1
Violet
[Bartender | 24 | Mysterious, flirty]
Aira
[College Student | 22 | Shy, artistic]
Violet
(wiping a glass, her eyes scanning the bar)
Violet
Another boring night. Same drunk faces, different lies.
[Door chimes softly as someone enters.]
Aira
(steps inside awkwardly, her sketchpad clutched tightly to her chest, clearly out of place)
Aira
Um... hi. Is it okay if I just sit at the bar?
Violet
(without looking up)
Violet
It’s a bar, sweetheart. You don’t need permission to sit.
Finally glances at her, their eyes meet
Violet
...But you might need a drink to survive it.
Aira
[Nervous but smiling]
Aira
I don’t really drink much. Just... needed a place to clear my head.
Violet
[Leaning forward, arms folded]
Violet
Then you came to the wrong place—or exactly the right one.
Violet
(tilts her head, voice lowering)
Violet
What’s got that little head of yours spinning?
Aira
[Trying to laugh it off]
Aira
You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.
(Aira hesitates, then slowly slides her sketchpad onto the bar. Violet raises an eyebrow but doesn’t open it.)
Aira
I draw. People. Strangers. Places I want to remember.
Tonight, I just wanted to sketch something... different. Something real.
Violet
You think I’m real?
Aira
[Blushing lightly] I think you’re... interesting.
Violet
[Chuckles darkly, pouring herself a whiskey]
Violet
Sweetheart, I’m a bartender. I lie for a living.
But you—
(eyes flicker to the sketchpad)
Violet
—you might just be the most honest thing in this room.
Violet
Only if you tell me yours first.
Violet
[Smiling slightly] Violet
Violet
[Leaning in slightly] You really don’t drink?
Aira
[Shrugging, teasingly] I didn’t say never.
Violet
[Pouring something light]
Violet
Then let’s start with something that won’t break your soul on the first sip.
(She slides the drink to Aira. Aira takes a hesitant sip, then coughs.)
Aira
[Wide-eyed] Oh my god... what is that?
Violet
[Laughing genuinely] That, darling, is truth in liquid form.
(They both laughed. The clock ticks past midnight.)
Violet
(leans over the bar slightly, swirling her glass of whiskey) You’re still here.... Not used to people staying past a single drink.
Aira
[Sitting with her legs crossed, sketchpad open now]
Aira
That’s because most people aren’t watching you the way I am.
Violet
[Raises an eyebrow] Oh?
Violet
And how exactly are you watching me?
Aira
[Blushing, avoiding eye contact while sketching] Closely. Quietly. Carefully. Like you’re a puzzle I don’t want to solve too fast.
Violet
[Smirks] That’s dangerous talk, sweetheart. You keep drawing me like that, and I’ll start thinking you’re falling for me.
Aira
[Looking up shyly, then down at the sketch] ... Would that be so bad?
Violet
[Voice low] Don’t fall for someone like me. I ruin people with good hearts. It’s what I do best.
Aira
[Softly] Then maybe... I’m not as good as you think I am.
Violet
[Breaking the stare, standing straight] You want another drink or are you planning to keep seducing me with pencil strokes?
Aira
Can I sketch you... closer?
Violet
You want me to come around the bar?
Aira
Yes. Sit here. Let me see the shadows in your eyes up close.
(Violet hesitates, then slowly walks around the bar. She leans on the stool next to Aira, just inches away.)
Violet
You’re bold when you’re quiet.
Aira
[Eyes flicking up from her sketchpad] And you’re soft when no one’s looking.
(Violet goes quiet, watching Aira’s fingers move. Their knees barely brush)
Violet
[Whispers] You’re really drawing me.
Aira
[Nods] I’ve never drawn anyone this carefully before.
Violet
Careful things get broken.
Aira
[Looks up at her] Then maybe I’ll draw you in pieces. So I can put you back together.
(Violet stares at her, caught between a smirk and something softer. She reaches out, slowly tucks a loose strand of Aira’s hair behind her ear. Aira freezes, breath hitching slightly.)
Violet
[Quietly] You don’t know what you’re doing to me.
Aira
[Barely audible] Then maybe... stay a little longer and find out?
Comments