living in the moment

Welcome to Coolsville, the best little small town in Ohio.

…except for right now, but that’s not really DIANA FRANCO’S (Priscilla Quintana) fault, is it? Known as the PEACEKEEPER around town, SHE is just your friendly neighborhood BARTENDER. Sure they can be DISTANT and FICKLE, but they can also be FRIENDLY and LEVEL-HEADED just like any other 26 year old. That doesn’t mean they have anything to do with our string of recent chilling events, though… right?

They made it. In some sense, Diana always knew they would get out of the maze eventually. There are only so many routes you could take before getting out and if she had kept staying right like she originally planning, she knows it would have happened eventually. She knows it. And yet, to finally see the sky and get a view that wasn't the red stained mirrors lifted a weight off of her shoulders that almost brought tears to her eyes. She let Tommy go to enjoy his own freedom as she leaned against the wall, running a hand through her hair.

They made it out. But Eli... Her eyes darted up, dread filling her stomach at the thought of having to go back in to search for her other friend that was in the maze. Just as she started to reach for the fire extinguisher she had initially tossed to the side, she saw him standing off to the side.

"Eli!" she called out, pushing herself off of the wall to go to his side, relief spreading through her veins.

“And you? Not scared of if theres something big and bad out there?” Tommy asked, actually wanting her opinion on it. She seemed cool, and it was a good check of what girls like her thought, “I mean, she could’ve just run away, right? I cant think of anyone that would take a girl.” 

“Honestly? Sometimes it does. They spend all this time being hit on, that I think they like the subtlty or something.” He’d never asked, because why would you try to ruin things, but right now he wished he had a real answer. “Would it work on you? I’m definitely getting that you would prefer to be talked to.” 

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"I think that even if there is something big and bad out there, I have rent to pay at the end of the month." She smirked a little but raised an eyebrow at his next statement. "Really? You can't think of anyone who'd take a girl? Haven't you ever listened to a true crime documentary? Or watch the news for more than a minute?"

"I think it's more likely that at the end of a long shift, anyone who doesn't actively catcall her is a downright gentleman." She shrugged. "I don't usually have that kind of problem though given that most of the people around here have known me since I was an awkward teenager.” She reached for an empty shot glass and poured herself a shot knowing that with the last few minutes of her shift slipping away, she wasn’t likely to have many other customers.

“And you're right. I do prefer conversation over staring at someone."

“Excuse you,” Cam chastises, “I know for a fact there is cheap ass liquor that comes in plastic bottles.” That was all Cam bought save for special occasions. She didn’t need anything expensive, anyway. It wasn’t like she’d care about the taste after a certain point, anyway. “But, I can agree that they should just put all the basic liquors on top and make life easier for bartenders everywhere.” 

That was something they could agree on for certain. The way the world had seemed to react to the news about Dani had felt so disjointed. Between going into work like nothing had happened, and locking up at the end of the night while staring Dani’s missing persons poster plastered on the shop door in the eyes, Cam felt like she’s been in a constant state of limbo, never knowing which way is the right way to feel in public. Especially given the fact that the rumor of her being involved in the disappearance of Dani was spreading like wildfire. 

The unfortunate thing about Cam’s spiel, is it really only seemed to work over text. She deflates a little and nods as Diana alls out the very true fact that Danny was not doing well. Not that anyone was expecting him to, but it still crushed her to see him in such a poor state. “It’s been rough, but I’ve been trying to keep him as optimistic as I can. Sleeping over, made sure I’m easy access by phone, the whole nine yards.” She just wished it was helping more.

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Diana laughed, shaking her head a little. “I know that you’re right, but I still think that even the worst of liquors don’t deserve the plastic bottle treatment.” Plastic only messes with an already debatable flavor but then again maybe that was the point. If it was bad enough, you could blame the plastic instead of the manufacturing of the alcohol. "You are definitely speaking to the choir on that one. But since when are bars made optimally."

Even hearing the small bits of what Danny was going through hurt to hear, knowing that it was likely only a snippet of the pain he was going through. It was something she wouldn't wish on anyone, even someone she hated.

"I'm glad he has you though. It's better that he has someone to distract him right now." Diana offered her a small smile. "It'll likely only get worse until we figure out more too. You think it's stupid to wake up hoping that the police finally wised up and managed to find her?"

“Fuck! Anyone out there? Help me!”

Tommy. Diana had been following after him after losing Eli and then the mirrors began to shift. A convincing prank to be sure as she watched red begin to pool down the mirrors, covering her reflection as they dripped down the surface. She tilted her head, staring at it, and almost reached her hand out when she heard the shattering in the distance and Tommy’s cry for help.

“Tommy?” she called out. “Tommy where are you?” She started moving the direction she last saw him in, being careful not to touch the red substance on walls. It wasn’t blood. It couldn’t be. “Tommy keep talking so I can find you!” She kept her eyes on the ground, hoping to be able to tell the real corridors from the reflections.

“Is it really getting everyone down that bad?” Tommy had not a clue how this was effecting the wider community. It was getting Danny pretty badly, obviously, and even Sarah had said a few things to him, but he wasn’t sure. “Or are they all afraid its them next?” 

“Well, yeah. That is a perk.” He sipped at the fresh beer, enjoying the very perk for a moment, “But it also gives me time to actually chat to the pretty bartender for a change. Normally I just get to stare, and hope to catch her eye long enough to wink.” 

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"Probably both honestly. Some feel guilty about going out while others think that they might be next." There were so few answers around the disappearance that she didn't blame them for being scared. It's even gotten to her despite her best efforts and everyone knew nothing quite phased her.

Diana grinned at his obvious flirting, leaning against the bar as she picked up a glass to clean. "Oh really? And does that normally work for you?"

It’s nothing short of unbelievable that their single bottle of expensive liquor would be left on the shelf as some sad decorative piece. Well— actually, it was far more believable than one would think seeing as the paint was peeling on the walls. “I hope your boss knows it’s not getting any more valuable just sitting up there on the shelf.” He could have shared it with his employees if anything, but leaving the bottle untouched like that? Even Val knew that it was a waste of whiskey.

Pointing to her car, she asks, “why walk when you can drive?” It was an eco-friendly car and she’d spent a good chunk of her day in pumps, save the long stretch of time she’d been able to sit down and slip into fuzzy slippers; all the same, there was no need to treat the vehicle like that top shelf yamazaki. “I can drive you home afterwards.” That much was a common courtesy.

After unlocking the car, she’s gesturing in its general direction. “I could have given a speech about it you know? You would’ve heard me wax poetic about my distaste for dive bars…or whatever this place is, I’m not sure how these things are categorized.” The words are punctuated with a shrug of her shoulders; Val doesn’t think the words would be received well at all, but she went there to retrieve Diana not to make an attempt at people pleasing. “Whatever the reaction, it couldn’t have been shock.” Unless they were in denial about the nature of the establishment. 

“I mean, you’re free to take offense, hence some of it thrown in there. But sure, let’s not split hairs about whose workplace is what.” Another shrug of her shoulders before she realizes the conversation has taken them to her car. “Make yourself at home…but not too at home.”

♥

Diana laughed, looking up at the bottle that had been gathering dust ever since she's been working here. There was a pool amongst the workers about when the bottle would finally be opened and she's got to wonder if they would ever reach an end to it. “I’m not convinced that he does know that, but who am I tell a guy what to do with his alcohol.”

She started walking toward the car, shrugging. “Exercise? Some people say that’s good for you, for some reason.” When she gets off of long shifts and she found herself exhausted, there wasn't a difference between a ten minute drive and an hour walk. In her mind, they were both endless. And besides, it was almost harder to climb up the stairs to her apartment after sitting for a few minutes as opposed to maintaining her momentum. “Thanks. You really don’t have to though.” She lived on Main Street so it wouldn't be too much trouble even if she had to walk down the whole street to get home. 

“Dive bar is close enough. And you’re right, no one would be shocked, though a couple patrons might have been butt hurt enough to try to kick you out. In that case, it’s probably better that you hadn’t said anything.” Not that that would bother Val, Diana was sure. She's dealt with plenty of people who hate her for one reason or another and she would be able to take care of herself regardless of the outcome. But that still didn't mean Diana wouldn't have been concerned for her friend in such a situation. Val shouldn't have to deal with that sort of negativity all the time, after all.

Smirking, she gave a small shrug. “Sure. And besides, it feels kinda wrong to take offense to a differing of opinions.” She opened the door to the car and slid inside, placing her bag on the floor. “What do you mean too at home? Have people come in here and put their feet on the dash or something?”

“Vodka, why not?” Cam shakes her head at the offer, not willing to even consider it as a thought. She loved Danny, and she knew that he would need every cent to make up for missed work. Something told her the bar didn’t make great considerations for bereavement pay, and Danny would still have bills to make in the coming weeks. “I’m good, he can keep his tips. I’d feel disingenuous drinking anything that comes out of a glass liquor bottle anyway.” Not entirely true, but she wasn’t going to give up the fact that she cared that much that easily. 

“You know, working. Sleeping. Chauffeuring the kids to practices and back. Nothing all that out of the ordinary all things considered.” Diana seemed like a nice enough person. And, Danny really liked her, so that was something, too. But, Cameron had never been the type to trust easy, and she wasn’t going to start now. Opening up to other people was not something Cam did lightly, Danny being the exception to the rule, not the norm. But, frankly, she didn’t feel all that bad about keeping her cards close to her chest when Diana seems to do the same thing with her. “Danny’s been… he’s been better, but I think he’s doing as well as anyone could in his position.” The answer had begun to feel rehearsed in some ways, but Cam could seldom think of a better way to describe her best friends breakdown without worrying everyone, and making it worse.

.

With the alcohol preference in mind, she turned on her heel, reaching for one of the glass bottles behind her. It was one of the less expensive bottles, but definitely not the cheapest one in stock. Diana figured she would charge Cam for the cheapest one anyway and pay the difference with her own tips if someone were to notice. But she doubted anyone would even notice. "You do realize, most things here come from glass bottles right? Vodka isn't really on tap, although it really should." She finished pouring Cam her drink and placed it in front of her.

"Yeah same for me. It's weird how everything kinda keeps going even though shit's messed up around here. Seems wrong, you know?" Or at the very least uncomfortable. Danny and his family were suffering and yet here Diana was making drinks and cleaning the counter like she did almost every other day.

The response Cam gave was generic to the point of being rehearsed, but Diana could read between those lines. "So he's in a really bad place then?" Why did she even bother asking? Of course he was in a bad place. But then again, what did she and Cameron really talk about when Danny wasn't also with them? "At least he's got you to help him out or offer distractions. Keep him from spiraling too bad I guess."

Valentina figures its one consequence of being born with a silver spoon in your mouth— to be weaned on luxury and nothing less. She thinks she’ll walk through life picking things apart, comparing lemon drops to Pegu clubs; one is ash, the other, ambrosia. “What like…” Val trails off as she brainstorms what kind of high end liquor they’d have here. She wants to ask if they have brollach ( because she knows they don’t, not because she even likes the whiskey ) but decides on another instead, “a yamazaki or something?” Neither one is to her taste, because she’s fond of sweeter things, but she was expected to like them nonetheless. 

“That sounds…unfortunate,” and if there’s any irony in her words, she doesn’t acknowledge it. It’s not like Diana knows about her loose definition of a schedule, and Valentina wasn’t going to change that now. Still it was weird that they had some semblance of commonality then, in a paradoxical way from what she’d been hearing. “Good, I’m sure you can do better than that.” It’s really as far as her sympathy goes, interwoven with words that weren’t necessarily kind.

Val didn’t spare anyone else in the pub a passing glance as she followed Diana out the doors and into freedom. She’d even taken an obnoxiously loud intake of breath to clear her senses from the smell of sweaty bodies and beer. “I know a place on Main Street,” a pretty little restaurant with fancy foods that were more appetizing that the gruel found at the diner or the Pizza Palace. Maybe the latter options were more of Diana’s preference, but it’s not like she was going to place much value on that. Valentina’s never been the type to lower her standards for the taxing chore of being considerate to those around her.

“I would’ve been just as honest inside,” she says with a laugh— when was she ever known to hold her tongue? “All your coworkers would’ve heard me say that there was no amount of money. I’m not hurting for it, and this place is a nightmare. Some offense,” but once again, the words have a sliver of amusement between the usual haughtiness. 

♥

“Actually…” Diana pointed to the literal top shelf of the alcohol display behind them where there were various opened bottles of expensive whiskeys and vodkas. In the middle was an unopened bottle of yamazaki. “Though to be fair, the owner got it as a gift one year and I think he keeps it there to make the place seem fancier. We aren’t really allowed to touch it unless he’s here.” For all she knew, it was filled with water, but she’d never be able to know for sure. 

Grinning at Valentina’s dramatic deep breath, she fell into step beside her friend and tossed her bag over her shoulder. “Cool. Would you prefer to take your car there or is walking alright for you?” Diana’s own car was at her apartment since she convinced her brother to use his police car to get her to work on time. Normally she didn’t mind walking back toward Main Street, but if Val was wearing uncomfortable shoes, she wouldn’t want to force her to walk there. 

She actually laughed hearing her assessment of her workplace. “Right. My mistake. I should have asked you inside just to see what the others reaction would be.” Annoyance probably, but she doubted anyone would have taken it too seriously outside of the few who would just because it was Val who said it. All things considered, Val wasn’t even wrong, but Diana always believed the grittiness to be part of its charm. 

“If you don’t take offense to how boring I think your job would be, I won’t take offense to how disgusted you are of mine.” Diana smirked at her, a teasing tilt to her words. 

Her brows raised as a sense of incredulity invaded her senses; Valentina couldn’t imagine wanting to spend another minute here, but Diana seemed content to lounge around after hours of work. “Is it even good alcohol?” And she doesn’t stop to think about how rude the words would sound ( and when has she ever... ). It’s just that, with tastebuds as snobbish as hers, Val didn’t think that a dive bar would be the best place to have a drink. How clean were the glasses anyways?

It was obvious that Diana was trying, and Val had enough mercy to come and retrieve her but even that seemed like a lot. And all that aside, one drink could easily turn into four— that’s how it worked. Four drinks at a bar meant sitting down and holding a conversation. Even if the two of them had things that they needed to say to the other, it shouldn’t be in this place. If Diana wanted to ignore the obvious ( which was fine with Val ), small talk at a bar didn’t seem all that appealing either. 

“That’s free alcohol on top of the extra pay, right?” It was probably mediocre at that. But she did sympathize with the long hours— more often than not, Valentina was the last one in the office, getting things done and redoing others. While it was hard to get her out of the building, she wasn’t backtracking once she did so. Any residual work could be done at home, sans tips and sans overtime since her father had started capping those extra hours.

“Yeah, I don’t want it. We can find somewhere to eat and drink that isn’t your wonderful little workplace,” she follows the words with a small, albeit strained, smile. 

♥

Diana actually laughed, which likely was drowned out by the noise around them. "We have some expensive bottles. It'd depend on what you want to drink." Wines and champagnes were not likely to be found there, but they did have a few top shelf bottles of bourbon and tequila that usually come out once every year or so. Still, the clear snobbery of her words made Diana grin. Even if they had the most expensive bottle of alcohol in the world here, she doubted it would make a difference in Val's eyes considering the rest of the atmosphere.

"It's more like the free alcohol is the extra pay. This place is wise enough to not let me work so many hours that they'd have to pay me overtime." Not on book anyway. She's been given cash under the table for some particularly long shifts before that she vowed to never speak about. It was one of the good and bad parts about working at a local place as opposed to something like a Target or Walmart. "It's temporary anyway."

A soft smile graced her lips at Valentina's words, nodding quickly before meeting her on the other side. "Sure. You can pick whatever you like best." Though as she said the words, she remembered that maybe she shouldn't give her such freedom of choice when it came to restaurants. Diana made decent money, but if Val wanted something to her standards, she wasn't entirely sure if she would be able to afford a full meal. But she made sure not to let that nugget of concern show on her face as she started towards the door, giving one last nod to the other bartenders and a couple regulars at the bar before stepping into the fresh air.

“Now that we’re actually free, you can be honest with me. How much money would someone have to pay you in order for you to go back into that bar?”

Diana had already bought the bottle of Bacardi when the plan finally began to formulate, which then changed her initial plan of trying to get Danny to relax a little before having a complicated conversation with his parents. She should have known there would be a wrench tossed into her plans—very little things these days seemed to go how Diana imagined them. Still, they were about to be committing several illegal acts so maybe the alcohol was still a good idea. If she was a little drunk, maybe her brother would take pity on her and not let his friends put her in jail besides Cameron. 

No, the plan would work. It was a little stupid but as long as they covered their tracks well enough, it will be fine. She had to believe that. With the bottle in hand and an envelop with Danny’s tips in her pocket, she knocked on his door. “Hey! Open up before you end up breaking something in there.”

Cameron truly wasn’t sure when Danny would return to work. She didn’t judge him for not willing to to be there, but she missed being able to sit there for the majority of his shift, being a little pest to him and everyone else who she crossed paths with. She’s gotten so used to reading in the corner booth for hours on end, curled up against the back wall until Danny finally finishes for the day. But, she hadn’t had a reason to spend any time there while he was gone, and she really didn’t have the energy to go straight home after work. She’d go for a drink, and slip out of there before anyone could even recognize her face.

But, why would she be that lucky? It’s not like she doesn’t like Diana. it’s quite the opposite, she thinks Diana is a very nice person, and a very kind hearted person. There is absolutely nothing wrong with her whatsoever. But, maybe that’s the issue, right? She’s almost too perfect and too caring, and that typically scares Cameron off like a skittish animal. The good news is the two of them had come to some silent understanding with one another to never delve so deep that Cam felt the need to run. “Hi. Drink would be great, just whatever’s cheap,” She says, settling into the bar stool across from Diana. “It’s been a minute,” She offers casually.

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"Sure thing. Tequila, whiskey, vodka?" Diana asked, turning on her heel to grab a glass. "We could take it out of Danny's tips if you wanted something a little pricy. He technically doesn't even know they're his yet so he'd never know." He was having a rough time and it would be even rougher if he couldn't pay his rent because he wasn't working. While his parents likely could take care of it all for him, Diana wanted to at least give him the tips that he would have earned just in case they didn't. It was the least she could do really.

"It has been a bit. How've you been? Outside of the obvious I mean?" And here it was, the game they always played. Diana didn't expect much from most of her friendships, but her relationship with Cameron was on another level. They never said anything of substance to each other and Diana was almost impressed by how much the two of them could talk to each other without letting anything on. It was almost a game at this point to see who might let something slip first. Diana couldn't blame the other woman for keeping things close to the chest, though, so she just smiled and played along, not willing to be the first one to open up. "How's Danny been?"

Seconds turned into minutes ( just a few, but Valentina was dramatic ) and she’d started studying the bar’s patrons out of boredom, assigning them stories as scandalous as the gossip her mother injected into the family group chat. There were a million and more reasons as to why she tried to keep her mind occupied; even in the very loud atmosphere she’d find herself running from rumination. And could she be blamed? The events of the previous night were extremely hectic and loud as they loitered in the back of her mind. 

A far more rational part of Valentina regarded Diana’s role in the matter differently; her ‘helpful’ disposition caused a domino effect that wasn’t fun for anyone involved, but the end results weren’t…terrible? If she were a nicer person she could have said that a tragedy was mitigated via the bartender’s loose lips, but Valentina isn’t a nicer person. She isn’t even an ‘averagely’ nice person. For now, she’s content to sit in a pool of her own ambivalence. And that’s how Diana finds her, fending off intrusive thoughts and tallying the number of times a patron would stumble over themselves. “Hey, you.”

The greeting is generic, and Valentina doesn’t think to inject any delight nor venom into her words. Much of the anger and annoyance she’d felt had slowly dissipated throughout the day, but maybe she just wanted Diana to work for it. She hung around Valentina as if she were on a mission, even when Val had made it clear that befriending her would be a herculean task. But they had been friends though…or some semblance of it? Dealing with people was so tiring, and even then, Valentina didn’t hate the time they spent together. 

Still, that time would be spent together outside of the pub. “You’re off the clock, don’t even bother.” There’s the softest tilt in her voice, as if she were teasing.

♥

Hey, you. Generic but not dismissive. She'd take it honestly. This at least was familiar, even if it hurt to be back to this stage of greeting. But really who was she to be picky. This was her fault after all and Diana refused to shy away from the consequences of that. Besides, the fact that she was here in general meant that everything would probably be okay eventually. Probably... Hopefully...

"True, but pouring one extra one for you wouldn't be a bother." She smiled warmly at her, finding it easy to get back into step with the other woman and put on the air that nothing was wrong. And she did seem to be teasing her, so maybe that was actually true. This was their first real argument with each other, so Diana wasn't entirely sure if this was normal for Val in these situations. Perhaps, Diana's fuck up was good for something after all. At the very least, it'd allow her to fill in some of the blanks on her Valentina meter in case this ever happened again.  

"Besides, I've worked enough extra shifts around here recently that they deserve to give me the free alcohol." She left unsaid that the only reason she was working as much to begin with was because she agreed to take over most of Danny's shifts. It was the least she could do for her friend, given how much he has to deal with now. Perhaps that was why he had been so forgiving with her last night.

"But if you don't want it, let's get out of here." Diana pushed off of the counter and moved around to the meet her on the other side.

Time ticked by at a snail’s pace, the afternoon shift at the bar proving to be just as lackluster as Diana remembered. Why had she agreed to pick up the first few hours of Danny’s shift? Well, she knew exactly why, but that didn’t mean she had to be happy about it. At least the other bartender, Ricky, agreed to take the other half, otherwise she would likely have been there all day. Still, the television in the corner had whatever baseball game that was going on and the few patrons there switched from speaking about their lives to yelling at the pitcher for doing a shitty job. 

The distinct creak of the front door opening had Diana perk up from the bar table, smiling as she spotted the familiar face of Cameron. The two weren’t particularly close, but the other came around the bar enough that Diana was fairly familiar with her. But she hadn’t seen her since… well since Dani’s disappearance. “Hey.” She waved her towards an empty stool on the other end of the bar. “Drink?”