Please Come In
It was nearing 3am when I was finally done with counting the money and putting everything away. Stocking was done. Everything that needed was washed. Only thing left to do was throw out the garbage and wipe down the bar.
As I walked out the front door with the trash bags in my hand, I walked toward the dumpster with nothing more than a light breeze and crickets were stirring. Even the raccoons must have been asleep as they weren't chowing down tonight.
As I turn from throwing the trash bags away, I get about 10 feet from the dumpster and abour 40 feet from the front door in the dark parking lot.
"Excuse me mister, dont mean to disturb you" the strangers voice said
I was slightly shocked at where the man came from as there's not many places to come from especially out of no where. Was he behind the dumpster? Hes not out of breath or sweaty so I know he didnt run to catch up to me from the road.
"What can I help you with?" I ask
"Was hoping I could come in for a drink or two?"
"Sorry buddy, im closed up and about to head home"
"Ahh, I was afraid yould say that. Any way I may be able to come in and sit for a minute? Ive been walking a long ways."
As I'm sizing the man up, he looks to be no more than older than me but the way he carries himself he's odd, to say the least. He doesn't look like the type to try to rob the joint and I don't see anyone else around. Egotistically I feel like I could take him if he tried anything as I'm debating internally.
"You know my friend, I would say yes but honestly its been a long night and all I want to do is get home. Sorry to be that guy." And I point down the road a ways "there's a bench right next to the park that if it was day light you could see from here that you can rest at for as long as you want."
" Anyway an old man could at least use the bathroom before I head there?"
Why is he being so pushy? He doesn't seem intoxicated like he had been somewhere else tonight but he is really adamant about wanting to come in.
My mind gets the best of me and starts running away with whats going on or whats happening right now. At this point ive been slowly moving towards the door without noticing and am within arms reach of it
"Dont worry Sir, theres a porta potty right next to the bench. You have yourself a good night and be safe."
As I open the door and step over the threshold, the man stares at me eerily until his lips break into an almost sinister but unmistakable grin.
"Dont worry Son. Ill be on my way. I hope you have a .... good night yourself. I sure will." He says in a very theatrical way.
I get inside and watch him start walking through the window. Thoroughly spooked out, I go behind the bar. Pour myself a 3 finger whiskey and grab a 5 dollar bill from my pocket. I head to the juke box and play some music to distract my brain from wondering what the hell that was. Was it a full moon tonight? I didnt notice any other crazies on my shift.
About 40 mins later as im done wiping the bar down and finishing my drink ive all but forgotten tonight's interaction. As I turn to lower all the lights and turn them off start to walk from behind the bar when I feel the hair on my neck stand.
The man from earlier is sitting at the corner between me and the door to leave. How the fuck did he get in. I didnt hear the door and even if I did for him to have gotten through and in the seat sitting like hes been there for hours doesn't make sense.
"What the hell? What are you doing in here Pal? You gotta go i told you, you couldn't be in here!" I half shouted, half shuddered in sudden fear.
"It was the old man comment that gave me away wasnt it? I always forget what I look like but your heart rate elevating at that question made me think thats where I made the mistake. Always try to learn from those. Lost of years for trial and error. Your biggest mistake was not turning the sign from yes come in to sorry we'reclosed though. That will cost you."
Confused i asked, "what are you talking about?! Your creeping me out man. Time to go!" I walk towards him hoping to intimidate him but he just ... smiles.
Everything hits me like a freight train when the last comment registers. At this point its too late. Im within arms reach of this stranger and even if I wasn't, I wouldn't truely know what to do anyways.
"I hope you like your job ... brother. You'll be doing it for a lot longer than you expected. Thankfully our kind is always looking for new hangouts. Especially .... after hours places."
The lights flicker for a moment before it goes completely dark. The last thing I can remember is Stings voice singing "Moon Over Bourbon Street"