πππ: max mayfield & @farmingsβ ππππ: just a couple of wouldβve been besties playing pool πππππ: alβs (the other bar in hawkins that i just made up rn)
figures that max would forget something so crucial about mysteries-- dustin and lucas theorizing all the time was headspinningly annoying. and she was sure that she wasnβt even hearing the half of it. between that, more sleepless nights, and growing concern about a missing child, she was due for a drink. it seemed every time she stepped foot in the hideaway she was confronted by someone she had known once upon a time, or someone like cole, or akeem, cornering her with another fire to put out. it was safe to say, recent and past, the only person sheβd had fun at the hideaway with was eddie.
but alβs wasnβt so bad, smaller than the hideaway and just as a grimy. max made quick work of the place, downing a few beers before switching over to a simple jim and coke. she wondered if susan, her mom, had spent any time in this place forever ago. probably. it reminded the bars in los angeles her father used to take her to when she had weekends with him. the stench of the smoke and the dimly lit pool table. she hadnβt really played since college, but hustling had to be like riding a bike, right? max didnβt need the money anymore, but just wanted to see if she was still capable of it.Β βhey.β she approached the man with the broad shoulders, toughly folding her hands in front of her,Β βwanna play a round? iβve got a twenty.β max threw it on the table and took another generous sip of her drink. she smiled slyly at the stranger, intentionally slurring her words,Β βi havenβt played since college, soβcant promise a good match. but good company.β maxβs eyes narrowed,Β βmaybe.βΒ
