The Hang of It

Hando had the hang of it now; he was bartending at Crossings a pub located near the Glen and frequented by a younger wilder crowd than Millie’s Tavern or the pub in Coffs where you might find some of the Glen residents from time to time.

The manager liked him because he presented a certain presence that cut down on fighting and rough housing. He was mostly quiet but the patrons had learned not to smart off at him. The manager gave Hando a little leeway to haul loud drunken obnoxious guys out the door. He wasn’t so worried now if his bouncer didn’t show up for work.

The fact that he was shagging Bet was not lost on him either and that was all good because Bet could get wild behind the bar sometimes if people were buying her shots. John Comer was a businessman first and foremost and he knew when he had a good thing going. He sat up in his little cubicle of an office above the floor and watched Bet and Hando work together. Yeah they could get a little crazy late at night too but it was all good, business was picking up and he had started booking bands for Friday nights. The place was packed and the money was rolling in.

Money was happening for Hando too, the tip jar was full most nights and Cromer had given him and Bet a raise. Bet left her digs and moved in with him in the garage and having her stuff there and a little money between them they’d fixed it up to suit their varied tastes.

Hando was actually having fun for the first time in a long time. He stuck a shot glass between her boobs and poured a drink for a leering laughing customer. It was this kind of craziness that he liked and so did everybody else it seemed. It was all part of the show they put on behind the bar.

Boz was hanging on the end of the bar with his arm draped around Nina, it was late and he’d been there too long his back was hurting and he needed to lie down. He called for his tab.

“Ya packin’ it in mate?” Hando asked ringing up his drinks.

“Yeah, back’s gone but little Nina here is gonna take care of that ain’t ya hon?”

“I will Boz; I’ll give you a good back rub and then some.” Nina ran her hand up his back. Boz paid up and they left.

“Have they gone?” Bet asked dancing over to Hando.

“Yeah, Boz’s back is out again.”

“Nina sober?”

“Seemed okay, I think she’s okay to drive to the garage.”

“Girl needs to get her job back Boz can’t support her,” Bet danced back to her end of the bar.

Hando didn’t say anything but he’d poured her drinks tonight, he knew she could drive.

“Woo Hoo,” Bet yelled out and cranked the music up another notch.

Hando found himself moving with the music too as he filled another pint and slid it expertly down the bar. It was a different life for him but he was getting the hang of it.