"Who let all the kids in here, Max!" The grizzled man growled at the bartender. The noise was deafening.
"They're all celebrating. Just got diplomas and jobs. Not gonna turn away business, Lu.", Max replied.
"Hey, I need a screwdriver, a kamikaze, and a zombie." a kid elbowed up to the bar jostling Lu and barking rudely.
While Max set about mixing the trendy concoctions the boy turned back to his friends elbowing Lu, oblivious.
"Easy there, Lu. If you fume any harder there'll be smoke." An old man with a white beard took the stool on the other side of Lu.
"What of it Gabe? These stupid kids act like they own the world. They don't even know how young they are. Pups just off their mamma's teat and look at 'em! Thinking they're kings of the world." The bumbling boy on his right continued to shoulder him. "Stupid kids," he repeated, "they don't even have anything yet, they've got nothing, and nothing to lose. No wife, no kids, probably still living with dad."
"No Lu, that's where you're wrong. They've got everything to lose. They have youth, energy, no fear, and every choice ahead of them." Gabe counseled as Max set a scotch down in front of him.
"Not many years, if this keeps up." scowled Lu.
"Let them have their fun. Soon they'll be too old and think about how foolish they were back when."
"Is that an order?”
"Only if it needs to be." Gabe took a sip.
"Right." Lu sighed.
"Lu!" Max shouted over the din.
"What!!" Lu snapped back.
"You're needed." Max waived the phone in his hand. "Urgently."
"My work’s never done." Lu stood. "Until next time Gabe."
"Until." Gabe nodded and Lu was gone.
“You know Gabriel, Lucifer’s never going to see things your way.” Max advised after he handed the boy his drinks.
“Yeah, I know.” Gabriel smiled, “But that won’t stop me from trying.”
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Trifecta Writing Challenge Week 98
Word count: 324
"If you fume any harder they'll be smoke" Great line and what a clue! Enjoyed reading this, a different take on the bar theme for sure! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I might have come a little close to non-fiction, but I think it still qualifies. ;-)
Delete“But that won’t stop me from trying.” Lovely entry.
ReplyDeleteThank you. :-)
DeleteWorking at a bar really is enough to make anyone go to the dark side!
ReplyDeleteindeed! Thanks for reading.
DeleteGood one. Two opposing forces. Lucifer's never going to see things your way... we could replace Gabe and Lu with our Red and Blue opponents in the US Congress and this works equally well. Though who is gabe and who is lu is up for the usual debate. Well done!
ReplyDeleteLol! I like your take on it. Thanks for the comments. :-)
DeleteI was definitely not expecting that particular ending. I love the idea of Gabriel and Lucifer as old men, one grumbling about life, the other having found acceptance for things not going exactly his way.
ReplyDeleteA little bit of both in each of us.... Thanks for your comment. :-)
DeleteWonderful word-play and imagery! Good story!
ReplyDeletehaha I like Lu. "What!!" made me crack up. He sounds like a kid himself.
ReplyDeleteThanks Draug! I think there's some Lu in all of us. ;-)
DeleteGreat, realistic dialogue and totally unexpected twist. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ivy, it helped that I was in the bar and overheard these two. Well, almost.
Delete