Bar Impossible:
By TerraMGP
Half an hour of driving wasn't much, but it added up when you weren't used to it. Tabs had gotten used to easy commutes with the school only minutes away from her house. It also probably helped that she never cooked. The blizzard had used up stored food she didn't even know she had, but most of the time it was just taco bell from the gas station or going to one of the three or four spots in town. Usually Thursdays when the one place had all a special on bluegill.
In fact the only times she ever drove that far seemed to be when going out to the next town over for shopping, or when going to a bar.
Like the one she'd parked in front of.
That fact may have been more depressing than she wanted to admit.
Regardless the wolverine pulled herself out of her nice warm car and into the cold winter air. December was no longer the most bitter month. Not like it had been when she was little, or at least that was how she'd always remembered it. Still it was cold. The bar's gravel driveway littered with snow but thankfully devoid of ice. Tabs made her way up to the doors as quickly as she dared knowing that ice could be resting just under the soft white snow. her body screaming from the cold as she made her way in to the small, dingy space.
It was familiar. Cement floors with cheap rubber padding. Old booths that looked to be a century out of date and poorly kept. A long, old oak bar with stools lined up along it. It was every biker bar she'd seen the nation over. If not in form and shape then at least in spirit. It was also one of the many she'd seen fit to frequent back during the early days of the Frel Valkyries. Back when they were just starting out. Hell, when it was just her and Helga for part of it. Before there even was a proper MC.
Granted the same could be said for several others up and down 94. Hell, the same could probably be said for hundreds of bikers in the area. But for some reason she still felt it was a special feeling
Tabs took a few deep breaths. Partially for the sake of nostalgia. Mostly to get the damn frost out of her lungs. It was almost enough to make her wish she could stand going back to the southwest. Almost.
``Yo, we don't allow fucking dites in here. Beat it.'' The gruff German Sheppard behind the bar barked the words as he hobbled his way up to the counter. He was old enough to be Tabs' dad, and years of hard living only made it worse. He trundled up to her with all the grace of someone who's pelvis was made of silly putty. Staring up at her with a small growl.
``Oh get fucked, old man.'' Tabs put her hand on his shoulder. She barely stopped herself from shoving him. Yet the pressure alone seemed to be enough to knock him over. Tabs rushed to catch the old man before he fell.
``Oh Jesus Fuck, Ace. Sorry.''
The old dog found himself gripping her leather. He just barely managed to pull himself back up and dust off without collapsing once more on his ass. ``Thought you were gonna be here sooner.'' The old man muttered bitterly.
``And I thought you would have customers.'' Tabs huffed.
The man moved himself up to the end of the bar. He was trying to hide it, but there was a mournful look on his face. Ears pinned back, tail twitching anxiously as it rest between his legs. ``Nobody's out at times like this.'' He grumbled ``Nobody but damn yuppie kids on snowmobiles tooling around. Stuck some fence post down deep in my front yard cause the damn kids keep driving over it while they go bar hopping.''
``Uh, that's... super illegal.'' Tabs gasped
The old dog snorted loudly and shook his head. His body slumped as he made his way out from behind the bar. The old dog looked Tabs up and down a few times and then snorted. ``Honest life ain't done you too bad, huh?''
``Gotta do something once you plant roots, right?'' Tabs shrugged ``Besides, not like I got a job that lets me sit around all day.''
``Teacher, right?'' the man sighed. ``Jesus, what's this world coming to.''
``Gym teacher.'' Tabs corrected ``So, You said you wanted me up here for something?''
The dog slipped into a seat and grabbed a bottle of whiskey off of the bar back. he took a nice hard swig and leaned back against the bar ``Look, I got this thing I gotta take care of. Medical. Probably gonna be out of commission for a week.''
The blonde wolverine woman made her way over and took a grab at the booze. The shaggy old canine quickly yanking his paw away. ``Nuh uh you don't. This here's the blue label. You want a nip you're gonna pay for it, missy.''
``Ugh. Some things never change.'' Tabs sighed. ``Seriously though. Why'd you call me up here to tell me that? Can't someone from your club drive you around for the medical shit?''
``I don't need a nursemaid, girl. I mean I want you to watch the bar.'' The old man pushed some graying headfur aside and tucked it under his flag bandana. His old eyes twinkling with a touch of playful anger.
``That makes even less sense.'' Tabs sighed ``Don't you have employees who can handle that?''
``Sure I do. So long as someone's here to watch em.'' Ace muttered.
``So again, why not someone from your club?'' Tabs reiterated
``Cause they're all busy. That's why. Jesus Christ missy were you always this fussy and I just never noticed?''
The comment did draw a small smile from the wolverine. Tabs leaning in and trying once again to snag the bottle from the man. Once again she failed, though this time she made no real effort to do more than annoy him. She then leaned back on her stool and sighed heavily. as her arms splayed on the bar. ``Well it's not like I have anything else to do I guess. But I don't know the first thing about how to run a bar.''
``I'll show ya what you need to do. it's easy.'' Ace nodded ``You just gotta do all the boring shit. I leave it up to these kids running the place and they'll probably just drink me dry while I lay there watching god damn Maury or some shit.''
``Phht. You watch Maury.'' Tabs snickered
``I take that as a `yes', then?'' the man muttered
Tabs shrugged softly. ``I guess so. Not like I have anything better to do. I just don't know why it would be me of all people.''
``Well for one thing you're a teacher. So you're the only one I know who gets this time a year off. Everyone else's got shit to do.''
``Well that's a ringing endorsement.'' The wolverine muttered childishly.
``Is what it is. Besides. I know you'll run this place right. Last thing I need is to come back and see my bar taken over by a bunch of flannel wearing hipster jackasses. I need someone who knows to give difference to riders. Someone who's gonna respect the wrong kind of people. Ya feel me missy?''
Her head nodded. The affirmation caught Tabs a bit by surprise. None of this made much sense to her. All it did was raise more questions. But from the looks of it the old man didn't really have much more discussion in him.
Instead he polished off the Blue Label and reached for a small pack of gum tucked into the folded sleeve of his shirt. He withdrew a single square and popped it in his muzzle, glancing down at the floor. ``Fuck this habit is hard to quit.'' He muttered. Finally Ace pulled himself up and started towards the back room. ``Come on kid. Let's see if that big teacher brain of yours can figure out how to keep the books.''
--------------------
It was past noon when the wolverine managed to pull up to the bar. Tabs could feel her body screaming at her from the sudden shift in sleep schedule. Being a teacher meant waking up early, even if it was just gym. Especially if it was just gym, actually. Considering that she still had to keep herself in shape. On breaks like this she got a chance to sleep in, but that only made it worse as her body had barely adjusted to waking up in the afternoon and now it was grumbling at her again for the sudden shift to ten in the morning.
The woman laughed for a moment as she realized the salty ass fast food breakfast she'd choked down was probably part of it, too.
She took a few more minutes to polish off the last of her hash browns and then hauled herself out of the car, stopping only to pull a massive metal keg from her back seat and sling it over her shoulder In what she hoped would be a dramatic fashion.
This failed, and a few moments later she found herself struggling to keep the keg from impacting the gravel of the bar's parking lot.
Dragging the thing inside, the woman paused for just a moment while pushing open the tinted glass doors. Two furs sat on the stools nearest the door. The first, a rat woman with frazzled hair and a denim vest over her crop-top, was laying there sleeping with her head on the bar. The other was a tabby about Tabs' age. The man's face and neck a patchwork of scars from brawls and accidents. He had a beer close at hand while he nursed a mug of black coffee, going slowly between the two.
It was the man who looked at Tabs first. She noticed his jacket, the same colors worn by Ace. She also noticed the sharp yellow eyes. One of which was hidden under the mass of scar tissue which slipped over his left one. After hanging around those damn kids so long, it took every ounce of willpower the wolverine had not to make an `anime character' joke. Instead she hauled the keg up to the side of the bar and slumped her arms down on it, putting one knee on the metal barrel and taking the weight off of her sore feet.
``Bout time you showed up.'' The tabby growled. He shoved the rat awake and then leaned back on the stool while the other employee stirred herself.
Tabs watched the two for a long moment. Her face twisting a bit as she sniffed the air ``Any coffee left in the pot?'' she muttered
``Brought it from home.'' The tabby shrugged. Possibly a lie. But it was too early to start shit. He leaned forwards and took a heavy sip of his drink. His eyes slipping over Tabs. Sizing her up. The sharp eyes of someone used to seeing anyone an everyone as a threat.
They'd been Tabs' eyes too, not that long ago. In another lifetime, sure. But a lifetime she still remembered way too clearly.
``Mind if I ask why you dragged us out here? And what the keg is for?'' The man muttered again.
``I was going to wait for the other guy to show up too. Lefty, right?'' Tabs asked
``He ain't showing up.'' The girl finally groaned as she pushed some of the sleep from her eyes ``He said if you wanna play manager you can go right ahead. But he knows how to do his job.''
``I only showed up `cause Ace made me promise.'' The tabby man grunted `But if you're buyin us beer I won't say no.''
``Keg's not for you'' Tabs corrected quickly ``Though you guys want to get some later I'd be fine buying a round or two. I know getting p this early sucks. Look, I don't know Ace that well. I mean I did. Once upon a time. Still not sure why he asked me to do this `cept that he knows I got fuck all to do with myself until the winter break ends. But...'' she sighed ``Well, I don't tell you two how bad he's doing. And I figured since he's finally getting some kind of treatment for what's wrong with him it might be nice if we fixed a few things up for him while we were at it.''
Both bartenders tensed at this. For a moment Tabs had to wonder if she was going to have a fight on her hands. She watched them carefully until she was sure that neither was about to pounce on her, all the while feeling the old tension of past fights screaming in the back of her brain.
When she was sure she would not be attacked, Tabs grabbed hold of the keg and dragged it over a bit. The bright, well cared for metal putting the Bells brewing company logo on full display. ``Look, I'm not talking about making this some kind of fucked up yuppie trap or anything. I get it, the old man would probably rather burn this place down than see it catering to families or shit like that. But I figured I gotta do something more than just stand around babysitting a few grown adults who probably don't need it. Right?''
``Right.'' The rat girl said as she pulled herself up ``we don't need it. So what? You just called us in here to show us you're gonna have us sell some high end beer while the boss is gone?''
``Oberon's not that high end. Shit it's what I drink half the time.'' Tabs snorted
The tabby rolled his eyes and reached into his jacket for a pack of cigarettes. He tapped one out into his paw and slipped it into his muzzle, eyes locking on to Tabs as he patted his jacket down for a lighter. ``Fuck, either you fucked the old mans brains out, lady. Or Ace is going real soft. Your old man give you those colors or something?''
Tabs paced herself over slowly to the man. His tall, lanky frame almost matched her standing height even hunched in the bar stool. Still she put a paw on the bar and leaned in, tilting her head a bit ``Listen. We gonna have a problem? Simba?'' She glanced at the mans name patch as she read it. The shove that followed was near immediate. The feline standing at full height with the unlit cigarette hanging from his lips. ``Name's Ben to you, lady. Don't you fucking forget it. You call me that shit again and I'll''
The word was crushed in his throat. The wolverine's massive paw around his neck. Squeezing. Her arm took a few hard blows, then an actual slash from the mans claws. She bled. She smiled. She didn't flinch. When the lack of air and savage exertion had calmed him down Tabs just pulled him in close, forcing his head to look down at her own leathers. ``You run your mouth like that all the time, Simba?'' She asked as she forced him to look at the spot where she'd put her patches. A 1% with a line crudely sewn though it to indicate it was no longer current. A red and white Maltese cross and a skull with crossed axes.
``You want me gone, talk to Ace. You don't' wanna deal with me while I'm here? Fuck off for a week. I'll do your job and make sure you get your pay. But if I'm gonna be here I'm not putting up with any shit. You got that?'' She shoved him back into the bar. She stood there, still braced for a fight. Her arm bleeding slowly on to the worn old wooden floor.
Benny stood there for a long moment. He took in the few other patches on her. Only now seeming to actually pay them any mind. A flash of recognition finally hitting his face, the tabby sat back down. He wiped the blood off on his jeans and then resumed fishing for his lighter, sniffing at the air just a bit. ``You one of those chicks who were tearing 94 up for a while?'' he grunted.
``Was, yeah.'' Tabs nodded ``I'm just trying to repay the old man a bit, that's all. Not like I'm his first choice anyhow. Like I said, you wanna fuck off then go for it. I ain't in your club. No reason for you to give a shit. But all I'm saying is that the poor guy's barely breaking even. I figured maybe if we add something local instead of the mass market shit people can get anywhere, and maybe see about adding a drink or two, we can get some people to come in once in a while. I mean fuck, this place is out in the middle of god damn nowhere. We gotta do something.''
The rat now perked up a bit more as she glared at Tabs ``wait a minute, you saw his books?''
``I mean just a quick peek'' Tabs shrugged ``he was showing me how to do all the paperwork bullshit but... it's not good. Especially not for a guy who needs to deal with emphysema.''
``Empha- wait, I thought it was like an infection or something.'' The girl yelped ``How do you-''
``It's Emphysema, Dusty.'' Benny confirmed dourly. ``A lot of the old timers get it if they don't quit smoking. `Specially any of em who used to hit meth pretty hard. You kinda pick up on the signs after a while.''
At least some of the hate was gone from Benny's eyes now. He took a deep drag on his cig even as he said the words, turning back to his coffee and taking a big gulp to silence any further questions.''
Tabs sighed and nodded. She then made her way to the keg she'd brought in. ``Mind getting me something to wrap this arm up?'' She asked, glancing at Dusty, the rat girl. ``I'mma see if I can figure out how to hook this up. Anything it should replace?''
``Cooers.'' Benny muttered ``Nobody around here buys that shit anyways.''
Tabs nodded and began to haul the keg back as if nothing had happened.
--------------------
Dusty and Tabs stood behind the bar. The grey furred rat hovered over the speedwell next to Tabs, her short crop of dust-colored headfur pulled back in a bun so as to keep any hair out of her face. She stood watching while Tabs pulled bottle after bottle of booze from Meijer bags. A snicker barely contained on the rodents face.
``You know usually we get this from a wholesaler.'' The younger fur noted while she looked at the odd assortment. ``And most of this is just shit the guys here will want to drink straight, anyways.''
``Yeah probably.'' Tabs nodded. Her own blonde locks pulled back into a simple ponytail with a few rubber bands from the office. It hurt like hell, and she was wondering if she'd perhaps put on too many. Yet another in a long line of fuckups she was sure she'd be making during this little stint. She turned to Dusty and smiled with the most confident smile she could muster, cocking her hip to one side as she tried like hell to look as confident as Hrist always had. ``I was trying to do some research and figure out just how we could get a bit more money into this place. Most people will probably just do shots and beer. But a few mixed drinks never hurt. Besides, a few guys get stuff in here, right? Like 'drink' drinks?''
``A couple.'' Dusty nodded ``I mean the last place I worked just about all I did was mix drinks. But people here don't really seem like they want to try anything new.''
``Well we can see about selling em a few things'' Even as Tabs said it she took one of the shakers up and set it down, looking around for ice ``I actually tried making a couple drinks myself during that big blizzard. Had to do something to occupy my time when the Oberon ran out''
With a considerable degree of difficulty, Tabs managed to get the cap off of a bottle of Goldschlager. Spinning it free and pouring a rather sloppy quarter shot of it into the jigger before tossing it in to the mixing glass. She then repeated the process with the same amount of Jameson Honey whiskey. She then paused and looked at Dusty while picking up a can of Coke.
``Ok, so. Last time I tried this at home with my crappy little shaker I was desperate. I put the pop in, and it kinda exploded. Is that gonna happen if I do that with this?''
Dusty bit back a snicker and nodded. ``yeah, yeah it will. Here, let me.'' The rat interacted and soon had ice in the tin, shaking the two ingredients before dumping the contents into the highball glass Tabs had chosen. Finally she finished it off by shooting Coke from the pop gun into the glass, instinctively filling it near the top.
``Ok, that it?'' Dusty looked up at Tabs, tilting her head
``I think so.'' Tabs nodded ``I'd gotten some Vanilla coke in before the blizzard hit because J- because one of my friends kinda likes it. So I had to use that. And I used regular Jameson. But this is a bit closer to what I think the original recipe was. I just kinda had to improvise.''
Dusty picked the glass up and took a sip. Then another, quirking her brow a little as she looked up at Tabs. ``It needs ice before we top it.'' she said finally ``And might be missing a bit of something else. But... it's ok. Not too sure about the Goldschlager. You said you made this?''
Tabs nodded proudly ``Yep! Well, I was looking at stuff I might be able to make with what was left in the house. I ended up watching a lot of videos from this guy who goes around in a flannel shirt making drinks on Youtube. Then I started reading some websites. This one. I had Jameson. I had the Goldschlager. Didn't have any Vernors in the house but, well, I figured I'd give it a try.''
Dusty nodded and took another sip. A small smile spreading over her face. ``So you want us to sell this?''
``Sure. Just as a special. I mean if you think it's good enough. By all means tweak it. You're the bartender. But from what I understand this shit makes more money than just shots and cheap beer.'' Tabs took the drink from Dusty and gave it a sip, nodding once more ``yeah, it's warm. Plus it doesn't have that. whatever you call it. You know the thing? When some Coke melts in with some ice and it tastes better?''
The rat shook her head in amusement and turned herself back to the cards, looking them over with a studious eye that didn't fit her tough, worn-in features. ``I'll see what I can do, boss lady.'' Dusty chuckled ``I know a few regulars who might be up for trying this before they get to the beer. We'll see if we get any takers. I can offer a few `real' drinks too if you want.''
``Whatever you think is best.'' Tabs affirmed ``I'm not trying to take over. I just wanna try to help the old man out a bit.''
``This drink got a name, though?'' the rat quizzed as she took it back and downed a healthy gulp.
Tabs froze up and folded her ears back. The silence deafened the room as she shifted from foot to foot, finally muttering the words under her breath. ``The Black Chocobo''
``The what?'' Dusty blinked in confusion.
``The Black Chocobo.'' Tabs repeated loudly ``Look, it's a long story. That's the name though, and I'm sticking with it. Just, try not to laugh too much when you say it, ok?'' With that the wolverine stormed into the back room with a rack of dirty glasses, eager to escape the embarrassing questions she'd forgotten she'd have to answer when bringing this idea up.
--------------------
Bar work was not easy. A fur could spend their whole life in a bar and not realize just how much hard work was going on around them. This was a realization hitting Tabs now as she looked around the bar for what had to be the hundredth time that night.
Fortunately she was in shape. An obligation of her day job. Compared to chasing a bunch of Monster-fueled teenagers around a track with a whistle the running around she went though now felt like a light workout. Mentally though, it was overstimulating in the extreme.
Dim lights and smoke hazed the main bar area while the sounds of a dozen different conversations all struggled to raise up past the din of bad southern rock. Every step she took had to be carefully and quickly calculated so as to avoid ramming into a table or knocking someone over. It didn't help that most of those present in the bar were bikers. Members of Ace's club mainly. But several others as well. Behind the bar Dusty and `Simba' were busy mixing drinks and putting out beer. The action so fast it reminded the wolverine of that video game her dad used to play on the family's outdated computer back when she was a kid. Except here if you fucked up when sliding a drink down the bar it'd probably end horribly. Dusty herself had told Tabs that they flat out didn't do that shit here and it was a good way for someone to get injured.
``Hey, boss lady, we're running low on the keg you brought.'' Benny called from behind the bar even as he poured out two more mugs.
Tabs huffed her way back with a big tray of dirty mugs and stopped herself just short of the bar's edge. She looked over and examined the tap they'd hooked the Bells beer to. Only after a few moments did she realize there was no possible way she could tell if it was full or not simply from looking.
``People liked it that much?'' Tabs asked
``Blame Dusty. She's been hawkin' your stuff all night. Probably just got some assholes in from up in Kzoo who're used to the stuff.''
The word `tsundere' popped into Tabs' brain for a moment. God she was turning in to such a nerd. ``I'll grab two of em tomorrow then. Sorry about all that work I'm making for ya, Benny.''
The feline shrugged his shoulders and surprised a grin that somehow painted his sun-yellow cheeks in an almost childish light.. if not for the scars. ``So long as the tips aren't shit I'm not complaining.'' He said plainly.
Tabs nodded and made her way back into the small `kitchen' area such as it was. Really little more than a three bucket sink next to the keg fridge. She instinctively sucked herself in close to the big metal appliance as Dusty slipped back from behind the bar and reached around for a fresh bottle of something.
``I think he hates me a bit less.'' Tabs chuckled as she started the near mechanical process of dunking and hand-washing the mugs in the first sink bucket.
``Fact that you're doing this is probably why.'' Dusty giggled. ``I think he was figurin' you'd just sit on your ass and give orders.''
``The fuck would I do that?'' Tabs blinked ``I don't know shit about making drinks. I'm usually hammered off my ass by the time it's this late. Worse if I'm in a bar.''
The rodent chuckled at that. It brought a bit of a smile to Tabs' face. Something she sorely needed right about now. ``Look you guys need anything else up there? Still seems like it's pretty packed.''
``It's actually thinning out.'' Dusty said happily ``Though I really don't think we were prepped for everything. A lot of the boys from Ace's club are out there too. I get the feeling he asked them to come in. Usually they don't all come at the same time.''
``Oh great.'' Tabs muttered ``Didn't realize I was gonna have an audience.''
``Relax. Probably just wanted to make sure they knew everything was gonna be fine until he got back. Everyone's really worried about the old dog.''
``I am too.'' Tabs nodded ``Hope they can get him all patched up. Gonna suck that he can't try any of the new drinks for a while. But hopefully he's smart enough to put his health first.''
There was a noticeable pause from the Rat. Tabs turned around slowly, once again worried she'd said something to upset someone in this clusterfuck of errors she'd created. That was when she heard it. The wolverine leaned out past where Dusty was, the rat glancing around the corner of the door.
``Come on, kid!'' A tattered looking ram man in the typical leathers and chaps barked the words drunkenly as he hammered his mug into the bar. ``I said I want another.''
``I ain't overserving you, pops. I got enough shit on my record without you ramming your bike into someone tonight.''
``Fuck you!'' the man slurred. he slammed the mug on the bar again. This time the glass shattering into shards. Some of them falling into the ice well, some on the floor. Many splattering around the bar.
Benny reached for the Blue Curacao, only for his paw to be nabbed by the older man who then tried to wrench the bottle free from it. ``Gimmie that'' He grumbled gruffly. Only the clear drunkeness keeping the ram from nabbing hold of his target.
``Ok, that's enough.'' With a speed she didn't really expect, Tabs slipped though the stunned crowd and grabbed hold of the ram's wrist. She yanked hard and slipped her other arm up under his armpit in a sort of improvised half nelson. ``He already told you no, pal. You know the drill by now.''
``Fuck your drill'' the ram slurred. ``I still got money. I want another drink you fucking dyke bitch.''
The ram's now free hand swung wildly in the air as he tried to elbow Tabs in the ribs. The shots failed to connect, yet his powerful build was easily able to haul the woman up and twist her into the crowd. It took everything Tabs had to hold him in place. Many of the patrons backing off and giving them space after the initial drunken shuffle. A few cheering wildly from further back in the bar.
``Dusty, call a cab.'' Tabs shouted over the din.
``We don't got cabs!'' Dusty called back
``Then call an uber. Gah!'' The sea of furs in the bar shifted this way and that as Tabs worked to wrangle the man. Drunk as he was she seemed unable to figure out when and how to grab hold of his free arm. Each attempt allowed him to muscle her around more and caused her grip on his other arm to loosen. About a minute into this dance the man seemed to gain a second wind. His weight shifted and the wolverine felt herself hoisted off of the ground. Familiar pain bloomed in her body, this time in her back. Except this time without the warm numb of booze to offset it. A split second in the air and she was down on her back on the floor. A cheap bar table smashed under her weight and collapsed from its one pedestal leg. the table surface itself miraculously still in tact but utterly ripped from the base by the screws.
``I told you, I want a fucking drink.'' The man slurred. ``I don't give a fuck what any of you have to say about it. Give me a drink. Right now!''
The smashed table groaned while the fallen woman began to hoist herself up. What had been in tact a moment ago now snapped as she instinctively placed one foot on the up-tilted part of the surface and the cheap board snapped as a result. For a split second, sharp claws flashed in the faint light of the bar. Tabs could feel her fingers tensing. Blood pumping though her temples, her arms burning as the veins screamed with adrenaline infused icor. Her arms shot around the offending biker's midsection. They locked around him like a vice, claws digging into her own arms until a faint hint of crimson pooled in her fur. The grip of each paw around the opposing wrist trembled as if she would shatter her own bones from the tight grip.
Her leg slid back. Years of instinct. The palpable rage plastered on her face. People were quick to move away from her while the woman hoisted the man up. Everyone sure she was about to smash him squarely into the ground.
Instead she pushed forwards. Tabs took the brunt of the fall herself as she smashed shoulder first into the cold and poorly padded floor. She used the leverage to quickly pin the man with her knee on his back and then worked the other on top of his elbow in a poor imitation of a restraint she herself had felt far too many times in her life.
The older biker thrashed and heaved as he slurred obscenities out into the smoky room. Both of the wolverine's paws pushed down on his one free shoulder while she struggled to keep her weight distributed evenly along him and keep the drunk from hurting anyone, or himself.
``Want me to call the cops?'' Dusty cried out from her spot next to the wall phone.
``Don't you call nobody!'' A dark voice growled from the crowd.
A half-dozen men in similar leathers to the pinned ram all pulled themselves out from amid the crowd of people. A wild-eyed raccoon stood at their fore, looking down at the display. ``Ol' Joe ain't going to jail tonight, lady. So I suggest you let him up and get him a drink. Let him know how sorry you are.''
The men loomed over her. Tabs could feel her body straining as she struggled not to dig her knee into the ram's spine in retaliation for the threat. If she'd had even one beer in her right now, this would be some big trouble. For once she was clear headed enough to see that. Even then, she pulled one of her paws from his shoulder and tensed it into a fist.
She only barely noticed the sound of someone coming up behind her. Looking back, she expected to see more of the men. Instead she saw Benny. A few of his club brothers soon flocking around him.
``This ain't your bar, fellas.'' The feline said ``The lady says you go, you go. No more drinks, for any of you.''
The ram's brothers started to pace forwards. Tabs braced herself to leap up. ready to go after the raccoon if it came down to it. More footsteps behind her caught her attention. She glanced up out of the corner of her eye to see far more familiar forms. A bunny and bobcat flanking either side of a black haired pig.
``You fucking with our president there, boys?'' Helga snorted. The pig wearing her old colors, complete with the `founder' rank emblazoned on full display.
Outnumbered, the aggressors began to back off. Tabs pulled herself off of the ram, keeping one paw on his shoulder for a moment. ``You good?'' she asked, slowly helping the drunk man up. At one point the tried to take a swing and nearly fell over for his troubles. Still swearing as Tabs got him to his feet and handed him off to the raccoon. ``May wanna take him down the road to dry out. Nice little motel down there.''
``Yeah, we're already staying there.'' The man muttered, his eyes narrowed at the implicit threat.
``Don't worry about leaving his bike here. We'll make sure it's safe. No need for the cops to get involved here, right? Just a little misunderstanding.''
Tabs dusted herself off as the men walked out. She watched them carefully as they left. The other patrons slowly shuffling back to seats or moving up to clear their tabs with Dusty at the bar.
``Thanks.'' Tabs finally sighed as she glanced over at Benny and his brother bikers. The half-dozen men laughing a bit as they ribbed the feline and mockingly ordered him back behind the bar. Something he reluctantly complied with while giving Tabs a small nod.
``You doing ok?'' Helga's voice chimed in.
Tabs turned to her best friend and beamed ear to ear. ``Holy fuck, I didn't know you guys were coming tonight.''
``Like we'd miss it.'' Jo snickered ``I mean we're not that old yet.''
Allison nodded, her bunny ears lopping a bit as she put on an innocent pouty face. ``I bet she just didn't want us here cramping her big night. Right, miss bar manager?''
``Uuuugh.'' Tabs growled. ``Hey, Dusty. Get my girls some drinks. On me. You know the one.''
``You gonna sit and have em with us?'' Helga chimed in as she threw a shoulder around her road sister.
``Later.'' Tabs nodded ``I still got a few hours before last call.''
--------------------
The bar was dim and dark, even I the throws of mid morning. Cheap tinted film on the door only allowed in small gashes of light from where it had chipped and peeled away. One middle-aged canine stood somberly behind his bar checking on everything he'd need for the night when he heard the door open. Three furs trudging in.
Two were cops. The third some punk kid in a leather jacket. Arms cuffed behind her as she was hustled in before them.
``I told you two I didn't fucking do anything.'' The wolverine barked the words and stamped her foot.
``Hey, you.'' one of the officers called out to Ace. ``you work here last night?''
``Work here about every night.'' The dog said, setting down the bottle he'd been examining.
``This girl. She look familiar to you?'' The officer asked
``I already told you'' The wolverine winced as the other officer holding her cuffed hands behind her back gave a tug.
``Quiet'' the officer barked ``So, you recognize her?''
The man behind the bar squinted a moment, growled, then nodded ``Oh her. Fuck, little miss `skip out on the tab, huh? How'd you boys hear about that?'' he asked as he glanced up at them
``Tab? So she was here last night? You know what time?''
``yeah she was here.'' The canine scoffed ``not long enough though. Told her if she can't pay for some mozzarella sticks she can work it off. Probably lucky she didn't try to order any booze either. Willing to bet she's got a fake ID. I know the type.''
``So she was here around, say, ten last night?'' The officer holding the girls restraints asked.
``Snuck out when I hit the can. Still got two more hours lil missy. Should make it three for trying to pull a fast one. You officers plan on taking her I over that? Cause I'll testify.''
``I see, and her friends?'' the first officer asked
``I wasn't paying too much attention to them. I think they were trying to do that dine n dash shit, this girl just ended up being last.'' The old man shrugged ``She wants to bring them along and help I won't say no.''
The man holding the cuffs sighed and pulled out his key, undoing them and hooking them back on his belt. ``Fuck it. Looks like whoever was hitting those car stereos got away.''
``Hey'' the dog barked ``what about charges?''
``Over what, a few mozzarella sticks? hate to say it old man but you're probably better off just getting the work out of her and calling her folks. Shit's enough to piss off even small claims judges. God knows I don't need the paperwork.'' With that the two officers left. neither one looking back to see the wolverine girl trying to surreptitiously flip the bird.
The girl waited until they were well away before looking at the canine, her eyes wide ``Why... what was that for?'' She blinked
The old dog said nothing. Instead grabbing a dish towel from off of the bar and tossing it to her. He then produced a spray bottle from under the bar and set it down firmly ``I don't want a single stain, you got that squirt?'' He muttered.
``Hey, I'm eighteen.'' Tabs barked, then quickly shrank back from the man. ``Well, ok seventeen.''
``I didn't ask your age. The bar, then the dishes. Then you should be good.''
The girls voice lowered as she leaned in. Dirty blonde locks falling in front of her face. ``Why did you tell them that?'' She asked in a low whisper.
``First, because fuck cops.'' The man shrugged ``Second? Tell em what? You was here last night you and your...''
``Two'' the girl said quietly
``Two friends. Right. I'm sure some of my brothers saw you guys too. Now get to work, and if you do a good job there's a basket of motz sticks in it for ya.''
