The Anime Bar and Grille By Joshua Trujillo Episode 1: Bad Moon Rising The youma swiped outwards with a slimy appendage. Rei ducked under and pulled back. Where was Usagi? She should have been here by now. She heard something to her left and bolted out of the way as Ami unleashed a torrent of Shabon Spray against the hapless youma. We were making headway, but the youma just seemed to be picking up speed. The youma broke out of its prison before the other Senshi could act. It started for Rei, but was cut short when a rose stuck in the ground near its feet. It looked up and there he was. Rei always did have a crush on him, but she knew that he was for Usagi, much as she didn't deserve him. "Senshi, we had a flat. But even substandard rubber cannot stop the power of the moon. Isn't that right Sailor Moon?" He said, turning to his left. All eyes, including the nine that were on the youma turned to Sailor Moon, who stepped from the shadows and raised her Moon Rod. After her normal schpeel, the youma yawned slightly, but stood straighter and tried not to laugh too much. As usual, the Rod emitted a powerful energy and dusted him. His molecules fell to pieces and he slumped over, a heap of ash. There was a strange silence. "Cut! That's a wrap on this scene people. Take five." A short man on a nearby crane yelled. It was as if the strings on their limbs had been cut. The tension in the air was gone and a sense of completion was in the air. The Senshi seemed relaxed and altogether happy. There was a large table behind the director. It was filled with several bowls of fruit, a few sandwich items and some sweets. They made their way to it and had a couple of snacks between takes. Mr.Youma was there as well, though a little more whole and much less slimy. Usagi was glad, she hated the slimy kind. "Wow. Getting hit with that Rod must really hurt. Glad it's not in my contract," He said, sipping his water. "Well, that's what we have stunt youma for," Minako said, picking up a banana. "He gets recycled into the next youma and he really only has to do one episode per cycle, so it's not that bad," Ami said, picking absently at her grapes. "Yeah, but even so, I was a stunt youma on some of the early Mamono Yohko Series and it hurt like Hell to recycle," He said to Ami. A technician was walking past with the bucket containing the remains of the youma. "Ya' wanna talk about hurtin' pal? Let me tell ya'…." They bigsweated as he rambled into the distance. "Mako-chan, I hear you got a new job," Rei asked of Makoto. "Yeah, it doesn't pay as well as this, but it's fun. And it does have perks. I'm a bouncer for the new place down from the Nekohanten. The Anime Bar and Grille. Ever heard of it?" She asked. The others shook their heads in turn, except for Usagi, who was too busy munching Oreos to notice. "That's okay, it only opened up about a month ago," She said. "Cool, can we come and watch you work?" Minako asked, excitedly. Makoto thought about this for a moment. "I don't see why not. Come by tonight for dinner and I'll make sure you get a good seat by the stage. The entertainment's always good," She said, smiling. The other Senshi got excited and as usual, Usagi had the only question on her mind. "How's the food?" She asked. Ami looked around. "Hey, where did Mamoru run off to?" Ami asked. "Probably class," Usagi said through a mouthful of cookies. "Usagi, the food's great. We've got a couple of androids in the kitchen - so the foods perfect every time. Some of the guys that come in are real cute too," Makoto said, laughing. Rei and Minako lit up at the last comment. "Really?" They both exclaimed. "It should be fun," Ami said, quietly. "You're coming?" Usagi looked surprised. Ami just sighed. "Why does that surprise you? I like to have fun too," She said, then she thought for a moment, "Just-don't invite Chibi-Usa." Usagi laughed nervously and bigsweated. *** "Well, if Mako-chan says it's okay. But it might be rough, especially since she's a bouncer," Mamoru said, downshifting. "Maybe. But I've got you to protect me," Usagi said, leaning into his arm. He rolled his eyes at her. She was just too dammed cute when she did that. Probably took lessons from Chibi-Usa. Speaking of which, I wonder if Luna and Artemis are putting their feet down with her discipline? Mamoru thought to himself, Nah, Chibi-Usa's probably swinging one from their tail while the other gets her to stop. After a few more minutes, they arrived at the Anime Bar and Grille. It was a huge place, set off from the road by several lanes of parking. There were several vehicles parked out front, most notably mecha of all type seemed to enjoy spaces. There were more conventional forms of transport, a dragon or two and the occasional starship parked above the bar. Mamoru was impressed; it was easily one of the bigger buildings he had ever seen. Three floors, each seemed to be overflowing with people. The huge sign out front directed people to the set of oaken doors in the front underneath it. They parked and walked up to the front. Mamoru noticed the sidewalk had been imprinted with footprints and handprints and a couple of unmentionable prints in the cement. The doors were carved with manners of anime from all walks of life. Opening the door, a wave of light and noise assaulted their senses. Usagi began to smell wonderful smells coming from the passing plates of food and it was all that Mamoru could do to keep her from filching a small morsel. Mamoru recognized Tokiko Mima behind the bar. Bartender? Okay, why not. Many anime memorabilia hung from the walls. Alita's Damascus Blade, a baseball from the first Touch movie, a stuffed flaming wombat. There was even the bread sign from Kiki's Delivery Service. The bar seemed to dominate the far end, the bar and the restaurant seeming to be somewhat separated by it. There was a stage on the one far end of the wall that was currently dark, but Mamoru could tell it was fairly well equipped. Makoto ran up to greet them. She looked tough in her jeans and tee shirt. "Usagi, I'm glad you two made it. Ami's been here for over an hour and she's already gone from wine coolers to beer," Makoto said above the speaker system. Usagi and Mamoru looked at each other, then follow Makoto who lead them to a table off to one side of the stage area. Ami sat there typing on her portable computer with a beer off to one side. "Just go ahead and order and I'll be back later," Makoto said as she bounced off. Again, Mamoru and Usagi looked at each other, but then just shrugged and gave their orders. Water for Mamoru. Tea for Usagi. "Ami?" Usagi asked. Ami sat there for a minute and seemed to digest their presence to her. "It's the script for the show two weeks from now. Just thought I'd work on it a little," She finally said, slowly. "I didn't know you like beer," Usagi said. "It's an acquired taste," She said smiling, "Gotta have fun some time." She finished the beer off with a flourish and ordered a martini from no one in particular. Usagi was glad for the company when Minako and Rei walked over to the table to join them. "What's up with Ami?" Rei asked, worried. "She's getting lit," Mamoru said from his water. "I can handle my liquor, thank you very much," Ami muttered. Usagi and Minako looked at each other. "Lit!" They said simultaneously. "Shut up," Ami said, finishing off her martini. "So when can we order?" Rei asked, looking for a menu. "I thought that was Usagi's question?" Minako asked. "Don't be mean. But since you asked..." Usagi said. Everyone faulted clean out of their seats, except for Ami that is. She figured that if she faulted everytime Usagi did something stupid, she might as well stay down. She just giggled. As everyone got back up, little portals appeared and everyone took the menu that popped up from each. Ami's portal also included a pink something with an umbrella in it. She sipped and nodded approvingly. "So, everyone having a good time?" Makoto said, coming over to them. "Mako-chan, what's really good?" Minako asked, perusing the menu. "Something beer battered," Ami chimed in. "Well, the dolphin's been really good so far-" "FLIPPER!?" Usagi shouted. "No Usagi, not that kind of-" Mamoru tried to say. "You...killed...Flipper?" Usagi said, starting to flubber, her bottom lip quivering. "I could see this coming," Rei said as she put her head into her hands. "How could this place be so mean..." Usagi said, starting to cry, "I mean, people can't actually eat...WAHHHHHHHHHH!" "C'mon Usako, calm down. Let Makoto explain-" Mamoru tried to say again. "WAHHHHHHHH!" "USAGI!" That shut her up. They all looked at Ami. "Shut up already. The dolphin we eat is a greenish fish from the Caribbean, not the mammal you seem to be so fond of," Ami explained, a half-sober look on her face. She fully leaned back and started sipping on something blue. Usagi looks back to Makoto. "It's not Flipper?" Usagi asked quietly. "No, why don't you try it? It's really good blackened Cajun style," Makoto said. "Well, okay Mako-chan." "The system, as Ami had found out, will take your orders and then deliver them through portals built into the table. Washu designed and built it," Makoto said as she sighed over another disaster averted. Everyone nodded their approval at the technology and decided to order. For Mamoru, Smothered Chicken. For Rei, Barbecue Cheese Steak. For Minako, Tamales with rice on the side. "Make sure they're hot," She told the disembodied waiter. And for Ami, Something clear with lots of kick... The menus disappeared and the drinks everyone ordered appeared. Usagi had a milkshake, Mamoru had tea, Rei had a beer and Minako had Dr.Pepper. "I didn't know you drank Dr.Pepper?" Ami asked in a fit of sobriety. "I get it from time to time," Minako said, looking around at the bar. "I don't mind it," Mamoru said "Makes me belch," Usagi said from her milkshake. The lights dimmed as their dinner arrived through its portals. A quiet piano began to play onstage and the lights came up slowly. Urd was on top of the piano, lounging back with a microphone in her hands. Mamoru gulped and got a squeeze from Usagi to keep him in line. The spotlight fell on Skuld next, looking very much like a young, overly cute Minmei. The lights softened and came up entirely to show Keiichi and Belldandy playing the piano together. Dinner was good. *** Everyone clapped as the trio's number ended. Makoto returned from her duties just as the lights were coming back up. There was some shouting in the aisleway across the room and everyone turned to see what the ruckus was all about. Makoto stood up and Usagi noticed that she had taken out her transformation pen. Mamoru noticed this as well and tried to see across the room, but there were too many people. "Mako-chan, who is that?" He asked quietly. "Troublemakers Mamoru. The Sailor Scouts," She said, twirling the pen idly. "What the fu-HIC-is a Sailor Scout?" Ami blurted. Everyone guessed, quite correctly, that she was thoroughly trashed by now. "They're the dubbed versions," Rei said, looking over her shoulder. Makoto and Mamoru nod in unison. "Cheap imitations if you ask me," Minako said, picking up her Dr.Pepper. "Just try to ignore them," Mamoru said, calming back down. Everyone agreed. Best to let sleeping dogs lie. *** The dinner continued to be excellent. So good in fact that Mamoru thought Usagi actually tasted a portion of what she wolfed down. He looked around the table. Usagi was enjoying the chocolate sundae while Minako quietly sipped her coffee. Ami looked gone and was listing to one side. Rei was nursing her third beer. Makoto had gone to eject some crazy lecher from the other end of the bar. All she said was something about a guy with a cat fetish. Mamoru didn't try to think about it. It takes all kinds, he supposed. "Looky what we got here," A voice said from his left. Everyone looked up. It was a woman that looked just like Rei except with loose dreads. She was wearing baggy jeans and a dirty looking black cut off tee. "Hey guys, get over here. It's the subbers," She yelled across the room. It was going to be trouble, Mamoru could just feel it. The other Senshi got up and backed together around one end of the table. The Scouts came up and formed a wall at the other end. Makoto had come back and had joined the Senshi. Ami was still in her seat. The Scout Amy was butch and had a nose ring with a chain to her left earring. She wore a pair of hotpants and a bra top. She just snuffed and leaned on the Scout named Lita, who looked rather bland, but also quite scared. Her eyes twitching from Rei to Usagi and Mamoru and back again. The Scouts named Mina and Serena were next. Both wore identical black miniskirts with some kind of material barely covering their chests. The strangest thing of all was that Serena didn't wear her hair like Usagi. That made her and Mina look almost identical. He looked around for his counterpart, but didn't see him. "What're you lookin' at?" Raye said to Rei. "I don't know but I smelled you from across the room." "You all look so-dirty," Usagi said, gripping Mamoru's arm a little tighter. "Oh like Miss Prissy here REALLY gets him up at night? Oh please…" Serena said, gesturing towards Mamoru. "Usagi is just fine for me thank you," Mamoru said, proudly. Usagi smiled up at him. "C'mon guys lets just go," Lita said to her group, then turning to Mamoru, "We're really sorry if we've disturbed-" "Aw, shut the Hell up 'fore I pop ya. Just because you walked in on me and Amy don't mean nuthin'," Raye said to Lita. "Hey, quiet girl. I haven't heard anything outta you yet," Amy said to Ami. Ami slowly looked up. She had the most peculiar look running across her face before deciding to settle on bewilderment. She rose, not without some difficulty from her chair to face Amy. "What? What're you lookin' at?" Amy asked. The top half of Ami slowly reached out for the other Amy while the bottom half refused to move. For those non-physics majors out there, what occurred next gave a perfect example of why drunk people don't walk and why ANYTHING pierced is a liability in a fight. *** "I can't believe you destroyed my car!" Minako shouted at Makoto. She was in the back seat of Mamoru's small convertible with Rei in the middle, Usagi on the other side of Rei and Ami on the other end. "Look, I didn't know a Supreme Thunder would do that!" Makoto said from the front seat. She shifted the ice pack on her arm and winced. It still hurt. "Hello, Mako-chan? Car-metal-get it?" Minako said, banging on the convertible's ceiling. "This is a convertible Minako," Mamoru said calmly. "Yeah, well so is mine now," She said back to him. "Okay, Washu owes me a favor-I'll get her to fix it okay?" Makoto implored. "I don't know..." "Hey-It was your chain that blew out the tires," Makoto pointed out. "Yeah, whatever," Minako said, annoyed, "How's your arm?" "Better, I think the swelling's gone down. Hey Rei, how's your eye?" She asked Rei. "I think I can see a bit," She said, removing the cold pack, "As usual, Usagi's the only one who can come out of this kind of fight undamaged." "I'm not the only one," Usagi said, "Ami wasn't hurt." Everyone leaned over to look at Ami, who was passed out and snoring. "Sure, but she'll feel it in the morning," Mamoru said. Rei and Usagi started to giggle, then everyone began to join in the laughing as the Mamoru drove them back to their houses. No one saw the chain that Ami still had wrapped around her finger.