Thread: Learning to Fall  (Alvis & Malice)

Sarai, how youve been? The bartender, Nikolai, asked her when he saw her sit down at the bar, plopping her bag right in front of her on the ground. Ive been better. Honestly. Just had a rough start to the morning. I could use a stiff one, what say you? Stiff one as in me, or stiff one as in drink? He grinned a cheeky grin and she grinned mockingly. What do you think? Youd think Id come here for a quickie? Come on, I have some class. Id at least wait until you were almost off the clock. Nikolai chuckled at that one before grabbing a shot glass and then a beer glass. Which one would you like? The kind where you put the shot glass in with the beer. She even made the motion for him, while pulling out her emergency stash of cigarettes that actually had the words When Drinking written on it. She had another pack reserved for when she was Izabel that had After Sleezy Customers written on it. Came quite in handy too. Coming right up. Then you can tell me whats got your panties in such a twist. She stuck her tongue out at him while digging in her pocket for her lighter. Bringing the cigarette between her lips, she lit and then took in a deep, deep, first drag. One that felt like it instantly calmed down her very frayed nerves and simmered down her frustration and anger. Once Nikolai gave her the drink, separately of course, she took the shot and instead of popping it into the beer, she downed it. Apparently she needed that one first more than an Irish Car Bomb. He watched her and when she put the glass down, he chuckled. Would you like a shot to go with your beer next? She smiled sweetly and nodded her head. He gave her another and popped it into her beer for her. You know, I was going to do that. Sure you were. Sure you were, Sarai. He teased. She said nothing more and took a big sip of her Irish Car Bomb, deciding not to just down it right away. She set it down and looked up at her favorite bartender. So, tell me about it. And she did, starting from running late, to the annoying Thelma to her asshole of a professor, all of which made her want to come here in the middle of the day. He nodded his head with understanding but simply said, Im not going to complain, its refreshing to see you here early. You shush that mouth of yours Nikolai. Its only true Sarai. He grinned. Youre actually interesting. And I dont know many ladies whose preferred drink is an Irish Car Bomb. Its not. Normally I order it first because I am clearly aiming to get drunk. Dont you have more classes today? Not today. Just the one really long lecture and the rest of my work is online. It works out because I do have to work tonight. No one knew what she did. Not even Nikolai. God forbid she was actually recognized by anyone here, especially him. A couple of more people walked in, one of them being another that Nikolai recognized well. Hey man, you heading up? He addressed to him. Sarai looked back to see who it was and she recognized him as the TA from her class. Oh super. The one who was just as bad with attendance like she was, except she thought it was even worse for him to be late since he was the TA. But who was she to judge? She was the one drinking at the campus bar when it was still rather early in the day. Sarai made no other notice or care of him. She turned back to her drink and took a deep drag of her cigarette once more, minding her own business. A couple of Irish Car Bombs, some work and then a long nap and shed be good for work tonight.