Three missed calls. Michael looked at his telephone screen, his sleep deprived body clinging to the couch. His throat felt sore, and even though he had the day off he felt exhausted, having spent the whole day on the couch in his apartment. The letters on his screen were blurry without his glasses, but the name of the caller was perfectly clear. All three the calls were from Dan, and while he dressed himself he checked his Whatsapp to see why he called him.

Mike

Mike come to the bar quick

Mike

Thomson told me to call you pls come now

Seeing that name struck him like thunder. What did his boss want from him on his free day? Mr. Thomson was always on a ‘business trip’, and even if he wasn’t he would be nowhere to be found in the bar on regular days. He always had something better to do than check on his employees and catch up. Not that it was a shame, not that Michael wanted him to visit, but still. It would be a kind thing to do. There had to be something wrong.

Michael messaged him back and looked at the clock. It was somewhat past 2pm, an hour before opening time. Without losing too much extra time he grabbed his keys and walked down the long staircase of the flat, almost jumping on his motorcycle and making his way through London in a record time. Hopefully everything was alright.

When he arrived Michael parked right behind the bar and stepped through the door, his hair tousled and his suspenders hanging around his knees. As he expected the bar was completely empty with exception of Dan, who immediately walked up to him. “Ah man I am so glad you are here. Things are becoming intense.” They gave each a friendly pat on the back. Michael looked around him to see where their lovely boss was, but Dan nodded in the direction of the kitchen. “He is with that brat, remember last week? That boy who wanted to work here?” Michael ran his hand through his hair and fixed his suspenders. “Yeah I know, what is it with him?”

“I think he just got hired.”

Michael picked one of the bottles of Jack Daniels of the bar and one of the whiskey glasses. “Are you serious? I thought the brat had no change.” The chef scratched his neck nervously, laughing. “I wish I was joking man, but I am dead serious. I heard their conversation from behind the door. Turns out Mr. Thomson is a friend of his father, the boy will get hired instantly.” The bartender poured the last bit of whiskey in the glass before him, playing with it a bit before bringing it to his mouth. “No, he stands no change. No way he gets hired.” Just as the burning liquid touched the bartender’s chapped lips the voice behind him stopped the movement.

“I thought we spoke about this Mr. Muller.”

Michael turned around, only to see Mr. Thomson standing next to him with crossed arms. He wasn’t any different from how he remembered him, his  grey hair combed neatly to one side and his suit without a wrinkle, covering his slender body perfectly. The bartender put down the glass with whiskey. “I thought it would be a good compensation for calling me in on my free day.”

“Well, it isn’t.” Any idiot could feel the tension between the two, and Michael was almost unable to keep his mouth shut about all the promises his boss himself didn’t keep. But what helped him what that is who stood next to Thomson.

Oliver. Even though the bartender only saw him once the week before his unaffordable attire made him recognizable from miles away. Next to the cardigan and he wore a wide smile, making the question if he was hired a simple one. So Dan was right. “Oh hi Michael!” Oliver said. “Hi.” Michael didn’t look a bit pleased with the little brat, and Mr. Thomson noticed his expression immediately. The boss leaned on the bar, an arm around his favourite bartender. “I called you over for a reason Mr. Muller, a more important one than your free day. You see, Oliver here is new to this profession. Perhaps you could help him out, train him? I am certain that wouldn’t be a problem for a bartender as experienced as you, right?”

The questions of Mr. Thomson were never real questions. It was a yes or an of course, no was not included. Michael gritted his teeth. If the boss had one thing he liked more than long vacations and not caring about his employees it had to be making the life of this particular bartender worse. He couldn’t free himself from the cold and strong grip of his boss, so he had to fight fire with fire. Or in this case, fake niceness with more compliments. “Of course Mr. Thomson. But what would a great and experienced bartender do without a caring and amazing boss who doesn’t call him in on free days, right?” Mr. Thomson laughed, but his laugh was emotionless. To Michael’s relieve his boss let him go and pulled a pack of cigars out of his pocket.

“That is completely true Mr. Muller. No employee is great without an even better boss. But I should be going, I have an important meeting to attend. Mr. Muller, you’re in charge of our new employee and the bar today, from opening hour to closing.” Before both Dan and Michael could protest their boss stood before the door, thick cigar between his lips and in his hands a lighter. “Be sure everything goes perfect. And Oliver?” Oliver looked up at the man. “Yes sir?”

“Have fun with your first day.”

When Mr. Thomson finally closed the door behind him both Michael and Dan sighed relieved. They turned around to face Oliver, who looked at the two men curiously and naive. “So, now what?” The men looked at each other and back at Oliver. “Well, you heard what the boss said. I guess we should go to work, the bar opens in about half an hour.” Michael picked up the glass he put down earlier, playing with it like he did earlier. “Think you can handle some pressure kid?” Dan said, putting on his apron. Oliver looked determined at the two, hand on his chest. “Of course I can!”

“But first,” Michael proposed, looking Oliver up and down, “We need to get you in some fitting clothes.” Oliver looked at his cardigan, puzzled. “What is wrong with it?” A long silence fell, until Michael finally said with what needed to be said. “Everything.”