The Bartenders Last Drink

“Hey David are you good closing up?“ David looked up from the drink he was pouring. He looked around the bar, a couple sat in a booth to his left and a middle aged businessman with a funny looking fedora sat on the end of the right side of the bar. “Yeah its cool man, say hi to the wife for me.” David’s coworker clocked out and waved as he left. Soon after the coupe got up and paid their tab, then also left. Now it was just David cleaning the remaining glasses and the businessman to his right. “Hey man, anything else I can get you before I pack up?” The business man didn’t move. He looked lost in thought. “You good brother?” The words shocked him, as if he just came back from space. “Oh I’m sorry. Spaced out there. Can I have a whiskey neat?” he reached into his suite to grab his wallet. “Coming right up. So whats got you here this late? Rough day?” David grabbed the whiskey off the back shelf and a clean glass from the counter. ”You could say that… More like I’m waiting for my day to be over.” He set a $20 0n the bar.”Keep the change.”

”Waiting for your day to be over? Does that mean you're still working?” David set down his whiskey and picked up the $20. “Yeah, actually waiting for someone.” He took a sip and a slight grin appered onto his face. ”Waiting for someone? This late? Seems like an odd hour to do business.” David threw the towel he was using ot dry off glass over his shoulder and walked over to the booth. “He must be a pimp or something.” David thought as he cleaned up the table that couple was at. “No, I’m not a pimp.” The words shocked David. “Weird… I could have sworn I didn’t say that out loud.” “Sorry man. I don’t judge, I guess that just accidentally slipped out.” David kept his back turned to the man, partially to clean up after the couple and partially because of his awkward judgement.

”It’s all good. I work weird hours, so I’m used to people assuming. But when duty calls it calls and doesn’t matter the hour, I have to answer.” He took another sip. David could tell the man was a bit stressed. “Dang you must love what you do to be on call like that.” David walked back over to the bar, two glasses and a empty plate in his hands. “I get pissed off when they call me in to work an extra shift.” David started cleaning the last of the dishes. Unexpectedly the man responded. “It’s my purpose. It’s what I live and others die for.” A weird chill went down Davids spin. “What the crap Kind of answer is that? It’s what he lives for but others die for? This guy is starting to freak me out.” David started cleaning a little faster. “Well man I hate to break it to you, but we close in 10 minutes. You might need to wait for well whoever you‘re waiting for at another place.” The man took his last sip and slid the glass across the bar to David. “Thats fine. It’s almost time anyways. I’ll just wait til you’re done.” David was hoping the man would leave, since he was done with the whiskey, but I guess 10 more minutes with this creep wouldn't kill him.

”So got any plans for the weekend?“ David tried to start up a lighter conversation, because he didn’t know this mans occupation and at this point, he didn’t want to know. “Yes actually. The weekends are my busiest days. Lots of parties and suicides before Monday rolls around.“ Now David was straight up uncomfortable. “Suicides?” The words calmly came out of Davids mouth but inside he was on full alert. “Yeah you know, lots of bodies to pick up.” He reached into his suit pocked and pulled out car keys to a hearse. “Oh duh. This guy must work at a funeral home. Man I gotta lay off the horror movies, my mind was going off the hook for a minute.”

”Thats a sick ride my friend. I guess if you are to go out might as well go out in style.“ David put the last of the glasses away and wipped off the bar. “Yes, I thought it was about time I got something more fitting. I’m glad you like it.” The man put the keys on the bar top. ”2 more minutes and I get to kick this guy out and go to home.” David thought. “Oh you‘re going to your forever home tonight.” The words made David looked over at the man. It was almost as if he could hear davids thoughts. “What did you say?”

ding ding ding Davids phone alarm went off, letting him know it was time to officially close. “Well, its be weird man but I am going to need you to… Ahh.… AHHHH!!!” a sharp pain went up Davids left arm, it felt like is was going numb. “SHIT DUDE!! CALL 911!!” David dropped to the ground. His chest was growing tight, breathing became hard and spots filled his eyes. He could barely see, but the man stand up and took off his fedora. David was blacking out from the pain, and the man calmly walked over to David. He squatted down to look at him face to face. David was about to black out, but he now got a good look at this mans face before he did.

His facial features were all sunk in. Check bones and jaw line looked sharp enough to cut glass. He was ghostly pale and had black eye bags, as if he never got a good night of sleep. He did have dark curly hair, but he could still see two black sharp horns coming out of this mans head. David wanted to throw up when they locked eyes. They were bright red, with extremely small black pupiles. David tried to remain awake but shortly after looking at the man, he blacked out. “Right on schedule.” The man stood up and walked back over to his seat. He put his hat back on and grabed his car keys. “5-4-3-2-1 and here we go”

Right above David a little white glowing ball appeared. It was bright and hovering about his dead body. The man walked over and grabbed the glowing ball. Opening the briefcase he had with him and carefully placing it inside. Closing it quickly, he made his way to the front door. “Guess its kind of poetic. Dying at the place you work. Hmmm.” He stepped out of the bar. “Oh and make the tab out to Lucifer.” He grinned as made his was down the street.

I guess it is poetic. You work to make money to enjoy life, but at that place is where you die. So are you working towards the days you live or working towards the day you die?