[Survey] New Year, New Bar

“Ten, nine, eight”

A big screen in the bar was showing a big countdown clock.

“Seven, six”

Everyone was yelling along with the numbers that appeared on screen.

“Five, four”

It had been a very busy night and Hyde had constantly been pouring drinks. 

“Three, Two”

New years eve in Harbor was a big happening with all kinds of celebrations but of course he had to work.

“One…”

And with that the entire bar screamed even louder, “Happy New Year!!!”

People all around him started hugging, kissing and wishing everyone; strangers, friends and even foes a happy new year and best wishes.

Hyde sighed as he poured himself some champagne from a cheap bottle beneath the bar and he held his glass into the air. 

“A toast to everyone here, a happy new year and wishing you all the best!”

He rolled his eyes and quickly drank the glass, it was something he had to do every year, one of the few things his boss actually got angry for if he didn't. 

It stayed busy for a while but after 1 am the crowd started to thin out a bit. Some went home to bed, others to some kind of after party someone had posted about on social media. When a big group that had been sitting at the bar got up and said goodbye one guy that had been sitting with them stayed.

“Shouldn't you join them?” Hyde said as he pointed at the group leaving. The guy shook his head, “nah I don't even know them, they just started talking to me”. Hyde shrugged and gave the man another drink, a glass of 23 year old whisky, the same thing he had been drinking the entire evening. 

The night continued and after a few more hours it was just some small groups of mostly regulars sitting at some tables, some half asleep, some so drunk they probably wouldn't remember tonight. 

“Hey, still here?” Hyde faced the man at the bar and held up the bottle of whisky.

The man nodded his head and Hyde poured him some more into his glass.

“So you just came in here all by yourself, I've never seen you here before” Hyde had grabbed a stool that stood behind the bar and sat down opposite to the stranger.

“I came here on a whim, just didn't want to celebrate the new year alone on my couch you know” Hyde nodded his head, “yeah I understand”. 

The man scratched behind his ear, “the guy I used to celebrate with is on a mission somewhere halfway across the galaxy, unable to communicate with anyone on the outside” he sighed deeply, “I just hope he's okay you know”. 

Hyde nodded again, “I have a friend that used to be like that, travelled all around the universe with the shadiest of people” he took a sip of a bottle he had pulled from who knows where “always scared me a bit to never know if he would come back unscathed but he was and still is my best friend”. The stranger smiled, “what made him quit?”.

“Madness, insanity… or maybe he actually finally cleared up a little bit for just long enough to realise he should stop” Hyde laughed, “now he just gets his materials from importers and adventures that will get what he needs for a few gems”.

They talked a bit, drank a bit more and laughed together until a bit of an awkward silence fell between them.

“So mister bartender, do you yourself have any new year's resolutions as they like to say”

Hyde opened another bottle of whisky and poured them both a glass. “I hope to open my own bar, I've saved a bit and have a nice place in mind at the edge of the gambling district” he looked into the distance as if he was picturing the place. “A perfect spot for both the gamblers to have a round at my poker tables and for the regular people and tourists to come and just have a drink”. 

“Sounds like a good plan” the stranger said, taking a big sip of his drink. 

Hyde nodded “It does need a lot of work, the place had been empty for quite a while. But with some ‘tlc’, as some like to call it, I believe this place can be the bar of my dreams”. The stranger rummaged in one of his pockets and handed Hyde a little card, “if you ever need any help, call me. I used to work in construction and I still like to do some jobs on the side every now and then”. 

“I'll keep you to it” Hyde laughed and he held his glass into the air “to the new bar!”“

To the new bar” the stranger said as they clinked glasses.