West Richland Tavern.

[raiguy]

DJ noticed the confrontation between Tess and the businessman. He saw Alexa come over and handle it, before she and Tess headed upstairs. DJ walked calmly over to the businessman's&m table before smiling thinly. "You need to leave. We do not allow patrons to put their hands on our staff like that. You've also had ok much to drink already. I can call you a taxi, and we will hold your keys until you are ready," he said, his voice calm and collected.

The man looked at DJ before laughing. "I'll leave when I'm damn good and ready!" He slurred. He and his friend laughed, before DJ hauled both of them up by their collars.

"I'll call a taxi for you. Let's see if fresh air helps sober you up," he said, walking them both out. He nodded to Troy, before leaving both of them standing in the waiting area for taxis. He walked back to Troy. "Don't let those two back in. They were grabbing on Tess too roughly, and both are about to become belligerently drunk," he said, before making his way back inside and calling a taxi.

 

[feistyphoenix]

It took Tess at least 10 minutes to calm down. She checked her clock, knowing she'd told Hannah it would only be 15 minutes but dreading going back downstairs. She wanted to just stay up here by herself.

She steadied herself against the wall as she stood and went into her bathroom. She fussed with her makeup and then curled up in her arm chair by her closet wondering if maybe she could squeeze another 5 minutes out of her "break". Some break it was, she realized she hadn't even eaten since breakfast. No wonder she felt out of it.

 

[raiguy]

After calling for a cab, DJ decided to try to do something for Tess. He fixed her something light, and brought up a soda with the food. He remembered hearing that soda helped take the edge off of situations like those. He grabbed a few napkins, before walking up to Tess's room with the sandwich and chips.

He knocked softly, before opening the door. He saw Tess in her armchair, before smiling slightly. "I brought you some food and a soda to help settle you down. The two guys are waiting on a taxi, as one was obviously pretty drunk. I hope the food helps," he said with another smile, wondering if there was more he could do to help Tess.

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess gracefully unfolded her legs and got up to take the soda, "Thank you," she said quietly. She wondered how he somehow always anticipated what she needed. She didn't look up at him but instead took a few sips of the soda. She took the plate he offered and sat down on her bed, placing the soda on the nightstand.

She absently nibbled on a couple of chips and felt him looking at her. She finally looked up at him.

"You didn't have to do this," she said.

 

[raiguy]

DJ smiled. "I don't have to do anything. I wanted to help you though. Even if things are awkward between us, I still want to be able to help you if I can," he said. He stood up, before sitting down next to her on the arm of the chair. He chuckled before looking down at her. "You gotta eat. Unless I missed something, you haven't eaten since breakfast, and you're running on fumes," he said.

He was trying not to push Tess. He was trying to be her friend, to be what she seemed to want. He looked at her before grabbing the plate of food and picking up the sandwich. He laughed before saying, "Here comes the choo choo train," including sound effects and more smiles and laughs than he remembered.

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess shook her head and laughed. Just when she thought she had him figured out he went and did something completely off the wall and surprised her.

"You're such a dork," she accused him playfully, before taking a sip of her soda and snatching another chip off the plate he was holding.

"Are you going to let me eat or just tease me?" she raised an eyebrow.

 

[raiguy]

DJ smiled and set her food down. "I'll let you eat. If you need me, I'm right downstairs though," he said, standing up and stretching. He moved to open the door, before looking back and smiling at Tess as he stepped out. He closed the door quietly before moving back downstairs to keep an eye on things.

He could hear from the music the playlist was going to end, so moved to switch it over to Hannah's playlist. It took a song to cycle into, but he smiled as the music came on, realizing it was perfect for an evening at a tavern.

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess just smiled as he walked out. She hurriedly ate the rest of the food he'd made for her and then brushed her teeth. She fluffed her hair one more time and then went back downstairs, feeling calm and collected. She wouldn't hesitate to scream if it happened again she decided.

She also realized she couldn't wait for her shift to end so she could sleep, she'd been on her feet all day except for the hour she'd spent with Jack, which was still work in a way. She wondered if she'd have any more customers like that tonight. Hopefully ones who were not total cavemen.

She cleared empty beer bottles from her tables, offered refills, and took dinner orders like she was supposed to. Her tip count was looking pretty good for tonight, maybe she and the girls could do something fun on their day off. What she wouldn't give for a real honest to goodness massage.

 

[Wolfias]

Eugene needed a break from the the earlier tension, and after filling up on Hannah's great home cooking. As Tess had went upstairs with Jack, Raven follows later with some barely legal. Lost in thought about a few things, Tess squeal brings Eugene back to the earth.

Tempted to yank the harasser and buddy up by the collars, the DJ steps in to do what he was about to himself. Seeing Hannah wasn't feeling well he'd worried, but Troy took care of her and she'll be ok. Always being the type to grow drowsy after a meal, waving his goodbyes he strolls on out of the tavern.

Crossing the street at a casual pace as traffic wasn't heavy, slowly taking the side stairwell on up to his studio apartment. Unlocking the door removing his jacket hangs it up, heading into his bedroom to sit on the bedside. Pulls off his boots with a soft grunt, out of nowhere Sadie jumps on his lap licking his face.

''Miss me gal?'' Holding the dog Eugene swings his legs onto the bed, stretching out he falls asleep dreaming of Raven. Obviously the dream was of cruising on a custom bike, with Raven on the back her arms around his waist. Scenic mountain vistas along winding roads passing by, a quiet cabin on a lake awaiting them up ahead.

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa took a few moments to freshen up before heading back downstairs, smiling happily. She noticed the two businessmen were gone and some new customers had come in. She sighed. She needed a lay, and quick. She sauntered over to the newcomers and got their drink orders.

 

[BreezySnow]

Raven remade her bed and switched out the pillow cases making a mental note to take care of the lipstick as soon as possible. She looked out her window quickly and saw Eugene crossing the street. Shit, he was here when she went upstairs?? He must have gotten up from where he was and talked to Troy or went to the men's room and she didn't see him. Oh well, he knows what kind of a place this is and what they do here and why does it matter what he thinks. The slam of a door brings Raven back to the present. Doors don't usually slam when you have a customer and it sounded like it was across the hall so that would be Tess. Raven opened her door and saw DJ heading up the stairs with some food and drink so she chose not to bother Tess right now. She smiled at DJ as she went down the steps to take care of customers.

The dinner crowd was pretty busy. Dee was helping out by taking a few orders or bringing them to tables. She would remember to tip out Dee and Kari from her tables.

 

[wombat9966]

Troy was pissed. Tess had been manhandled and he had missed it. He was too busy checking ID's at the door. He needed to be on the floor if they were going to be this busy, and they probably needed two more guys as well. One to run the door and one to be at the other end to him. He would have to make some calls and see if anyone needed work. Sure the pay wouldn't be great to start with but most guys knew that and were willing to cut owners slack if they saw promise in a place. Troy knew a few guys that might work here for a few weeks on credit if the place was going to continue like this. Hell they would probably do it for Hannah's cooking. He would make those calls tomorrow.

 

[1millionsecrets]

Soon the night wound down. Hannah had told DJ they were just normal songs to play as he seemed fit, she had stepped outside to take secret pictures of the drunken men, knowing they would be back. She filed them as 'unsafe drinker's and left it on the serving tray. It was going on 3:45 and she would close up at four. She didn't plan to open until 11:45 the next day so hopefully that would give the girls enough time to sleep.
The commotion had stirred her, and she was thankful DJ had stepped in. Troy would have to help her with a few moor security personal, which meant more pay outs which meant less profit. As she was sitting now, she decided to just let the girls keep all of their earnings as part of pay, and boost the ones who don't get that kind of work as often.

The customers dwindled until only one man remained. He was just a kid and it was apparent her wasn't yet old enough to be drinking. She sighed and touched his shoulder gently. "How old are you hun?" Her voice danced softly.
He replied back with a very slurred, "Nineteen.." A Shane hung in his voice.
"Well come on." She whispered as she lifted him up by the arm. She carefully helped him up the stairs into one of the unoccupied rooms for rent. She helped him undress and got him into bed.
"You owe me." She whispered softly and he nodded.
"Tony," He whispered. "Call me Tony." And he drifted off.

Hannah sighed and made her way down stairs. She started.mopping up and Dee and Keri soon helped her. She then turned the red lights in the windows off, turned off both signs and flipped the other over to read closed. She slipped off her boots and began taking stock of her liquor. When that was done she simply refaced, polished the counter, and walked to the kitchen to get started on the dishes. To her surprise Keri had done most, so it only took a few minutes. She yawned and smiled, "Quitting time. Go ahead home, or upstairs where ever it is you belong." She glanced over at Troy an smiled. "You're staying with me..."

 

[Wolfias]

Eugene bolts upright in his bed realizing the time, cursing the alarm clock under his breath. Swinging his leg over the side of the bed, quickly pulling his boots on and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Checking his breath he hurriedly brushed his teeth, having bedhead runs his fingers through his hair. Heads to the door locking it behind him, rushing down the stairs stumbling into a run. He crosses the street quickly steps into the tavern, holding his hand up and one on his hip breathing heavily.

''I over slept...meant to...come back to...give you...your grand opening surprise!'' Catching his breath Eugene stands upright again, obviously looking like he'd slept in his clothes. Walking over the the black canvas hidden behind tables. ''Hope you like it Hannah.'' Moving the tables and boxes hiding it and whipping the canvas off, the bike was cherry red with her mural on the tank.

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa heard that it was quitting time and she sighed in relief and exhaustion. Seemed like after dinner is when most men wanted to do stuff, and she was thankful it was all basic sex. Fishing into her bra, she counted out five percent of her earnings and found Hannah with Eugene, where a bike stood. She gaped at it for a few moments, seeing how beautiful it was before handing her earnings to Hannah. "Here's the five percent from tonight," she said softly.

 

[Wolfias]

Eugene looks over to Alexa as she was checking out Hannah's new custom bike. He didn't interrupt their conversation, after she'd finished speaking he grins at her. ''Like Hannah's custom bike I built her?'' His expression was one of pride and pure satisfaction, especially this one designed to fit his best friend perfectly. ''Check out the air brushed portrait on the tank, see if you recognize who that is?''

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa beamed. "It's beautiful!" she exclaimed. She found the portrait on the tank and analyzed it a few moments before looking up at him. She could barely look up at him without getting a crick in her neck, her five foot one frame was that tiny. "I'm going to guess it's Hannah."

 

[raiguy]

DJ smiled as he saw the last of the customers leaving, with Hannah pulling the kid upstairs. He shook his head at how realistic fakes were getting nowadays. It wasn't like that when he had been growing up. He sighed, before running his hands through his hair. He realized that just as DJ, he wouldn't have much to do to fill his time when the nights weren't dance nights, and he could see Troy needed help on security.

He walked over to Troy and Hannah, catching them before they left. "Hey Troy, Hannah. I know that things are probably tight right now, but if you want, I can also work security while operating as the Tavern's DJ. It will give you one more guy on the floor, and most of the time, I can let the music run if I need to handle a problem, or if you need me. You wouldn't have to pay me anything extra, as I'd do it just to help," he said with a smile, before watching as the tavern shut down for the night.

 

[Wolfias]

''Thanks Alexa I appreciate the compliment on the bike.'' Being little over 5'8'' he wasn't that tall, looking down slightly and her smiling. ''Yeah that's Hannah one Halloween she dressed as Burlesque performer.'' Hearing what the DJ volunteered to do, Eugene decided he'd just volunteer himself also. ''Count me in Troy, I'll help out also. This would give me more time to visit Hannah, and the new girl Raven as well I'm thinking.''

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa grinned. "She'd like that a bit, methinks," she giggled. She stretched and yawned a moment.

 

[Wolfias]

''Methinks huh? someone's been reading Shakespeare I believe. And seems she's quite the sleepy little girl at that. Eugene steps over to give her a friendly shoulder to lean on, like a big brother might have done for a little sister.

 

[1millionsecrets]

Hannah stood her mouth agape. Her stomach knotted and she was speechless. She then wrapped her arms around her.old friend and held him to her tightly. "It's the most beautiful piece of machinery I've ever seen Genie!" She called out softly, pulling back her eyes filled with tears. She grinned and was nearly afraid to touch it. But her shaky hand ran over its finish and she beamed.
She glanced at Alexa, "No, no love you keep it... really. Go on up to bed." Her voice was tender. As she finished speaking some guys pulled up in a truck and walked in.
"Where do you want this?" A gruffan asked. Hannah made her way over to him and showed him where she wanted them installed, and within twenty minutes four new poles had been installed. And the surrounding floors polished once again. She removed her tip money from her bra and handed them each a fifty. "Thanks guys..."

She then turned to DJ and smiled weakly, "What ever you wanna do hun."

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa leaned against him and smiled. "Aye, that I have and am," she said, her smile happy. She tucked the money back into her corset and stretched. "Should head up to bed," she murmured.

 

[Wolfias]

''Well I never got the gallant Knight role in drama class. ''Wouldst thou grant this poor tinkerer of two wheeled machinery the honor of...carrying the damsel in sleepy distress up the castle stairs to thy bed chamber and thus retreateth back downstairs?''

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa giggled. "Aye, that he may," she said, sleepily. "As long as the tinkerer retreateth back downstairs as he says, for this damsel is very tired, and may fallest asleep in thy arms."