I was sweeping the floor of the town pub after a long shift. The radio was a mix of things, most of which was done by guitar or piano. After I made sure everything was left spotless I headed out. The street lamps flickered yellow and the garbage cans shone in the moonlight. I've been working at The Goodman´s Pub for eight years now. My father left at a young age and my mom died from an illness. We were poor and I started working to try to get her medicine, but I didn't get the money in time. Turned out the person selling medicine was doing it as a scam anyway, so it was probably for the best. I had a chunk of money to start myself on. I was happy I didn't have any siblings to go through that with me.
I took a turn and I was almost home. Suddenly I heard cries from nearby. Then laughter. I peeked to the next street over to find some kids abusing a poor alley cat. It continued to shriek.
̈ Hey, you kids! Stop that!¨ I yelled and they started to scatter in fear of getting in trouble. I picked up the ratty looking cat. Mud covered it's fur so badly I could not tell what the cat looked like. I carried the cat with me home.
I gave the cat a bath and some food and discovered she was a pretty tabby. She had some pain, but she wasn't injured beyond repair. For now she was welcome at my house, but I didn't have the money to keep her as a pet. Other than my work uniform, all the clothes I had were rags. I did want to give her a name though. Mariah.
The birds started chirping and a dog started barking in the distance. I groaned. My back and neck ached. I didn't want to wake up yet. Still, I had a shift in a couple hours. I took a piece of bread from the kitchen and covered the top with my homemade cinnamon sugar butter. I had a small garden in the back that had an alright plant variation. The rest I had to buy. Today I should get a decent payment, since everyone will be wanting to watch the news today. One of the kings was going to be introducing his daughter today as the next queen. A ball was going to hold place to give the people hope of being chosen instead of another royal or nobleman. They always choose a wealthy match though. People still wanted to see her anyway. Nobody has seen her yet.
As predicted, when the announcement came of the ball, they went over what happens for the lucky winner. They have to be of a certain age range of course. They will receive a title and have free services provided to them. The lucky guy will live in the castle and can choose a good job to work and train for. He will be schooled on all things to become prince. One day king. If the guy the princess chooses proves himself unworthy the title, the parents will choose a suitor for her. Then he went on and started talking about the politics of the situation. I ignored it. I am within the age range, but I wouldn't go. It's not worth it, even if it is fun to dream. The food I serve could be my food. The animals I help could find homes, and I could do more to make a difference. I wouldn't have to worry about money. But it is nothing more than a dream.
¨Server, here please!¨ Said a young woman. I came over and took her order. Coffee and a breakfast burger. I went over to the guy at the counter, Daniel, and handed him the order to give to the kitchen. Another wanted a gravy biscuit basket. Someone wanted french toast. The day became very busy.
During lunch break, Daniel, his little sister and I ate at one of the tables.
¨Danny, can we go to the thing?¨ Cassandra asked. ¨The ball? I want to see the princess! I bet she is REALLY pretty! I bet that is why they didn't show her on T.V.!¨
¨Cassie, I work.¨ Daniel looked disappointed as Cassandra. ¨I have to cover a shift. I have no more work passes left. Caden here can't take my shift, but I do think he has the day off?¨
¨Wait, when was the ball?¨ I tried to sound accommodating, but I didn't want to go. I hoped he was wrong about me having the day off.
¨December twelfth was her birthday. That is the day the ball is on. So about a week and a half from now.¨ Crap. I was off.
¨I don't have anything to wear...¨ Daniel smirked. He knew I was trying to escape it. Unfortunately for me, she wasn't the kind to let that go.
¨I had an outfit put aside for the event. You know, before I found out I couldn't go. You can just use that. I'm sure my ma would love to help you get ready.¨
¨Fine...¨ No point arguing. He had all the answers.
¨Yay!¨ Squeaked the girl. ¨Wait, what outfit?¨
¨The dark green suit. I wanted it to match my pretty eyes!¨ He joked and fluttered his eyes. She smacked him in the face with her tiny hand.
¨Stop! You look so girly when you do that with your eyes! That suit?¨
¨...Yeah, was something wrong with it?¨
¨No, it's pretty. Just not prince pretty.¨ We laughed.
Before long we were back to work, the kid sitting in the corner playing with her dolls. She even had one that matched her, red hair and a yellow button-up dress.
A woman was sitting on the other corner of the pub watching people. She looked like it was her first time. She was in rags and had a hood over her head. I wonder if she could afford anything here. She looked kind of sketchy. I wandered over to her. She looked up at me with strikingly blue eyes and stuttered.
¨What is there for- uh, on the menu?¨ She looked very awkward, but pretty. I didn't want to ask how she got the money to buy food here.
¨Chicken, burgers, fries,...¨ I went on. ¨For drinks there is water, bubbly drinks, tea, coffee, and adult drinks.¨
She paused for a second.
¨Would it be okay for me to get a salad and fries? And Boca tea?¨
Boca tea? ...We don't have that one specifically, but I will bring out what we have for you. The rest is fine. Sorry for the inconvenience madam.¨ After I came back I handed her packets to choose from with hot water. She looked at the packets for a while, including the instructions on the back, and eventually chose a ´peach rosewater´ one. I took the rest back and left, leaving her the bill slip. The rest of my shift was not very eventful.
The time until the ball went quick. Daniel´s mother was waiting outside the pub and brought me to their house in their carriage. It was a pretty little white house. A flower garden accented the front. She looked me over once we got inside.
¨You have the tan skin and dark features, so the color Daniel picked out may go pretty well on you. Might be a little big, but I can fix that. How old are you, honey?¨
¨I´m fifteen, almost sixteen.¨
¨Perfect! You are only about a year younger than the princess then. Daniel is two years older than her. Do you think you are going to make the shot?¨
I wasn't going for a ´shot´.
¨Not really, there are a lot of people that will be there, most probably far more qualified.¨
¨I suppose that is always the case though, right? Anyways, the suit is a little big around the arms and a little long. Put your arm out for me?¨ I did as directed. I watched as her needle worked it's way down my arm. She was good, and she was very fast. It was easy to tell she worked as a tailor. She sewed the bottom of the pants inwards, leaving a natural looking line at the bottom of each leg. She brushed back my long hair into a dignified ponytail. She had Cassie come into the room with a bottle and sprayed me with some of it. It smelled strongly of flowers and herbs.
¨Mama, is he ready?¨
¨I think so, dear. Are you?¨
¨Yeah!¨
¨Then go get into the carriage!¨ She smiled. I was ushered out next.