"Shan! Can you get table 4!?" Freddie called out as she passed around beer at the bar.
"On it!" Shannon said despite her tired state. Fixing the old blue ball cap on her head, it kept her long blonde hair somewhat in check. Somewhat, as it was going just a bit past her shoulders. But it didn't matter. Her round brown eyes darted about, finding her table. Walking to it, she found her new guests, or rather old guests. Tom and Mandy Hanover were longtime customers, even in their golden years.
"Ah. Shannon. It's so good to see again dear. How long has it been?" Mandy asked adjusting her glasses.
"Hmm. About two years I think." Shannon said fixing her hair as she got out a pad to write on.
"How have you been Hon? I know it hasn't been easy." Tom asked.
"I manage." Shannon said. Mandy dug through her purse. Her hand clawing at the inside until it pulled out a newspaper.
"Here. I thought you might like this sweetheart." Gently wrapping her thin fingers around the paper, Shannon read the top headline.
SHENANIGANS STILL RELEVANT 60 YEARS LATER!
"Aw. Did Burt write this?" Shannon said folding it under her arm.
"Yes he did. He thought it could help you out of the funk this place is in." Tom said helping his wife put her purse back.
"That's sweet. But I don't think publicity is the problem. This place... it's just not the same... not since..."
"I know. But life goes on dear. Your in charge now. Just do what you think would make them proud." Hearing that touched something in Shannon's chest. Her old friends had a point.
"So? The usual?" Shannon said wanting to focus.
"Sure." Mandy said holding her husband's hand. Shannon quickly jotted stuff down and shuffled over quick behind the bar. Beside her, Freddie finally finished serving the large order of drinks.
"Vic! I need this for table 4!" Shannon said posting the ticket in the window. Turning around, she navigates around Freddie to get the drink order for the Hanovers ready. Using the soda machine she got the cokes ready.
"Saw it was the Hanovers. They recognize you?" Freddie asked with a smile as she got some booze from under the counter.
"Of course they did. Why wouldn't they?" Shannon asked.
"Well your hair is twice as long as it was before you left for college." Freddie said.
"And yours is twice as short." Shannon said navigating around her friend and employee.
"Yeah. But they saw me change over two years. Not you. Besides. I'm not that different." This was true. Other than her black hair now in a short boyish haircut, Freddie was the same. Smooth light skin, large hazel eyes, even the same mole under her left eye. As for Shannon, she was quite different, taller, slimmer, though still quite athletic. Bringing the drinks over to the Hanovers, she smiled as they nodded.
"Thanks." Mandy said taking her drink.
"Your welcome guys. The burgers should be up soon." Shannon left again. For the next few minutes she bounced between tables helping Freddie and Mia keep orders going. Alas... it was not to last.
"OH MY GOD!!" A woman screamed. Shannon quickly ran over.
"What's wrong ma'am?" Shannon asked.
"There's a cockroach in our pizza." The woman said whispering under her breath. Shannon looked down to see a small insect laying limp in the cheese.
"Oh... shoot..." Shannon muttered to herself.
"Just what kind of place do you think your running here? My son could of eaten that." The woman said gesturing to her toddler child in the booster seat.
"I'm sorry ma'am I'll..."
"You'll do nothing. We are leaving. This is the last time this place disappoints us...." The woman got up and picked up her son, her husband followed her out, leaving Shannon speechless.
"Your serious?" Freddie said witnessing the brief ordeal. Shannon came back behind the bar, her lithe body twisting around Freddie's to get to the kitchen door.
"Peter!!" Shannon said coming in. The two busy chefs and their workers shifted around. The one called Victor was a professional man with neat hair and only food stains on his jacket. Peter, by contrast was a more slovenly man. 50 pounds overweight with a large protruding gut and hairy double chin. His curly hair was unkempt and greasy, likely from manning the fryer... hopefully.
"Peter? Mind explaining this?" Shannon said pointing to the roasted roach.
"Crap. Sorry... but it happens ya know?"
"It happens? Peter I need you take this more seriously." Shannon watched as Victor came to Peter's side and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Shannon... relax. We know what we're doing. You need to let us work." Victor said calmly.
"I try. But it seems more slip ups have been happening lately since I had to take over." Shannon crossed her arms.
"Look. Your the kid here right? Your only what... 21?" Peter asked.
"I'm 26 Pete. And I'm your boss."
"True. But you need to trust us. With your Dad gone... you need us. We know the ins and outs of this place. This is an accident? We can agree on that? Yes?" Victor explained.
"Of course. But I need to make sure it's not being caused by carelessness, this is the 5th time in a month." Shannon started.
"And this place is crawling with bugs. As I'm sure your working at fixing right?" Victor said eying her.
"Of course." Shannon said weakly looking down.
"There. See? You work on that... we'll work on us. Agreed?" Victor said releasing his grip.
"Fine. But please be more careful. Okay?" Shannon said leaving. As she left, Peter sneered while Victor admired her round butt in her tight tight skinny jeans.
"Relax Peter... a few more tricks like this, and this place will be ours." He quietly whispered to his partner in crime.
Hours later, it was over. Last call. Freddie was in the midst of wiping down the bar as Shannon swept. As she worked, Shannon occasionally stopped to wipe her eyes.
"You alright?" Freddie asked putting her rag down.
"Yeah. I just..." Shannon started.
"Your worried." Freddie said rubbing her friend's back.
"Yeah. The bills, there piling up... and we don't have enough coming in."
"Relax. Your dad put up with this kind of stuff sometimes, now it's just your turn."
"Is it? Or am I dragging this old place down?" Shannon looked up to see a series of old photographs. First, in black and white, was her great grandparents. Who started the place, all while penniless from leaving Ireland. Then, there was her grandparents. Who lived through a lot of strife in America and especially Valentine. Last was a couple she quickly recognized. One a stout blond woman and a dark haired man with a friendly beard. Her parents, Jack and Helen.
"Think they'd be proud. Of this. Of me?" Shannon asked.
"Of course they are. Why do you think your Dad left it to you in his will?" Freddie asked.
"Maybe because he had to?" Shannon asked wiping her face.
"It's more than that I'm sure. You recommended to him. Been working three years now. You have an eye on these sort of things." Freddie said comforting her.
"I guess... I just..."
"Pardon? Am I interrupting?" A voice interrupted. Shannon turned to see....
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