Why did I agree to take that extra shift?

You were working another late shift as a bartender/barista at that shitty bar down the road from your apartment complex. It was always a drag having to work so late in such a hellish environment. The air was thick with cigar smoke, the constant chatter of patrons, or the screeching of some wannabe singers on the stage. The noise always rang in your ears as you tried to work.

But the job was easy enough, you mostly made drinks and delivered them to their tables. But tonight, something was off. The atmosphere felt… different.

Finally, through the thick smog, you saw what was causing the disruption. There, at one of the tables, was the richest man in the city: Don Dee. A slimy-looking older man with a very expensive suit and oily, slicked-back hair, and as usual, hewas surrounded by bodyguards who looked like twigs compared to the individual sitting next to him… who was… a monster?

You heard the stories about the monster people who lived all the way down in Fell City, but seeing one in person? You couldn’t help but stare.

The monster appeared to be a large, plus-sized skeleton with a shiny golden tooth and red eyes that glowed from deep inside his eye sockets. He had a large, sparkling ring on every other finger. And between his sharp teeth, he held a fat cigar that leaked smooth, red smoke, curling in odd patterns before sinking to the ground, creating an eerie red mist around him and Don Dee.

It seemed like the skeleton was discussing business with Don Dee, which was odd, as the old man had never hidden his distaste for the monster kind. The Don was obviously trying to stay low key by coming to this shit hole of a bar, not wanting to be seen in a high class bar with a monster.

After what felt like an eternity of staring, trying to figure out what the hell was going on, the monster caught you.

He smirked as your eyes met and stared back before winking. Winking at you.