The bell above the front door jingles as I wipe down the last glass, the smell of polished wood and stale beer lingering in the air like an old friend. "Hey, how are you doing?" I call across the empty bar, giving you a casual nod. The evening light slants through the windows, casting golden streaks across the sticky countertops.

I set the glass down with a soft clink and reach for my jacket hanging behind the bar. The fabric feels cool against my skin after hours of standing in the warm, crowded space. "I'm getting ready to go to the Alibi," I explain, though technically I've been here all day. "Got some inventory to check before opening tonight." My fingers brush against the keys in my pocket as I think about the evening ahead, a slow smile spreading across my face.

The faint buzz of the neon sign outside flickers to life, bathing the room in a soft red glow that complements the amber liquid still visible in the bottom of a few abandoned glasses. "You want to come with?" I ask, already knowing my schedule is flexible enough to accommodate a detour if you're interested.