[ happy hour ]

[almosthonorable]

Ben Wade is greeted with a handful of surprises when he enters the bar.

One is delicious.

Another is unexpected, to say the least.

And the last, well. He never minds this particular request so much.

"Happy to," he tells the counter, while he withdraws what's sure to be a spectacular cherry tart from the basket at his elbow. "As long as you don't mind me askin' a favor of you."

A napkin appears.

"Now that's just lewd," he says, smirking. "Flattered as I am, I'll have to say no, ma'am. What I need is for you to hold on to a couple things for me -- if you'd be so kind, of course."

Moments later, Ben's signature black hat and his infamous gun are in Bar's care, where they'll remain for the next few weeks, if not months.

He gives the bartop an affectionate half-smile before rounding the counter, rolling up his shirtsleeves as he goes.

Not long afterward, the specials board bears his uniform scrawl.

specials:
milk punch
bourbon
coffee
bourbon coffee
While he waits for customers, he helps himself to that tart -- which is, predictably, delectable -- and a glass of milk punch.

[ ooc: open for business all day and most of the evening, y'all. have at! and we're closed for the night, as of 11:03 p.m. EST — thanks for tagging, everybody! I'll pick up slows asap tomorrow for all who want 'em. ]

Comments

[wheelsy_sheriff]

Bill opens his mouth to decline the bourbon, then decides he could use the drink and extra warmth.

"I feel like a drowned rat," Bill says, giving a nod of thanks before he starts adding sugar to his cup.

An indignant squeak from behind makes Bill turn, and he gives the wait rat standing there an apologetic look.

"No offense." Beat. "Sorry 'bout the floor."

[almosthonorable]

"Well, I guess I feel obligated to offer you one of these," he says, and points to the veritable bounty of baked goods in his gift basket from Sunshine. "I reckon I can stand to part with at least a servin'."

Ben already helped himself to the cherry tart, and a couple of those curious, delicate cookies in the tin.

They were among the best things Ben has ever put in his mouth.

(Which, of course. These are the fruits of Sunshine's genius labor, after all.)

[wheelsy_sheriff]

Bill turns back to Ben as the rat scurries off.

Taking a careful sip of his coffee, Bill glances at the basket, then does a double-take.

"Really? Thanks."

He looks over what's there, then decides on a cinnamon roll.

"S'good," he says, licking a glob of icing off of his thumb. "I've had these before, they're awesome."

[almosthonorable]

"Just when I think Little Miss Sunshine can't out-do herself, she goes and does that," Ben says, with a bemused glance at the basket.

"She a friend of yours, too?"

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"Mm-hmm," Bill says in agreement, breaking off a piece of his roll so he can dip it in his coffee.

"She was sellin' stuff out here awhile back. I probably bought half of what she had."

[almosthonorable]

"Can't blame you," he says. "Though buyin' all of it would've been even smarter."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"Not too sure about that. I ate all I had in one go, anymore would've been beggin' for a belly ache." Bill laughs.

A drop of water runs down his ear, and Bill wipes it away.

"Think I can get a towel from you?"

[almosthonorable]

"Not a bad idea -- might stop the rats from givin' you the hairy eyeball."

A few yards away, a faint squeak of agreement can be heard.

Ben passes over a clean bar towel, and then another one, for good measure.

"Makin' arrests out there in the middle of a flood?"

[wheelsy_sheriff]

Bill starts toweling off, glancing back at the rat.

"Y'know, the bar back home don't ever complain about a little mess."

Bill drapes the towel around his neck, and turns back to Ben.

"No floodin' yet, but a big rain storm is tryin' to fix that. Nothin' like answerin' calls in a downpour."

[almosthonorable]

Ben reaches for the glass of water he poured for himself during a lull earlier, and downs a healthy swallow.

"Would you rather answer 'em in a drought?"

He's actually half-serious.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

Bill eyes Ben, then shakes his head.

"After a long Carolina summer I guess I can say no to that."

That doesn't mean Bill has to like the rain, though.

"Can't win for losin'."