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Chapter 2

June, about a year before

"Well, hello there handsome! What'll ya have?" The bartender, a rather attractive blue jay asked.

The well-dressed, black lion with spectacles and a mane dyed blue smiled warmly back at the bartender. "Not too hard on the eyes there yourself, but I think I'll just have coffee..." The lion answered, his voice like his smile.

"Coffee? Really? He can do better than that." The blue jay thought. He put his hands on his hips, making a clicking noise with his tongue. "Just coffee? It's a shame, nearly one hundred beers on tap and you want coffee... I hoped you would be my type." The avian re-upped his efforts, smiling. "I can make you a fresh pot," the tender said as he placed a drink menu down in front of the lion, leaving the page open to the beer selection. "but I would more recommend trying one of the many beers we have."

The lion chuckled at the jay's insistence and checked the time. "You know, I still have about an hour before I go on. Maybe I'll have a coffee and..." The lion poured through the rather surprising beer selection "...what do you have in the way of black lagers?" he asked.

"Now you're making an argument for yourself!" The jay exclaimed. "I'd suggest the Black Train. It's from a craft brewery about twenty minutes from here. Sweet, malty and not so strong as to ruin your show. It should pair with your..." the bird made quotation marks to enhance his disdain for the lion's selection "...'coffee' quite nicely. I'll get you started on that while the dark roast is brewing." The bartender gave a wink to the lion who chuckled heartily as he watched the jay pour the liquid from the bottle expertly into a temperate mug.

"You know," the lion said as the drink was placed in front of him, "beer and coffee can actually pair quite nicely." He paused to take a sip of the dark liquid. His eyes widened slightly in pleasant surprise. "Ooh this is really good."

The tender smiled, taking pleasure in his customer's delight. "Yeah, but to me that seems like either a morning remedy or a really bad night. If it's the latter I'd suggest the house martini instead."

He finished preparing the coffee to brew, his attention still on the lion who was watching the jay's movements with mild interest. "Personally, I think coffee should only be brewed in with the beer, or drank the morning after, but hey, I'm not going to judge." The lion nodded and took another gulp from the beer mug.

"So, what's your name?" the bird finally asked. "Or do you prefer I just call you handsome?"

The lion smirked. "You can call me whatever you want, as long as you don't call me late for dinner." The lion chucked, then answered once he had settled down. "Seriously though, my name's David. Some people know me by my stage name. Karnival. And you are?"

"Pleased to meet you..." the bird answered, now chuckling himself. "they actually call me Jay. I know it sounds cliché, but it's short for Jayden. So, I take it you are tonight's entertainment?" Jay asked, eyeing the guitar case next to David.

"Well, I'm playing for-" The lion was cut off by one of the bar's managers, a rather disheveled looking coyote with a glare aimed at the other half of his conversation. "Jay, get your ass over here!"

Jay's expression visibly dropped with his shoulders, but he managed to keep his composure. "Excuse me for a moment David." He walked over to the coyote, "Yes sir?"

The coyote started in on him in a harsh whisper, too loud to be muted by the not yet full bar. "Haven't we already discussed your demeanor with our customers? You don't seem to be getting the point of our previous conversations!" The coyote continued, aggressive with his words, much like his demeanor. "you've made a very bad habit of running off customers with your inability to control yourself and if I have to talk to you one more time, you're gone!"

Jay held his volume but not his tongue "It was one guest, three weeks ago! I can't please everyone, but if I was making a habit of running people off," Jay hissed "I'm sure I would have seen it or Alex would have let me know by now. You don't seem to understand that tending requires a chipper personality and an on-spot evaluation of each customer. Maybe that's why you aren't behind here yourself!"

"One more fuckup Jay, one more and you're out of here!" The coyote continued "you know, I can fire your ass whenever I want to!"

Jay, obviously flustered, did not handle this threat well. "Fuck you George! Do you see anyone that's unhappy at my bar here, minus the guests you're keeping me from? I keep an eye on the numbers, and I know tickets are up fifteen percent since I started here!"

The words fell flat on the back of the coyote as he was already walking off.

.

After settling his ruffled blue feathers, Jay returned to his bar. He welcomed a few new customers, filled their orders and returned to David.

"Sorry you had to hear that" Jay said quietly, his eyes wistful. " He's hated me since day one. I guess the only thing keeping me here is that I like Alex, the owner, and that I have just begun to get back on my feet. It is actually decent money most nights but..." the bird paused as he briefly glanced where the angry coyote stood just moments ago scolding him " some nights it's not worth dealing with George."

"Anyway" the blue jay said, forcing himself to cheer up. "Enough about me... how about that coffee? Should I leave room for cream or sugar?" Jay asked as he reached for the coffee pot.

"Sugar isn't the only thing you need." A woman's voice said, causing their exchange to be interrupted once more. It was Thea, another employee of Alexander's, and a friend of Jay's. Jay just cocked an eyebrow and looked at her, a mild irritation slightly showing. "Can I help you, Thea?"

The black and green lizard sighed, her tongue flicking in minor frustration. "Yeah, actually, put me in the freezer and pull me out in the summer."

Jay chuckled and asked again. "What do you need?"

"Besides this handsome creature's number?" Thea said giving David a once over before focusing back on Jay. "I have a rowdy table and they have a stupid huge order. Can you help me get the drinks together for them? I can take them out."

Jay looked at David a moment who nodded at him. "Go ahead, I still have this to finish and don't mind watching." he said, lifting his glass which contained a little under half of his drink.

"Thanks for understanding." Jay said as he put the coffee pot down and followed Thea.

David watched a moment as Thea and Jay worked, mixing together what seemed like an insane amount of alcohol and pitchers of beer. Curious, he looked over the ever increasing crowd to see if he could find the table that the lizard had been flustered about. It wasn't difficult, the laughter from a hyena caught his attention and he spotted it sitting with three wolves, all rambunctious and having a good time. He watched them a moment longer, trying to figure out if the hyena was a he or a she, before he gave up and went back to his drink. He heard Thea thank Jay and walk off towards the table. He strained a moment to hear if she called the hyena ma'am or sir, but no such luck.

"It's a woman." a voice whispered in David's ear. David jumped a little, surprised he had been caught and looked to see Jay, hiding a laugh. "Don't worry, I wondered too." Jay continued as he picked up the coffee pot once more to pour David's coffee. "I asked Thea the same thing. It's hard to tell the difference with them. Their culture's pretty androgynous from what I understand."

David nodded, recovered by now. "Yeah, I've met a few when filling in for various bands. They are one of a kind."

"So, did you want any cream or sugar with your coffee?" Jay asked, picking up where they had left off.

"No thanks. I prefer not to ruin my coffee. I am glad that you have dark roast though." As David waited on his coffee to cool he took another drink of his lager. Thinking back to earlier in the evening, then asked "So, what's this about just getting back on your feet?"

Jay's expression changed a bit, internally questioning if he should continue. For a reason his instinct didn't understand, he believed his new acquaintance was safe. "I was in a car accident about four months ago. Broken femur, bumps, bruises. I was off from work for more than two months. Probably came back sooner than I should have, but I didn't have much savings to go on. Bills stack up quick without work, insurance or not." Jay sighed "It's been pretty rough but I'll get caught up eventually." he said, sounding like he was reassuring himself more than David. "No worries!"

"Sounds like life dealt you a weak hand." a genuine smile spreading as David spoke to the bartender "I'm glad you're on your way back though." he said as he finished his beer, then added. "Quite a nice suggestion I must say. You do appear to know your beers."

"I know how to read labels and people if I'm honest." Jay confessed. "My beer journey has only begun but it's been a fun adventure." The friendly yellow eyes of the bartender swept across the bar, continuously keeping an eye on everyone and their drinks before settling back onto David. "So, before we were interrupted, you were speaking of your show. What is it you're doing tonight? It's not Tuesday, so I'm going for probably not karaoke..."

With a nod David filled in for Jay "The band tonight was shy of a rhythm guitar. Alex asked if I could fill in for them."

"Oh!" Jay exclaimed "You must be quite the musician then. I couldn't imagine trying to jump in with a group of strangers and all new songs."

"Yeah, you could say that" David began, "I have a master's in music with a minor in dance, although..." the lion tapped his belly "...it's been a few years since I was dancing frequently."

"Hey, you look fine to me." Jay objected. For some reason that last statement made him feel a little embarrassed and he looked away. In doing so he noticed more customers had begun coming in. "Well, I guess I should stop spending all of my time with you and help the other guests. Feel free to hang around until your show. I'm excited to hear it!"

"Actually," David said standing up "it's been an absolute pleasure, but I probably need to go warm up and get ready." David dropped thirty dollars along with a business card next to the empty glass. "Thanks for the conversation! I hope things stay on the up and up for you. I may have to start coming by here more often for more beer recommendations. Maybe we can chat more after the show." The lion winked at the jay as he carried his coffee off and headed to his instruments.

***

David sat on a stool with the band playing his guitar. He had rehearsed with the band and learned the necessary chord progressions a few days prior. Alex had called him earlier in the week after finding out last minute that his show Friday night was going to be shy a guitar. They had gone through the set and a few extra songs just in case so David could get a feel for the group and their playing style.

Tonight's show was not terribly difficult for David, so he watched out into the rest of the bar and listened to the group's members. He would smile at people, making eye contact, and enjoyed the ambiance that came together with the blending of the music and the bar. He had a cheat sheet for chords if he needed it but found himself relaxing and the sheets unnecessary. Although the lion was used to playing in larger venues, he did enjoy an easy show from time to time.

Gazing through the crowd, David found the familiar blue feathers from an hour before delivering drinks to tables. When he watched the jay stop at a table with a tray full of drinks, David almost missed a chord. One of the patrons at the table Thea had been tending earlier seemed to be giving him grief. One patron obviously attempting to prod and grab Jay's ass he was attempting to set down drinks and the hyena laughing at the spectacle like it were a joke. David logged it into his thoughts and continued playing. He was happy to see that the avian was quite capable of handling the situation when he saw his feathers ruffle and he took on a polite and yet aggressive stance. He couldn't hear what Jay was saying, but he could only imagine after seeing how he interacted with the coyote earlier. His eyes lingered on the table a moment longer after Jay walked away, then he shifted his focus once more.

The problem with easy shows is that the mind starts to drift. While David's never drifted so far as to lose track or harm the show, he found himself contemplating previous relationships, and whether the last two years of being single had been as good for him as he first thought. He enjoyed being able to flirt, knowing it would lead to nothing. But, what if he did decide to start hitting the scene again?

Now, almost thirty and single, he had lost some hope of finding a life partner but he had not given up entirely. He was comfortable with himself as he was but he wondered how long that could last. Like grains of sand, his years went only one way through the hourglass.

Finally the set was over and thankfully, for David anyway, no one cried out for an encore. Not that the band was bad by any means, but the feline could offer them some advice. Instead he offered business cards, handshakes and the promise of a jam session soon. David wasn't the cocky type, and rarely offered the aid of experience without invitation. He was concerned that his genuine desire to help would be lost in the sea of a more and more easily offended culture.

With his guitars back in their cases and his stands in bags, David took one last look around the bar for the handsome blue jay, slightly concerned that he might have missed a proverbial rare bird. "Hmmmm..." David began to wonder if there was a chance that the tender was leading him on for a better tip. For a moment he questioned if he had maybe scared the jay off. He ended this last question quickly. Thinking, "fuck it.", he picked up his things and started carrying them out back to load them up in his car.

As he swung the door open and felt the cool evening air he set some things down, lit a cigarette and continued his path. "I'm going to have to quit these things soon. Maybe I should try the vape fad that everyone is talking about." he thought to himself "After all, I know people are quitting with it now..." Arriving at his car, he set his things down and pulled the keys from his pocket. The vehicle unlocked with a tweet from the horns and the lights came on. David opened the back door. As he set his guitars and equipment inside the car, he heard a loud smacking sound and a drunken angry voice. He looked over to the find the commotion in the area illuminated by his headlights.

***

"Jay sweetie, is there any chance I could get you to drop the drinks at forty-one for me? They're being kind of aggressive. I let the bouncers know but with Regina calling out and eight full tables I'm struggling."

Thea wasn't typically one to ask for help. After a quick gloss over his bar guests to make sure they were comfortable, Jay agreed. "Yeah I'll get them out there shortly dear." The terms of endearment were something that everyone at the bar enjoyed as it gave a more familial type atmosphere.

Jay made the drinks for Thea's table, made a brief mention to his bar guests that he would return shortly, and carried the tray to forty-one. As he began to set drinks down, he felt a hand on his rear. He straightened up and stepped back carefully as to not topple the drinks on his tray. He glared at the wolf, unable to hide his anger "Hey, keep your hands off. This isn't a gentleman's club and i doubt they'd let you touch there either."

The wolf snarled back at him, grinning evilly, "Oh, I'm sorry there, little birdy. You being a fag and all I must have mistook you for one of the lovely ladies serving us tonight." His words were followed with laughter from the others sitting at the table.

Jay steadied himself, finished setting down drinks and stared back at the wolf before turning to leave. "I don't care for your tone, so let me try again. Keep your hands and your thoughts to yourself unless you want to drink somewhere else."

The jay walked back to the bar and picked up his radio. "Hey guys, forty-one is being a bit unruly. We need to keep an eye on them." A black bear who went by Sonny replied "I saw them getting handsy with you and Thea. Do we need to see them out or send a manager?" Jay hesitated a moment before speaking,"I've warned them to change their demeanor but I'd keep an eye on them. Send George if you can find him. They're pretty inebriated, no more serve." Jay set the radio down and returned to his bar guests. He went through his mental checklist, seat four was no more serve, seat one was fresh and several needed refills. Jay glanced at the blue and black lion on stage. A thought began to twirl into his mind, but he shut it down and went back to work.

Jay tended to his guests, offering water or fresh drinks. Before long an all too familiar voice came over the radio "Jay! Get over to my office!" 'Again? Really?' Jay thought to himself as he checked over his bar guests before heading to the back office.

Opening the door, he spat "George, I have an almost full bar right now. What the fuck is so important?" Glaring back at jay, with almost a smile, the coyote said "You're gone after tonight. I'm tired of your shit and this is the last time!"

Jay should have been taken back, but he had expected this to happen eventually. "You know what George? You've had it out for me since the first day you showed up here! You've proven to be a worthless sack of shit! So yeah, I'll leave, right the fuck now!" Jay took his name tag off and tossed it on the table.

"You still have a bar to tend!" The canine retorted.

Jay looked over his shoulder on his way out the door. "No, I'd say you have a bar to tend. Seeming as you claim to be so good at it, the next four hours should be a piece of cake, right?"

And Jay left with that, not giving George an opportunity to respond.

The door slammed behind him as he made his way to his locker. Packing up his things he was surrounded by coworkers who, unfortunately for George, heard the whole argument over the radio. Jay was the special type that knew when to press buttons and when to hold them.

"Damnit! I told Alex he was useless trash! I'd be surprised if he actually goes to the bar himself." Thea exclaimed, having abandoned her tables temporarily to check on Jay.

Sonny nodded, between the doorway so he could keep an eye on the guests as well as his friends. "He never leaves that fucking office other than to gripe at people. What happened anyway?"

"I guess he was upset he had to leave the office and go to forty-one." Jay answered. ""Those relentless bastards needed to be gone anyway but what do I know. I'll stop by the bar and tell the guests I'll be replaced for the night." Jay finished packing his things and hugged everyone on the way back to the bar.

Once behind his familiar slab of wood, he called attention to his bar guests, and made his announcement:

"Ladies and gentleman, it has been my pleasure tending for you this evening. However, I simply must be going now. George should be here shortly." He stepped away from the wooden counter he'd known for so many years and out the back door.

Tears were flooding from Jay's eyes as he exited the building into the cool breeze. He stepped across the alleyway and tried to compose himself. He stared at his phone fighting with himself on what to do. Calling Brandon, his ride and landlord, in this state would only escalate his news of unemployment and its effects. The idea of walking home didn't appeal to him either, but it would give him a chance to think of a game plan on how to handle the situation he had gotten into.

Hearing familiar voices just down the alleyway, Jay snapped out of his thoughts. The voices sounded angry, and he didn't like what this could mean. He tried to disappear behind a dumpster, but he had been spotted already. As they drew closer, Jay realized it was the guests from table forty-one. Unfortunately, they were drunk and wanted trouble.

"Hey! There's the faggot!" The wolf who had given Jay grief earlier let out an angry laugh as he and the two other wolves neared him. "You know those faggots only want a good dick in their ass. Maybe we should give one to him!"

The wolf was obviously wasted and wouldn't have been difficult to handle but with the other two with him, the odds were not in his favor. Jay looked behind him and saw that the alleyway was a dead end. There was no way out of this except to fight. Jay's mind raced, desperate to figure something out. He saw a sport sedan that was parked in a spot he knew the cameras could see. Maybe somebody would be watching and care enough to assist. He sprinted to the front of the car, unshouldered his bag and prepared for a conflict.