No Good Deeds Goes Unpunished: Chapter 2

Chapter 2

He came here expecting to wash dishes and maybe serve a few tables, instead he now manned the bar. With his apron tied over his scratchy uniform, Lamb muttered to himself as he moped the floor, “God damn asshole.”

The bar owner, he would find, was far more of an unpleasant man than he had seen in his office. The man was a cheapskate through and true. Not only was he the lone bartender to a bar of a couple dozen patrons, but he was the only person on the floor which means he had to do all the cleaning, serving and security detail. 

When pressed on where the janitor was to at least lighten his load to a reasonable, the beetle would only sarcastically reply before waddling off, “Well, there's a mop behind the saloon counter ain’t there?” 

“No wonder his last bartender left him,” He muttered as he squeezed the mop dry over his bucket before rinsing it in with some soapy water and wiping away at the spilled beer on the floor. He hated every second of having to clean this mess.

In all honesty, he could have just left and just did his job. The fat bastard didn't hire him to clean, he hired him to serve drinks, but it was simply too much of an eye sore. If he left it there, the customers would simply fuck off and how would he get tips if no one was left inside the bar? 

“It's just one day, Lamb. It's just one day,” He muttered to himself as he walked off to the bathroom to get a fresh pale. That was before he heard the bell ringing over his station.

Turning, he found an irate inp leaning against the counter, cowboy hat over their eyes. “Can I get some service around here?” The woman complained as she crossed her arms across her chest, “I swear if it wasn't for the main event, I wouldn't even be here.”

Leaving his bucket and map against a nearby post, he rushed over and hastily washed his hands on the sink. “Sorry about that ma’am,” He apologized before giving them his best smile as he pulled out his note, “Now what can I get you?”

“One shot of whisky and make it quick,” The woman snapped, hands resting on her belt while she scowled at him. 

Seeing how stretched thin her patience was, he grabbed the cheapest bottle off the shelf and poured her a drink. “Here you go,” He said as he handed her her drink.

While he wrote her receipt, not quite tallying it up in case she decided to have another, the woman called out, “Hey wait a second.” Gazing up, he found the girl staring at her drink in confusion. “Didn’t the old guy add ice to just about everything?” She asked, her gruff tone slipping to more country twang.

Raising a brow, he replied, “Well, you asked for a shot of whisky right?” It wasn’t like she ordered it on the rocks. 

“This ain’t going to cost me more right?” The girl asked, eyeing the drink suspiciously, “I mean, I was going to order more for a proper shot but then…”

As the girl gestured at her suspiciously full drinks, he snorted. “Wait, let me just get something.” Slipping under the table, he rooted around before pulling out a large scrapbook. It was the old bartender's personal notes. 

It was quite the comprehensive guide on how to mix some cocktails and how to rip people off, the latter of which he ignored. The owner never did specify that he followed the old guide or anything for that matter. He just wanted him to work and so he did. 

Says here that on the rocks is on request and it's a dollar more expensive,” He pointed out as showed the price sheet. Seems like the old bartender extensively used ice to water down drinks if the look of surprise and annoyance on the girls face was to go by. 

As she gazed up and eyed him appraisingly, the Imp's frown lightened up to a smile. “You know what, you're not half bad,” She complimented before she downed the burning elixir. Letting out a satisfied sigh, she reached in for her pockets before sliding some crumpled up notes and change; It was little over what she needed for two shots.

“Keep the change,” She smiled as she tipped her hat before leaving with her spaded tail swaying behind her happily. Her good mood wasn't missed by the other customers as they eyed him curiously. Who knew that not ripping off customers makes them more likely to buy. 

Soon enough, his bar would get a few more patrons of which he quickly served so he could get back to cleaning. “I think I could clean a few more floors if I get to keep tips like these,” He whispered to himself as he felt his pockets grew considerably heavier and the night had just began. 

-x-x-x-

Lamb quickly got in the groove of things, serving drinks, cleaning when he could and even breaking a few fights here and there. The threat of a gun was quite the universal language even if they weren't loaded. Overall, things were great. 

Heck, he could even say they've never been better. After months of being kicked down, things were finally looking up. Were his fortunes finally turning for the better? No, it's just one night. It could easily turn shit. Also, best not to jinx it. It still did bring a smile to his face. 

As he turned to grab another keg of beer in the back, the crowd cheered as the band performing on stage bowed. “Oh is it time already?” He mused as he stopped mid way and watched the curtains swing shut while the opener made their exit, “Time really flies when you’re enjoying things.” Maybe he could stay just for a bit for the opening act. Eyeing the crowd as they settled down with drinks in hand, he smiled, “It's not like they need a refill anytime soon.” 

With all eyes on the stage, a lone imp walked forward with his cue card in hand, “Alright! Let's give the Rickshaws another round of applause!” Waiting for the crowd to settle back down, he continued, “Now I do hope you guys aren't going home just yet cause it's finally time for the main event.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” The imp boomed as spotlights beaming down on the curtains behind him, “Coming from the seedy streets of Lust, the bombshell who took hell by storm, the one, the only, Verosika Mayday!” 

Eyes wide, Lamb leaned in closer as the curtains parted. They got the popstar to perform for this crowd? Either he had vastly underestimated how rich the beetle was, or this place was more popular than he had expected. His and the crowd's excitement would prove to be short-lived as the popstar stepped in the limelight. 

“Good evening Snoozeville!” Standing before him wasn’t the sultry popstar he knew, but a washed out has-been, “How are you all doing tonight.~” With her ruffled hair, unfocused gaze and glass in hand, the girl was absolutely slooshed.

“Oh right, didn't she go to rehab?” This girl definitely hadn't controlled that demon just yet as the girl drank from her glass like someone drinking water. 

To the woman’s credit, she looked was holding herself up well even with the slight sway to her step and she had worn something decent; A simple black dress that accented her figure well. Still, she might have had a bit too much to drink already as the girl stumbled, nearly face planting on the stage.

Catching herself, the woman took a moment to steady herself before reaching behind her and taking another drink. “Urp, sorry about that. I might be a bit tipsy right now,” She giggled, making Lamb wince. Could she even perform in that state? She looked like she was going to keel over any minute now. 

As she got to the stand and tapped the microphone, she pouted. “When I heard I had to perform in Snoozeville, I didn't think it meant the audience,” She mumbled before a dopey smile stretched across her face as she asked them, “But you guys aren't just going to stand me up like my ex right?” Leaning closer, she purred, “Come on guys, give me some love here.~” 

Her attempts to get the crowd only turned them against her as a man from the crowd shouted, “This is what we paid for? Man, what a let down! I want my money back!” 

Boos soon followed as the crowd buzzed with anger and annoyance. “I heard that the new girl is way sexier than her!” Another laughed, making Verosika snap.

“Oh fuck you!” The woman hissed, glaring at the direction of the heckler, “As if Bethany had half the talent I have and you know it!” 

With the crowd fully against her, things quickly devolved into a shouting match. “Oh god,” Lamb groaned as he covered his face, “This is going to be a disaster, isn't it?” If things get rowdier, things could get dicey and not even the threat of a gun could stop that.

This was only made worse as an asshole jeered off in the side, “Show us your tits!” 

“If we wanted to see some good tits, we would have just gone down to Lust!” The same heckler from before jeered once more, earning laughter from the crowd

As he reached for the gun underneath, Verosika suddenly fired back, “Well if I wanted to find a good dick, I certainly found it from you.” 

Just like that, the tables turned as it was the heckler's turn to laugh and he was left wanting as the red imp turned even brighter shade of red and his flapping, unable to fire back. Lamb couldn't help but shake his head at the pathetic showing. Seems like the man was all bluster until the tables were turned. 

Smelling blood on the water, Versoka all but pounced on the man as she drove in the knife even deeper. “Awww, did I hit a nerve?” Versoka giggled, “Can't get your wife off so you slipped away to a bar to drown your miserable life away?~” 

With people laughing and ribbing the man, Lamb included, the imp got up and stormed off, “Fuck you and fuck this! I'm getting a refund!” This only made the laughter louder as some started throwing peanuts at the man's retreating figure.

“What was that?” Verosika shouted as she cupped her ears, “I can't hear you over the sound of her getting railed by her new boy toy!” Defeated and with tail between his legs, the man ran off, not even making good on his threat.

Turning back to the crowd, Verosika smirked, “Now while I'd love to mess with this pathetic excuse of a boy. I do have a show to play and so many more men to please.” Eyes now coming back into focus and her steps grew steadier, she grabbed the mic before she turned around, her hips swaying as she drew in cheers. 

“You guys wanted a show right?” She purred as she stopped, eyes gazing back at them as Lamb shifted in his spot. “Well better buckle up cause you guys are in for a ride and the night just started.” Snapping her fingers, she whispered huskily, “Lights please~” 

“Well, she certainly still got some of it,” He mused as he leaned back, content to listen to the tune. “Maybe it wouldn't be that bad?” Oh how wrong would he be. 

With silence descending upon the bar, the soft serenade of strings and the slow tunes of the piano filling the air, the lights snapped to her and her eyes locked on him. Frozen, he watched spell bound as she walked towards him. 

“At last~” The pop star sang, her sweet voice sending shivers down his spine as a small smile graced her lips, "My love has come along." With eyes locked on her, unable to pull away, he felt himself drawn in as a playful smile graced her lips. 

"My lonely days are over," She whispered like a soft promise as she stopped just before the end of the stage, "And life is like a song." Hearing her voice, he couldn't pull away. “Ooh yeah, yeah~”

Eyes closed, she poured her heart with each other. “At last, the skies above are blue” Eyes fluttering, she sauntered down to the side with all eyes on her. 

“My heart was wrapped up in clover.” Mouth suddenly feeling dry, Lamb found his heart racing as she walked past those men, yet here remained on him and only him. “The night I looked at you~” 

“Hey there darling, fancy meeting you in a place like this,” She giggled as sat down on the seat and leaned back, gazing up at him with that smile. Was he dreaming or had he gone insane? All those thoughts, however, would melt away as he felt her touch. 

Heart skipping as he felt the pointed tip of her tail tracing up her his neck, she purred, “Now be a dear to poor little old me and pour me another shot, will you?” She had him wrapped around her fingers as he poured her the drink.

So lost was he that he couldn't hear what she said as her eyes lit up. It was like he could simply lose himself in that smolder gaze. Hands reaching up to cup his cheeks, she whispered, “I found a dream…” Her touch burned against his skin and he felt at peace, before she pulled away, leaving him wanting, “That I could speak to.” 

But he knew that this was just a show, a sweet nothing to his life. “A dream that I can call my own,” She sang as she turned away and walked back into the crowd. If it was a lie, then why did it feel so real? Why did she make him tongue tied? 

Face flushed and heart skipping a bit, he watched longingly as the woman sauntered off, hips swaying as she caught her in his spell. With those words etched to his soul, he knew his life was over. She had caught him in her spell and he was the fool to fall for it. 

A/N:

Yeah, our sweet Lamb is doomed. Pray for him and his hips. I also have the dialogue for Chapter 3, but couldn't finish it today cause I needed to wake up early tommorow. Sorry!