Dean - The Big Easy
Dean taps the bar lightly and smiles at the bartender to signal for a round. The shift was jet about over, so he could relax and have a drink. Another hour and the night crew would boot out the remaining patrons and go home, leaving the incoming morning cleaning crew to set up for the noon re-opening. Jill was working the bar. Some nights she danced, some nights she tended. She always worked till closing, and Dean usually had a drink or two with her and walked her home. Sometimes they hung out and fooled around. Friends with benefits. She was working her way through school. Pre-med.
It had been a good night. Busy, folks spending lots of money, nobody got stupid enough to need a beating. A few guys got a little handsy, but it was just a little too much booze and Dean had walked them outside without any issue.
When Jill slides down to his end of the bar, Dean slides her a $20 and orders an Irish Coffee. For employees drinks were just $5, but he always gave a $20 and never took the change.
“Only one more hour, kid. You hitting the books tonight, or getting some shuteye, or what?” He asks, watching over the place with a practiced eye.