[i]June 11th[/i] *set collage_bar_none true You walk through the old wooden doors into [i]Bar None[/i]. Despite the sunny June afternoon streaming in through the windows, the oak bar and stools, brown leather upholstery, and black tile floor darken the mood. The back wall sports a well-stocked shelf of liquors in shades that vary between amber and brown. Wine glasses hang over the counter like a thousand miniature chandeliers sparkling in the sun. Bright green, antique glass lamps hover above the wooden tables that hug the exterior wall. The small hexagonal tiles below your feet combine into intricate geometric patterns that follow the outline of the room. You glance down at your phone. Charlie probably won't be here for another half an hour, and god only knows when Alex will show up—such is life at the height of the summer harvest. But everyone needs a night off, which is why you're in a bar. You spot two older men chatting at a table in the corner, but the bar is otherwise empty. Not unusual for four in the afternoon, you assume. You walk down the narrow gap of open space between the tables and the bar and hoist yourself onto a stool at the corner. From your vantage point, you can see the chrome tap and its hand-crafted handles. You don't recognize any of the brews. *page_break *set meet_t true A ${t_person} emerges from a door at the other end of the bar. $!{t_they}'s wearing a black *if (t_gender = "f") v-neck, short denim shorts, and red high-tops. *else t-shirt, ripped skinny jeans, and leather boots. *if (t_gender = "f") The knit shirt clings to her bra-less chest, her nipples bulging slightly under the fabric. $!{t_their} curly black hair lands just above ${t_their} shoulders. Tattoos cover most of ${t_their} exposed ocher-colored skin. On ${t_their} left arm, a busty mermaid flaunting her perky breasts as she swims to the surface takes center stage. *if (t_gender = "f") The nautical scene continues on ${t_their} leg with an angry Poseidon on her calf and a half revealed compass on her upper thigh. "Welcome to [i]Bar None[/i]," ${t_they} says in a friendly voice when ${b_they} sees you. *if (cha >= 55) "Thanks," you say and return the smile. *else You nod in acknowledgment. "You must be ${name}." *if (gen <= 43) "Word gets around," you confirm with a wry smile. *else "That's me," you agree, "I was wondering when you'd come in." $!{t_they} grabs a towel and begins to polish a glass with ${t_their} left hand, twisting ${t_their} arm in a repetitive semi-circle motion. *fake_choice #"I've been busy," I say. *set cha %- 5 *set dir %+ 5 *set org %+ 5 *set yie %- 5 You shrug. "I've been busy." "Too busy to make friends?" ${t_they} asks. $!{t_they} cushions ${t_their} rebuke with a charming smile. #"Thought the renovation would drive me to drink before now?" I quip. *set cha %+ 5 *set gen %- 5 You raise your eyebrows at the bartender. "Thought the renovation would drive me to drink before now?" $!{t_they} chuckles. "Maybe you have more fortitude than me." #"Have you now?" I ask. *set dir %- 5 "Have you now?" You wonder what ${t_they}'s heard. "It's not every day we get an American in these here parts," ${t_they} says. #"My reputation precedes me," I say with a grin. *set cha %+ 5 *set hum %- 5 You grin. "My reputations precedes me, I see." $!{t_they} raises a curious eyebrow at you, a smile tugging at the corner of ${t_their} lips. "You have me at a disadvantage," you say. "You know who I am, but I don't know who you are." $!{t_they} sets the glass down and strolls over to you. Leaning on ${t_their} elbows against the counter in front of you, *if (t_gender = "f") her shirt dips open slightly, giving you an unobstructed view. *if (per >= 52) Both of her nipples are pierced, you note. *else the tight sleeves of his shirt constrict against his flexing biceps. "I'm the bartender," ${t_they} says. "You got a name?" As ${t_they} straightens up and extends ${t_their} hand toward you, you get a glimpse of the underside of ${t_their} right arm and the intricate tattoo that starts at ${t_their} wrist and disappears under the sleeve of ${t_their} shirt. The black ink traces the unseen tendons and ligaments beneath ${t_their} skin like an anatomical diagram. *if (t_gender = "m") The fabric strap of a minimalist black wrist watch obscures the bottom. "Tony," ${t_they} says as ${t_they} gives your hand a brief but tight squeeze. "So, barkeep—" ${t_they} smiles at the appellation "—what kind of drinks do you serve in these parts?" $!{t_they} keeps ${t_their} eyes locked with yours as ${t_they} leans onto an elbow, reaching ${t_their} free arm under the counter. With the grace and pizazz of a circus acrobat, ${t_they} stands up and slides a laminated menu across the bar. "Holler when you need me," ${t_they} says with a wink before retreating to the empty end of the bar. You look over the menu. *if (drunk = true) You recognize a few of the beers, none of the wines. The cocktails are a simple affair, most of them variations on a classic, though there are a few house specialties. You might try one of those later, but for now, you're gonna stick with the well and order your favorite. *fake_choice #I'll order a bourbon sour. *set drink "bourbon sour" *set var "bourbon" #I'll order a daiquiri. *set drink "daiquiri" *set var "rum" #I'll order a gimlet. *set drink "gimlet" *set var "gin" #I'll order a margarita. *set drink "margarita" *set var "tequilla" You catch Tony's eye, and ${t_they} strides over to you. "I'll have a ${drink}." Tony nods. "Coming right up." $!{t_they} grabs a bottle of ${var} from the shelf behind the bar with one hand and a shaker tin from under the counter with the other and sets both on the bar. Turning to a refrigerator, ${t_they} pulls out a chilled *if (drink = "bourbon sour") lowball tumbler, adds a large, square ice cube, *if (drink = "daiquiri") martini glass *if (drink = "gimlet") coupe glass *if (drink = "margarita") margarita glass and a lime wedge. $!{t_they} runs the wedge around the edge of the glass and dips it into a tray of salt before setting it in front of you. *if (drink != "margarita") and sets it in front of you on top of a square paper napkin. Balancing a double-jigger between ${t_their} index and middle fingers, ${t_they} measures the ${var} *if (drink = "margarita") and orange liqueur and dumps it into a mixing glass. $!{t_they} twirls the jigger upside down like a magician performing a card trick and measures the *if (drink = "bourbon sour") lemon *else lime juice in one deft movement. $!{t_they} grabs a glass syrup bottle from a display case at the front of the bar and pours the simple syrup straight into the glass, measuring via time and height rather than volume. *if (drink = "bourbon sour") Grabbing a fresh egg from the refrigerator, ${t_they} cracks it against the bar and separates the white from the yolk, letting the gelatinous white fall into the glass from a dramatic height. $!{t_they} shakes the mixture inside the tin to beat the egg white before finally adding the ice to the glass. *else Finally ${t_they} adds a couple of scoops of ice and places the tin on top of the glass. The ice rattling against the glass and stainless steel shaker creates a fast rhythm in the quiet bar. Tony moves like a dancer, never missing a beat. $!{t_they} strains the *if (drink = "bourbon sour") creamy, foamy *else frothy drink and pours it into your glass. You reach out to take it. "Uh-uh-uh," ${t_they} chides, shooing your hands away. $!{t_they} *if (drink = "bourbon sour") skewers a maraschino cherry between a twisted sliver of lemon peel *if ((drink = "daiquiri") or (drink = "gimlet")) twists a slice of lime around a toothpick *if (drink = "margarita") slides a slice of lime onto the edge of the glass and nods. *if (drink != "margarita") and balances it on the edge of the glass. "Cheers." $!{t_they} pushes the glass closer to you and leans against the bar, putting ${t_them} at eye-level with you again. "To new friends," you suggest before taking a sip, Tony's charm rubbing off on you. $!{t_they} grins. You reach into your pocket to pull out your wallet, paying as you go [i]in cash[/i] a well-learned habit, but Tony waves you off. "The first one's on the house," ${t_they} insists with a wink. *fake_choice #"Then I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship," I say with a grin. *set cha %+ 5 *set yie %+ 5 You raise your glass slightly and grin. "Then I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." "I hope so," Tony barks out a laugh and stands up straight. "There's nothing a bartender likes better than a large circle of friends who all leave large tips." You laugh. "You mean a large customer base." $!{t_they} winks. "You say po-tay-to, I say po-tah-to." #"But not the second, third, or fourth," I observe with wry smile. *set dir %+ 5 *set per %+ 5 *set yie %+ 5 A smile plays at your lips. "But not the second, third, or fourth." Tony stands up straight and smiles. "Well that depends on how much I like you." "So what you're saying is, I need to befriend you to keep the alcohol flowing?" Tony nods, ${t_their} lop-sided smile growing a bit wider "And to befriend you, I need to see you pretty regularly." $!{t_they} raises a curious eyebrow and waits to see where you're going with this. "That sounds about right." "So I need to come here pretty often. And when I'm here, it's only polite to buy a drink or two." $!{t_they} lets out a hearty chuckle. "Exactly," ${t_they} agrees. #"I see how it is—get 'em hooked on the good stuff and keep 'em begging for more," I quip. *set gen %- 5 *set per %+ 5 *set yie %+ 5 "I see how it is—get 'em hooked on the good stuff and keep 'em begging for more," you quip. "You've gotten to the very heart of it," Tony agrees with a hearty laugh. "I have no friends, only customers." You snort. "Somehow I doubt that." $!{t_they} flash you a bright grin. "Already succumbing to my many charms." "Or maybe the ${var} has gone to my head," you retort. Tony chuckles. "Even better." #"I find the best way to make friends with a bartender is to pay them," I say, paying anyway. *set awk %- 5 *set yie %- 5 *set t +1 You pull out your wallet and set a few bills on the counter. "I find the best way to make friends with a bartender is to pay them." "Well I won't look a gift horse in the mouth," Tony says with a grin as ${t_they} squares your cash away. "Gotta say, though, it's not often someone turns down a free drink around here." *if ((hum <= 43) or (gen <= 43)) "What can I say? I'm special," you respond with a smirk. $!{t_they} chuckles. "I can tell." *elseif (gen >= 57) "I think people ought to get paid for their work," you answer with a shrug. "Well I can't argue with that." *else "Is it often you give out free drinks around here?" you ask. Tony laughs. "No, not particularly. It's not often I find an American in my bar either." "I have a feeling that's going to change soon." *if (t_gender = "f") #"I never say no when a pretty lady offers to buy me a drink," I say, returning the wink. ♥ You smile and wink back at the charming bartender. "I never say no when a pretty lady offers to buy me a drink." *label tony_flirt *set yr1_06_11_20_1 1 *set dir %+ 5 *set bol +1 *set t_rom +1 Flirting with the bartender is always an uncertain gambit. They're trying to sell you drinks and earn a tip, and sex sells. Only very rarely, does the harmless flirtation lead anywhere, as you well know. On a busy night in New York, a bartender won't get off until four or five in the morning. But this isn't New York, and it's not a busy night, at least not yet. Tony grins and grabs another napkin from beneath the counter. Lowering ${t_them}self back onto ${t_their} elbows, ${t_they} pulls a pen out of ${t_their} pocket and scribbles something onto the paper before sliding to you. You glance down at the sloppy handwriting. [i]073xx-xxx-xxx - Tony's cell[/i] When you look back up, Tony's sporting a smug grin. You tuck the square into your *if (gender != "m") back pocket and *if (gender != "m") lean a bit closer as you lift yourself off the stool. *else flash another grin at the charming bartender. *else #"I never say no when a hot guy offers to buy me a drink," I say, returning the wink. ♥ You smile and wink back at the charming bartender. "I never say no when a hot guy offers to buy me a drink." *goto tony_flirt #I reflexively lean forward. ♥ *set yr1_06_11_20_1 2 *set dir %- 5 *set shy +1 *set t_rom +1 You're going to be drunk off of Tony's charm well before the ${var} hits you. You lean forward, ${t_their} green eyes pulling you in before you know what's happening. Your forearms brush against each other, and the warmth of the contact snaps you out of the spell this siren has cast over you. A blush of surprise and embarrassment threatens to rise to your cheeks. "Sorry," you mumble, sitting up straight to eliminate the temptation to get closer, though you can't quite bring yourself to remove your elbows from the counter. Tony leans closer but not [i]quite[/i] close enough to re-establish contact. The hairs on the back of your arm stand up in an anticipation that's destined for disappointment. Despite the obvious interest you feel, you eye the bartender warily. The contract between server and served is a sacred one. $!{t_they} sells and you buy. Is ${t_they} actually responding to you, or is ${t_they} trying to make a tip? $!{t_they} cocks ${t_their} head and bites ${t_their} bottom lip, ${t_their} mouth contorting into a lop-sided frown. You're starting to feel uncomfortable, jittery under ${t_their} scrutiny. "Go to lunch with me." "Wh-what?" you stutter. "Let me take you to lunch." "Are you usually this—this—" "Charming?" ${t_they} completes for you. "[i]Forward[/i]." $!{t_they} shrugs and grins. "I didn't think you would come to the point, so." $!{t_their} grin fades away as ${t_they} waits for your answer. "Okay," you agree. $!{t_their} face brightens up again. *if (drunk = false) Aside from the alcohol, it's got all the usual suspects. *fake_choice #I choose water. *set var "water" #I choose soda. *set var "soda" #I choose juice. *set var "juice" #I choose tea. *set var "tea" #I choose coffee. *set var "coffee" "I'll have ${var}," you say when you get Tony's attention. "No problem," ${t_they} responds. *if ((var != "tea") and (var != "coffee")) $!{t_they} grabs a chilled glass from the refrigerator behind the bar, fills it with ice, and brings you a bottle of ${var}. *else $!{t_they} disappear into the back and reappear a few minutes later with a steaming cup of ${var}. "Thanks," you say. Before you can *if (yr1_06_11_20_1 = 1) continue your fliration, *elseif (yr1_06_11_20_1 = 2) work out any details, *elseif (drunk = true) continue to banter with the charming bartender, *elseif (drunk = false) strike up a conversation with the bartender, *else *bug the front door opens, and Charlie and Alex walk in. *page_break *if (yr1_06_11_20_1 != 0) Tony winks at you and retreats into the background. *if (drunk = true) Charlie eyes your drink. "Already getting down to business I see!" "That's what you do in a bar, isn't it, drink?" "You could've waited for us," she whines. "Maybe I needed some fortification before seeing you." She scowls at you as she takes the stool next to you, elbowing you in the side for good measure. *if (drunk = false) Charlie waves at you from the front door as if she's surprised to find you where you said you'd be. She flounces over to you and climbs up onto the stool to your right. Alex takes the stool on your left, sitting perpendicular to you at the same corner. "Thought you wouldn't be here until later," you say to Alex, an invitation to elaborate clear in your observation. *if (per >= 58) $!{a_they} rubs the back of ${a_their} neck, and Charlie smirks. "I thought I'd offer Charlie a ride and take off early. The farm'll keep until tomorrow." Charlie leans in closer to Alex. "I [i]really[/i] appreciate your offer," she says. "It was very [i]magnanimous[/i] of you." Alex blushes, and when you raise a curious eyebrow at ${a_them}, ${a_they} fixes ${a_their} gaze at the bar to avoid meeting your eye. "So what do you think of this place?" you ask Charlie and divert attention from your embarrassed friend. "Best bar in town." *if (shit = "shit") "No shit." *else "You don't say." "You asked!" she defends, failing to hold a giggle in. As if on cue, Tony re-emerges from the background ready to take orders. *if (t_gender = "f") "What can I get you?" she asks Charlie, leaning on the counter like she had with you. *if (t_rom > 0) A spike of... something shoots through you. [i]Is this jealousy?[/i] [i]Insecurity?[/i] [i]Discomfort[/i] "The usual," Charlie mumbles. "My memory's not so great these days. Must be getting old. Remind me?" A pink blush suffuses Charlie's face. *if (per >= 58) "Sex on the beach," she squeaks. *else You can't understand her half-whispered, half-mumbled answer. *if (t_gender = "m") "The usual?" he asks Charlie with a wink. She nods without quite making eye-contact. "You got it," Tony responds before turning to Alex. $!{t_they} holds out a hand. "You must be Alex." Your friend takes the bartender's hand. "You got it." "Do you want sex on the beach like your friend?" Alex coughs, turning a bright shade of red, and you slap ${a_them} on the back to get ${a_them} breathing again. "I'll take an old fashioned," ${a_they} chokes out. "Coming up." Tony removes to the other side of the room to make the drinks, leaving the three of you enough room (and quiet) to make conversation without ${t_their} interference. *page_break "What do you know about Tony?" you ask Charlie when the bartender is out of earshot. "$!{t_they}'s a complete flirt," she *if (t_gender = "f") complains. *else laughs. "Nothing under that tattooed veneer?" you prompt. Charlie sits back in her chair and looks over at the subject in question as ${t_they} mixes drinks. "Well I guess there has to be [i]something[/i] there. $!{t_they} has a younger sister, parents died a couple years ago or so." "So ${t_they}'s got custody?" Alex asks. Charlie nods. *fake_choice #"Did you know their parents?" I ask "Did you know their parents?" you ask. Charlie shrugs. "Everyone knows everyone around here, but I wouldn't say I knew them well." You want to ask how it happened but bite your tongue. Some questions are [i]too[/i] macabre. Thankfully Charlie satisfies your curiosity by her own accord. "It was a car accident." #"$!{t_they} doesn't seem the parental type," I comment. You glance at the too-cool-for-school bartender. "$!{t_they} doesn't seem the parental type." "What, the naked mermaid doesn't scream child-friendly to you?" Alex snorts. "Or the bartending." You shrug. "I've seen far less traditional parents in New York, but I had become accustomed to a more conventional picture of domestic bliss in our little hamlet." "$!{t_they} didn't have many options," Charlie adds. "$!{t_they} was in the navy before, but Talverton doesn't have much need for a midshipman." #"Do you know her?" I ask. "Do you know her?" you ask. "I've only seen her in passing. She seems really shy." "Probably still grieving and confused," Alex puts in. "It can't be easy to go through so much change," you agree. "Frankie might know more about her. $!{f_they}'s her teacher—I could ask." You shake your head. "I'm curious, but I'm not nosy." #"Awful lot of responsibility for someone who didn't sign up for it," I say "Awful lot of responsibility for someone who didn't sign up for it." You let out a whistle to punctuate your comment. Charlie fidgets in her seat. "$!{t_they}'s much older than her," Alex says, "closer to a parent than a ${t_sib} by default." You try to square the tragic image of dutiful-older-${t_sib}-Tony taking care of ${t_their} orphaned sister with the charming bartender who introduced ${t_them}self to you only a few minutes earlier. *if (t_rom > 0) You've never dated anyone with kids before... [i]Let's not put the cart before the horse[/i], you scold yourself before you can go down the rabbit hole. Tony makes ${t_their} way back to your side of the bar, effectively killing the topic of conversation. *page_break Tony slides a highball glass toward Charlie. The coral colored cocktail matches her strawberry blonde hair, and the little paper umbrella hanging off the rim of the glass matches her personality. *if (drink = "bourbon sour") Alex's whiskey tumbler matches your own, though the deep amber-colored whiskey is far darker than your pale yellow cocktail. *else Alex's drink is far simpler, the large square ice cube the closest thing to a garnish in ${a_their} lowball glass. "Drink up," Tony invites. You and Alex pick up your glasses to comply, but Charlie interrupts you. "Oooo-ooo-oooo!" she says, shaking your arm and threatening to spill your *if (drunk = true) ${drink}. *else ${var} with her excited bouncing. "Let's make a toast!" You scowl at the liquid sloshing out of your glass and running down your arm. "Fine," you say. *fake_choice #"To toast—with butter and jam," I say. *set awk %+ 5 *set gen %- 5 You grin, gearing up for Charlie's reaction. "To toast," you say, "with butter and jam!" Charlie elbows you in the side. "Wrong kind of toast!" she scolds. You smirk at her. "You didn't specify." #"To getting this over with," I toast impatiently. *set cha %- 5 *set yie %- 5 You barely raise your glass. "To getting this over with," you grumble. Charlie scowls at you, and Alex laughs. "To friendship," your best friend says to mollify the disgruntled Charlie. #"To friendship," I say. *set dir %+ 5 *set gen %+ 5 "To friendship," you offer simply. Charlie bumps into your arm affectionately, jostling your drink even more. #"To life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," I offer in jest. *set dir %- 5 *set gen %- 5 *set org %+ 5 "To life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," you say, glass held theatrically high. Charlie cocks her head at you and scrunches up her eyebrows. "An American through and through," Tony says with a laugh, and Charlie just shrugs at the non-explanation. The three of you clink your glasses together. Bottoms up. Drinks in hand, you remove to a booth in the corner to settle in for a night of drinking. You take turns running up to the bar to order more drinks, but Tony soon catches your rhythm and keeps the *if (drunk = true) alcohol *else drinks flowing. Not long after five, the bar starts to fill up. Little groups station themselves around the room, the low buzz of their chatter pervading the space. As the sun begins to set, the dim light of the overhead lamps conceals more than it reveals. Tony turns on some nondescript music, a folk-rock station in keeping with ${t_their} aesthetic, background noise. It's just enough to drive people to talk more loudly to be heard over the din. [i]Is this some kind of strategy?[/i] you wonder to yourself. [i]Do bars and restaurants do [/i]this[i] on purpose?[/i] *if (t_rom > 0) Every so often you feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and you turn around to see Tony watching you. $!{t_they} throws you a wink before another customer flags ${t_them} down. *if (drunk = false) You fall into your own pattern, watching your friends get closer and closer to drunk as you sip your ${var}. *if (drunk = true) The ${var} begins to hit you in waves. Your head is under water, and your limbs are heavy. You smile more often than your wont as Charlie regales you and Alex with sordid tales about the patrons in the bar, and you relax against the leather cushion of the booth. Between juicy pieces of gossip, the three of you snack on a basket of croquettes sitting in the middle of the table. *page_break Pulling your phone out to check the time, the blue-white electronic light stings your eyes in the under-lit bar. Nearly 10pm. You yawn. Charlie continues to bounce with energy. You don't know how she does it. She's not younger than you; you don't work harder than her. And yet here you are, *if (drunk = true) fighting the ${var} and your own eyes to stay awake. *else nodding off. Suddenly she grabs your wrist. "We [i]have[/i] to dance!" She bounds up from the booth and yanks at you like a dog fighting for control over a chew toy. You're on your feet before you know it, watching the little blonde hopping over to an old-fashioned jukebox. Her face glows in the neon light as she scrolls through the songs. When she reaches into her pocket and fails to find a coin, she flounces over to the bar. "Toooooonyyyyy!" $!{t_they} leans against the bar between two patrons. "Chaaaaaarlieeeee!" "Give me a twenty-p!" Tony's lips curl into a smile. "And why should I, the owner of this establishment, give you, a customer, money? Isn't it supposed to work the other way around?" She pouts. "I brought you two new customers! Now give me the money—I want to play a song." Tony shakes ${t_their} head, but ${t_they} pulls the coin out of the cash register and hands it over. "Thank youuuuuu!" Treasure in hand, she returns to the jukebox. Tony kills the rest of the music, an eerie silence descending over the bar for half a second before Charlie's song begins to play. [i]Oo-wah, Oo-wah, Oo-wah, Oo-wah, Oo-wah, Oo-wah, why do fools fall in love?[/i] Your tormentor returns and begins to pull you toward the makeshift dance floor in front of the jukebox. Alex tries to demur, but Charlie won't take no for an answer. A few other patrons have already shown their approval by taking to the floor, and even more are clapping to the beat of the song. *fake_choice #I'll let Charlie drag me to the floor. *set yr1_06_11_20_2 1 *set hum %- 5 *set org %- 5 *set yie %+ 5 #I'll take this opportunity to chat with Tony instead. *set yr1_06_11_20_2 2 *set hum %+ 5 *set yie %- 5 *if (yr1_06_11_20_2 = 1) Charlie tugs you into the middle of the crowded floor. *if (drunk = true) You follow after her like a cloud floating on air. *if (drunk = false) *if (hum >= 55) At first, you feel self-conscious, but soon you realize that no one is paying any attention to you—one of the benefits of a large crowd. *elseif (hum <= 45) It's been a while since you found yourself dancing in public, but it feels good to feed off of the energy of the crowd of people around you. *else You find yourself sticking close to Alex, feeling more comfortable with the person you know best next to you. Someone you don't know reaches a hand toward you and asks you to dance, and *if (org <= 43) you flash ${t_them} a bright smile and accept. *elseif (org < 50) you accept without hesitating. *else after a moment of hesitation you give ${t_them} your hand. You follow your partner's lead in a simple dance. $!{t_they} spins you through a few turns, unconcerned with the footwork or lack thereof. The contrast between the upbeat, wholesome dancing and the dark English pub aesthetic of [i]Bar None[/i] enhances the laughter and fun on the dance floor. The dancers themselves are a mixed bag. There are older patrons whose parents might have danced to this music and played it for their kids and younger generations who only heard it on the oldies station or in a film. There are some business casual dancers in slacks and button-ups, but most people are sporting a more blue collar wardrobe. After the first song, Tony never needs to turn the music back on as patrons take turns choosing from the bubblegum pop on offer at the jukebox. You trade partners, eventually pulling Alex away from the edge of the dance floor. $!{a_they} relaxes enough to dance with you, though ${a_their} movements are small and self-conscious. "How can you just dance like no one's watching?" ${a_they} asks you. *fake_choice #"You just gotta go with the flow," I say. *set awk %- 5 *set org %- 5 You flail your arms around in a wiggly motion. "You just gotta go with the flow!" "I think the flow is taking me back to the booth," Alex responds. You fake pout as your best friend retreats into the background. "Where's ${a_they} going?" Charlie whines. "Out of the spotlight." "Noooo!" Charlie starts after Alex, but you pull her back. "Dance with me instead?" you ask. Her face lights up, and the two of you dance a couple songs together, slurring through the moves. #"Who cares what they think?" I counter. *set cha %- 5 *set hum %- 5 "Pshaw! Who cares what they think?" you demand. "I do," ${a_they} answers with a nervous laugh. You bust out a few attention-grabbing moves to the laughter and applause of your audience, effectively eliminating any notice paid to Alex. $!{a_they} shakes ${a_their} head at you and laughs. You wink and waggle your eyebrows. Your comfort in the spotlight guarantees you a whole slew of partners who spin you across the dance floor until you're out of breath. #"Because I'm a great dancer!" I say. *set dir %+ 5 *set hum %- 5 You giggle. "It's because I'm a great dancer!" $!{a_they} rolls ${a_their} eyes at you. "You only think that because *if (drunk = true) you're drunk!" *else everyone else is drunk!" ${a_they} retorts. You shrug. *if (drunk = true) "The shoe is on the other foot." "That's not even the right idiom!" "Whatever. *if (drunk = false) "If you were sober, you'd agree." "I [i]am[/i] sober!" ${a_they} defends. "Uh-huh, sure. Now dance with me!" Memories of high school homecomings, proms, and military balls flood back to you as you and Alex dance together. You had never gone together, always lucky enough to find a "real" date, but you almost always attended as a group, sticking to each other like glue for a confidence boost as you navigated the scary waters of high school socializing. Who'd've thought you'd be here 10+ years later? *if (drunk = true) #"It's the alcohol," I answer with a giggle. *set dir %+ 5 *set hum %+ 5 *set per %- 5 You giggle. "It's the alcohol." "Lowered prohibitions and all that," you say. "Inhibitions," Alex corrects. "What?" "Lowered [i]inhibitions[/i]!" "That's what I said." $!{a_they} shakes ${a_their} head at you, and the two of you continue to dance. *else #"None of these people are going to remember anything tomorrow," I answer with a laugh. *set per %+ 5 You look around at the ridiculous dancing and laugh. "None of these people are going to remember anything tomorrow." "Hey!" Alex complains. "Well it's true! And what they don't forget because of the alcohol, they'll forget by choice." "I'll remember," ${a_they} insists. "Maybe, but sleep and sobriety will cushion the memory. But come on, we might as well give you something nice to remember," you say as you push your friend toward someone you've already danced with. $!{a_they} shoots you a panicked look. "What are you doing??" "Don't worry, ${f_they}'s nice," you promise, and before ${a_they} can protest further, the song begins, and the unnamed stranger leads your friend to the floor. A few more dances go by, and you're beginning to get hot and ready to sit down again. You make eye contact with Charlie and come to a wordless agreement to return to your booth and catch your breath. Between the dancing and your day-to-day life, you're not sure how much longer you can hold out. Your bed calls. *if (yr1_06_11_20_2 = 2) You stand your ground, and eventually Charlie abandons you for greener pastures, dragging Alex behind her. Heading over to the bar, you take one of the stools vacated in favor of dancing. "Hey there *if (gender = "f") pretty lady," *elseif (gender = "m") handsome," *elseif (gender = "nb") cutie," *else *bug Tony greets you. *if (t_rom > 0) *if (style = 1) You smile. *else You blush. *if ((t_rom = 0) and (drunk = true)) "If I flirt back, do I get another free drink?" Tony laughs. "Only if you leave a large tip." "Noted." *if (drunk = false) "Trying to flirt a big tip out of me, I see." Tony laughs. "I don't deny it." You smile in spite of yourself. "So what brings you to my neck of the woods?" You shrug. "Not in the mood to dance." Despite the fact that you're surrounded by people, the dim lighting and buzz of music and chatter create the illusion of *if (t_rom > 0) intimacy *else privacy as you talk to Tony. "Do you like working in a bar?" you ask. "Well enough," ${t_they} answers. "There's always *if (t_rom > 0) something, or [i]someone[/i], *else something interesting to do." *if (t_rom > 0) *if (style = 1) You look up and meet ${t_their} eyes evenly. *else You gulp heavily when ${t_they} looks into your eyes. *else You nod. "What about you?" ${t_they} asks. "Do you enjoy—what is it that you do in that castle of yours?" You rub the back of your neck. "I hardly know myself. I guess mostly I run around and talk to people." "Do you like that?" You shrug. "I don't know. It's only been six months, and things will change when all the renovations are finished anyway. Did you always want to be a bartender?" For once, Tony frowns. "Have you ever met a kid who wanted to grow up to be a bartender? I'm not scolding you, just curious." You bite your bottom lip. "No, I guess not. But maybe you're the first?" $!{t_they} shakes ${t_their} head. "It was just a thing to do. I think I wanted to be a rockstar." "There's still time," you say with a smile. Tony grins. "I'm happy here." *if (t_rom > 0) $!{t_they} leans closer. "With you." *if (style = 1) "What a coincidence—" you mirror ${t_their} movement "—I'm happy here too." *else Your eyes widen, and your pulse speeds up. *page_break Unfortunately, Tony has to divide ${t_their} attention between you and ${t_their} (other) paying customers. The sound of ice cracking against ${t_their} shaker tin punctuates your conversation. You occupy your idle moments by watching the dancing on the other side of the room. Alex occasionally glances back at you with a look of envy and regret as ${a_they} hugs the edge of the dance floor, evading whatever unlucky ${f_person} has chosen to give pursuit. [i]You don't know the way I feel, oh no[/i] *line_break [i]Well, you think we're just friends[/i] *line_break [i]So I go along like nothing's wrong[/i] *line_break [i]But I know that it's only pretense[/i] *line_break [i]I wanna be your lover[/i] *line_break [i]I don't wanna be your friend[/i] You turn back around and see Tony leaning against the back wall, watching you as ${t_they} dries a glass. The seats around the bar have mostly emptied now, their occupants having either joined the dancing or found a seat closer to the impromptu performance. *choice #Return to the booth. "Thanks for the conversation," you say. Tony salutes you before another patron flags ${t_them} down with an order. You push yourself off the barstool and head back to the booth, taking advantage of the free space to claim a corner seat. #Stay at the bar. ♥ *set yr1_06_11_20_2 3 Tony slides the glass onto a shelf under the bar and tosses the rag on top of the counter. $!{t_they} walks over to you, turns around, and hoists ${t_them}self onto the counter. Spinning around and raising ${t_their} legs over the bar, ${t_they} positions ${t_them}self on the ledge of the counter, ${t_their} legs swinging over the ground. $!{t_their} knees sit parallel with your shoulders. *if (t_gender = "f") [i]The night we met I knew I needed you so[/i] *line_break [i]And if I had the chance I'd never let you go[/i] *line_break [i]So won't you say you love me[/i] *line_break [i]I'll make you so proud of me[/i] *line_break [i]We'll make 'em turn their head every place we go[/i] *line_break [i]So won't you please[/i] *line_break [i]Be my-be my little baby[/i] *line_break *elseif ((gender = "f") and (t_gender = "m")) [i]Today I met the boy I'm gonna marry[/i] *line_break [i]He's all I wanted all my life and even more[/i] *line_break [i]He smiled at me and the music started playing[/i] *line_break [i]Here comes the bride when he walked through the door[/i] *else [i]Well he walked up to me and he asked me if I wanted to dance[/i] *line_break [i]He looked kinda nice and so I said I might take a chance[/i] *line_break [i]When we danced he held me tight[/i] *line_break [i]And when he walked me home that night[/i] *line_break [i]All the stars were shining bright[/i] *line_break [i]And then he kissed me[/i] $!{t_they} nudges you slightly with ${t_their} thigh. You look up at ${t_them}. "Sure you're not in the mood to dance?" Tony hops off the counter and offers ${t_their} hand to you. *fake_choice #"I thought you'd never ask." *set bol +1 You smile. "I thought you'd never ask." Tony grins, #I hesitate. "I don't know." *set shy +1 You glance away. "I don't kn—" $!{t_they} smiles. "Don't worry," ${t_they} says, interrupting your doubts. "Nobody will pay any attention to us back here." After a moment of pause, you give ${t_them} your hand, and ${t_they} tugs you off the bar stool. A new song begins to play. *gosub_scene mechanics_setup flirt_style *if (t_rom > 0) [i]My love must be a kind of blind love[/i] *line_break [i]I can't see anyone but you[/i] $!{t_they} pulls you forward with ${t_their} left hand. Wrapping ${t_their} free arm around your waist, ${t_they} rests ${t_their} right hand on the small of your back. *if (style = 3) Your skin breaks out in goosebumps where you can feel ${t_their} breath. [i]Are the stars out tonight[/i] *line_break [i]I don't know if it's cloudy or bright[/i] *line_break [i]I only have eyes for you dear[/i] *if (gender != "m") You lay your hand against ${t_their} shoulder, *else You wrap your hand around ${t_their} arm, your left hip pressed against ${t_theirs}. The two of you rock in slow circles with the beat of the song. [i]The moon may be high[/i] *line_break [i]But I can't see a thing in the sky[/i] *line_break [i]I only have eyes for you[/i] $!{t_they} spins you through a few fast turns before pulling you in close again just before you lose your footing. [i]I don't know if we're in a garden[/i] *line_break [i]Or on a crowded avenue[/i] As the music slows down, so do your steps. *if (t_gender = "f") She leads you into another turn, following behind you and then swiveling closer to you again. *else He leads you into another turn, keeping hold of your hand behind your back and then spinning you out and around and catching you. [i]You are here and so am I[/i] *line_break [i]Maybe millions of people go by[/i] *line_break [i]But they all disappear from view[/i] *line_break [i]And I only have eyes for you[/i] The music swells with finality, and Tony spins you around one last time. $!{t_they} pulls you back in at the last moment *if (t_gender = "f") and catches you in a full body embrace *else and lowers you into a shallow dip as the last notes of the song fade away. *if (style = 1) You squeeze ${t_their} hand, and ${t_they} squeezes back. *else $!{t_they} squeezes your hand, and you take a deep breath, inhaling ${t_their} *if (t_gender = "f") perfume. *else cologne. *if (t_rom = 0) [i]Come on, baby[/i] *line_break [i]Let's do the twist[/i] *line_break [i]Come on, baby[/i] *line_break [i]Let's do the twist[/i] *line_break [i]Take me by my little hand[/i] *line_break [i]And go like this[/i] Tony spins you under ${t_their} arm and pulls you back in before releasing your hand. $!{t_they} twists ${t_their} torso, pivoting back and forth on ${t_their} feet, and you copy with a laugh. [i]My daddy is sleepin'[/i] *line_break [i]And mama ain't around[/i] *line_break [i]Yeah daddy's just sleepin'[/i] *line_break [i]And mama ain't around[/i] *line_break [i]We're gonna twisty, twisty, twisty[/i] *line_break [i]'Til we tear the house down[/i] When ${t_they} swivels ${t_their} hips and inches toward you, you shimmy your shoulders back at ${t_them}. The two of you have a dance off, trading exagerated, old-fashioned moves for each other, until the vocals fade into the background, leaving the upbeat instrumental. As the music swells, Tony grabs your hand again and spins you through turn after turn until you begin to feel dizzy. $!{t_they} catches you as you lose your footing, and the two of you end the song laughing and fighting to catch your breath. *page_break *achieve flamingo *if ((yr1_02_05_20_b = 2) and (b_rom > 0)) *set yr1_06_11_20_2 4 A cough behind you interrupts the moment. You pull away from Tony and spin around to see Charlie frowning at you. A dull stab of guilt pulses through you. "I came to order another drink," she mumbles. You nod, stepping away from your erstwhile dance partner. "I'll leave you to it then." You glance back and see Tony watching you with a furrowed brow before shaking it off and returning to ${t_their} place behind the bar. *else "You still taking orders?" *if (t_rom > 0) Tony keeps hold of you, spinning the two of you around to get a look at your interloper. *else Tony lets go of you. "Be right there, Bill," ${t_they} says. $!{t_they} *if (t_rom > 0) gives your hand a final squeeze. *else turns back to you. "Thanks for the dance, honey." *if (style = 1) "Anytime," you answer and grin. *else You nod, pulling at your ${tic}. With a parting wink, Tony hoists ${t_them}self back over the bar and starts making another drink for the unknown patron. You retreat back to your corner booth. *set t_rom +1 Watching the dancers, you catch Alex's eye, and a look of relief passes over ${a_their} face. $!{a_they} quickly scurries over to you, and after a few more songs, Charlie returns too. Whether it's the lateness of the hour or the absence of Charlie and her enthusiasm, the dance floor depopulates. Some dancers head home; others return to their seats, and Tony turns the regular music back on. "That was sooooo much fun!" Charlie gushes. *if (yr1_06_11_20_2 = 4) *if (per >= 57) She refuses to meet your eye, but she doesn't mention *else Maybe it's the alcohol, or maybe it's her giddiness, but she doesn't mention the awkward moment when she interrupted your dance with Tony. "It was something," Alex mutters. $!{a_they} looks at the time on ${a_their} phone. "It's getting late." You nod. *fake_choice #I buy one more round for Alex and Charlie before leaving. *set yr1_06_11_20_3 1 *set a +1 *set c +1 You look over to the bar, and before long, Tony looks up. You hold up a finger, and Tony nods. Before long, Alex is sipping on another old fashioned, and Charlie is gulping down another pink abomination. You nurse your *if (drunk = true) ${drink} *else ${var} slowly, savoring the moment as much as the flavor. "We should do this again," Charlie slurs. Alex grabs the paper umbrella from Charlie's drink and spins it around between ${a_their} finger and thumb. "Can't get enough sex on the beach?" Charlie shoves ${a_them} in the shoulder, sending a splash of whiskey spilling over Alex's tumbler. "Play nice, girls," you chide. *if (a_gender = "m") Alex shoots you a dirty look. #I leave a big tip for Tony before heading out. *set yr1_06_11_20_3 2 *set t +1 As the three of you finish your last drinks, you pull out your wallet and count out the requisite bills. *if (drunk = true) You're still riding a wave of ${var}, and if you leave now, you'll be able to shower and climb into bed before the buzz tapers off. Stifling a yawn, you say, "Come on, let's decamp." Charlie pouts. "Can't we get just one more [i]little[/i] drink?" Alex giggles. "I wouldn't've taken you for a party girl." Charlie wrinkles her nose. "I'm [i]not[/i] a party girl." "Whatever you say." The three of you stand. Or rather, you and Alex stand and hoist Charlie out of the booth. You wave goodbye to Tony and make your exit. *if (yr1_06_11_20_3 = 2) *fake_choice #I wave goodbye to Tony and make my exit. *page_break #Tony waves goodbye to ${name} as ${they} leave${v}. Tony waves goodbye to ${name} as ${they} leave${v} before strolling over to the vacated booth and gathering up the empty glasses. Under the *if (drunk = true) *if (drink = "bourbon sour") whiskey tumbler *elseif (drink = "daiquiri") martini glass *elseif (drink = "gimlet") coupe glass *elseif (drink = "margarita") margarita glass *else *bug *else whiskey tumbler ${t_they} finds a stack of folded bills and slides the cash into ${t_their} pocket. Balancing the three glasses in one hand, ${t_they} heads back to the bar *if (t_rom = 2) $!{t_they} smiles thinking about the dance ${t_they} shared with ${them}. [i]Maybe I'll ask for ${their} number. *if (t_rom = 1) $!{t_they} smiles, glad to be right about ${them}. A bartender has to be a quick judge of character, but supporting evidence for a good first impression doesn't hurt. The bar is starting to quiet down now, allowing Tony more opportunity to contemplate the American. *if (t_rom = 0) [i]If ${they} tip${v} like this, then I wouldn't mind knowing ${them} better. *page_break When you step out into the darkness, the humid night hits you in the face. Inhaling the thick air feels like trying to breathe under water. "Damn," Alex says. $!{a_they} gesticulates wildly at the truck. "Whatta we do with the truck?" *if (drunk = true) You giggle. "We can come back for it tomorrow." You *if (a_rom > 0) lace your fingers with Alex, and ${a_they} does likewise with Charlie *else link arms with Alex and Charlie before starting down the cobblestone road toward home. The three of you weave back and forth, someone stumbling every so often before the other two catch them. Once you turn off the main road, the night cools considerably. Crickets chirp all around you, and a croaking frog joins them at regular intervals. Memories of stumbling home after a night out with your friends in New York rise to the surface. There are some nights you're not sure how you managed. Between off-peak schedule changes and construction closures, you should have gotten thoroughly lost at least a few times. Once, you took the downtown N and called a cab. That wouldn't have been noteworthy except for the fact that you didn't even take the N while sober, and by all accounts you should have ended up in some unfamiliar corner of Brooklyn before realizing your error. But no, somehow, you [i]decided[/i] to take the N and made all the necessary choices thereafter to get home. Drunk you is surprisingly capable. It is for that very reason that when Charlie tries to go right at the fork in the road that would take her back to the Carroll farmhouse you refuse. "Nope," you say. "I may be drunk, but I'm not stupid. You're coming home with us. Power in numbers. All for one, and one for all." Charlie grumbles but complies, and the three of you complete the drunken trek back to Darbury. *if (drunk = false) You stifle a laugh at Alex's distress. "[i]I[/i] can drive it," you say. "I'm sober." "Oh," ${a_they} says dumbly. You nudge the two drunkards into the truck and climb into the driver's seat. Once you turn off the main road, you roll the window down and relish the cool wind blowing in. Pulling up to the Carroll farmhouse, you kill the engine and hop out of the truck. You open Charlie's door for her. "Where are we?" "Home." "I don't live here." "Yes you do." A porch lamp lights up, and Bertie steps out. $!{b_they} walks over to you. "Bertie!" Charlie peeps. "What are you doing here?" $!{b_they} raises ${b_their} eyebrows and looks to you. You shrug and yawn. "Your turn." With a bit more coaxing, Charlie climbs out of the truck of her own accord, and you and Bertie lead her inside. "Thanks for bringing her home," ${b_they} says "No problem. Have a goodnight." "You too." You see yourself out. When you climb back into the truck, Alex has scooted over to the passenger seat. $!{a_they}'s snoring, ${a_their} breath fogging up the window. You smile and drive home. *gosub_scene mechanics_setup pet_names_t *finish