Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Watching the teacher drone on about algebra was not how Two-Bit wanted to spend his last day of school. He wondered if someone had ever died of boredom, he sure felt like it. He thought of starting up something to pass the time, maybe yelling out something, or starting a fight with some Soc, but he didn't want detention on the last day of school. Guess he had to suck it up this time. Man would he kill for a drink though. The greaser wished he had just skipped today. He knew that going to that party at Buck’s would be loads better than this. But he knew that if he hadn’t gone today his Mom would’ve torn him a new one. After failing high school yet again, he knew he’d disappointed her. He could still hear her angry words in his head; “Keith if you keep failing and not trying you’re never gonna get anywhere in life!” Yeah, he knew. He’s heard it more times than he could count.
Trying to ignore his sad thoughts, he started to think of what to do this summer. Everyone else had jobs and a life, and while he was fine with the idea of lazing around, he didn't know if he could last a whole summer just doing that. He figured he could hang out with Pony, but there was only so much of that he could do for 2 months. It had been what he'd been doing previous summers though. But he's seen everyone else being productive and successful and he was sick of seeing that sad look on his Mom's face whenever she sees his failing grades. Two-Bit knew he wasn't smart. He knew that humor and jokes weren't going to get him anywhere in this place. He's seen Ponyboy with his straight A's and he was happy that at least someone was going to get out of this shitty neighborhood. But he knew that was never gonna be him.
Brainstorming ideas he barely noticed the bell ringing signaling the start of summer break. Slipping his backpack on he hoped that an idea would come to him. Walking down the crowded halls, he easily spotted Ponyboy with his bright blonde hair. After Johnny and Dally's death, he was never quite the same. He was even quieter these days, and after losing his weight and some of his muscles he looked even scrawnier and weaker. Two-Bit quickly brushed off those thoughts though. It was the last day of school! He should be celebrating. So Two-Bit turned on a grin and snuck up behind Ponyboy.
"Boo!" he exclaimed, watching in amusement as the boy jumped in surprise nearly dropping all his books.
"Geez Two-Bit, tryna give me a heart attack?" Pony huffed, slamming his locker shut.
"Maybe, maybe not. Gotta keep you on your toes!" he replied with a toothy grin.
Rolling his eyes, they walked down the hallways till they reached the exit.
After a few seconds of silence, Ponyboy asks, "So whatcha gonna do this summer?"
"Hmm...not sure kid. Probably laze around, get drunk, pick up some blondes," he replied.
He snorts, "How fun. Think you'll ever get a job one of these days?"
"Man Pone, the day I get a job my Mom'll probably get a heart attack." Two-Bit laughed as they reached the parking lot.
"If that day ever comes. No offense Two, but could you even hold a job for more than a few days?"
"Shoot kid, you wound me," he says opening his car door as they all filed in. "And for your information, I could hold a job plenty long. Just don't want to ruin this great physique with all that work is all.”
"Sure, sure. But I'd bet you that you couldn't even hold a job for a week." Pony quips as they drove watching scenery pass by.
The moment Ponyboy said that he practically felt a lightbulb in his head go off.
"Well, I'd bet ya wrong. Shoot I'll go sign up for jobs right now!"
"Yeah? How 'bout we make it a real bet? 3 dollars if you can get a job and keep it for a whole
week." Pony says holding his hand out. ( $3 in the 60s' is about $30. )
It was a perfect idea; it gave him something to do this summer, he knew it would make his Mom happy AND he'd get 3 bucks from it! Good job Two-Bit, still a genius as always he thought to himself.
"Deal! Get ready to eat your words, Ponyboy Curtis!" Two-Bit exclaims reaching out and shaking his hand with Ponyboy.
xXx
It turned out that it wasn’t as easy to find a job as he had originally thought. It seemed simple to him. Find a job that seemed fun enough, apply, and boom! He’d be cruising through the week with his $3. If only it was that simple.
When the two greasers had arrived at the Curtis house he had set off to work.
“Good luck Two-Bit!” he heard Pony laugh as he headed off to his room to work on god knows what.
“Don’t worry Pone, I won't need it!” And so it begins, he thinks.
The first thing he did was to grab himself a generous slice of the infamous Curtis cake, after all, we need food to fuel our brains, he thinks taking a big bite. Settling himself on the couch with his cake he grabs Darry’s newspaper and starts searching. Scrolling through each ad, he realizes something. All the jobs are too much like…jobs. I mean seriously, cashier? Janitor? Waiter? Who knew jobs meant so much…work. Two-Bit groaned, slamming the newspaper down. He’d been searching for who knows how long and had yet to make any progress. Just when he considered handing over his 3 dollars the door slammed open, and in walked Steve and Sodapop.
By this time Ponyboy has since left his room and seemed to be working on dinner. Two-Bit practically drooled as the smell of chicken floated through the air.
“Hey Pone!” Soda chirped flinging his shoes off.
“Hey Soda. How was work?” Pony replied watching as Soda and Steve walked into the kitchen.
“It was fine, it was kinda boring though, there was this one customer…” but Two-Bit didn’t hear the rest, as another idea popped into his head. He could ask Soda and Steve if he could work with them at the DX! It’d be easy; he could work with his friends and it’d be smooth sailing. Just as he thought of asking, Steve spoke up.
“Hey, what’s Two-Bit doing? He’s starting to look like Darry with the newspaper and all. Just without all the muscle,” Steve grinned. Before he can make a smart comment back, Pony speaks up.
“We made a bet,” he says peeling potatoes.
“What kinda bet?” Soda says leaning in.
“We bet 3 bucks he wouldn’t be able to get a job and hold it for a whole week. That’s why he’s reading the newspaper and all,” he replies with a smirk.
“Well I’ll be damned Two, never thought I’d live to see the day you’d try and get a job. Tell your Mom yet?” Steve asks walking over and plopping next to him.
“Nah not yet, figured I’d tell her WHEN I get the job, surprise her and all. And I don’t know why you’re all so shocked, I was always destined for greatness,” he shot back. “Speaking of which Steve and Soda…” he drawls. “Do ya think your boss would think I’m a good worker?”
The two burst out laughing.
“Two, our boss would take one look at you and you wouldn’t even get an interview. With your record of stealing and the fact that you can’t change a tire to save your life, no I don’t think our boss would think you’re a good worker.” Soda says hiding a smile.
He huffs in defeat looking back to the newspaper.
“Aw come on, don’t look so down. I’m sure there’s at least one job that’ll suit you,” Steve says grabbing the newspaper from his hands. “Hmm…let’s see…” After a few seconds of searching, he brightens. “Hey Two, look here,” he directs pointing to a small box on the paper. It was titled in smudged black ink; Hiring Bartenders! No Experience Required! 195 Meridian Av. Open 24 hours… along with some smaller text giving more information.
“A bartender?” Soda snorts. “Geez Two-Bit that sounds perfect for ya. Get boozed up and get paid for it!”
“Aw Soda you should know I ain’t that shallow…but if you insist, I guess I’ll give it a try!” he laughs. It did sound like a good idea, better than any of the other boring jobs listed.
“Hey, where’s this place located anyway? Never heard of it before,” Pony asks coming back from the kitchen. The chicken seemed to be almost done, and the smell continued to float throughout the air.
“I’m pretty sure it's that one near Buck’s, it’s a small bar though no wonder they need to hire people,” Sodapop says.
“So Two-Bit, whaddya say? Gonna give bartending a try?” Ponyboy asks curiously.
The greaser didn’t think about it for too long. It was a perfect job for him after all, he was surprised he hadn’t thought of bartending already!
“Sure why not? Sounds like a dream,” he says giving a wide grin.
“Yeah? Well now that that’s done guess you have to get the job now.”
Oh yeah. He forgot about that part.
Shoot.