"Ok, so this cabinet is where we keep the good whiskey, over here is the gin. The beer is kept in this middle cabinet. The cheap stuff is on the left and the shot glasses are all behind you. We only take the peanuts out when the ritzier people come"
Ruby was taking me through the bar downstairs. Apparently, I was a barista now. Until I got accustomed to the environment, they were going to keep me safely behind the counter with Judy.
"One of us will come, give you an order, you fill it up and we do it all over again. Remember prioritize us first. The rich guests never sit at the bar."
I nodded as she kept explaining, making mental notes of everything.
"At the end of the night. You put all of your used up cups in here" Ruby reached down and pulled a wooden box out of nowhere "it's not our job to wash them so don't worry about that. Oh and we all have to wear a uniform. Medda comes in and checks you up and down to make sure your dressed correctly nothing ever gets past her"
I was an hour away from starting my new job. The fact that I was underage never seemed to come up but I was fine with that.
After the quick rundown. We headed back upstairs to get ready for the evening. Saying I was nervous was an understatement. Now saying, that I was sweating like a hog and that I might have a panic attack was a little closer.
I had to get this job right. I didn't want to go back to Brooklyn. It was a very nice place but the reason I think I've been able to cope so well was because I wasn't in the environment in which it happened.
I was so worried, where was I going to find a bandage for my chest? The cut wasn't deep but it was super long it went from the bottom tip of my collarbone to my mid stomach. No one knew it was there since it was concealed, the purple bruise on my neck was less noticeable thanks to my long hair and some of Aunt Rita's make up.
All these stressors where making my head hurt. After a good bath I'm sure I'll be fine.
"Bourbon sweetheart"
"A nice cold beer"
"Some whiskey, please"
Drunks, I was surrounded by drunks. Talk about irony.
Considering the circumstances I was doing…all right.
Everything was labeled and I was a fast worker, not to add that the job was fairly simple. I was worrying over nothing. The only real issue I had was the dress. The cut was too low. The gash on my skin was visible by at least a good three inches. I couldn't leave the bandage on. Medda said it clashed. I told her and showed her the cut. She squealed and covered her eyes but still refused to let me wear a bandage.
Whatever. It needed air and it was easier to move around, with the bandage gone.
I got a lot of stares but I shook them off. It wasn't that bad, it was a bit wide but it wasn't infected or anything.
Time flew by like crazy. The night was done before I even realized it had started. It was so hectic. You had to do everything with lighting speed. I was so exhausted. When my head hit the pillow, it was lights out.
"OH MY GOSH"
I rolled my eyes and sighed. That was the third time in the past ten minutes.
We were getting ready for the "party". It was a quarter to eight so far we were the only one's here.
"Will you shut up?!" Ruby was probably more annoyed than anyone. We were supposed to take all the tablecloths off the tables so they wouldn't get stained and only Lucile and I were helping.
Judy, Autumn, and Scarlet were all crowded around the doors waiting for the newsies to arrive.
"They won't be here until thirty more minutes and Spot doesn't even show up until way later" Lucile said as she walked away to store the tablecloths.
What was so great about this guy? He better be Greek statue perfect when I saw him.
It's not like it mattered. He was probably just some pretty boy player that I would do my best to stay away from. I had to prioritize, as nice as this place was I didn't want to serve alcoholic beverages for the rest of my life and anyways I got the feeling that you had to be young and pretty to get a decent tip. I lacked in one of those areas so I better find an alternative soon.
"We better hurry up, those airheads aren't going to help and we still have to set up the stage"
I nodded and picked up my pace. I had no time to mess around. I had to come up with a way to make more money from tips.
"Why don't I pick up all the tablecloths while you guys go set up the stage. That way it's quicker" I suggested. It's not like I knew where the stuff went. I would be of no help.
Lucile and Ruby paused and looked at each other before shrugging and walking towards the stage.
We had finished the balcony a while ago only the lower levels were left. The trio was still at the window.
"Marissa isn't coming tonight" I perked my ears "Maybe if that new girl covers for me I'll be able to get close to him"
Somebody should work on their whispering.
"I heard you have to do something superhot for him to notice you"
Oh lord.
"Marissa always wears those skimpy dresses and flirts with other guys"
Ew.
"She is so slutty"
Sounds like it
"Yeah but she is so gorgeous"
Oh someone please get me out of here
"Medda is never going to let me wear a dress like that. That's why I need the new girls help"
Yeah. Look here you desperate little tart, I don't know what you want from me but I'm not doing.
I didn't even know who was talking but I didn't care I wasn't doing it
"Hey Violet"
I served the newsie closest to me some cheap whiskey and spun.
It was Ruby she handed me a white sheet paper of orders.
Good Whiskey
Scotch x4
Cheap whiskey x7
Beer x 3
Simple order. They kept coming the same, except for the good whiskey, that hadn't been ordered all night.
"Here let me take care of that"
Judy snatched the paper from my hand before I had a chance to respond.
"Violet! Where's my bourbon?" An annoyed Autumn demanded. You try working the bar while filing up ten orders at the same time.
Handing her the glass I took the next order. These were newsboys were talking about here, most of them are dirt poor and underage. Where did they get the money? Did they not eat?
"Pick up your pace, doll face" Judy hissed beside me.
"I'm trying!" I hissed back, popping open three beer bottles.
This was so hectic. The place was packed, the orders were being thrown at you from every angle.
"Violet my order!" It was Lucile. Lord have mercy.
"Sorry! I was about to do it but Scarlett told me that her order was more important"
"What?! Violet"
"I'm sorry! She said that her order had to be sent out right away" I cowered while reaching down for a new glass.
"Was it a scotch with a whiskey on the side?"
Furrowing my brow I answered "Y-yes how did you know?"
Lucile groaned "I need to talk to Ruby, just get my order up"
I nodded and pulled the note from my pocket.
Okay, I should be able to do this fairly quickly.
Halfway through the order, Ruby, Lucile, and Scarlett showed up.
"Get on this side newbie. You're taking Scarlett's place"
"What?!" I exclaimed. I won't survive on that side!
"Scarlett's been flirting all night, you won't, get over here"
Judy pushed me out through the small bar door and took the towel of my shoulder, trading me a notepad and a pencil.
But it's a jungle out there!
"Here take this" Judy handed me a tray "table seven top floor"
You can't send me up there. I'll never make it!
"Get a move on! We don't have all night"
I don't even know where table seven is or who to give these to.
"Where's table seven?" I asked Lucile, as she picked up her tray.
"Follow me. I'm going that way too"
Thank god.
We navigated through the crowd of newsies. I had never carried a tray before. So I held it out, in front of me, unceremoniously.
"There's only two rows of tables upstairs. Row A and B, ten tables each "I nodded, that sounded simple enough "The bottom has eight rows of tables. Twenty across. Ruby and Autumn work those, so don't worry about that"
Good, I would never be able to handle that
We clambered up the stairs, they were crowded by Newsies and what looked to be their girlfriends.
The top floor wasn't was crowded but it was full of poker tables. Cigarette smoke filled the room in a poisonous cloud.
"That tray is for row B, down that way" Lucile pointed to my left before disappearing.
Nooo don't leave me here with these…these people
I looked around. No one appeared to be judging me, yet.
I had no idea what to do. Did I just walk up to them and go "here's your drinks. Bye?"
Well I better do it now. I don't want the girls downstairs to be any more upset then they already were.
I began to count the tables as I walked…three four…seven.
There was newsboys siting around playing a card name, poker maybe.
They completely ignored me. Well than, be that way.
I slammed the tray down. One or two of them looked up and then went back to their game. It was if like I wasn't even there.
Taking each of the little cups I also slammed them on the table making sure to spill a little bit of each. I didn't care. I didn't want their tip, I'm not even supposed to be a waitress.
"Thanks, Sweetheart"
I looked up to see a newsie with a cigar hanging out of his mouth as he dealt some cards.
"You're Welcome" I said, glad that someone was grateful for my great effort
Just as I was about to walk away the newsie spoke up again.
"Say sweetheart, Could you do me a favor?"
On my tray, was a single shot glass. It was scotch, the good stuff.
I was on the bottom floor. The newsie upstairs specifically asked for me to deliver it. He even pointed the table out and gave me a specific time.
Just before Medda began. When the lights started to dim. I was the only waitress up and about. No one was allowed to order drinks during her show. Weird rule but she did appear to be the type of person that wanted all the attention.
The lights were almost out and only a quiet whisper passed through the room. The table I was going to was one of the few still making some sort of noise. Quiet laughter and giggles came from them.
I couldn't see much with the lights so dim but I could make out the shape of a girl perched on a boys lap.
As I grew closer, Medda's small symphony began to play a smooth song. I better hurry, Medda would be very angry If I was up while she sang.
Reaching the table, I placed the shot glass in front of the particular newsie.
It was too dark to really see his face but he seemed familiar.
"From the Gentleman Upstairs "I said.
"Which Gentleman?" His voice was deep and raspy.
"He said you'd know who he was" I replied.
"All Right"
No thank you? Fine, I hope you choke on that
Speed walking away, I glanced up to the newsie who had given me the order. He smiled and nodded, I nodded back and continued on my way back to bar. We didn't get to enjoy the show, we got to clean.
The quintet, was arguing amongst themselves. They instantly quieted when I got closer.
"What's going on?" I asked. Setting down the tray on top of the rest.
Wide-eyed eyes stared at me as I lifted the bar door.
"Nothing!" Judy, Autumn, and Scarlett said simultaneously.
"No. Don't listen to them. Here these came for you" Ruby said and handed me a tiny envelope on top of a small box.
It felt heavy. They were wrapped together by a pink ribbon. Untying it, I took the envelope out. It was slightly ripped. I glanced sideways at the quintet, they were staring intently at me but turned away soon after.
Opening it. I began to read.
Dear Bluebird,
We haven't talked in a bit. I left you at your doorstep with your Aunt and disappeared without a word. You're a tough little bird to find. I miss you. I want to talk to you but like all birds you need prompting, so I've prepared some gifts. You'll get your other in the paper.
My breath left my body. My head swirled. This was not happening. I shut my eyes and counted to ten. Wishing the note away.
It was still there when I opened them.
With shaky fingers, I opened the box.
I had to bight my lip to keep myself from shrieking.
Inside the Box, there was a large figurine of a blue bird. On its breast, a large gash was painted. Its beak was chipped at the bottom and on its neck there was purple smudge.