Tonight was packed.
Whether it was Dexter, Veronica, Vivian, or Mickey, everyone was hustling until well past 9:00 PM before they finally closed up shop.
Of course, if you really wanted to split hairs, Mickey got the raw end of the deal.
He had to wash a mountain of dishes, and his wages stayed exactly the same.
Veronica and Vivian, although exhausted, each pocketed over a thousand dollars in tips.
As for Dexter, he raked in nearly twenty grand in one go.
Comparisons are the thief of joy.
Mickey was a little salty about it, but being the stubborn ass he was, he didn't say anything.
And precisely because Mickey kept his mouth shut, after locking up, Dexter pulled out two hundred bucks and handed it to him. "Good hustle."
Mickey smirked, feeling a bit better. "Whatever."
Dexter didn't waste words.
Since Dexter was heading to the Alibi Room for a drink, the four of them and the dog walked together for a bit.
When they reached the entrance of the Alibi, Mickey said his goodbyes, lit a cigarette, and walked on alone. Dexter, the two women, and Dumb Nine walked inside.
The peak hours at the Alibi had passed. By now, it was mostly just Frank and the usual barflies left.
Dexter took a good look around the newly renovated Alibi.
I have to say, it looked pretty good. Money well spent.
"Dexter, thanks to you, the few hours tonight brought in more than a whole week used to," seeing Dexter, Kevin immediately poured a beer, handed it over, and grinned happily.
"And what does that tell you?" Dexter took the beer and had a sip. "It tells you that you still suck at business. Want me to teach you a trick?"
Kevin perked up instantly. "Yes! Tell me!"
"You've got a decent build. You could be a selling point. Use it to attract some female customers," Dexter suggested with a mischievous grin.
Hearing this.
Kevin and Veronica's eyes widened simultaneously.
Vivian chuckled and shook her head, knowing Dexter was stirring the pot.
"No way!" Veronica snapped out of it first, objecting decisively. "Kev is mine. I'm not letting those skanks get a free show."
Kevin didn't quite get it and asked Dexter, "You mean... being topless, right?"
Dexter nodded with a smile. "Of course. What else did you think?"
Kevin looked thoughtful. He pondered for two seconds, then turned to Veronica. "V, isn't that basically the same as you doing cam shows online before? What's the problem? I think it's a good idea. Worth a shot."
"It's not the same! I was on the internet. You're doing it in real life," Veronica still objected.
The two started arguing.
Dexter, having lit the fuse, stepped back from the explosion. He turned to Frank and asked with a smile, "Frank, heard you lost your junk?"
Frank really couldn't handle people bringing that up right now. He got agitated immediately. "None of your damn business."
"Haha," Dexter laughed heartily. "I'm just curious. Without the equipment, does it affect how you pee?"
Tommy and Kermit nearby couldn't resist jumping into the conversation.
"He has to squat now, like a lady," Tommy laughed.
Kermit followed up, "Heard it leaks, too."
"Haha, that intense?" Dexter was genuinely enjoying this.
"Fuck you all!" Frank, already drunk and dizzy, was provoked into shouting angrily.
Naturally, it was just shouting. Frank didn't have the guts to actually do anything.
Dexter laughed with Tommy and Kermit for a while.
"Tommy, I might have another job for you in a few days. I plan to buy a house around here. When I do, help me renovate it nicely," Dexter said to Tommy.
Tommy beamed. "Boss Ding, you really are my cash cow. Done. No problem. I guarantee it'll be beautiful."
"Good. I'll find you when I buy the house."
Deal settled.
At the same time.
Veronica and Kevin settled their debate too.
"You can try it. But if I catch you messing around with any other woman, I'll make you just like Frank!" Veronica compromised slightly, but issued a dire warning.
Kevin felt a phantom chill downstairs and hurriedly promised.
Everyone shared a laugh.
Happy times always fly by.
Past 10:00 PM.
Dexter left first with Dumb Nine, strolling over to Dex Fruit Stand.
Svetlana was wrapping things up. "Boss, not asleep yet?"
"Nope. Just heading back, thought I'd stop by," Dexter replied.
"Good timing. I was planning to go to the hotel to find you and discuss something," Svetlana looked serious.
"Shoot."
"The shop needs a delivery van. Kevin's pickup is a bit small; it can't hold enough stock," Svetlana said directly.
"Sure. I'll buy one tomorrow," Dexter agreed without hesitation.
"Thanks, Boss," Svetlana smiled. "So, Boss, are you going straight to sleep when you get back? If not, I can bring some sisters over to play?"
Now that sounded good.
"If you're talking about that, I'm suddenly not sleepy. See you in a bit," Dexter laughed.
Svetlana smiled too. "Okay."
Dexter left with Dumb Nine.
About half an hour later.
Hotel Room.
It was a bit crowded.
Dexter felt even more strongly that buying a house was necessary. Otherwise, there wouldn't be enough room for this kind of... activity.
---
Kevin and Veronica's Home.
Both of them were exhausted from the day. After showering and getting into bed, they had no energy for games. They just wanted to sleep.
But they didn't sleep just yet.
"Lip and Ian come back tomorrow. Are you going to pick them up?" Veronica thought of it.
Kevin shook his head decisively without hesitation. "Nope. No time. They can come back themselves. It's not far."
Veronica turned her head to look at Kevin. "Kev, you're completely washing your hands of the Gallaghers, huh?"
Kevin looked calm. "I never had much interest in the Gallaghers to begin with. I only dealt with them because of you. I considered Lip a friend."
"But then, after everything that happened a while back... I saw who Lip really is. I can't be bothered with him anymore."
Veronica sighed helplessly. "Sigh."
"V, actually, I've thought about this clearly. Especially these last three months. We've both been working hard, and it made me realize..." Hearing her sigh, Kevin paused for a few seconds before continuing. "The Gallagher family is a pit. A pit that swallows people. Anyone who gets close gets pulled in."
"Haven't you noticed how peaceful our lives have been these last three months without any of their drama?" Kevin asked.
Veronica had noticed. She gave a bitter smile. "True."
"So, let them be whatever they're going to be. I'm done getting involved. I suggest you limit your contact with Fiona too. If you have to interact, just keep it casual."
"I guarantee you, not long after the three of them get back, they'll stir up a bunch of shit again. And then you'll just be stressed."
Kevin said it all in one breath.
Best friends for years... Veronica still hoped Fiona could have a better life. She sighed again. "I hope not. They suffered so much this time. Surely they learned a lesson."
Kevin shook his head with a smile. "We can make a bet."
"Forget it. Betting on someone's misery isn't fun," Veronica wasn't interested. She paused. "Kev, I have something I want to discuss with you. Don't get mad."
Kevin was a bit puzzled. "Say it."
"Let's observe for a bit. If Fiona comes out and really wants to live a good life... and if business at the Alibi picks up and you can't handle it alone... can we hire her to work at the Alibi?"
"..." Kevin was speechless for a moment.
Veronica knew Kevin was reluctant and tried to persuade him. "She's pretty. Maybe she can attract more customers."
Now it was Kevin's turn to sigh.
"That's true. The problem is, if I hire her, and then she constantly has 'family emergencies' and has to leave... do I fire her or let her stay?" Kevin asked, nursing a headache.
Veronica had no answer for that. She was silent for a long time. "Forget it. We'll talk about it then. Let's sleep."
"Yeah."
Lights out. They closed their eyes and drifted off.
They slept peacefully and soundly, just like every other night for the past three months.
---