Bartending: Competition w/ Benefits

I bartended at various bars in the late 80s and 90s for ten years. As a bartender, you flirt with everyone who enters the place to make tips. Sometimes, things get wild. The story is true. Specific conversations are often artistic license when I can't remember, but the events happened.

It was a Tuesday, and the usual early evening crowd sat around. We were discussing the latest news in town. This bar was in a small town halfway between Philly and AC. I worked here a couple of nights and every Friday. The town was not big, but it was the only bar for around ten miles or so. The locals came in and kept the place busy. I kept them entertained. I made good money and had minimal problems. During Happy Hour, I held a Town Talk. Since I lived 30 minutes away and in the suburbs. I wanted to know what was happening in the small town. Tell me what is going on in the little corner of paradise. The whole bar would gossip and BS about town events. It was always humorous, never mean. I made sure of that. People used to come in, especially during the few hours we did it. This time, one of my regulars mentioned a new bartender at a bar down the road. He was talking about her being cute. Another guy mentioned she was young. Then, another talked about her bubbly personality. I commented that she was new and that the bubbly personality would go away with customers like them soon.

"Sounds like someone is jealous," someone said.

"I just hope you talk about me to the other bartenders," I joked. "I'm not sure I appreciate youse talking about another bartender in front of me. I don't talk about my other customers in front of you."

We all laughed. "I feel like you're cheating on me." I made a pouty face and jokingly stomped to the other side of the bar.

"We are cheating on you," one said.

"I knew I smelled beer on your breath when you walked in," I challenged.

"This is our breakup speech," another joked. "It's not us; it's you," he said.

"That's what all the customers say when they leave me..." I said

"She knows how to treat me right," a third kidded.

"Is putting your bottle down at your seat before your butt hits the stool not enough for you?" I ask

"Feel free to head down there. I can keep your wives and girlfriends comfy and warm here while you're gone." I told them.

"I don't know Sko, she is kinda sexy," one of the ladies at the bar said.

"Et Tu?," I said all dramatically. I grabbed my chest, "I can feel my heart breaking. You ladies were my last hope."

"Maybe if you showed some skin," another girl said.

"I am appalled that you would suggest that," I acted all offended, then turned, "I'll talk to the owner about muscle shirts and short shorts. Do you think that would help?"

"How about shirtless and boxers," one woman suggests.

"Or a g-string." another shouted.

"Yeah, one, we'd lose the liquor license, and two, that would drive the guys out. I am trying to keep you all. Further to my point, that bar is a clear ten miles further down the road. We all know that is just too far. This place is convenient and just closer to home. I have no worries. Ultimately, the best bartender," I point to myself, "will prevail. Besides, she's got a whole town of regulars to herself. She doesn't have room for youse. Just in case, though," I unbuttoned a few buttons and rolled my sleeves. I walked around flexing for a few minutes. I also managed to pick something up off the floor in front of every girl at the bar. In other words, I bent over and stuck my butt in the air in front of all the ladies at the bar. There were hoots and hollers. Everyone laughed. We traded jabs back and forth for a while.

Soon enough, the next topic of discussion came up. They are talking about building a Wal-Mart 20 miles away. Nobody was quite sure what a Wal-Mart was, but the group decided that it could not be suitable for anyone.

The afternoon turned into evening, which faded into night. Slowly, the crowd died off. I was cleaning up and figured since I hadn't had a customer in half an hour, I'd shut down. I decided to check out my competition, do some legwork, and see what all the hubbub was. I drove down the road.

The bar down the road had a handful of people in it. I sat at the corner and nodded to a few familiar faces. After a minute or so, the new bartender sauntered up, "Hi, I'm Emma. What can I get for you?"

"I'll have aYuengling lager."

She smiled and walked over to the cooler. I noticed her hot ass in tight jeans as she bent over to grab my beer from the cooler. On previous occasions, I had sat in the exact same seat when visiting this bar. I had never noticed before that it was the perfect spot. I could watch the barmaid bend over to grab beers from the cooler. I got a great view of all her assets. None of the other bartenders had an ass like that to watch, which is why I did not notice previously.

She walked back over, and I put a twenty on the bar. She grabbed it and walked to the register. She was young. You only had to be 18 to tend bar in NJ, but most places would only hire you once you were at least 20. Of course, exceptions for hot girls were common. Emma qualified. She was 5'4" and probably weighed 100 pounds. Emma had her red hair tied in a ponytail with a ribbon. Her face was freckled. She had bright blue eyes. She was wearing a blue blouse that was unbuttoned enough to show just the right amount of cleavage from her breasts to tease anyone looking. She put my change on the bar, smiled, and walked over to refresh the drinks of some others at the bar. I watched her bounce around the bar, interacting with the others. She was all smiles and flirty. She was giggling and joking. She looked like a little girl having fun. She came skipping back over to me. Her breasts bounced with each step.

"So, what brings you in tonight?"

"Just got done work. Figured I'd grab a beer or two and relax."

"It's past one am; what work keeps you this late?"

"I'm your competition."

"My what?"

"I'm the bartender from the place down the road. We were slow. I heard there was a new bartender. I closed early and figured I'd come and say hi. So... uh... Hi... I'm..."

"Sko," she interrupted, "I've heard of you." Her eyes went thin. A scowl came across her face. "Some of the customers have talked about you."

Ut Oh, I thought. "Wow, I didn't know I had a reputation. I wouldn't believe everything you hear. Sometimes, jealous individuals spread lies and innuendos. Lots of exaggerations and rumors." I smiled, winking. Comedy was my default defensive demeanor. I started going through my mind and seeing if I could remember meeting her. I'm good with faces, especially pretty girls, but I did not recognize her. "I apologize if I offended you somehow; that was not my intention."

"You come in here claiming you are my competition. You are no competition to me. I don't even think you are on the same level."

Wow, snotty bitch. That's strike one. I thought. "Ok, wow. It's just an expression. I meant no trouble. I come in here often; I'm used to joking around with the other bartenders." I smiled and put my hands up.

"Put your hands down. Look, you think you're my competition just because you work down the road. You come in here acting all high and mighty." Her voice rose. "You want competition? Let's do a challenge." Now, she had the bar's attention. I swear I heard the music stop.

"Uh, ok, what kinda of challenge? Who can become more psycho?" What the fuck is going on here? Went through my mind.

"You're a real bartender, right?" The bar was quiet, and everyone was staring at us.

"Ahh... yeah. I tend bar." I was getting a little pissed at this pretentious bitch. I kept my smile and swigged my beer. I shook my head.

"I challenge you to shots."

"Oooooh, the bar," roared.

"Look, what the hell would that prove? Doing shots has nothing to do with bartending."

"Shot for shot. That's how we'll settle it." She pulled a bottle of Cuervo from the rail."

"There is no way I am going to go shot for shot with you. You are half my weight and..." My mind froze. I stopped mid-sentence.

A little background is necessary here. Jose Cuervo and I used to be really good friends. We hung out often. One night, a few years back, Jose and I had a battle. I didn't realize I was fighting this battle. Jose did, and he kicked my ass. Over the next few days, I recovered from Jose's ass-whooping. It was not easy. Jose and I don't hang out anymore. Never. A few people know my relationship with Jose. One of those people was Jackie, the manager of this bar.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue, or is ya chicken?" she taunted me. A half-dozen or so people started clucking.

"Alright, peanut gallery, knock it off. You got me, where's Jackie?"

Emma smiled. Jackie walked out of the kitchen. The bar started laughing.

"I'm sorry," Emma said laughingly, "It was Jackie's idea."

"I was thinking, what the fuck, psycho, right up until I saw Jose." I laughed, "Then it all hit, and I started looking for Jackie."

Jackie put a marker in front of me, indicating my next drink was paid for. "I was outside when you pulled in. I ran inside and told everybody at the bar what to do. Then I hid."

"Yeah, you got me good," I said.

"Sorry, Sko. I had to get you." Jackie hugged me and walked back toward the office. " I gotta finish up some paperwork. I'll be back out in a bit."

"No worries, a good joke is worth it. Just remember, payback is a bitch," I winked at her. She smiled and went back.

Emma strolled back over. "I am sorry," she repeated. "It was fun acting mad. I was trying to figure out how to work Tequila into the whole thing."

"No, you were convincing. You do a good psycho, which is disconcerting, but good acting. I hope." I replied.

"No, I'm innocent and cheerful, I promise." she raised her right hand like she swore an oath in court. "So you are the infamous Sko. It seems everybody is talking about Sko."

"People have been talking about me? What have they been saying?"

"They were joking that I was a female version of this guy down the street called Sko. They said you are always happy, joking, and flirting with everyone. I guess they feel I do the same."

"Well, at least they are saying good things."

"My mother always goes to your place, and she talks about you too. She says you are a fun and happy-go-lucky person."

"Who's your mother?

"Rosy. She goes in there a couple of times a week."

"Oh yes, I know Rosy well. Beer during the week, and madras on weekends or girls' nights. She often talks about her daughter, but I thought you were younger."

"I'm nineteen, and I will be twenty next week. Mom had me when she was young. So, you are my competition, huh?" She eyed me up and down. None of the other customers mentioned you were handsome and muscular. Mom said you were cute, but I'd say she underestimated you." She eyed me up and down. I felt like a horse being checked out.

"Should I stand up and turn around for you?"

"No, I got a good look when you walked in."

"I got good teeth if you wanna feel." Is this what girls felt when I ogled them? "Thanks for the handsome part. I'm pretty sure the male customers don't exactly see me as cute or handsome."

"No, it was the ladies who mentioned that. They downplayed it because they didn't want me going there. I also pictured you older. The way my mom talks about you, I guessed more about my mom's age."

"No one would mention my age. I am only 23. But I've been working there for three years, so I'm a fixture. That is the only day the bartender has been working there longer. I'm an old soul, so I fit in with the older crowd. As far as competition, we are both town bartenders," I rolled my eyes, "and no matter the changes, the regulars keep coming in. The faces remain the same. Course, I may lose some guys to a pretty girl like you."

She smiled, "And I may lose some girls to a hot devil like you. Be right back." She made a trip around the bar, refilled drinks, flirted here, and joked there. She was the hostess with the mostest. She moved like she was dancing. And my eyes could not leave her body. Each time she bent over to grab a bottle for someone, I got to see her hot ass. It was awesome. We flirted and joked all night till the last call. I was getting up to leave when she walked over and asked me to hang out while she cleaned up. She walked over to the cooler and bent over to grab my beer. She ran her hand up and rubbed her ass as she turned back and smiled at me. With an invitation like that, I couldn't resist. I sat back down.

Jackie came over and sat down next to me. The restaurant business is small, but you get to know all the other workers in the area--especially the good ones. I've known Jackie for years. We were old pals.

"So what do ya think of Emma?" she asked.

"Good bartender seems to know how to handle a room."

"I hired her because she reminded me of a female version of you. I figured I couldn't tease you into coming to work for me, so I must get someone like you."

"Yeah, I'm happy in my little paradise. I keep hearing she's just like me. I guess that makes her a great bartender." I smiled, and we laughed.

"You going out for a cold one after this?"

"No, I gotta get home. Sister is watching the kids. Husband's outta town," she sighed. Her husband was in the military, deployed off and on. He was a really good guy who treated her right.

"Well, next time, If ya need help watching the kids, let me know."

"I'm going to let you watch my kids." Jackie walked behind the bar and grabbed me a beer from the cooler. Don't get me wrong; Jackie is attractive and has a good body, but the view isn't the same.

"Heck, I'll give them each a roll of quarters so they can sit at the corner of the bar near the pinball machine all night. My bar is nice and friendly." I laughed."I'll teach them. They'll be mixing perfect cocktails after an hour or so. They'll go home with a good skill."

"Yeah, that'll go over well." She laughed. "Listen, I'm rolling out. I'm trusting you with Emma. Don't you scare her outta here or anything."

"Not a chance, Jackie." I crossed my heart. "I'll be a perfect gentleman. Seriously, if you need help with the kids, let me know. I can babysit."

"Thanks, Sko." She smiled and hugged me. "Gentleman Sko, that's a concept. See you later, next time, for a drink." She yelled good night to Emma and walked out the door.

"So you know Jackie well?" Emma asked.

"We go back a bit. I worked with her at another bar when her husband and her first married."

"She must trust you 'cause she has never left me here alone."

"She knows me very well."

"Really? Very well, huh?"

"No, not like that. Her husband is a really nice guy, and I would never do that to him. "

"You'd never do that to him? But you would do her?"

"Maybe years ago, but she's more like my older sister. Don't get me wrong, Cute, funny, nice are all the traits that matter. However, we are too close friends, known for too long, and most importantly, married to a nice guy. That's a no-go for me."

"So you have morals. That's good to know."

"Yes, contrary to the rumors you have heard about me, I am a stand-up guy."

"What if he wasn't a nice guy?"

"If he had treated her wrong, it might be a different story. I would suggest she leave him first. But you women have pretty persuasive powers."

"So I'm done cleaning. What do we do now?"

"Do? It's 2:45 am, we go home and sleep."

"I'm wide awake. I always go home and go to bed. You're up all the time at this hour. Don't you know anywhere to go?"

"It's Tuesday, and I can't think of anything going on at this time. We could hit a diner or head to AC if ya want...."

"I don't mean a bar or anything. Just somewhere we can sit and talk and be alone."

"Oh, ok. Hop in my truck, and we'll head to the farm."

"The farm?"

"Just hop in; I'll explain." She got in the passenger seat of my pickup and drove about 10 minutes to a local farm. It is actually an orchard, but I'm not a country boy. The country boys explained it was a spot where a few farms meet. There is a cleared area where they store the equipment during harvest time. The rest of the year, it's a big empty circle about fifty yards in diameter. The best part was that this was about a mile from any light source and surrounded by trees. The area was dark as anywhere yet wide open. You could get a great view of the stars back there. I had a blanket and some pillows in the truck and laid them in the truck's bed and on the tailgate. We sat and talked for a bit. I had a cooler and grabbed a couple of beers. We looked at the sky. I pointed out the constellations. We saw a couple of shooting stars. We talked about a couple of regulars we had in common.

"So my mom and some girls said you are quite the ladies' man?"

"I don't know what you mean." I said, pretending to be insulted, "I declare I'm a good and proper gentleman."

"I know you like to have fun with the various girls in your bar."

"Once again, lies and innuendo. My good name has been slandered," I protested, smiling. "Who has been spreading these falsehoods?"

"Well, I haven't heard bad things. Some of the girls told me to try you out for myself."

"Ah well... I am a gentleman, so I don't kiss and tell." I smiled again, "Is that what this is all about?"

"I need to check out my competition." With that, she stood up and started stripping off her clothes. "I had fun teasing you all night, bending over in front of you. Knowing you were staring at my ass. It got me excited." She explained as she unbuttoned her blouse. "You couldn't take your eyes off of it. You enjoyed the show. Now I'm ready to reap the benefits of my efforts." She was slowly moving as she pulled off her top. My cock stiffened as she tossed it aside. Then she reached back and unclasped her bra. She shook her arms slightly, letting it fall to the grass. Her breasts bounced free. They were perky about c-cups. Her nipples were like little strawberries on top. She cupped them, lifted them together, and up. "What do you think?" I nodded with approval and clapped my hands. She unbuttoned her pants, lowered the zipper, and turned around. She pulled them down as she bent over, exposing her hot tight ass and blue g-string. I was mesmerized. She stood up and looked over her shoulder at me. She wiggled her ass. "Do you like what you see?"

"'Like' is an understatement. You're amazing."

"I'm glad to hear I meet your standards. Now I wanna experience what all the girls in town talk about." She turned towards me. As she did, she pulled her panties down. She stepped slowly toward me. As she walked, the panties fell away. She stepped out of them. She strutted forward, her breasts bouncing with each step. Her trimmed bush was in a neat vee shape. It puffed out above her snatch. I sat on the tailgate, blinking my eyes, ensuring this was happening. She walked up and kissed me on the lips. I stared at this hot redhead standing in front of me bare-naked. Even the crickets seemed to be applauding at the sight.

"So am I underdressed or are you overdressed?" She asked.

"Definitely, it's me. I'm overdressed." Her hands undid my belt and unbuttoned my pants. I felt the zipper go down then her hand reached in and grabbed my expanding cock. I lifted my butt and pulled my pants past it. She massaged my cock with her hand and leaned in to kiss me. Her tongue explored around my mouth. Her other hand unbuttoned my shirt. She worked the buttons with one hand, an impressive talent. I put both hands on her ass and pulled her into me. I squeezed her ass tightly. I pushed my tongue into her mouth. My mind was focusing. I sat forward, moving one hand to the back of her head and pulling her mouth tighter to mine as I kissed deeper. My other hand was still holding and squeezing her ass cheek. I separated my mouth from hers. I began to lick and suck on her neck. I got to her earlobe and nibbled. I tickled her ear with my tongue and sucked, causing cold air to rush across. I felt her nipples harden against my chest. "I've been staring at your hot ass all night, it looked awesome. It does not disappoint in my hands. It feels amazing." I whispered in her ear.