A.M. ↠ zarry AU

galvanize

galvanize

/ˈɡalvənʌɪz/

verb

shock or excite (someone) into taking action.

×××

Over the next few days Harry stuck to clients that were well known regulars at Silk. "Here," Harry put down three bundles of dollar bills in front of Vivian. "Five grand."

"And the rest?" She asked, focusing on whatever it was that was on the laptop in front of her instead of Harry.

"I'm working on it." He said, placing his hands behind his back.

Vivian made a clearly unimpressed face and removed her glasses before counting the money. After making sure it was indeed five thousand dollars she got out a calculator to work out Harry's share.

"Here." She said holding out a few bills.

Harry looked bewildered. "That's it? It looks like there's a thousand here?" He said taking the money and flipping the bills through his fingers.

"It's thirty - five percent of what you've made Harry. The money needs to be divided among the other workers seeing as it's their clients and not your own, plus money goes to maintenance of the club."

He wanted to scream.

"What? You didn't think that you'd just waltz in here and suddenly start making a good couple of grand all for yourself, did you? It takes a long time and hard work, Harry." Vivian said shaking her head and putting on her glasses again.

"This is barely enough for my rent, Vivian."

"If this isn't for you, you know where the door is, you're free to leave whenever it is that you want, Harry." She said in an even tone.

Harry knew he wouldn't win this so he simply left.

***

The next week Harry told Liam all about the drama he had encountered.

"Tell you what, let's go out tonight. Get a little fucked up, grab some girls, let loose and destress. You look like you could really use it." Liam said and Harry's shoulder a strong squeeze.

Well, why the hell not?

*

Shot after shot filled Harry's mouth and slid down his throat. The vile taste causing him to screw up his face and fight the urge to cough up whatever he had just drank.

"Wash it down with this!" Liam laughed and handed Harry a beer.

"Liam, you're going to make him sick!" Another worker and friend, Claire, said when she laid eyes on Harry.

"He'll be fine, let the kid have fun!" Liam said and waved away her concerns and ordered a few more tequila shots.

Next thing everyone knew, Harry was throwing drinks and hopping off the bar stool as soon as 24K Magic by Bruno Mars came on. "COME ON," he shouted at no one in particular and went on his way to dance.

"Zayn, let's just go check it out."

"I'm too old for that shit, Jeremy. Besides I'd rather do something else than have a bunch of drunk, sweaty kids pressed up against me." Zayn said and ran a hand through his soft black locks.

"You're only twenty - eight. You're not too old for a club, besides this one doesn't have that many kids there. It's more of a bar anyway, look at it as a celebration for closing a deal with Truman Corporations."