It's Best to start at the Beginning

A different Dorothy from Kansas meets a different group of strangers from Kansas... things happen

Dorothy quickly scribbled down the order from her table. She smiled politely at the three men, then quickly hurried away.These men were weird. They bugged her.

She strode to the bar, quicker than normal, to give the order.

Her co-worker, Peter; a bartender in his 40s so the look on her face.

"What is it now girl?" the older Irishman sighed. Dorothy was always quite cautious. Working part-time at a place like this, being a pretty college co-ed- Peter used to think she was too cautious. But after a while, he understood the caution. She handed him the slip from her notebook. Peter went over it, nodded, and added them to his list. Dorothy leaned against the bar, close to him so they could speak quietly and not get overheard.

She, Peter, and Melinda were working tonight. Melinda was in the front of the bar, and boring company. Frequently Dorothy and Peter would man the main dining area themselves. Kites had a free popcorn machine guests could help themselves to- that Dorothy and Peter would then split between the two of them.

"Those three guys... at the high table over there. I went to go take their orders... they wouldn't stop staring at me. It was weird" she explained.

Peter half listened, pouring a pint of Tall Grass for the fella at the edge of the bar. He was a regular.

"Dorothy Darlin'... yer'a pretty girl" he began. Dorothy narrowed her eyes at him. Raising an eyebrow.

"Remember what I told you about from my women's studies course?"

"That when fellas pay ya a compliment you get outa sorts"

Dorothy chucked a popcorn kernel at him. He chortled.

"Dorothy get the next table, I'll keep an eye on those lads" he instructed.

Dorothy nodded. She had a job to do. While she wiped down the lower tables close to the fireplace she pulled out her cellphone from her pocket to check the time- three messages- 1 from her Adoptive father Dr. Joe Stone, 1 from her brother Adam and 1 from Joe's colleague and their neighbor Rabbi Miller. She'd answer on her break.

Peter eyed Dorothy's mysterious, lecherous fiends out of the corner of his eye while he worked. Three men- two Caucasian, one African American- one-man mid-forties, one mid-thirties, the third early thirties, big fellas. Muscular. If there were trouble he'd be on edge. All three of them leaned in, talking to each other. He'd make the delivery of the drinks, not Dorothy.Feel 'em out. Then they'd worry.

Melinda came in back.

"The first table has this young couple on a first date. They asked for booze. I checked their IDS... Not sure they check out. Thought I'd let you be the bad guy"

"Ah... Miss No Social all Business! It's Mike and Miss Judi. They're over age. Get those back to 'em"

Melinda rolled her eyes, took the cards and walked away.

Peter filled up the carrying tray and made his way over to the table. They all immediately silenced upon his arrival. Peter gently sat all the glasses down.

"Evenin' Lads. Here we are. Enjoy"

"Thanks"

"Word of advice...Your waitress isn't anybody special. She's just a local girl who looks nice. You interested in her just talk to her. No need to make her nervous."

"Uh... look, man, we're not interested in her or anything. We uh... we know her dad" one man explained.

Dorothy's cell phone vibrated in her pocket. She ducked out of sight and answered. Joe.

"Joe I am at WORK! I'm gonna get fired"

"Dorothy stop it. Listen... you're in danger"

Dorothy blinked.

"What?"

"You need to be careful. When you get off work make Peter walk you to your car"

"Joe... what are?"'

"We'll talk about it at home. Just get through the next two hours in one piece. Adam, Sarah, you and I need to discuss this"

Dorothy nodded.He was serious. She knew not to mess with him.

"OK... whatever Joe Fine. I'll call you when I'm done"

"Good girl. Have A good shift"

Dorothy hung up and stepped back into the main room of the bar. The three men at the far table were still there. Peter motioned at her over to him. They were staring.

"Sorry Peter... Joe called again. He's concerned about my safety a lot more these days" Dorothy used the excuse of her overprotective parental figure time and time again. Peter believed her.

She slid inside the bar.

"Dorothy darlin... I think Melinda and me can handle this... you wanna head out and see ta yer family? These fellas have paid"

Dorothy raised her eyebrow again.

'Who are you and what have you done with Peter?"

"Very funny. Talk to those lads then clock out"

"You're serious? Peter..."

"Get all the cash you can, then go talk to those lads"

Dorothy frowned. Joe would kill her for stranger danger issues tonight was bringing.

"Alright...Fine. But if I end up on the missing persons list you get to explain to Joe what happened"