Busy Night

“Tsubakiiiiiii!” Hops practically ran to her as Tsubaki entered the bar.

“Whoa, whoa,” Tsubaki held her hands up as she was accosted. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Our dish washer called in again!” Hops complained, “And there’s a huge pile that’s waiting to be washed! We’ll run out of clean glasses soon and the customers will start getting angry. Please will you help?” She stared with wide, pleading eyes.

“Hops, you know I’m willing to do just about anything for money.” Tsubaki placed a hand on her hip. “Give me a good enough price and I’ll help with whatever you need around here.”

“I knew I could count on you!” Hops wrapped her arms around Tsubaki in a tight hug. “Is the usual rate fine?”

“Depends… I’ll have to see this dish mountain first.” She didn’t want to agree just to end up working for longer than she expected.

Hops groaned, hoping that Tsubaki wouldn’t decline upon seeing it… “Alright, alright, follow me.” She led the way through the crowd of tables and customers, into the backroom, conveniently ignoring the employees only sign. Desperate times called for desperate measures after all.

Tsubaki was stunned upon seeing how many dishes were piled, not only in the sink but beside it. Hops wasn’t kidding when she said they were going to run out of clean dishes at this rate, and belligerent drunks would be breathing down Hop’s neck at that point. No wonder she practically tackled the first person who walked in that she knew might be willing to help. “I’m not sure if the usual rate is enough to cover this.” Tsubaki answered honestly. As much as she liked Hops, she was not in the business of charity.

“Pleeeeaaasseeee?” Hops pressed both her hands together. “I don’t think I could afford to go higher. Isn’t there any other way I can help repay you?” Her debt to Angora had to come first.

Tsubaki sighed. “How about this? I won’t ask for carats so you can keep all your tips, but one of these days, I reserve the right to book your services for free on one of your days off. That means you come to my house and mix drinks for me and any guests I have. I’ll provide the drinks and everything else you’ll need, but you won’t get paid for it. That being said, there’s a chance my guests may want to tip.” Though they both knew that Tsubaki herself wouldn’t tip. Still, this was a good deal for Hops. Getting to keep all the tip money on a busy night like tonight, as well as the possibility of good tipping in the future, all in exchange for just one of her days off. Besides, she liked spending time with Tsubaki so serving her and her guests might not even feel like work to her. Not only that, but if Hops got some free time tonight, they could have time to chat while washing dishes, and Tsubaki was always fun to talk to.

“Deal!” Hops didn’t need to think twice.