1.

The most prominent feature about the bar was not it’s great atmosphere or how awesome the band was; it was the seediness of it. Drunken girls dancing in their underwear on tables, men groping anything they could, band members crowd surfing onto the adoring public and people drinking shot after shot of whiskey. All the things, in fact, that Dougie loved. The whole scene just screamed ‘him’. He’d been working there since he moved to London all those years ago when he was a fresh faced eighteen year old. At first, it was just a job to pay for all the alcohol and drugs but it soon became somewhat of a haven for him. He could get drunk on the cheep (after all, all he had to do was wink at some gawping girl and she’d buy drink after drink for him) and also listen to some of the best under ground rock bands circling London. He never wanted anything more than this, it was just perfect for him.
“Dougie, Jesus,” his co worker Adam hissed at Dougie as he downed another shot, “Do NOT let Mr Plummer see you doing that,” he warned, concerned for his… well, acquaintance, that he would get yet another warning from the dreaded owner of the bar and then get fired. Dougie didn’t care though, he’d already been brought a beer and six shots from customers and the alcohol was just starting to kick in. If the night carried on like this, he would be drunk enough in no time, meaning that whatever Mr Plummer had to say to him wouldn’t mean shit. And let this be evidence of Dougie’s poor logic.
“Whatever man,” Dougie brushed him off, serving another customer. A young lady who batted her eyelashes at him and smiled flirtatiously. Dougie liked this; he liked her. Keeping his eye over her rear as she walked away from the bar, Dougie kept in mind her face, and how he was probably going to wake up in her bed tomorrow.
“DOUGIE!” Adam snapped as Dougie opened a bottle of beer and proceeded to drink from it.
“Whaaat?” he whined feebly.
“Seriously dude, you’re getting fired.” Adam shook his head
“Mate, there is no way Plummer’s gonna fire me,” Dougie began big headedly, “I’ve been working here too fucking long. I’ve always drunk on the job. The punters love it! Besides, he’s not fired me yet, so why’s he going to change his mind now?”
“Doug-”
“I’ve been working here longer then he’s been able to drink-”
“Doug-” Adam tried again.
“He’s only the manager because his daddy is the top dog of this joint. Let’s face it, this place is well known for having me as a barman. If I ever got fired, it wouldn’t be the same. So as far as I’m concerned, if Plummer doesn’t like the way I handle this job, well he can grab a spoon and eat my shit.”
Adams eyes darted around nervously, customers trying to catch the two barmens attention but failing. Dougie caught on to this sign of panic.
“He’s right behind me isn’t he?” Adam nodded slowly. Dougie spun around and was faced with the chest of his boss, “Mr Plummer.” he greeted sheepishly.
“Poynter,” Mr Plummer replied, “Follow me.” he grunted.
They walked to the back room grudgingly, Dougie following behind showing no remorse for his actions and only thinking about how much he needed a drink. Plummer suddenly turned around, causing Dougie to stop in his tracks suddenly.
“This long overdue Poynter.” Plummer spat causing Dougie to groan inwardly. It always irritated him that his boss never called him by his first name.
“What can I say?” he grinned, trying to turn on his charm but realising that that only worked when he was trying to chat up a girl.
“I’m afraid this is the end of the line for you.” he stated.
“What the serious fuck dude? Do you not understand how long I’ve been working here? See this;” he walked over to the public bathrooms and stood in the doorway, “I passed out in here, with Hayley Williams from Paramore underneath me.” he grinned, proud of this so called achievement.
“She’s a ghost and so are you.”
“She’s not dead!”
“I meant she’s old news now Poynter. There’s no desire for her anymore. Just like you.”
“You don’t know what you’re doing.”
“Oh I do. And you my friend are out of here.” he accentuated the word ‘friend’, showing Dougie that he didn’t mean it as a means of taunting him. Dougie opened his mouth to speak, but couldn’t find the energy. He bowed his head in defeat and with heavy steps, walked towards the back door.