Saturday we are up early. We have to catch the bus to get to the train at 6:10am. Breakfast at the nicer employee dining isn’t an option due to time constraints. So we head downstairs to grab a quick bite.

We head back up, strip our bedsheets and place them in the appropriate bins. Downstairs we go to clock in and load the bus.

When we arrive at the train, we go our separate ways as we are working different cars for now.

I climb the spiral staircase to the dome. Excited for the day. What I don’t see stops me in my tracks.

I have no liquor box.

I’m a bartender. If I am to tend bar, make drinks and good tips, I need liquor.

But I have none.

It turns out I am not alone. Only one car has been stocked.

I manage to get one bottle of vodka to work with until the meet. (Remember this is the place where the two trains meet up and exchange supplies and messages).

So I start to organize my bar. Every cabinet I open is a mess. One has a box of red wine stored sideways, dripping its contents all over anything below it. I clean this up and restock straws, etc the best I can with what I have. I am ready for guests.

We pull up to the depot and guests board. Everyone is wanting coffee as it is early. But I’m waiting for everyone to be seated to keep some order in the process. I am also making some Bloody Mary mix in hopes that people will want a nice morning adult beverage.

I introduce myself and welcome everyone. As usual, when I get the microphone, I can’t stop talking. This performer side of me comes out. I enjoy making people laugh. I have a captive audience. And my brain has no shortage of puns and jokes and words.

I try to keep it short and start taking orders.

Some opt for coffee, hot tea, but most order nothing. Definitely no takers on the Bloody Mary’s I made.

My bar is located in the back of this car, and behind my bar are two four-top tables. I call it my lounge area. I have guests sitting here and I set out to welcome them in hopes of cashing in. They order coffee, and despite the caffeine, an entire group of four is asleep.

Time passes quickly and we are almost to the meet. I am excited to get liquor to stock my bar. I get most items and set about making drinks for happy guests.

It’s early afternoon now and several guests opt for a nap.

To be continued…….