I've bartended for ten years at various bars back in the late 80s and 90s. Being a bartender, you flirt with everyone who enters the place to make tips. Sometimes things get wild. The story is true. Specific conversations are often artistic license when I can't remember, but the events happened....
Sally wanted to learn to tend bar. She wanted to make more money and have more fun. She started learning with me the night after she showed me the bottle trick. I taught her the basics of tending the bar in between serving customers. She would come and learn after she was done waitressing in the back. She worked a couple of hours but had to leave early because she helped her mom with her younger brothers during the daytime. She told me she could work all night on Friday since she didn't have to help her mom the next day.
I made sure Nicole, my regular Friday partner, was good with her helping and training. Nicole was about fifteen years older than me and happily married. We'd been working together for several years at a couple of different places. She treated me like her younger brother.
"Just remind her that Fridays are my night. You're not replacing me with some younger, sexier girl who you have wrapped around your finger."
"I would never think of replacing you. You're my big sis. She is training for coverage when one of us wants to take off. Besides, you are one of the sexiest girls I know. If you weren't happily married and a friend, I'd be trying desperately to date you. Youth will never overcome the experience that you have."
"Sko, you are one smooth-talking SOB. You...trying to date me... now that would be a laugh. Is that what you call your one-night stands, dating?"
"I call it dating, but I don't discuss my nocturnal activities openly. I respect all the privacy of the women I have dated."
"Well, I have not heard you discuss any 'dates' as you call them, or discussing any ladies. Also, I've never heard any women complain or bitch. I guess you have your own code. Anyway, Sally is a good girl and a hard worker. I'm sure she'll do fine; just don't hurt her."
"I'll make sure to take good care of her."
"Fine, but she's not splitting tips."
"No, of course not. I'll make that clear."
Sally came up front after dinner service. She walked up to me and said, "How can I help you, Master?"
Nicole was standing next to me and started laughing. "You have to be kidding me. 'Master' you're special, Sko."
"Not my idea, Jimmy said something to her about me being a master bartender and she ran with it," I smiled.
"And I'm sure you did nothing to discourage it," Nicole countered.
"Who am I to discourage an enthusiastic student."
Nicole turned to Sally. "Don't you dare call me mistress," she glared at her. "Look, this job is all about fun. Don't forget that part. And don't let this guy," pointing to me, "take advantage of you."
"I wouldn't dare," I smiled.
"He's been nothing but helpful. He assisted me the other day in learning and perfecting a trick." Sally smiled.
"I'm sure he did," Nicole shook her head and went back to taking care of the bar.
"Ok, let's get you started," I explained to Sally that as busy as it is, she could help out by grabbing beers and taking care of simple drinks. I told her to make sure to flirt. If she gets lost just ask. She did well as expected. She even grabbed ice and took care of the glassware, a job that I hated.
At the end of the night, we closed, paid the band, and settled the drawer. Jimmy took the money. Everyone finished their drinks. Sally was in the corner of the bar practicing free pouring shots and studying recipes. Once the band cleared out, I told Nicole to head home. Sally and I would clean up.
Nicole shook her head, smiled, and said, "Don't forget to actually clean up. I made sure Jimmy is pretty drunk, so he won't be back. You'll have all night to clean up," she smiled as the last two words left her mouth.
"She is just going to practice free pouring and learning new drinks."
"I don't want to know what she'll be practicing or what she'll be learning. That master shit scares the fuck out of me."
"That's Jimmy's doing, not mine."
"I heard Jimmy laughing about it. You better be nice to her."
"I am always nice."
Nicole walked over to talk to Sally. I saw her hand something to her. They chatted and smiled. I wiped down the bar. Nicole was pointing at me and smiling, then she walked toward the door. "She did a hell of a job. I tipped her out like a barback. Told her you would do the same. She washed all the glassware. You should pay her double for that."
"Yeah, I hate that job," I agreed. "Thanks, Nicole. Have a nice night. See ya next week."
"Thanks for letting me get outta here early, Sko. You two have fun." Nicole walked out, shutting the door behind her.
I walked over to where Sally was practicing. Sally had been calling me 'Master' all night. Sally almost snapped to attention as I walked over. I looked at the glasses with varying amounts of water in them. They were pretty good.
"What can I learn now, Master?"
"Well, let's start mastering your free pour. She took the bottle of water I had set up and continued to free-pour while I cleaned. She was getting the hang of it. I even showed her how to do some fancy pours. She practiced those as I finished cleaning. The bar was done and ready for the next morning.
"Ok, that's about it for the night. You did a good job. Even impressed Nicole enough to tip you out."