Searching, searching, searching... I'd been tired of looking for a job for a long time, but out of habit, I was still checking craigslist.com, just in case something interesting popped up. Though by now, we were mostly looking at ads for a laugh, since we'd sometimes find funny ones—like, 'seeking donors for Jewish testicles' or 'professional dog walking' (with experience, and practically a degree in veterinary medicine...).

I stumbled upon another ad that said they needed a bartender with no experience. I sent another email into the void. But this time, a reply came back: wheredoyoulive? I replied that I lived in Brooklyn and waited impatiently for a response, which took forever! I had already imagined myself behind the bar, making cocktails... Then another message came, saying, 'come for an interview, ask for Rachel.' And an address was provided... From my house, if I was lucky, I could get there by 2 trains and 1 bus in about 2 hours, or even 1.5 if I didn't have to wait... Of course, I wasn't thrilled, since it was in the middle of nowhere in Queens. But I didn't lose heart, and the first time I got there, I realized it wasn't all that bad—hehe, it was absolutely terrifying! I was lucky I didn't get lost! I filled out an application and that was it... That's it??? How is that it?? I traveled so far, and they won't even talk to me? I was angry, very angry! Well, what else could I expect? The only thing that saved my nerves was that Rachel turned out to be very sweet; she gave me the owner's phone number, and we even chatted a bit (though mostly she did the talking).

After a while, another email arrived, inviting me to a real interview. Yes, yes, the owner talked to me; he was a funny old guy, and he liked me right away) But unfortunately, I didn't get the job, but he suggested I come by and practice bartending skills. Maybe—or rather, most likely—he suggested it hoping I'd say no, but I decided it wouldn't hurt! And the very next evening, I set off to take bartending lessons. It was an unforgettable evening! First of all, the atmosphere in the bar was very pleasant; everything was decorated in a Hawaiian style! Secondly, there was a jukebox where you could play music. Thirdly, everyone tried to give me advice (including the customers), and I was doing pretty well. Of course, I immediately met all the regulars. Nick looked like an actor—he had such a beautiful face, long hair, and a bit of a rocker look. He told me his ex-girlfriend was Russian and shared his knowledge of Russian words) We even made a cocktail together when Rachel went somewhere and a customer ordered a drink.

Joker—he asked for a beer, and you know there isn't much room behind the bar to walk around, so I took a beer from the fridge and opened it, and Don (the bar owner) handed it to Joker, but he didn't take it and said he wanted to get the beer from me... so after laughing a bit, Don and I swapped places, and the customer got his order... that was when I got my first tips in that bar))) I felt like I was just visiting, but Don said I earned that money and could take it.

Of course, I mostly just poured beer, and the real bartender did the rest, but it was still very interesting, and I chatted a lot with the customers... many even tried to ask me out on dates)

In the evening, the bartender changed, and I was in the company of tall, very tall Chris)) against his background, I was just a little kid. He also taught me a couple of lessons, but it was getting late, and I still had to get out of that remote neighborhood. I didn't want to leave, but I had to say goodbye to this funny place, which I really likedJ

Svetik really liked my story (here, of course, I described everything briefly and not everything, but believe me—a bar is a special atmosphere), and next time, we went together to learn the craft...

In the photo, it's me and Chris (the big and small bartender)