Chapter 100: Joseph Returns (Part 2)
"Hahaha, long time no see, everyone!" Joseph exclaimed as he entered the bar, greeted by the anticipation of the crowd.
Frank's memory of Joseph was of a man in shabby shirts stained with permanent marks, his bushy beard often smeared with jam and beer, eyes crusted from neglect, strutting around with a large beer belly resembling a vagrant.
Now, Joseph was a transformed man, wearing polished shoes that reflected the light, a tailored suit, a coat draped over his shoulders, and a scarf around his neck. His hair was neatly styled, and his previously grimy beard was now clean and well-groomed. A cigar dangled from his mouth, and though his belly seemed larger, it now exuded the prosperous air of a successful man rather than mere fatness.
Behind Joseph were several bodyguards who coordinated with the bar's security to ensure the place was safe.
Joseph ignored the bodyguards, warmly greeting everyone in the bar. As he entered, nearly everyone stood to welcome him.
"V, you're as beautiful as ever," Joseph said to Veronica, giving her a playful pat on the backside.
"And you're as handsome as ever," Veronica replied with a smile, unbothered by Joseph's cheeky gesture. Working in a bar with Fiona, she was used to such antics.
Moreover, Veronica often engaged in flirty livestreams for entertainment and welcomed any attention from Joseph.
However, Joseph only indulged briefly. Women of Veronica's caliber no longer caught his eye.
While Veronica might be the local Southside siren, Joseph was now a millionaire, having experienced the company of countless women, including high-profile models and celebrities, just a phone call away for a memorable evening.
Veronica's allure was a mere shadow of interest, a nod to his past fantasies.
Back in his less affluent days, Joseph often dreamed of something happening between them.
He wasn't alone; many bar regulars had fantasized about spending a night with the seductive "black chocolate" Veronica.
As chubby Tommy and others gathered around Joseph, his bodyguards stepped in to keep them at bay.
"No worries, these are old friends," Joseph assured, waving the guards away, mingling with the crowd and handing out cigars.
"Hey, Kevin, long time no see. Drinks are on me today, everyone drink up!" Joseph laughed.
Alibi Bar, located in the Southside, known for its affordability, meant even with Joseph's generous gesture, the tab wouldn't exceed a thousand dollars—less than a typical meal for him.
"I heard you married V. Consider this a wedding gift. You took care of me back then," Joseph said, tossing several wads of cash to Kevin.
Caught off guard, Kevin fumbled, catching the crisp bills, their fresh ink scent intoxicating.
"This is too much," Kevin stammered, feeling the weight of the generous gift.
The cash Joseph casually tossed amounted to tens of thousands, more than Kevin and Veronica could earn in years.
"Don't worry about it. I said it's a gift," Joseph dismissed the concern.
"But the chairs here are still so small," Joseph noted.
The bar's chairs were average-sized, yet Joseph's large frame made them seem inadequate.
"Here's a chair," someone said, bringing over a specially prepared larger seat.
"Thanks," Joseph said, handing over some cash to the person, who beamed with delight, envied by those around.
"The bar looks the same, no changes at all. Where's old Stan? Is he still alive?" Joseph asked.
"He's still here, living upstairs," Kevin replied.
"Damn Mexicans, invading my turf again?" muttered an old man in underwear, hobbling downstairs with a revolver, grumbling.
"Stan, no one's invading, and why aren't you dressed?" Kevin said, exasperated.
"I'm not naked! Damn, where are my clothes?" the old man cursed, looking down at himself.
"Sorry, his memory's been slipping these past years," Kevin explained, guiding Stan back upstairs.
Stan, the owner of Alibi Bar, was in his seventies or eighties, suffering from dementia.
"Time's unkind. I remember when Stan was in his prime," Joseph sighed.
"Yeah, Stan was a legend in the loan shark world, known for breaking legs and being tougher than any other lender in the Southside. He was like a demon," those familiar with Stan reminisced.
"To Stan!" Joseph raised his glass.
"To Stan!" everyone echoed, raising their drinks.
"Still the same taste, this cheap brew. Only here can you find such a drink," Joseph mused, savoring the liquor.
Now a millionaire, Joseph's daily palate included high-end drinks, far removed from the bar's budget offerings.
"With Stan like this, Kevin, how do you manage? Doesn't he have any family?" Joseph asked.
"Rumor has it he had a daughter, but they haven't been in touch. He can't afford a caretaker, so I help out," Kevin explained.
For Kevin, Stan was like a father figure, having taken him in and given him a job as a bartender.
"But you can't handle it alone. How about this? I'll buy the bar," Joseph suggested, tapping the table.
"What!?" Everyone was stunned.
"You want to buy this bar?" Kevin asked for confirmation.
"Yeah, Southside property prices are low. This bar isn't worth much," Joseph replied nonchalantly.