Roxie peered out into the desolate streets of Morsville, while Claymor was wondering if his business, his livelihood, would come to an end after this fateful day. The law had passed. It was now in effect as of midnight last evening. Smoking was banned from all restaurants and bars. Tonight had been their first night smoke free. What had once been a small but thriving, bustling establishment, seemed doomed. Sure a few of the regulars came in, ordering their usuals, but they soon left. Somehow, sitting around drinking and socializing just wasn’t the same without a smoke. Even Roxie, who was always bubbly and perky, seemed down. Claymor couldn't bear to look at her. He knew how much she depended on the tips she collected. The girl worked so hard. Every so often he'd ask her if he should hire another girl, but she said she was perfectly capable of handling all the patrons. He knew she could, but he also knew that if he hired another girl that Roxie would lose income. The way things had been tonight, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep Roxie on. Claymor’s was a small bar with fifteen barstools and two booths. He’d often considered buying an adjacent store and knocking out a wall to expand his business. A bar could always use a pool table and dart board. Tonight he was thankful that the stores to either side of his had never come up for sale. He still had his nest egg for retirement. But what would happen to Roxie he wondered. If he closed down and retired, where would she end up? She was a sweet girl. Once, a few years ago, he’d asked her out. But she let him know that she wouldn’t take advantage of him and that she would not date a man she was working for. If she had a boyfriend or girlfriend for that matter, he never knew about it. All he knew from the fours years they’d worked together was that she went to church on Sunday mornings, lived in a small apartment downtown and had a cat named Sam. As Claymor stood outside, he wondered how many more nights would be like this. Was this the end or would things pick up once people got used to the idea of smoke-free bars. At least it wasn’t like they had other places to go instead. Was this new law going to be as bad as prohibition was? Were people going to go to places that allowed smoking illegally? Was it going to rain? If things got real bad would Roxie change her mind about the no dating your boss rule? Just then a hand rested gently on his shoulder. Still he couldn’t bring himself to turn and face her. “It’ll get better” she said in her soft, sexy voice. He couldn’t believe he was thinking about getting in bed with her when things were so bleak! “Come on, let’s go back inside. More people are bound to show up before we close”. He knew she was wrong, but heck, the glasses needed washing and the floor needed sweeping before he locked up. Roxie gave a gentle tug and he allowed himself to be led back in. “Surprise!!!” Claymor nearly jumped out of his skin. The place was packed. While Roxie had stood guard, all the regulars had snuck in thru the back entrance for the surprise party she’d planned for him. As much as his mood had been down just moments ago, it was now sky high. Even the “Happy 50th Birthday” Banner hanging over the bar, didn’t dampen his spirits. With all the hugs and handshakes, he got a touch teary eyed. And he knew that this night wouldn’t be the end. His mind was already working on ways to make his little bar more attractive. One idea he had was to add a few internet stations. There were cyber cafés in town, now he’d have a cyber bar. Claymor picked up a bar napkin and dabbed his eyes. He felt warm soft lips on his and he opened his eyes to see Roxie backing away, whispering “Happy Birthday”.