The Good, The Bad And The Clueless • Fillie

Chapter II • Benny's

The cold wind of December night howls against my frail body as I trudge the long and winding streets of Vancouver. The streets seem empty, and as I pondered, I almost forgot that today is the last day of 2017.

I checked my wristwatch, it's almost eleven o'clock in the evening. I sighed, as I finally take in my surroundings. I stared at each and every windows of the apartments as I walked down the street, my destination still unknown. I envy the people who actually had someone to spend the occasion with, for I have nothing. Not even a place to crash, or a destination in mind.

After a few minutes of walking and contemplation, I saw an odd looking establishment that was situated almost underground. I read the sign, Benny's. I almost wished it was a diner, for I still haven't eaten anything tonight. That's how unfortunate I am. I walked towards Benny's and I realized that it was a pub. Close enough, I thought. I took the few stairs down to the pub and reached the door, contemplating whether or not I should enter the said establishment for I really wasn't the kind of person who goes to a pub. Still hesitant, I opened the door and let myself in.

As I entered Benny's pub, my eyes widened in awe as I was not expecting that a pub can also look so decent. As they've said, don't judge the book by it's cover. The place is pretty neat, there's a bar, of course, with several stools around it. There are booths for the customers in groups and there is also a coin operated juke box that I thought was only for display, not until someone decided to try it and the song 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go' by The Clash started to engulf the not-so-crowded pub.

There were quite a few people inside the pub when I walked in. Some were sitting on the booths, and a couple on the stools around the bar. I situated myself on one of the stools and dropped the heavy load that I'm carrying just beneath the stool and called the attention of the bartender.

"Hey, uh, do you have food here? Like, real one?" I asked, not really having any idea about places like this. What if they only serve alcohol?

The bartender looked at me like I have two heads or something. Yes, I am aware that the question's stupid, thank you very much. I frowned, but then he smiled reassuringly and said that they also serve decent meals in here as he handed me the menu.

As my eyes scanned the menu, I heared my stomach grumble like a grounded highschooler throwing tantrums. I really should've put an effort on finding a diner earlier instead of just walking aimlessly, without a care in the world. I finally made my order and told the staff to deliver my meal on the booth that I shall transfer to. I walked towards the booth near the juke box and placed my heavy bags on the long chair across mine.

I watched the counter intently as I was waiting for the food. When I finally saw the staff walking towards my booth, I swear, my eyes glistened and my mouth began to water at the sight of the food.

I started digging in the food, not caring if I was loud or messy and somewhat looked like a homeless, pathetic weirdo. I'm really famished and not to mention, really really tired from all the walking that I did this day.

So you see, I have no place to stay because my oh-so-kind land lady decided to kick me out of the apartment that I'm staying at just in time for New Year's eve. Just great, right?

It's been two months since I was fired from Thunder, and for the past month, I have been struggling to look for another job, and of course, with my luck, no one had ever called.

The little savings that I had had already been exhausted due to the fact that I was walking in on company after company almost everyday for the past two months, trying to get myself into one.

I am literally the most unlucky person in this pub. And as I was self-pitying, I realized that maybe the reason behind my miserable job hunt is because my previous employer had put me on their block list and somehow, the word had spread. That's it, right?

"Ugggh. What the fuck am I going to do with my life?!" I sighed desperately, I can't go back to my family as a failure. I went overseas just to make them proud for I also have no luck back in Spain, that's why I decided to risk everything and try my luck here in Canada.

Obviously, everything is going down the drain. Being an adult is really hard, especially when you have no one there for you. I miss my family, I miss my mom, I miss my friends. I miss my old, carefree life. I just wish I could turn back time, back when I was still a student. I should've taken nursing, or arts, or anything for that matter. I shouldn't have messed with business management, because I'm telling you, life in the corporate world is like living in a jungle, there are so many predators, so many threats, you have to sleep with your eyes wide open.

I stood up from my seat and started collecting my things. I went up to the bar to pay for my meal when an idea popped into my head. Drinking wouldn't be so bad, right? And I'm in dire need for comfort right now. They said alcohol would make your problems and sorrows go away for a little while. A little won't hurt, right?

I called the bartender and asked for the strongest drink they have. He gave me something called Spirytus Rektyqwtabahhsh something. And I learned that when they say 'on the rocks', it meant that it goes with ice. Amazing, I never knew these kinds of things before. I stared intently at the glass before I shoved its contents down my throat.

"What the fuck!" I almost screeched, I can almost feel my throat burning because of the alcohol, but I feel like I needed more.

"Would you like a chaser?" The bartender asked. "Chaser? What's a chaser?" I asked back, really unaware of these things.

The bartender chuckled, "It's something you drink right after taking a shot of a hard liquor. What chaser would you like? A beer, juice, soda, or just water?"

"Uhm, I think rootbeer would be fine, thank you" I said, the burning sensation in my throat still lingering.

The bartender came back with a cold rootbeer. I immediately chugged the fizzy drink down, my burning throat calming in the process.

"Hey I'll take another one of that spirit something you gave me."

After a few drinks and chasers, I feel very weird, and unusually talkative. I have learned that Jack, the bartender, is the same age as I am and has been working here at the pub for almost a year now. He also mentioned that I could crash on his place for tonight since I may or may have not mentioned my downright embarassing eviction story.

"Happy new year, Millie!" Was the last words I heard before everything went black.

••••••••••

Happy new year, everyone! Or at least, for those who has the same timezone as I am. I apologize if there are any mistakes, I just want to post this chappy right now, because its NYE! 💫