You Are A Bartender, Part III

[Dear Booze]

It's 11:00.

The kitchen closed at 10:00, but the bar is still full. You will decide when to yell “last call” and begin the process of encouraging the last of your customers to leave. You usually tell them they have to go and then make them feel special. “This is last call and we’ll be closing pretty soon,” you tell them. “But don’t leave. Enjoy your drinks. I’m just going to lock the doors and start cleaning up.”

Your friend Ryan is finishing with his last table in the dining room, going through the routine of sweeping the crumbs from the linen, offering coffee, and presenting the check. "Take your time," he says. To you, It almost sound like he means it. The customers believe he is being sincere.

Ryan walks into the bar and asks you if you have time to "help" him with something in the back. "Absolutely," you reply.

You tell your customers that you need to take care of something in the kitchen and that you'll be right back. Then, you follow Ryan through the swinging doors, through the food prep area that's littered with leaves of lettuce and chunks of French bread, through the dishwashing area and out the back door. You each sit down on a couple of plastic milk crates and Ryan pulls two Heineken bottles from his apron pockets. You each light a cigarette and spend the next five minutes drinking your beers and smoking and staring off into space. Neither one of you talk. This is a nightly routine and it's your favorite part of your shift.


A half hour later, you and the last few customers walk out together, pausing to lock the front doors and turn out the lights. Their night has come to a close, but yours is just beginning.

[oettinger]

You each sit down on a couple of plastic milk crates and Ryan pulls two Heineken bottles

Really? Mere beer?! I feel disappointed honestly. Lets see what part 4 has to offer.