Toothless Dino's | A flash fiction story
4 of 💯
Dino turned off the neon sign outside the bar and slapped Minda, who was drooling on the counter.
"Minda," Dino said through his scarcely toothed mouth, "go home, you drunk pig."
Minda jumped away from the bar, still holding an empty glass. His face was red and swollen. He tried the glass but there was nothing left.
"Dino," he said with a frown, his tongue numb, his mouth dry. "What's your secret?"
Dino rolled his eyes while he rubbed a filthy rag on the counter, getting rid of Minda's drool. "I work hard," he said.
Minda frowned harder, like a child told to go to their room. "No! I'm talking about... Take Rocketman! How can Rocketman be so…" He licked his lips looking at the empty glass. "So…" He could taste it, in his mouth right now. "So good! What the fuck is in it?"
Dino stopped with the rag and laughed, shaking his head. "I'm telling ya, it's hard work."
Minda rolled his eyes.
"I'm serious," Dino said. "You probably don't remember, but my drinks haven't always been good. When I started, this bar wasn't called Toothless Dino's. It was just called Dino's." He continued cleaning the stainless steel countertop. "I've lost most of my teeth getting better at mixing and trying the drinks myself. I tried everything that didn't work until I got to the things that did. You can't get to the good stuff without going through the bad stuff first. But I know what you're talking about, you're talking ingredients. Come 'ere."
He threw the rag away and leaned over the counter. Minda stepped forward, staring intently.
"What I put in my drinks," Dino whispered, his lisp taking over, "is every fucking thing I can get my hands on. Rocket propellant, paint, goo from the giant trees, used motor lubricant I buy from desert bandits, fucking piss, the list is endless, really. It's just a matter of finding the right ratio."
Dino took the glass from Minda's hand and washed it behind the counter. The ruddy-faced man stepped back, his face contorted with confusion and disgust.
"I think I'm gonna go now, Dino," he said apprehensively. "I'm not sure I'll come back tomorrow."
Dino laughed wholeheartedly. "Oh, Minda. But you will." Then the laugh was replaced by a serious look and he adjusted his tongue inside his toothless mouth.
"You will."
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