(Untitled)

[tobeclosetohim]

Strike One.

The Bar is a disaster area. Bottles fallen everywhere.
Broken. In pieces. Wait rats still working everywhere.

Strike Two.

There is a green glow hologram floating over her bar.
No. Not kidding. A green glow hologram over her bar.

Strike Three."What do you mean we only have these ingredients? We stock several universes

Comments

[theunsmiling]

"Will cleaning up all parts of the bar nab a person half-off more than one drink?"

The skinny woman seated at the bar has her chin propped up in one hand, jade green gaze flicking between the specials board, tonight's bartender, and the mess that's been made of the local environment.

It's a skill.

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo turned back from dropping another broken bottle.

"Yeah." Catching sight of her. "I could see to that."
Really without pause. It's Milliways. There are Gods.

[theunsmiling]

"Generous."

Michael does not crack a smile.

"How long will you give me?"

She leans back on her barstool, revealing a red T-shirt that reads 'Even Overachievers Need a Day Off'.

Previously it had been hidden by the front of her jean jacket.

These things happen.

[tobeclosetohim]

It is worth a look.

"A few days. Maybe three."

Because they could clean it. Would.

"For the bar area."

"For the whole bar, a week. Maybe an' a half."

[theunsmiling]

"If only I could stay here that long."

It's not really a request.

"But strange and dangerous occurrences or no, I've got work I need to get back to."

Though maybe she'll see what can be done with the general bar area. Broken glass isn't that difficult to pick up.

Though the spilled alcohol will take a bit more judicious effort to remove.

So it goes.

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo was trying to decide what it was.

There was something else. About her.

"It wouldn't have to be this week. Just the time's worth."

"I could have it added to your tab without much trouble."

She'll likely do one day on everyone who cleans today.
She can't see Sallie or Mike holding it against her.

[theunsmiling]

"Well."

And here Michael does smile, fleeting and a little wry.

"I suppose I'll have to see what I can do."

There's a pause while she tucks a flyaway strand of hair behind her ear.

"Thanks."

[tobeclosetohim]

"Yeah." Jo picked up another sticky, half broken bottle.

"You gotta name? In case I do need to bar tab you, too?"

[theunsmiling]

"Michael."

The response is quick and easy, just like all the best truths.

(Or all the best lies.)

"Can I get your name, too? Just so I know who to talk up if I end up pulling my weight."

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo looked amused. "Jo."

Boys names for girls club, ticket two.

[theunsmiling]

"Simple. To the point."

Here Michael cracks a smile that's just on the far side of faint.

"I like it. Nice to meet you, Jo."

[tobeclosetohim]

"Rather like me."

Most of the time.

"And you, too."

[theunsmiling]

"I can be to the point," Michael acknowledges, inclining her head.

"Rather too much so, according to several of my brothers."

She's got a big family.

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo grinned. "Younger or older than most of them?"

[theunsmiling]

"Older," Michael says.

She sounds a little weary about that.

Three guesses why.

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo shook her head. But there was a smile.

"Passel of rugrats, regardless of how big they get?"