Don't You Know How to Mix a Drink, Dumbass?

Lennox had clocked into his shift about an hour ago. He didn’t really like to take shifts at the bar, especially not when Metric Students were back in town. Most of the patrons were college age kids, and they all wanted to see the hot girls. Chandelier, Maxine, they all made good tips. Lennox? Oh, he was lucky if he ever got a smile. It was honestly depressing to work as a bartender, even though Lennox was so skilled at mixing drinks that he should have been a pro. He just lacked the charisma to keep people interested.

He’d spent last night high out of his skull, smoking weed with Fletcher all night until 10 AM. Fletcher had the day off, but Lennox didn’t. He’d never been a really smart guy, so at the time, smoking sounded like a good idea. But here Lennox was now, extremely tired even after sleeping in until 7 PM. Lennox was clothed in the typical uniform – a red button downs shirt with a pair of black pants. The girls got away with wearing tighter, more revealing clothing, but no one wanted to see that much of Lennox here. That was okay, though, Lennox didn’t blame them. He didn’t want to see that either.

Lennox was devoid of customers for the moment. The only people around were two college boys watching one of the girls. Lennox stayed by himself and began to clean the counter for something to do. Finally, a customer walked in. He looked like the type of guy who was here hiding away. He looked too classy for this crowd and like the type of married man who was here to cheat on his wife. However, Lennox had seen this guy before and made him a drink one or twice. He usually ignored the girls and went for the ugliest bartender on duty and then went home, presumably to his happy, six-figure life. It was kind of an unspoken insult among the bartenders when he approached them. Lennox was actually glad he got any customer, though. Plus he already knew he wasn’t hot. Not that this guy was his type, anyway.

”Sure thing, sir.” Lennox said to Andrew. He turned around and got rid of the cloth – then began to mix the drink. It was one he made pretty often so it took him all of two seconds. Lennox fell into a trance while making the drink. It came out perfect. He topped it off with a lemon and a cherry and then turned to give it to Andrew – only for one of the girls to barrel through behind him and cause him to lurch forward. Instead of sliding the drink onto the counter, the contents spilt right down Andrew’s head and shirt. Silence enveloped the room. Lennox blinked as he processed the situation. The barreling bimbo was now out of sight, in the backroom. ”Ah crap, I didn’t mean to – shit, uh, sorry sir,” Lennox sputtered out. Crap! Well there went his tip from this guy, and likely his damn job if the guy made enough of a scene! Not that he made any money here, anyway. Lennox grabbed a towel from behind the counter and felt his face flush as he realized that all eyes were on him and the guy, waiting for a scene to start. ”Here, uh, the next, or I mean the drink I – it’s on us.”

Crap. Lennox knew he messed up. Andrew was pissed as he probably should have been. By now the entire bar was staring and laughing. The girl dancing looked almost pitifully at Lennox. He felt his cheeks flush as Andrew told him he didn’t like fruit in his drink and threatened to stick his foot up Lennox’s ass.

”Sorry, sir, I’ll get right on that.” He said, turning around to remake the drink. He worked slower this time. God, he hated this job. His neck was completely flushed and he heard giggling. The girl who had bumped into him was now whispering with the girl dancing – and they were laughing. No doubt, the girl who had bumped into him was explaining the situation to the other girl. He fixed the drink the way Andrew wanted it and then slipped it across the bar to Andrew.

”Here you go, sir.” He said. He then looked at Andrew and offered him a hand cloth. ”Here’s a cloth for you... if you need it.”

Lennox looked at Andrew as he spoke. It was odd to hear Andrew criticism him for doing his job and just listening to others. Most people didn’t argue with him about that – which was why it was so easy to slip under the radar. Lennox rarely got under anyone’s skin. All he had to do was nod along to the drunken customers as they slurred out their stories. Most of the time, Lennox just zoned out while they were talking. There was never anything interesting they were saying, anyway.

”Well, I’m standing. So I guess I have a backbone.” He said. He didn’t know if this guy would appreciate the blunt nature of his response but Lennox had already ruined this guy’s night. He was probably going to ask for a manager pretty soon and complain about the spineless, klutzy bartender who needed to be re-evaluated. One complaint and Lennox was done for. He supposed he could continue to work at the mechanics and take on more hours but he liked the aesthetic of working at a bar. Oh well. There were more bars in the area. The hardest part was getting a job. No one really ever wanted to hire him. He only had the current gigs he had because they liked sketchy looking people. He began to chew on his cheek.

The guy started to talk about in his day, how he didn’t take shit from someone. Lennox felt a sarcastic, fake smile crawl across his lips. ”That must be nice.” It certainly would be nice to be able to stand up for himself and say what he wanted. Oh, had he his way he’d burn this entire stupid bar and everyone inside of it to a crisp. But the last time he’d acted out of hand, Bethany had gotten injured. And the time before that, he slashed his brother’s arm. Lennox was over speaking up for his wants. He just lived, day to day, and hoped to die. He looked over to Andrew and forced the smile to seem more genuine.

”Thanks. I don’t have any other way to make a living, so at least I’m good at this.” Now that was a lie, but he wasn’t dumb enough to talk about his position as a drug dealer to this important-looking business suit-wearing guy. ”No one here really likes me, though. I don’t care enough to pick a fight I won’t care if I win.”