next words wisely.
"Your sister came up here to tell you things are going well, and you took it as an opportunity to make her feel small. Was it fun for you?" I look her in the eyes. The smug and satisfied look she had is now gone.
"I was being honest." Ashley picks up her glass.
"Maybe, but you were also being a bully."
I take the now empty box and turn to leave. When I turn around I'm face to face with a brown haired slim build guy who's got his arm draped around a short brunette. I'm able to recognize the couple even in this dim lighting. Madison Duarte and Aiden Dennison.
"I'll be back in a few to check on all of you." I say politely as I pass by the couple.
The Last thing I need is to piss all of them off on my first shift. The rest of the night was a breeze once i found my rhythm, I was able to meet some of the other staff, and I only had to go back to VIP 1 once or twice to bring bottles to Madison and Aiden and clear off some of the cups and napkins on the table when it got cluttered. I even made some tips, $230 to be exact. Sweet. All in all the day was the win that I needed. The last of the crowd was being ushered out by Wes, the security guard who let me in earlier tonight. I'm just about to knock on Kyla's office door when I hear voices inside.
"The blonde working VIP tonight, it's her first day right? You think she's going to work out?" I hear Ashley asking her sister.
Shit, I knew I shouldn't have said anything. My heart drops to my stomach.
"What's the problem, Ashley? You have an issue with the bottle service girl now too?" Kyla raises her voice, it's clear she is tired of her sister's shit.
"No, no. It's your club you can hire whoever you want," Ashley doesn't yell back instead she keeps her voice level. "Look I told you I didn't think reopening the club was a good idea. I think it's a terrible idea but you did it anyway and from the way tonight turned out I'd say you did a good job."
Was that an apology? I cock a brow, surprised at the effort. Even though it's the absolute bare minimum.
"Yeah well," Kyla starts but then stops, realizing what Ashley said. "Thanks." She says skeptically.
I hear someone coming up the steps. All the other doors in this area are locked so I can't go anywhere, and if I just stand here it's clear I've been eavesdropping. So i knock on the door.
Ashley pulls the door open, she looks surprised to see me.
"I need my jacket so I can head out for the night." I tell her.
"I have it over here," I hear Kyla say. "Goodnight, Spencer. You did great tonight!" She passes the jacket to Ashley who passes it to me.
"Thanks."
"Hey, there you are. Get in here we need to talk." Ashley says but she's talking to someone behind me. I step out of the way and turn slightly to see Madison.
Madison steps inside the office, and Ashley just stares at me. She's waiting for me to clear the hallway before she closes the door. Smart girl.
"Goodnight everyone." I say walking down the hall.
It's pitch black outside when I leave the club. The only lights out here are from the club exterior and sign and they're only bright enough to touch the end of the street. I turn the corner and start to head down the next block to my car. I can see my car from here and I slow down, something is wrong. There's glass all over the ground and my trunk isn't wide open but it's been popped.
I look over the car carefully, nothings been taken but someone's been in here.
So much for today being a win.