She sent me a look that called my bluff and doubled down on it.
“I’ve got game.”
Ellie ran behind the bar and flipped a switch.In an instant the mirrored sign with gold lettering turned into a glaring lightbox of green and flashing yellow.The word, “Blarney” was outlined in glowing red.
The regulars seated the bar slapped the surface, and the ones at the tables picked up their tattoo with glee.“Blarney!”They chanted.
Kat climbed onto the rungs of a stool and like a side-show barker shouted over the crowd as she called their attention.“This liar here says he’s got game.”
The shouts of “Blarney” increased.
“What say ye?”she shouted.
My ears rang from the din.
Ellie lined up a row of shots.
“No…” I couldn’t afford to get drunk.Ellie’s safety relied on it.
“Then admit it, you are full of shite.”Kat picked up the first glass.
Was she going to go shot for shot with me?I calculated half of the row.I should be able to manage that.
I reached for the next in line.
Ellie stopped me.She placed a tumbler on the bar-top.Next, she set four bottles down next to it.“We call this the Four Horsemen.You drink two while Kate drinks her row.”
I eyed her pour.“One.”
“Then you admit it, you’ve got no game.”
If I were to stay on top of Ellie’s safety, I had to remain sober.“Woman,” I warned.
Ellie grinned evilly.“You come to our bar, you play by our rules.”
I picked up the tumbler.“Remind me to bring you some of Loppa’s special reserve mirto.”I slammed the concoction, ignoring its assault on my senses.Irish whiskey should never be gang-banged with that combo of corn mash, scotch, and tequila.The drink was an abomination.
Which was likely the point.
I set the glass down and indicated she should refill it.
Kat drank four shots.
The sign above their heads must be on a timer because it began to flash.
I braced for the second drink.The first hit my system like a freight train.And it was only going to get worse.“This reminds me of that night Mario and I stole Signora Verina’s home made berry brandy.”
“Did you get caught?”
I slammed the drink before answering Ellie’s question.The alcohol burned, but not half as badly as before.My head swam a little.“I puked on her prized ram.But Mario was the one who had to bathe it.”The liquor was purple.Even after it mixed with the contents of my stomach.The berries in it stained the wool.I laughed at the memory.
I set the glass down.Kat offered me one of her shots.I declined.She started to finish them off, holding the last one under my nose to smell.
Lemons and tea.
The bottle label claimed it was bourbon.“Wait a minute.”
“Too late.”She laughed and finished the final shot to a cheer from the bar.
