First night at work

Angela scanned the bottles on the shelf muttering to herself: “Whisky, bottom left. Vodka, bottom right. Rum, middle left.” She knew the guys dotted around the bar were watching her as they sipped their pints; she’d been introduced to most of them earlier, the regulars. They seemed nice enough.

“Can I have a Zywiec please?” said one of them. She must have looked puzzled as he continued: “It’s a beer, bottom fridge, top shelf. It’s got Polish people dancing on the label.”

“This one?”

“That’s it.”

“Would you like a glass?”

“Yes please.”

“That was easy enough.” she thought, “These regulars will probably be my best asset. They know where everything is.”

Linda came to see how she was doing: “Everything ok?”

“Yeah, I think so. There seems so much to remember.”

“You’ll get the hang of it. Anyway, these nutters will keep you right.” Linda nodded at the regulars.

“This is a great pub.” said one, “I’m Alan, by the way. What’s your name?”

“Angela, pleased to meet you Alan.”

“I see Linda’s not broken with tradition.”

“What tradition’s that Alan?” asked Linda.

“The tradition of hiring beautiful barmaids.”

“He says that to everyone.” said Linda.

Angela laughed: “I bet he does.” All the same, it was nice to be complemented.

“He’ll be giving you his phone number before the night’s out.”

“I don’t think my boyfriend would be too pleased about that.”

“Don’t tell him then.” Said Alan, “Is he nice?”

“He’s lovely.”

“That’s great. But I better give you my number, just in case you’re a terrible judge of character.” He started to write it down.

“Two Peroni please.” barked another customer. Angela glanced at Alan. He was nodding at a beer tap. “Does no one drink normal stuff in here?” she thought, “and so expensive!” The total on the till had startled her but the customers didn’t seem bothered. Linda was asking some other guys for a similarly exorbitant sum of money and no one batted an eyelid.

“These guys must be loaded.” she thought, “and they tip well. Maybe my boyfriend’s not lovely enough.” she smiled.

“Is that your number Alan?”

“Sure is”

“I’ll keep this on file.” she grinned as she put the slip of paper in her pocket.

More tomorrow...