By seven thirty, the bar had quietened down considerably. Half an hour ago it was standing room only but now there’s a few vacant tables and just handful standing around the bar. I deliver a stack of empties to the bar and Rebecca stacks them in a dishwasher tray. “Mike said you can grab a break.” she told me before opening the hatch and allowing me behind the bar. “I’m on one too.” she said. She poured two shots and topped them up with either soda and ice.
“Are we allowed to drink on duty?” I asked as she handed me one.
“Well… not really but we’re on a break.” she said as she led me out the back to a small yard with stacks of empty barrels and crates. “Want one?” she asked, offering me a cigarette.
“Err… I don’t normally smoke but.. yeah.. thanks.” I said, removing one. “It’s been a bit of an unexpected whirlwind today.” I said as she put a cigarette between her plush pink lips and offered me a light. “Thanks.” I said after exhaling. “God I needed that.” I said as she sparked up.
She exhaled and looked me up and down. “I can’t believe this is your first time.” she said.
“It’s all Janet’s work… she did my hair, my make-up, the fake tan.” I told her.
“Yeah but… your mannerisms, the way you walk… that cute little smile of yours.”
“Well… I am trying to play the part.” I bashfully told her. “I don’t want to be pacing about like some burly bloke out there… otherwise everyone would know.”
“Well you’re playing the part well… and you certainly carry the look well too.” she complimented.
“Thanks.” I shyly said, sucking on the cigarette and chuckling at the imprint of lush red lipstick on the filter.
“Have you enjoyed it?” she asked.
“What? Dressing as a woman or being ogled & groped by pissed up blokes?” I countered.
“Well I was thinking about the job; collecting glasses and that… Mike might offer you a job if Lucy’s going to be off her feet for a while.”
“Yikes!” I retorted. “Well so long as he doesn’t expect me to dress like this… if I had a pound for every time my arse had been slapped…”
“Yeah… it’s like that when you’re collecting glasses.”
“But only if you’re a girl.” I commented. “Or dressed as one.” I corrected. “I can’t believe just how rude some men can be… this has been a real eye opener.”
“Welcome to our world.” Rebecca grinned before we chinked glasses. After a short silence in which we smoked and sipped our drinks, I asked how long she’d worked here. “About a year.” she said, adding that it’s been shut for three months during the refurbishment. “In the meantime I’ve been temping… chambermaid, cleaning, bit of waitressing. It’ll be nice to get back to regular hours again.”
“Did mike tell you was gonna offer me a job?” I asked.
“No but he did say a few times that the girl’s doing a good job.” she grinned.
“God he probably thinks I’m a full time tranny.” I grimaced.
Rebecca grinned. “I reckon you could carry off our usual uniform as well as any of us.”
“What is the usual uniform?”
“Just a white blouse, short black skirt, black tights…” she listed as her eyes moved down my body. “…shoes like those or heels if you prefer.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.” I replied. “I mean… in comparison to hot pants and this.” I said, grabbing at my feminine top.
“So… if Mike offered you a job but said you had to dress as a girl rather than a guy… you’d give it a try?” she quizzed.
“Well… er… prob’ly not.” I stated. I wanted to backtrack and explain that in saying that their usual uniform didn’t sound so bad, I didn’t mean for me… I meant for them since it’s more modest than our hot-pants and scanty top. “Given the choice I’d dress as a guy… and I’m only sixteen so can’t serve drinks so I doubt he’d be able to offer me anything.” I replied.
“Lucy’s sixteen too.” Rebecca told me as she checked her watch. “We’d best get back.” she said.