The drink had just started to kick in and as Victor waited for a man to pay for his drink, he downed the rest of his own, itching to start on drink number two. He smiled genuinely at Ilinca when she thanked him, called him ‘darling’ (she was so glamorous, he was instantly charmed by her) and answered, “No problem!”
He noticed the pumpkin spice white Russians were popular, which was a great sign, but they were more complicated to make. He poured out three at a time and placed them on the bar, glancing over at Ilinca as others talked to her. He bet there was no shortage of guys that wanted to talk to her after her act and he wondered how she managed it all.
A few of the guys were gulping down their drinks and he could see the way their faces twisted at the strong bite of the alcohol. Victor’s drinks were really meant to be sipped, he was generous with the pour and often surprised people when they realized they were getting their money’s worth. It wasn’t that he over-poured or tried to drive the bar into the ground, financially, it was just that he knew how to mix properly, instinctively knew what a full-to-the-brim jigger of alcohol really looked like and wanted to impress. He knew the feeling of that burn when he gulped too. Some came back for their third drink, already affected by the liquor. Their eyes looked a little bleary and they smiled loosely at him. “What’s your name?” A few asked. Victor just laughed and shook his head, trying not to blush in front of them… not that they’d notice in this lighting.
“No, really?” Victor just pretended not to hear them and turned out more drinks. “Thank you!” he called out, giving a little wave in response.
He had to get used to this pace, the rush between acts, before, after, the guys crowding around Ilinca as she somehow sent them on their way without too many words between them. When a woman looked like Ilinca, he supposed she had to learn how to deal with attention like that.
When he heard Ilinca speak, he leaned in her direction and nodded. “No problem.”
He made her another tall glass of water - with ice this time - and set it out on a new napkin for her.
“Very well, actually!” He said over the conversation and orders shouted to him, unable to stop the smile that flashed across his face as the crowd wound down a little. “The pumpkin spice seems to be most popular… I don’t think people are getting the Rocky Horror Picture show one, though. It’s a little more obscure…”
And a little gay he chided himself. He’d gotten a couple of orders for that shot, but he supposed it was mostly the appeal of a rainbow shot. He imagined that the men who were more defensive about their sexuality wouldn’t be caught dead with it.
His last customer, as the next song started paid and he let out a little ‘whew’, pouring himself more Honey Jack and standing across from Ilinca. “They should know it, though. It’s kind of a classic and you know… has a great burlesque scene. If they’re into it.” He took a large sip but not too large in front of her.
Didn’t want to seem desperate for it or anything.
“You know, if you want anything stronger than water, you drink for free. I mean, you are the star, here.”