On her way to work Charlotte Lucas thought about what she saw last night. Working as a bartender was hard, but she really liked seeing the interactions between people. Though it did not soothe the ache in her feet when she went to sleep, or pay her bills, it made her choice of career acceptable. People let go of their façades at the night club. Many thought that the intake of alcohol could excuse any behaviour and take back all that was said.

Charlotte had always been a pessimist, but when she started working at the Mermaid night club her stoic heart grew even colder and more cynic. What others appreciated in humankind did absolutely not show itself in her workspace. Charlotte was sure that hospitality, kindness and selflessness always came from the core of people. The selfish core that made pretences as to not be shunned by society. Every action could be tracked down to selfishness in the end. Saving people? Not wanting to be scrutinized. Inventing something? A possibility to be lazy. Society trains its citizens to feel guilty, and hence putting a layer of civil lacquer that we usually call "goodness". People could polish their behaviour all they wanted, but Charlotte saw how the pitch black souls let themselves free under the veil of daiquiris, darkness and dubstep.

Yesterday had been a busy night. The nightclub had been borrowed by a nearby high school for a Halloween party. Some of the high schoolers were regulars at the bar, including one of her best friends, Elisabet. The club had been buzzing. Some newcomers or something. Considering that the high school was private, and renowned for hosting mostly diplomats' kids it had surprised her how newcomers still impressed those kiddos. Frick, most of them moved every two years, according to statistics. Somehow, though, these latest newcomers were like a red dot to cats. All these high and mighty children (Charlotte did not acknowledge their adulthood. It would mean that she was old, and that she was sure she wasn't.) had been stretching necks and trying to catch the smallest hint of smoke of the newcomers with their bare hands. Gossip had dominated the conversation that evening. Not that it did not all the other nights. Yesterday was special because everyone gossiped about the same thing.

###A.H.E.###

Charlotte washed her hands, before tying her hair in a neat low ponytail. Hopefully tonight would not be as busy. She needed to rest, but the weekend had only just begun. Monday night seemed so far away. Today, Saturday, was the bitter reminder that other people were off. October was ending, and so it was in the middle of the "awkward season". Too cold for barbeque, too hot for skiing. And hence Charlotte's dream of a calm night at work was spoiled before she even served her first drink for the night. When she exited the kitchen it took her all her professional willpower to not let her chin drop. The booths were cramped, the dance floor overflowing, and the lines reached almost to Mars.

Another bartender, she couldn't distinguish who, shouted, almost panicky, "Char, could you take register n°5, please?" Charlotte went to her assigned counter and swiped her card to open. "This line is now open" she spoke as forcefully as she could without screaming. Though her colleagues let out relieved sighs it took her many attempts to get the customers' attention. The buzzing of the crowd drowned any sound, except for the base, which moved through the walls like a physical force. She felt a headache coming within the first five minutes of her shift. Like everyone else that worked at the nightclub, she wore earplugs, but that didn't mean that she was insensible to the noise. The current song felt like a drill to her heart. And her poor head.

###A.H.E.###

The night progressed like it commenced. Drink after drink, after drink was served before she spotted someone familiar in the crowd. Someone she had been on the lookout for since her shift started. Most of the kiddies were probably sleeping after the party yesterday, but not Elisabet. Charlotte made a mental note to try to catch her tiny friend before she left, and continued to shake the Cosmo she prepared. The rattling sound was followed by pouring which was followed by a "Here you go. Have a nice evening". Strobes partially lit up the club as greetings were followed by stirring, was followed by payment, was followed by greetings.

At last Elisabet had run out of steam, and came bouncing towards Charlotte. "Waaaaaaater" she said, cocking her head to the left, giving her bartender friend a supposedly cute smile. "S'il te please?"

"That'll be ten francs" Charlotte responded with mock professionalism. She could not help smiling, Elisabet always put her in a good mood. In a way Elisabet was her little sister, if not by blood, then by soul. The thought reminded her why she wanted to see her friend in the first place. She cared too much to let the matter slip.

"Are you kidding me? Water has always been free here." Elisabet let the exhaustion show itself clearly in her face. She leaned in over the bar in a manner which implied that she was not unfamiliar with the charade. "Do I have to run to France to get what I want? Hurry up, I want to go back dancing"

"This'll be on the house, on one condition" Charlotte was all serious all of a sudden. "I want you to keep me company while I tidy after work" The club was still filled to the brim, even though it was two o'clock, and she didn't want her little friend to escape her interrogation. "Don't escape" She handed Elisabet the glass and signed "I'll keep my eyes on you, young lady" with her fingers as Elisabet returned the glass to the counter.

"Yes mum!" Elisabet rolled her eyes cheerfully, and started dancing as soon as she turned her back to the bar. If she was totally honest, it was equally terrifying and promising that Charlotte wanted to talk to her. Yesterday she did a lot that she was sure her more mature friend would disapprove of. Still, she was singled out to keep her company. That must mean that Charlotte actually cared about her. In a way Charlotte was starting to be a mother to her, but in a different way than her other "mothers". She unconsciously let all her concerns go, as she once more zoned out at the dance floor.

###A.H.E.###

A/N: Here comes the last chapter before the winter hiatus. I actually started this chapter wanting to write the conversation between our favourite women. Charlotte ended up being a lot more interesting than I thought, and so we ended up here instead. I've already written ca 1K words on the "assembly", but it is nowhere close to become a chapter. Guess what I'm going to do when I hide from my relations at Christmas? I can't promise that it'll be published before middle January, though. Until then

/Nothisgrill