NIGHT MOVES

COVERT OPERATIONS

I entered the bar and was shocked to find few patrons for a bar with zero competition. I glanced at the counter to find Calvin sitting at the bar. He had his combat boot encased feet stretched over another stool. He was reading a paper with a mug of what looked to be coffee. Though I ran and read Calvin's background check. Anyone with enough dollar bills can pay to have a record expunged. From what I read of Culpepper's findings, Calvin has the means to wipe shady dealings. I considered it would be easier to grill him jiggered and aquire an honest report. Fortunately I bartended my one and only year of college. With no one behind the counter, I snuck behind it and rolled my sweat-shirt sleeves. I put on an apron and cleansed my hands in the sink to the left.

"Could you pour me an old fashioned, Jay?" Calvin requested behind the paper.

"Sure boss." I lowered my voice to sound closer to Jay's.

"You sound like you have a touch  of meningitis,"Jay."

"Wintuh season bugs." Mumbled lowly.

"That's too bad. Hey what's your favorite drink?"

"Um a lemon drop twist?" I attempted to mimic Jay's tone exactly the same.

"Well you certainly like lemon drinks, however Jay is allergic to lemons." Carver lowered his paper and smirked.

"Uh got me." I giggled as I attempted to flutter my eye lashes.

"I "had" you once you spoke. Jay couldn't have contacted meningitis in the two minutes she'd left."

"Rats. Unfortunately I'm no good at voice mimicry. I'd usually use a voice modulator, but I left it at home.." I tried and probably failed to frown cutesy-like.

"What's cooking in that mind of yours, Rayven?"

"I'm here as youh bartenduh, which makes you my patron. But fouh one evening only."

"I should refuse, but color me curious of your skill."

"Wait and see."

I grabbed a whisky glass and placed a sugar cube inside it. I took ice from the chiller and into the shaker. Then carefully added burboun, angostura bitters, and a dash of filtered water. I shook it side to side and flipped it into the air before pouring it over the sugar cube. A peeked at Calvin and saw him clapping. I garnished the drink with a maraschino cherry and a pineapple wedge.

"Here ya go Red, an old fashioned."

He raised the glass to his lips and took a few sips. He placed it back on the bartop.

"A perfect combination. I also dig the pineapple in place of the orange. You've done this before, haven't you?"

"Thank you, I spe-" I began.

"Bartending in college?" He rudely interjected.

"I guess I made that obvious?"

"Your technique and the incredibly tasty drink." He grinned as he placed his arms on the counter.

"I bartended my first and only yeah of college." I chuckled.

"Needed the money?"

"No. My school load wasn't complicated and am not a party gouh. So.. I turned to bar tendin'."

"Just the first year, where did you go?" Carver moved his glass in circles.

"Harvard." I began mixing a black Russian.

"What'd you study as your undergraduate?" He placed both elbows on the bartop.

"Pre-law." I poured five parts of vodka and two parts of coffee liqueur into the mixer.