One night was all it took: Season 3 "One second was all it took"

Love Me

Natalia is staring at me from across the bar. This nightclub is warm and loud. I almost feel a trickle of anxiety inside of me. "This was your idea!" I yell. Her eyes are just glaring at me like I am the one who started this. I shake my head and turn my attention to the next patron. Natalia, Jared, me, and Rya are the head bartenders while the rest of the bartenders are out on the floor. Jackson has an amazing staff, but they are slow compared to us. And it is ironic considering this nightclub is busier than my bar by a long shot.

Jared quickly walks past me staring at all the different liquor bottles on the shelves. "Girl! They have so many distinct types of alcohol, it is insane. You know I am one hell of a bartender, but someone just asked for a drink that I ain't ever heard of in my life. They called it a Snickerdoodle or some shit. Maybe a titty wanker. Whom the hell knows!" He looks flustered and a little irritated. He spins around and smacks his hand against the bar and begins walking back down to the other end. "Wrong damn end of the bar!"

I coughed a small laugh and quickly handed my customer their drink. I reached for the money and put it into the till. "Keep the change!" The blonde woman says. I quickly slide it into my pocket.

I am staring at this customer with a raised eyebrow and lowered eyelids due to my confusion., "Hey Jared!"

"Sup boo?" He is busy trying to make whatever drink he is just talking about.

I shake my head and turn my eyes toward him. He quickly glances up at me. I run my fingers against the side of my lips and lean my other hand on the bar. "Every customer has tipped a little too well."

"Yep! This is probably a tipping pool bar. I think that's what it's called." He slides the glass to his customer. He sets the bottle back onto the rail. "All the tips go into that jar right there and any tips we get we take out of our pockets at the end of the night. We all split them evenly."

"I knew that." I smile and turn around. I scan our area for bathroom doors. One of the employees came rushing by. I quickly tap on her shoulder, and she stops. "Can you tell me where the bathroom is," I ask.

I am staring at this blonde bombshell. She has a dark tan complexion. She is shorter, around five foot two or three I would guess. She has the prettiest blue eyes and not a blemish on her face. She flashes a smile at me. "Sure can. I am headed that way. Just follow me." She quickly grabs my arm and drags me along with her. I glance back at Natalia, and she looks confused and concerned. I quickly point down to the middle of my legs and shake them while mouthing the bathroom. She nods and smiles. That was close. I cannot believe she made me feel like I was going to cheat on her.

I feel like this girl is dragging me through the crowd of people. She has no fear just busting through all these guests. I nod at them and want to apologize. She stops and pushes her hand out. I looked up and we reached the bathroom. She steps inside and I follow behind her. She looks over her shoulder at me. "Rule number one when working in this nightclub. I am not sure if you know or not, always push through to get where you are going. But! Keep your eyes open because some people do not want to be pushed and you can normally distinguish between the ones that do and the ones that don't."

I exhaled a deep breath while trying to understand her rapid-speaking mouth. I nod. "Got it! Push through unless they look bad." I step around her and walk into a stall.

"Number two!" She yells while I sit down. "Most customers are friendly and will tip copious amounts because we are close to many wealthy areas. We do a tip pool, but you are allowed to keep up to thirty percent of your tips. Jackson knew the bartenders and servers deserved it more than the others, so he made that a rule. When you are done at the end of the night whatever your tips are, pull out your thirty percent and shove the rest in the jar."