Paper Trails

Uh Ohs

"What's this place?" Daniel asked as they pulled up to a bar on the corner of a block of buildings.

"Just a bar we like" Xavier explained. "It's called The Ridge."

They filed into the cramped interior of the building which was already playing loud music as they arrived. They'd gone right from work, so it wasn't nearly set up, but still the building was filled with a large evening crowd. 

"Do you drink?" Xavier asked as the group stuffed into a booth. 

"I have."

"Want to tonight?"

"We have to work tonight," Daniel worried. "What if we get hungover." 

"Who cares. Come on, don't you want to have fun? Besides tomorrow's Friday."

"You don't have to if you don't want to," Manny shrugged. 

"No, I want to" Daniel said firmly. "I'll buy the first round."

"See, I told you guys he was a keeper" Xavier beamed, and Daniel stood to go up to the bar. 

The bar was by far the most crowded part of the establishment, but Daniel managed to push his way through and ask for a round of shots. He wasn't sure what they wanted, but for the sake of his bank account he opted for the cheapest option possible.

"Daniel?" A voice called and Daniel turned round in shock, nearly dropping his tray. Mr. Palmer, who owned the voice, jumped up reaching out to steady Daniel before he fell. 

"Mr. Palmer?" Daniel asked in shock and confusion. "You're... you.. I.."

"Yes I drink," Mr. Palmer noted dryly. Sure enough there was a scotch on the rocks sitting behind him, and his fitted blazer lay discarded across the back of his chair. Daniel had never before noticed how tight his white dress shirt was and how big the arms encased by it were. 

"Alone?" Daniel asked, then stopped to press his hand over his mouth. "Sorry, I didn't mean it to sound like that... I just meant..."

"It's alright Daniel. I'm sorry to have startled you.. when I... I didn't mean to do that."

"No, I'm sorry for having been so jumpy."

"You're with a group, I hope?" He asked, gesturing to the tray of shots Daniel had laid on the bar next to where the man sat. 

"Oh yes, I am. I-" 

"Don't look at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you pity me." Mr. Palmer's gruff voice chastised. "I'm not alone."

"No." He held up a lit cigar from the table. "I brought a cuban friend."

"Of course," Daniel nodded, eyes widening.

"You can laugh Daniel, that was a joke." When it became clear Daniel wasn't going to laugh, Mr. Palmer continued. "Which of my employees are you here with?"

"I-"

"Sorry, that's an inappropriate question. I'll let you get back to your friends." 

Daniel turned away with a look of bewilderment painting his face. His walk back to the booth was spent in utter confusion as to what he'd seen. Mr. Palmer. Drinking. Drinking by himself. Wondering who Daniel was with. It was all just too confusing for words.

"Hey, you're back!" Xavier announced as Daniel sat back down. 

"Thank God, I'm ready to get drunk out of my fucking mind" Avery grinned, taking a shot and downing it in one go.