by Taki Drake
While she was doing that, Brechal was rearranging the bar. Someone observing him closely would have noticed that he was moving the vulnerable glassware away from the end of the bar that was closest to the three doors. He didn't appear to hurry, but the rapidity of change meant that he was using all the assets that he had available, tentacles and all.
Madrik realized that his low-level discomfort must be a warning of an incoming being. Stopping abruptly midway down the bar he said, “Oh, crap! We have another one coming in. Brechal, are you ready?”
“Yes, we started prepping as soon as you started pacing.”
“It’s a good thing you can read my actions since apparently, I’m not at the point where it is conscious.”
The BHB chose that moment to slam an intense image of the right-hand door opening into Madrik’s mind. While there was no warning of danger, the bar manager chose to act on the side of caution, rather than to take a relaxed and welcoming stance. He had taken a step toward a guard position between the physical bar and the door when he realized he was holding his staff in his right hand again. I wish I knew what I was doing to summon this thing. It would be nice to have it under conscious control! he thought to himself. Resolving to think about it later, Madrik planted his feet in a guard position, with his staff at the ready.
A fair number of the people in the bar were fighting men and women. The assertively defensive stance caught most of the bar patrons’ attention and the noise in the bar abruptly diminished. Some of the drinkers drew their own weapons. They were not sure why Madrik and now Brechal were facing the door but were apparently willing to contribute to whatever action was necessary.
Wynn was circulating, trying to maintain some illusion of normalcy. For those that were new to the bar, she passed off the posture of the manager and bartender as a precaution, rather than a necessity. Madrik could almost hear her thinking at the same time “We hope it’s not a necessity” while she pushed and prodded people to sit down, chill out, and keep drinking.
Madrik could feel the anticipation of the BHB rising higher and higher like a wave building before it crashes down on the shore. Just when he thought it couldn’t get any tenser, the right-hand door opened in a controlled movement far different than the other entrances that had come through that passageway.
At this point, everybody in the bar was watching the door. More than a quarter of the patrons were standing with drawn weapons in hand. Madrik was thinking. Hopefully, there will be no fighting. Because with the current arrangement, Brechal and I would be very lucky not to be killed by friendly fire.
Whatever Madrik had expected, it was not the large man that walked through. It was obvious that the man was familiar with fighting in the assured way that he moved and in the fluidity of critical weight transfer. This was a fighting man and one that was highly skilled.
Ostensibly unarmed, the stranger was well over 6 feet and broad. A full head shorter than Brechal, this man would have been huge next to any of the Earth humans around. His buzzed haircut and posture marked him as military, but his civilian dress marked him as former military.
Although the man carried an aura of control, Madrik was close enough to see the rapid pulse that beat in his neck and the shivering that the man couldn’t control in his limbs. Traces of melting snow left water trails on the barroom floor, and Madrik knew from the slight blue tone of the man’s skin that this one also was escaping from something extreme.
The BHB reacted with a sense of relief that Madrik could feel flooding over the companion bond. The bar manager had to admit to himself that he was also relieved, and noticed that the other patrons in the bar were slowly putting their weapons away as they went back to their drinking.
Walking up to the stranger, Madrik said, “Welcome to the Badger Hole Bar. I am Madrik, the bar manager and the large gentleman to my right is Brechal, the head bartender. How may we help you?”
For a split second, Madrik thought felt like he was under a magnifying glass. The big man with the sleepy movements had looked at him quickly and seemed to have developed a general impression of the bar. Madrik didn’t doubt that he knew where everybody in the room was. His comprehensive glance had been exactly the same sort of thing that he had seen in those friends of his that had gone into special services of one form or another. Gesturing the silent man over to a nearby table, Madrik sat down with him and looked back toward Brechal raising two fingers and nodding his head. The bartender dipped his head in acknowledgment and went back to prepping drinks and chopping sausage.
Wynn brought a tray over that held two drinks and some extra plates, along with the platter that Brechal had just completed. Setting it down on the table, Wynn smiled at the shaken newcomer and said, “This is one of the bar specialties, a drink called “culture shock.” It is one of the many things that happen here at the BHB. There’s also some food because you look like you could probably use some of that too.” Bending down to look more closely at the man, she said urgently, “You look like you have been injured. Are you all right? Do we need to get a doctor or something?”
At last, moved into speech by the young woman’s artless questions, the newcomer responded, “Yes, I’m injured, but I’m not comfortable letting anyone prod me right now.”
Madrik cut in, saying, “I can understand that but hopefully by the end of our discussion you’ll allow us to see if we can provide you with first aid.”
“We’ll see.”
“You came through the door that supplies us with people that are part of a solution, rather than part of a problem. What sort of skills do you have that would make you part of somebody’s answer to a problem?”
“I’m not exactly sure what it is that I have to contribute to a problem solution. I was escaping from a somewhat dangerous and very uncomfortable situation when I thought I was going to break into a building for shelter. Instead of the inside of the cabin, I came here.”
Madrik smiled, and said, “It would be nice to know your name, even though I realize that you are a little bit shocked by what you’re seeing. If we had a name, it would be easier for us to address you. Additionally, many people here came from uncomfortable situations, and they are finding their way to the bar as a partial answer to their needs. Perhaps, that is true for you, too.”
The big man flushed and said in response, “Alastair, my name is Alastair. As to what I can do, I’ve been bouncing from part-time job to part-time job. Right now, I’m a bouncer and a few other things. In the past, I’ve had many jobs. For right now, I’m trying to stay focused and create a more stable living environment for myself.”
<< <> >>
The interview with Alastair had gone well. Madrik had been so satisfied that he offered him the job of a bouncer on the spot. When Alastair had accepted, Madrik had been very pleased. The new man exuded a sense of calm. That was exactly the sort of atmosphere that the BHB needed to keep battles and fights to a minimum.
Coming over to the table, Brechal seemed intent on poking the new bouncer and testing him for vulnerability. Supposedly just checking on whether they needed another drink, Brechal looked Alastair up and down. Holding the glance just short of rudeness, he said challenging, “You would be a big man by most cultures, but to me, you’re just a runt.”
Alastair calmly replied, “Compared to you, I am a runt.”
Brechal waited for a little bit to see if there would be any other comment. When there wasn’t, the bartender continued to prod, “We have a lot of different beings here. If your mind can’t bend around the concept that there are others out there that don’t look human, you won’t do well here. And parochial views just get the people they’re trying to protect killed.
“I suspect that’s true no matter what your originating race,” responded Alastair.
Madrik could feel Brechal’s frustration. It just wasn’t fun being snarky at someone who took you at face value and refused to get all riled up. Concealing a small smile, Madrik suggested that Wynn take Alastair upstairs and get him sett
led. Telling the new bouncer that if he needed to, he could take the rest of the day and rest. The bar manager also told him that there would be a staff meeting at the start of the day tomorrow, Madrik and Brechal watched as the newest employee made his way carefully up the staircase following the tiny form of their waitress.
Brechal turned to Madrik, saying, “He’s tougher than he looks.”
Madrik responded, “Yes he is. I hope that you guys can all get along well enough that I don’t have to constantly keep battling you.”
Making sounds of disgust and contempt, Brechal went back to his bar and the patrons that were waiting for their drink refills.
Chapter 21 – Staff Orientation
The night had been quiet and without any major incident. Madrik’s mood in the morning was cautiously optimistic. He realized that he still needed more staff and stock before they could hold their Grand Opening but he was not very sure how to get it. He hoped that the day would bring some clarity to his list because having a messy one made his skin itch. I suppose there are worse allergies to have. Madrik thought to himself.
The staff meeting had gone relatively well, with Alastair quiet and listening, Wynn happy and looking forward to the day, and Brechal once again worried about getting a cook and finding alcohol suppliers. Madrik really couldn’t argue with the bartender’s worries, since it was very difficult to have a bar without having decent food and a ready supply of alcohol. Obviously, this is going to be his prime focus for today and however many other days it took.
Emesh showed up a few minutes after the staff call had completed, almost as if he knew about their schedule. Madrik made a note of the timing but left his suspicions unproven, at least for the moment. The older man sat next to the bar manager as Madrik finished his cold meal of sliced cheese washed down with copious amounts of coffee.
“I see you have a new employee. Big guy.”
“Yes, I hired him last night. Every bar needs at least one bouncer, and he is experienced in that.”
“He moves like a military man, one that would be surprisingly effective in a fight.”
“I have my suspicions, but I didn’t ask. I knew a lot of special forces guys when I was in the service that moved the same way. They also had an encompassing awareness that told them where trouble was going to come from.”
“I am just a gardener, but that would seem to be a very good thing for someone who works in a bar.”
“I agree.”
Emesh transferred his gaze to look at Madrik’s face. In a slightly lowered voice, the older man asked, “Are you all right? You look worried, and frankly, I’m not sure why. The bar is coming into great shape, and your team is starting to mesh. Although I do have to say that the purple polka dots were a bit of a surprise.”
With a sigh, Madrik responded, “It is coming together well, and I’m very happy with how the team is merging. I have key positions that have to be filled, and I’m concerned because the people that take those positions are going to be critical to the success. Having those spots open leaves me feeling vulnerable. Also, I have to settle out a more regular way of supplying our alcohol. I need to develop not only a supply of the regular stuff but a backup supplier or more than one that provides specialty drinks. I realize that I’m pretty provincial when it comes to exposure to all the worlds that seem to be popping people in, but all that does is make me aware of the fact that I don’t know what these people are going to want to drink.”
Emesh looked thoughtful for a moment. He said slowly, “I am not allowed to actually get in the way of whatever you are doing, but I don’t think that it would be a problem if I put the word out that you’re looking for more members for your team. Also, I came here today not only to bring your daily produce but to tell you that you have several food providers that would like to talk with you about supplying an assortment of food items.”
Before Madrik could respond, Brechal’s raised voice thundered through the quiet bar. He shouted, “Polka dots? What self-respecting bar is decorated with purple polka dots? This is not some fancy boudoir or some little ditzy female’s frock. This is supposed to be a bar where guys go to drink, grouse and complain, and scratch themselves if they want!”
Wynn’s cheerful voice responded, underlaid with laughter, “But Brechal, the purple polka dots match my shoes today. I just thought it would be nice if the bar showed some style sense.”
“Style sense my ass! This is a place for drinking and if you insist on flipping around how the bar looks all the time, at least confine yourself to things that aren’t going to make us look too weird.”
Emesh and Madrik concealed smiles behind their hands as they looked at each other with dancing lights glinting in their eyes. Madrik knew that Brechal had just made a tactical error. He could feel it in his bones but didn’t know exactly what the bartender had done that was going to come back and bite him. He was positive there was something because not only did his intuition poke him, but the flood of bubbling giggles across the companion bond told him that the BHB knew something too.
Both the men waited breathlessly for Wynn’s response. It wasn’t long in coming as she quickly replied, “I can see that. So how about if I decorate one little corner of the room just in case we have female visitors that would like to have something a little more cheerful. I won’t do anything strange with the rest of the bar that pulls it away from the manly ‘scratch your crotch’ theme. Will that work?”
Brechal was obviously struggling with the waitress’ answer. Madrik thought that the bartender was not used to people refusing to be intimidated. The bar manager could almost see the big man struggling to spring back from the surprise when the shock of his confrontation had washed over the small waitress but didn’t stick. Still struggling with the result, he responded, “All right. I suppose that’s a reasonable compromise. Just make sure that it’s off to one corner and not in the middle of the blasted bar.”
“Yes, dear.”
The semi-befuddled man had already turned back to his current task, and Madrik thought that perhaps he didn’t even hear her last statement. But it was obvious from the expressions on Alastair and Emesh’s faces that they had heard it, and they knew, as did he, that a battle had been fairly joined.
Madrik had raised his cup and taken a big swallow of his coffee when he happened to glance up and saw that Alastair’s face had turned bright red. The bouncer was obviously trying to choke back his response to something or someone. Glancing around quickly, the bar manager was unable to see what was causing this reaction in his new employee. Raising an eyebrow in question, Madrik put his coffee cup down and raised both hands, palms up, in the air in a universal symbol for, “What’s up?”
Tears now spilling down Alastair’s face, the determinedly mute man pointed first to his own backside and then jerked his chin toward the bartender.
Emesh had been watching the exchange and stood up from his chair to get a clear view of Brechal’s back. Popping quickly down onto the chair, the gardener’s lifted both hands to cover his mouth. Tears started streaming down his face. His curiosity afire, Madrik had to stand up and look. Frozen, he stared at Brechal’s back just below the waist. An echo of a voice saying “decorate my ass!” flashed through his head. As he struggled to control his composure in an attempt to break into hysterical laughter, the memory of large purple polka dots covering the seat of Brechal’s pants told him that the waitress had delivered her rejoinder.
Madrik felt like he was spraining his facial muscles. The urge to laugh hysterically was so strong that he needed to divert himself. Turning in determination toward Emesh and focusing on the older man’s face, the bar manager asked, “You said that there might be providers of other foodstuffs and alcohol. What type of foodstuffs and how soon can we get the alcohol in? The unexpected drinkers at the bar over the last few days have started to run our stocks down pretty badly.”
“There is a whole group of providers. Many of them are merchants in the Tattersall Market. Some of the notable ones
are going to be the spice merchants, the bakeries, and the specialty foods sellers. As for alcohol, I know of two spirits vendors that are planning to talk to you sometime in the next week and another supplier of teas and coffees and similar drinks.”
“No beer? We definitely need beer.”
“The spirit vendors will have some beers, but I think you have one here in the BHB dimension. Something about buckets or bees or something?”
“That’s news to me. I wish I had a better way of telling when we had something around here.”
BAM! Madrik felt like he had been slapped upside the back of the head. Through the ringing of his ears, the man could feel his companion’s irritation. The image of the cryptic diagram was pushed into his brain with a force that made stars spangle his vision and the echo of the blow in his head continued to ring. Sorry! I’m sorry, but I forgot, he whimpered along the companion bond. The impression of an irritated flounce was his only response
Fumbling in the pouch at his waist, Madrik managed to find the parchment by feel. Laying it out on the table, he blinked his eyes several times trying to focus through the tears of pain. Emesh’s concerned voice thundered in his aching head and brought another wince of pain to his face.
“Madrik, are you sure you are all right?”
“Yes. I just got ‘told’ that I was being stupid.”
Bending forward over the parchment, Emesh asked excitedly, “Where did you get this?”
“I’m not sure where it came from, but the BHB made sure I had it.”
“This is amazing. This type of map is very rare because it reflects the reality of the environment. It takes a very strong spell to create one.”
“Yes, and my forgetting about it apparently thoroughly offended my companion.”
“Ah, that would explain the tears of pain.”
All Madrik could do was nod his head minutely in agreement. The reverberating feeling of bruises was easing off, but he was afraid that any motion would bring it back. Running his hand back across his face once more to remove the tears, Madrik said, “It’s obvious where this building is, but I’m not sure what the two spiral things are.”