Lesson 12- Wash your hands after using the toilet—germs aren't your friends.

The staff bathroom is better than I expected. There’s a toilet and a sink plus a mirror. Sadly no shower, but I didn’t really expect to find one. This is seriously going to be an issue if I’m here for long. I might have to bring it up with Torin and won’t THAT be a fun conversation. Ugh. In the mirror I can see that I look every bit as worn out as I expected to. My clothes are creased and the smell of alcohol is stronger in this small room. My hair is tangled and I really want to brush my teeth. For now, I strip down to my underwear, grab some paper towels and use the water and hand soap to clean myself up. What I really need is an entirely new change of clothing and underwear, but I can at least TRY to clean up a bit. I test the lock on the door at least three times, weirdly paranoid that I’ve somehow forgotten to lock it and that someone will randomly wander in while I’m mostly undressed. I flinch when there is a loud knock on the bathroom door.
“Carina? Are you in there? It’s me, Laura. Kyle said he thought you went this way. I have a few things for you, clean clothes, a toothbrush…” She trails off. Without thinking, I unlock the door and swing it open, not too bothered by Laura seeing me in my underwear. I’m not that much of a prude, I don’t have anything that she doesn’t have. Laura blinks in surprise, then smiles warmly at me.
“Hello again Carina. Clothes?” She holds up a tote bag which I gratefully accept.
“There’s a few other things in there for you as well. We can figure out what else you need afterwards. Go finish cleaning up and get dressed.” She suggests.
“Sure, and call me Rina. Carina makes me feel like I’m in trouble.” I joke.

Fifteen minutes later, I’ve brushed my teeth and hair and I’m wearing clean clothes and underwear. Laura even brought me a cute little bralette thing which is a pretty decent effort considering she had to guess all my sizes. All the clothes she bought are simple with a bit of stretch, so they all fit me fairly well. All in all, I feel about a million times better, even if I DO still want a proper shower. I’m now wide awake and ready to actually do something with what’s left of my day.
“What time is it anyway?” I ask. Laura looks at me funny then realises there is no way for me to actually know the time
“I’ll make sure to pick you up a watch.” She offers.
“And it’s a little after two in the afternoon.” She adds.
“Oh, are you here to work?” I question. She shakes her head.
“No, I’m here to see you. I figured we should work out what stuff you need and what we can do to make you more comfortable here. I was out of it last night, but I woke up a few hours ago and realised you probably didn’t even have anywhere decent to sleep.” She looks dismayed and I rush to assure her.
“I was okay, I passed out in an old recliner. I was so tired I probably could have slept on the floor and I wouldn’t have noticed the difference.” I joke.
“Oh… You did sleep pretty late. Kyle said you were asleep when he got here. Did Torin show you the bar? What did you think?” She says curiously.
“It’s a cool place, a lot of work though.” I add. Laura raises an eyebrow and tilts her head.
“Huh? What do you mean?” She asks. In that moment the back door swings open letting bright light into the hallway and Torin enters. My memory did not do him justice. He is even more terrifying, and handsome, than I remember him being. He starts talking as soon as he enters, Apparently catching the end of our conversation.
“Carina managed the bar last night while you were resting. I’ve decided to hire her assuming she is willing to work. She did well.” He adds. Without another word, he heads into the little room I was sleeping in, then back outside a moment later carrying an armful of junk. Huh? What is he doing?
“Hmm… You must have really impressed Torin. He made me do training and trial shifts for a week before he agreed to hire me. But this is a good job, even if the boss is a little…” She trails off, probably not willing to voice her fears of her boss.
“I doubt it, I probably just did okay, and since I’m stuck here he figured what the hell.” I reason. Laura pauses at this, probably not sure how to answer.
“Uh… well this job, it pays well, think of it as hazard pay. How much bar experience do you have?” She asks.
“One night, last night that is. I just made it up as I went. Someone is going to have to teach me how to mix drinks. Maybe write down some of the things people usually order. Also it would help to know what the drinks actually cost. Not to mention how to use your register.” I add.
“Wait, if you don’t know how to charge anything or use the register, what did you do last night?”

Laura seems baffled. I shrug and lead her through to the bar and show her my cash jar which is still sitting untouched from last night.
“I have no idea how many drinks I made or what they should have actually cost.” I comment. Laura pulls out an old book from under the bar and flips it open. The most recent day has yesterday’s date on it and a huge list of drinks. What? Who noted everything I made because I certainly didn’t. I didn’t see Torin writing anything either. Laura sees my confusion.
“Oh, I spelled this book to keep track of the inventory. Any drink you hand over the bar is automatically recorded.” She explains.
“Well that’s handy. Good job.” I tell her approvingly. Laura gives me a pleased smile. She tips out my cash jar and starts counting, seeming increasingly confused.
“For someone who doesn’t know how to make mixed drinks, you certainly made a lot of money last night. This is… Almost as much as we make on a Saturday night… With TWO bartenders working. We vanished for an hour last night as well. I was expecting… Reduced sales to be honest.
“Because no one would take a drink from Torin?” I comment. Laura glances around as if expecting the man to jump out at us.
“Something like that. What were you charging? There’s a lot of extra money here.” She seems confused. Probably wondering why anyone would keep paying for drinks if they cost so much.
“Oh… Well there was a bit of an asshole tax applied to a few of the sales. Someone jumped the bar and stole a bottle, so I stole his wallet and paid for it, with a generous tip. A few guys got into a fight and after I made them clean up I had them pay for the damaged glasses. Mostly I just charged what I guessed the drinks were worth, and if anyone argued the price went up.” I admit, a little awkwardly. It was one thing to confidently screw with the prices of drinks when I was running things alone, but now there’s someone who knows what things should actually be here, and it’s a little embarrassing that I was just doing whatever I wanted. I COULD have asked Torin what things cost, or probably even Steph, after the first hour or so that is. But instead I decided to do my own thing. I watch Laura nervously for her reaction. She bursts out in laughter so contagious that I can’t help but join in.
“Oh, but that’s wonderful. I can’t wait to see you dealing with the customers. You sound like fun. I’ve never heard of an asshole tax, but I’m definitely making that a thing from now on.” She continues giggling.
“I’ll teach you how to mix a few drinks and what the drinks usually cost. You’ll catch on fast I’m sure. I’ll be working tonight too so I can help you learn. It won’t be as rushed. Ooh, but I should show you the register first.” She moves over and hits a few buttons, popping it open.
“It’s also spelled so only certain people can open it. I’ll add you to the spell right now.” She announces. Ah, well no wonder Torin didn’t question how I was keeping the cash, I had no chance anyway.
“That can wait. Laura, I have a job for you.” Torin announces from behind us.