It was another busy night in L.A. The club was packed with people, and the bar, situated at the far corner, was just as full. Three bartenders were more than enough to handle the rush, and while two were grumbling about the commotion, one of them particularly enjoyed the busy nights. She had dark, curly hair and a smile that could brighten even the most depressed drunk’s night. With a bottle of gin in one hand, and a towel sweeping the counter with the other, she made her way to the corner. Seated on the last stool was a very forlorn-looking man. He had his head down and was nursing a glass of ice water. She bit her lip and approached him.

“Are you okay sir?”

The man looked up. She noticed immediately his beautiful, but tired, brown eyes. “Huh?”

“I asked if you were okay,” she repeated politely, wiping down the counter.

“I’m fine,” he said softly, looking back down to the bar.

She raised an eyebrow and threw the towel behind her shoulder. It landed perfectly into the bin. “This is a bar. Can I get you a drink?”

“Uh…no thanks,” he said, head still hung.

The bartender bit her lip. “House rules. You gotta drink to sit. I’m usually not a stickler, but we’re kinda busy tonight…” she trailed off.

“Oh, sorry.” He set the glass of water back on the counter, and then slid off his stool.

“Well, wait. What are you doing here in the first place?” she asked, grabbing his attention again. “Are you waiting for someone?”

“No. I just came for the atmosphere,” he said seriously. “I uh…can’t afford to drink.”

The young woman stepped closer to the counter. “Sit down. Are you a recovering alcoholic or something? Cause you really shouldn’t be here if…”

“No. No, I just can’t afford it,” he said, shaking his head.

The young woman nodded. “In that case, this one’s on the house,” she said, pouring him a shot of gin.

“Really?” he asked as she nodded. He slid back onto the stool. Slowly, but gratefully, he took the glass and sipped at the warm liquid it contained.

The bartender put her elbows on the counter and leaned forward. Normally, she would have ignored someone who was just taking up space, but this particular customer looked like he needed to talk. He came across as very shy, but not in a creepy way. His sad, dejected statement alone made her want to help him.

“Are you sure you’re alright? You look like you need to get good and drunk.”

“I’d love to. But it wouldn’t help anything,” he said honestly. “I’m sorry, you’re busy… I’m taking up space.” He slid off the stool again.

“No, wait. Sit back down,” she instructed.

“I don’t want you to get in trouble,” he said. “You could get fired for giving out free drinks.”

“My brother owns this place. He can’t afford to fire me,” she said.

“I should get going anyway,” he said sadly. “Thanks though.”

“If I give you a beer, will you stay?” she asked, already filling a mug.

He smiled meekly and chuckled a bit. “Well…”

“Hey, that looks good on you,” she said, handing him the glass. He had a confused look. “The smile. It’s nice,” she complimented. “What’s your name?”

“Colin,” he said, taking the mug.

“Nice to meet you Colin,” she replied, outstretching a hand. “I’m Jamie.” He smiled meekly and shook her hand. “So, what brings you to an L.A. bar with no money?”

“My wife,” he said. “She just sorta stopped outside and shoved me in here.”

“Are you serious?” Jamie asked incredulously. “She forced you into a bar? With no money?”

“No,” he replied. He sunk a hand into his pocket. “She gave me money. I just can’t bring myself to spend it.”

“Oh, right,” Jamie said, still confused. “You know…I’m a bartender.”

“I noticed that,” Colin said with a small smile.

She chuckled. “What I mean is, I’m good at listening. If you feel like talking….” She eyed him carefully.

Colin nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.”

Jamie sighed to herself. Something about him cried out for help. She smiled and winked, then walked back to her other customers. Colin continued enjoying his drink as well as possible. Several minutes later, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the money he had been saving. Carefully, he counted the bills. Eight dollars. He allocated five of them and carefully placed them on the bar next to his empty glass.

“Didn’t you hear me?” Jamie asked, strolling back over to him. Colin had just slid off of the stool. “Those were on the house.”

“Thanks, but I can’t…”

“Tell you what,” she interjected. “You’ve got me really curious. If you tell me what’s got a guy like you so depressed, I’ll call it even.” She leaned her elbows on the bar. “Otherwise you can leave your precious dollars.”

Colin bit his lip and sat back down. She caught his eye and raised her eyebrows.

“I’ve got a bit of a problem,” Colin sighed. He was hesitant, but Jamie’s caring smile and attentive stare was enough to urge him on. “I’m broke. My wife’s broke. Our kid is broke. I can’t get a job, my wife’s working her ass off, and my son is still hungry. We’ve sold everything short of our wedding bands and the clothes off our backs.”

“Wow,” Jamie replied.

"The worst part is, my wife and I just had a fight so now I don’t even have anyone to talk to…” Colin glanced up at her. “Present company excluded.”

Jamie graciously bowed her head. “Why can’t you get a job? Is it cause you have to stay home with your child?”

Colin shook his head. “No. Not completely. I’d be more than willing to work nights…weekends…whatever. But I can’t. I’m not allowed.”

“What do you mean, you’re ‘not allowed’?” Jamie asked, confused.

Colin sighed. “I’m Canadian, and I don’t have the right papers. It’s not legal.”

Jamie bit her lip and nodded. “What is it you do…when you are legal?”

“I’m a comedian…. so’s my wife. She was working on a show here, but it got cancelled and now we don’t have enough money to move back.”

“You said she’s got a job though?” Jamie asked.

Colin nodded and she noticed his statement change to guilt. “Yeah, two actually, but we can’t seem to save anything.”

“That’s rough,” she sympathized.

Colin shook his head dejectedly. “That’s probably way more than you wanted to know.”

“No, actually, I’d like to hear more,” Jamie admitted. “Like, why are you here, in the bar?”

“Oh, we had a fight. I burnt dinner…” he answered, glancing back to the bar.

“And she…kicked you out?”

“No. I got angry at myself. It was the first real food we’d bought all week and I ruined it,” Colin said, shaking his head.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’m sure she understood.”

“She did…that’s why she drove me here. She told me to relax. I just feel so…so…”

“Useless?” Jamie offered. “Like she’s the one doing all the work and you’re stuck with no way to help your family…nothing to offer your son, your wife…”

“Yeah, yeah.” Colin cut in. “I know, okay?”

“Sorry. Look, you shouldn’t feel bad,” Jamie comforted. “I’m sure she understands.”

“I know she does, it’s just the principle of the thing,” Colin explained, shaking his head. “I feel like a burden on those two…”

Jamie shook her head. “No. No, you’re not a burden. They need you.”

“How do you know?”

“I don’t. But you obviously care about them a great deal, I can only imagine that a guy like you has got a great family who needs him for more than just finances.”

“That may be, but right now finances are our biggest problem.” Colin glanced nervously to his watch. “I should really get home.”

“Why?” Jamie asked smartly. “They don’t need you unless you’re bringing home money.”

“Okay, you made your point.” Colin said bitterly, and then hopped off the stool. “Sorry I wasn’t more interesting. I hope my story was worth the five bucks.”

She just shook her head. “Colin, wait. Wait here, I’ll be right back.” Jamie set down the glasses had been holding, and disappeared into the back room. He sighed once again and leaned against the bar. As he stood, he glanced around. People were scattered all over; couples kissing in the corners, single women in short skirts hitting on married men in tight shirts, guys getting drunker by the minute and gals taking them for all the money they could.

Colin couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene. It made him really appreciate what he had. Jamie was right, no matter how hungry; at least he could go home to a wife and son who loved him.

Several minutes later, Jamie returned. She had changed out of her work uniform and into a tank top and jeans; a brown paper bag was in her hand. “I’m done for the night,” she said. “Would you mind walking me to my car?”

“Oh, sure,” Colin replied. He stepped lightly behind her to the door and held it open as she went through. They walked in silence for five blocks before finally getting to the parking lot. Jamie stopped at her blue sedan.

“Thanks, I don’t like walking alone around here,” she said.

“Understandable,” Colin replied. “Goodnight.”

“Wait. Here.” She held out the paper bag. “This is for you.”

“What? No,” Colin said, taking a step back. “I can’t.”

“Sure you can…it’s an escort fee.”

“A what?” Colin asked, still refusing the bag.

“You walked me to my car, so I’m paying you in fish dinners.” She smiled and shoved them into his arms.

Colin just chuckled. Hesitantly, he looked inside the bag. It smelled of fried food and his stomach growled at the delicious aroma. If it had been any other situation, he would have continued to refuse. But tonight, he was hungry.

“Thank you,” he said sincerely. “You don’t know what this means to me.”

“Come back tomorrow, and I’ll pay you the same.” Jamie said as she ducked into her car. Colin shut the door for her and she drove off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Hey, leave her alone!” Colin shouted, sprinting across the parking lot. He could see a larger man holding on to her wrist. Jamie was trying to shy away. The man shoved her backwards. She stumbled and fell onto the bumper of her car, and then the man walked away without so much as a word.

“Are you okay?” Colin asked, running over to her. He put hand on her arm to be sure she was steady.

Jamie closed her eyes and nodded. “Thank you,” she breathed.

“The one day I’m late…” he swore, eyeing her. “Do you know who that was?”

Jamie nodded. “He was a friend of my brother’s…stole a bunch of money. I haven’t seen him in about a year.” Jamie closed her eyes and lifted herself from the edge of the car.

“You should be more careful,” Colin scolded.

“I should have gotten my brother to walk me, like I used to,” she said. “I’m okay though…he would have left me alone.”

“I’m so sorry I’m late. I had to wait for Debra to get home,” Colin explained.

“It’s okay. I didn’t get any food though…. I didn’t think you were coming.” Jamie said softly. She genuinely felt bad.

“It’s okay, I already ate.” Colin bit his lip. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. He just wanted money, he wouldn’t have hurt me.” Jamie re-assured.

Colin nodded, still eyeing her carefully. “Are you in a hurry?”

“No, why?”

He jerked his head toward a building on the street corner. “Let’s get some coffee,” he said.

***

Colin pulled out his wallet as a uniformed man handed Jamie the drinks.

“Are you sure?” she asked, eyeing him. “Cause I can pay…”

Colin shook his head. “No. No, I’ve got it.”

He followed her into the nearest booth and eased to a seat across from her. She smiled and slid his cup across the table.

“So you’re really alright?” he asked one more time, just to be sure.

“Colin, I’m fine. Really. And I’ve still got my wallet, thanks to you.” Jamie took a sip from the warm cup and then changed the subject. “How’s Luke?”

“He’s good,” Colin replied. “Got another tooth coming in.”

“Deb?”

He smiled. “She’s good too. She thanks you again for dinner last night.” Colin said softly.

Jamie nodded. “I’d love to meet her, you should bring her by.”

Colin swallowed. “I don’t think that’s going to be possible Jamie,” he said. His statement changed to one of sweet sorrow. “We’re moving….”

“When?” Jamie asked, setting her cup down.

“Tomorrow…. A gig opened up for me in Toronto. Thanks to you, I’ve saved enough money to take a train back there. Deb will follow in two weeks, after I get my first paycheck.”

“Where will you stay?” she asked, concerned.

“With a friend of mine,” he explained. “I’ll stay with him and his wife for a few weeks.”

“This job…it pays well?”

Colin took a sip of his drink. “Yes. Very well. We’ll be able to afford our own place in a month.”

Jamie smiled. “That’s wonderful Colin. I’m so happy for you,” she said genuinely.

Colin sighed contently, a broad smile crossing his features. “Thank you. I’m really very excited about it.”

“I can imagine. Tell me more,” she urged.

Colin and Jamie sat talking for another two hours about Toronto and the new gig. After they exhausted that topic, Jamie finished telling him about UCLA. She had just been accepted and would be starting classes in the fall. Although Jamie was older than a normal college student, it had been a goal she’d never made the time for. However, over the course of the past month, their daily rendezvous provided enough time for Colin to convince her to apply. He also made her promise to have her brother walk her to the parking lot after he left.

“I hate to say this, but it’s getting late…” Colin said. “He’s closing the cafe.”

“I noticed that,” she replied, yawning. “I’ve got to work early tomorrow too, and you’ve got a train to catch.”

“Luckily, I don’t have much to pack,” Colin said, chuckling. “If you know what I mean.”

Jamie smiled, then stood up and he followed suit. The walk back to the parking lot was solemnly quiet. When they reached her car, Jamie hung her head. “I guess this is it, huh?”

Colin nodded sadly. “I guess. I’m sure gonna miss those fish dinners.”

“Oh, yeah right. You’re never going to want fried food again,” she said, playfully slapping him in the shoulder.

“No, but thank you.” Colin said sincerely. “You’ve really helped me. I was so scared there for a while.”

“Aww, come on. You’d’ve been fine.”

Colin shook his head. “The money I saved on dinner is paying for my train fare. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t be able to move back for the job.” He swallowed. “I don’t know what would have happened.”

Jamie sighed. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be going to college. I’d be a bartender the rest of my life.”

“Oh, I doubt that. You were gonna do it eventually.”

Jamie shook her head. “I’ve put it off for six years already. I doubt I would have even applied.” Colin glanced to the ground and she quickly changed her tone. “Hey, when you become rich and famous, and you’re back here making movies, you look me up,” she instructed, pointing a finger at him.

He nodded. “And the next time you’re in the great white north, you call on me.”

“I most certainly will,” she promised. “Good luck Colin.”

“Good luck Jamie,” he replied softly.

They hugged like old friends and then Jamie silently got into her car. She couldn’t help but get teary over their goodbye, but somehow she knew she’d see him again. He shut the door and watched her drive away. Colin put his hands in his back pockets and walked toward the bus stop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Mr. Mochrie, Mr. Stiles,” the two men looked up from their conversation. A young woman was addressing them from the doorway. “If you’ll follow me we’ll get you all setup for the interview,” she said with a smile.

They rose accordingly and followed her to the set while she continued to explain. “Basically, she’s just going to ask you some questions about the new show. How “Whose Line” got started; what’s different from the British version…stuff like that. If there’s time, she’ll throw in some personal questions too, like about your experiences and what not. Sound okay?” she asked.

They both nodded and took seats next to each other and across from the interviewer’s stool.

***

“I’m here with Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie of ABC’s new hit show, ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’ Thanks for coming by guys.”

“There’s free food, right?” Ryan asked, deadpanned.

“Of course,” she replied with a smile. Ryan nodded happily.

The interview consisted of explaining the show’s format and demonstrating how several games in particular worked. All in all, twenty minutes of camera time, though it would be cut to five for the actual segment. Colin and Ryan had just finished demonstrating a short set of ‘sound effects’ and sat back down. Colin wondered if they’d even get to tell any of the so-called anecdotes, from which reporters often fed. His curiosity was laid to rest with the next question.

“Well, we’re about to wrap it up. But I understand that you’ve both come from some rough times, right? It wasn’t all fun and games.”

Both men nodded and then Ryan began. “I uh…I used to clean fish for a living, so now everyday is like vacation for me. I’d do this stuff for free, but they’re paying me. Which, I think is just stupid, but it’s their money,” he shrugged.

Colin chuckled as the reporter turned her attention to him. “Mr. Mochrie, any fish stories for you?”

“Strangely enough, yes,” he recalled. “My wife is a comedian also and about seven years ago she got a job here in LA. Uh, we’re Canadian though and I didn’t have papers to work here legally. Anyway, we ended up being really poor and not even having enough money to move back north.” He sighed at the memory then snapped back into the story. “Long story short, I met this woman in a bar…. she was the bartender, and she paid me in fish dinners for a month to walk her to her car at night. The money we saved from not buying supper was enough for me to go back to Toronto and get a job. She saved my life really…. my career especially,” he finished.

“What a wonderful story,” the reporter commented. “And, I’ve heard that if it weren’t for you, that young lady would have never gone to college.”

Colin was taken aback, he’d never told that part of the story. “Uh…yeah, how did you know that?” he asked without thinking.

”Well, it just so happens that the producer of this segment was the bartender who you’re talking about.”

Ryan chuckled, “Colin Mochrie; this is your life.”

Colin shook his head. “Are you kidding?”

“CUT!” they heard the director shout. “That’s all we need, thanks guys.”

The reporter waved in acknowledgement then turned her attention back to Colin. “I was hoping you’d tell that story. Jamie’s backstage,” she said with a smile and then walked off the set.

“Wow,” Ryan breathed. “You gonna go say ‘hi’?”

“Yeah. Yes, definitely,” Colin stammered.

“Okay, I’ll meet you at the restaurant,” Ryan said leaving the set.

“Colin Mochrie.” He heard someone say from behind. “How the hell are you?”

A broad smile crossed his features as he turned around. He shook his head and looked her up and down. She hadn’t changed a bit. “As good as you, I see,” he replied.

She walked over and they hugged. “So, you finally made it back here. Congratulations,” she said as they left the embrace.

He nodded. “You made it too, I see,” he said with a smile. “How was school?”

“Hard!” she exclaimed. “But fun, and good,” she nodded. “How’s your family?”

“They’re wonderful. Luke’s nine now…” Colin trailed off. “Listen, I’m going to meet my wife for lunch. Please join us.”

Jamie smiled. “I’d love to.”