Well, at least he even agreed that this wasn’t her fault.
Liv felt the tension that had started to gather in her shoulders ease, her back settling against the much more comfortable cushion of his chair. That statement alone diminished some of her anxiety, now knowing that there was less of a chance of the evening’s little incident having an effect on her employment. After all, it wasn’t like she’d hit the asshole back, as much as she may have wanted to.
But then again, one never knew what to expect from a new boss.
She knew damn good and well that whatever tale the drunkard had spun for him, it probably didn’t even come anywhere close to the truth. Not that his words made much sense, between the slurring and constant need to yell over everyone else, but he seemed to have done a pretty fantastic job at convincing himself that there was no other reality.
“Well, I’m sure he’s already painted quite the picture for you.” Liv replied, arms crossing over her chest. “But to put it bluntly? Guy’s a sore loser — and he sucks at holding his liquor.” She sighed, her foot beginning an anxious tapping.
“He was already pretty smashed when he got to the table; lost six times before some of the other players and myself suggested that he give it up. He told us to shove it, so I figured that if he wanted to burn through his bank account, that was on him.”
((…))
“But when he started coming up on eight losses, I guess he realized just how much money he was losing and that was somehow my fault. He got in my face and started on some tangent about how I was cheating and had rigged the system; I told him to back off or security would have to step in, and that’s when he snapped, I guess.”
She took a deep breath, reaching up to ran a hand through her hair.
“He tried to come over the table — went for my neck, but a couple of officers grabbed him before he had the chance.”
he had to reprimand her slightly, if only for encouraging the man to give up.
the man outside of these walls could applaud her for being sympathetic, a warm smile might have come up as he said something along the cliched lines of at least you tried. luke wasn’t permitted to be that person-- not when his money was on the line. his hand wiped apprehensively at his eyes, a sliver of a sigh escaping as he did.
“how they wanna burn through their life savings is on them-- can’t go around tellin’ ‘em how to spend.”
luke wouldn’t press the issue beyond this. she understood. it wasn’t an ideal that was foreign to the employees around here. it was a moral valued throughout the company. lack of self-control is what kept the doors open, violent men would always attempt to shatter what they could not obtain.
“he’ll be handled, don’t worry. we got tom an’ mike already goin’ over the tapes to collaborate what you’re sayin;.” he paused for a moment, taking the cigar between his lips before he realized the error in his comment. he took the roll between his knuckles before inhaling, commenting briefly, “we believe you, sweetheart-- you just gotta have a reason for bustin’ guys around these days.”
people who attacked his employees took a trip with his guards to the basement.
