At home, the manager goes back over her day, rearranging shelves, reliving conversations, wondering what more she could have done, before sobbing herself to a restless, feverish sleep. And back at the bar, bad music plays on a Muzak loop. Like the customers and the crew, a cast of perfect players in a dreary little play. Teshan makes hats when she's not waiting tables. Then there's Deb.
Deb drinks too much.
The bartender is a Promise Keeper, nearly sixty and deaf as a post. He's moving to Florida soon, hanging up the towel. Somewhere warm and far away, where he can worship in peace. I'd heard he could do it. It's like a Christmas miracle.