Chapter 16 - Dust and Debris

As the afternoon progressed into evening, Marilyn found herself constantly looking over towards the front door every time it opened. Every time someone entered, she hoped it'd be Dick returning safe and sound. And each time she turned away in disappointment, forcing herself to focus back into her work. There was no end to the messes made by the drunk patrons. She wasn't sure which she cleaned up more between spilled beer and overflowing ashtrays. At least the puddles of vomit were more uncommon. Though not uncommon enough for Marilyn's liking.

By the six hour mark, Marilyn was shuffling past the pool table while holding a bucket of disposed beer bottles. As she passed, one of the mercenaries smacked her rear, snickering when she startled and nearly dropped the bottles. Marilyn hugged the bucket tighter, glaring back at the chortling man. Most of the mercs had started off pestering her similarly but they rarely struck twice. And she figured this one was about to learn why.

"When did Ricardo get new help?" The man shot her a yellowed toothy grin, "Or is that you Leroy and you just got real pretty all of a su—whoa, whoa! Take it easy!"

Marilyn watched the man flinch away from the shotgun barrel that had poked into his side. Her eyes followed the barrel to Billy, who held the shotgun one-handed as he sat back leisurely in his seat with one boot propped up on the corner of the pool table. He puffed his cigarette, nodding towards Marilyn as he kept his gaze on the offending man.

"Think you owe the lady an apology," He mused, his tone suggesting it was more of an order.

"Easy, buddy," The man held up his hands, "I was just razzing."

"I ain't your buddy. Now apologize," Billy narrowed his eyes, tapping his finger against the trigger but not yet pulling it.

Thus far, he'd only had to actually pull it once. The blood hadn't been fun to clean.

"Sorry," The man flicked his eyes over towards Marilyn anxiously, "Sorry, ma'am."

Marilyn nodded back subtly and Billy tilted his shotgun up, letting the man hastily slip away. Marilyn watched him beeline for the exit before turning back towards Billy, who was back to ignoring her as though she didn't exist. She didn't really get why he kept sticking up for her, considering they hadn't even had a proper conversation since before.

"Why do you keep doing that?" She asked him after a moment, holding the bucket tighter.

Billy just ignored her, tapping some ashes from his cigarette into the ashtray beside him.

Sighing because she already knew full well he wouldn't answer, considering he hadn't the past seven times she'd asked, she turned to leave.

"Wait," Billy piped up just before she moved.

Marilyn turned back curiously, wondering if he was finally going to speak to her. But that was quickly dashed as he just picked up the ashtray and held it towards her.

"Gettin' full," He explained as she took the ashtray from him with a frown.

Marilyn grumbled to herself as she went to empty the bucket and the ashtray together into the dumpster out on the back porch. She pointedly avoided looking towards the drunk man peeing into the swampy water, heading back inside as quickly as she could. She returned the ashtray to its place beside Billy and the bucket to its place in the corner. Then she moved over towards Ricardo at the bar.

"I've been meaning to ask. Why doesn't this place have a proper restroom?" She asked as she leaned onto the bartop.

"What's the point of that?" Ricardo perked a brow.

"Well, you know…" Marilyn trailed off, shrugging slightly.

"Most fellas just take a leak outside," Ricardo shrugged back, "Never been brought up as an issue."

"But what about your female patrons?" Marilyn frowned.

"What female patrons?" Ricardo chuckled, "Most of the fairer sex avoid this place like the New Plague."

"Maybe that's because you don't have a proper place for them to go to the bathroom," Marilyn pointed out.

"That or the other patrons," Ricardo snorted, moving from wiping a mug to wiping the counter, "Why do you care anyway? You gotta pee?"

"Not at the moment, but the thought had crossed my mind," Marilyn shrugged again, "I bet you could attract more customers if you added a proper restroom."

Ricardo paused, seeming to consider her words before humming.

"Well, I'll think about it," He smiled, "In the meantime, you should get back to work."

Marilyn leaned away from the bar, bracing herself for the next round of mopping up vomit. As she turned, the front door opened. Marilyn couldn't help herself and she looked over. Her face lit up immediately upon seeing it was Dick at long last. Before she even realized what she was doing, she had hurried over to him and pulled him into a hug.

"I was so worried about you!" She said quickly, "You were gone for such a long time."

"Sorry for making you worry," Dick sighed, patting a hand against her back, "The job took a lot longer than I expected."

Marilyn leaned back with her hands on his shoulders, going to say something before she noticed his appearance. His skin and Vault suit were both covered with dark smudges and black streaks. He was also sweaty, perhaps even sweatier than he had been on the days he had worked near the incinerator. Whatever he'd been doing must've been exhausting too, given how tired he appeared. He hadn't even bothered to touch up his hair, which had long since gone out of form and partially matted against his forehead.

"What kind of work were you doing?" She asked, "You look like you just came out of a burning building."

"Actually, that wouldn't be too far off," He chuckled tiredly.

Marilyn was curious but he looked ready to drop, so she first brought him over to take a seat at the bar.

"When they said I'd be doing construction work, I thought they meant the kind with a hammer and nails," Dick rubbed the back of his sweaty neck, "Not burning down pre-war buildings with a flamethrower."

"Huh?" Marilyn blinked at him curiously, "How does that constitute construction?"

"I dunno, I guess it's how they're clearing away the old broken down stuff," Dick shrugged before turning towards Ricardo, "Hey, can I get a drink?"

"One beer coming up," Ricardo nodded, moving to pick up a mug.

Dick went to protest but just sighed.

"Fine, whatever," He mumbled before looking back at Marilyn, "Anyway, it was pretty tough but I figure it was worth it."

When Marilyn perked a brow, Dick turned and reached into his pack, pulling out the dirty plastic baggy of caps. Only, it was now so full it was fit to burst. Marilyn's eyes widened as Dick handed the bag to her.

"They paid me 250 caps for each block I helped clear, and I helped with two of 'em," He grinned.

"500 caps?" Marilyn gasped.

"Plus the 20 from before," Dick pointed out.

Marilyn felt an overwhelming spike of joy bloom through her chest upon realizing she wouldn't need to work another day at the Saloon. She was grateful beyond words to Dick that he had saved her from another day of vomit and smoke and urine. She was so pleased that she could've kissed him. And she was so caught up with herself that she did just that. Without thinking, she leaned forward and planted a smooch right on his lips.

As soon as she realized, in horror, what she'd just done, Marilyn jumped back like she expected him to start swinging. Instead he just stared at her in bewilderment, like it was his own turn for his brain to short circuit. Marilyn gaped at him like a fish, trying to find some way to explain herself, but words were simply failing her at the moment.

Before anything could come to her, Ricardo set the mug of beer on the bartop between them, making Marilyn flinch and Dick nearly jumped out of his seat. Ricardo perked a brow, glancing between them both before reaching over and grasping the bag of caps from Marilyn. He fished out 5 for himself then sealed it and handed it back to her.

"Guess you kids got enough to hire Billy now, huh?" Ricardo hummed, his voice cutting through the tangible tension.

"Uh, y-yeah," Dick cleared his throat before glancing over to Ricardo, "Guess so."

"Well, that's good news," Ricardo pressed on, still looking a bit confused where the awkwardness had abruptly come from.

"It is," Marilyn squeaked, voice strained and face red.

A beat passed before Dick looked back over towards Marilyn. He just smiled at her, the way he always did. Casually. As though nothing had happened. Marilyn struggled to smile back before ultimately finding herself unable to, so she quickly turned away instead.

"I-I'm going to go pay him now," She stammered quickly as a sort of excuse.

Even though she was already halfway across the room.