Summertime Madness Character Info & Prompts

The Bartending Puppy

"Alright, newbie," Frank called over the loud club music as he finished washing his last shot glass.

Roy immediately snapped to attention. "Yes, sir?" He answered dutifully.

Frank closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose tiredly. "I told you to relax with the 'sir', newbie", he replied, shaking his head, "This is a club, not the army. Just call me Frank." A pause. "And relax your posture. Our regulars will be here any minute, and they don't like stiffies."

Roy frowned at the "stiffies" comment, but his curiosity won out over his offense. "Regulars?" He inquired.

A small smile spread across Frank's face, leaving Roy even more confused.

Frank shook his head in amusement, heading to the back room and gesturing for Roy to follow him.

Roy eyed him suspiciously before following after him, closing the door as soon as he was in.

The booming club music quieted down to more of a loud hum once the door closed.

"I'm not gonna tell you their names because you're too stiff not to let it slip that someone told you about them", Frank began.

"I-" Roy began to argue before quickly realizing that Frank may have had a point, "Even if I did let it slip, would it really be such a problem?"

"Normally, no," Frank answered, "But, you'd get flustered and make it into one. So, to save everyone involved the headache that that mess would cause, I'm just not gonna give you any names."

Roy scowled at him but said nothing, silently prompting Frank to go on.

Frank allowed himself to smirk, briefly, before continuing. "Everything about this first meeting needs to be authentic, so I won't give you their descriptions either. But you do need to know that they aren't the best couple. That being said, don't get involved. I see it in your eyes, you'll be tempted to say something, to ask questions, to pry. Don't."

This puzzled Roy.

He could only think of one thing serious enough to warrant this kind of conversation.

"He... hits her?" he inquired hesitantly.

Frank barked out a booming laugh. "You really dove in there, huh?" He chuckled. He let out an amused sigh, laughing a little more before forcing himself to calm down. "No, he doesn't hit her", he answered, "At least, not to my knowledge. And I'm pretty sure I'd know."

This puzzled Roy even further. "They can't be that regular," he mumbled, "You know them personally?"

Frank huffed at that. "I know her," he corrected, "Don't care to know him."

It was Roy's turn to laugh, then. "What, are you jealous?" he snickered.

Frank rolled his eyes at him. "I don't have anything to prove to you," He dismissed, "Point is-"

"Frank!" Tony, the other bartender, yelled from the bar, "Regs are walking in!"

"Got it!" Frank called back, "Me and the newbie are finishing up inventory, we'll be right there!" He turned to Roy, then. "Looks like you'll see now," he shrugged, "I'm typically their regular, but everyone has to warm up to them eventually. So, you're up this time, newbie."

If Roy were drinking something, he would've choked. "What?!" He questioned, "You just said-"

"How do you teach your kid how to swim?" Frank interrupted.

Roy stared at him confusedly. "I don't know," he shrugged, "I don't have any-"

"You throw 'em in the water," Frank interjected, "You'll be fine."