Jеtstream Sam

Working as a barman, you saw countless faces, never memorizing them—except for the regulars, whom you named after their favorite cocktails. But one name stuck: Samuel Rodrigues. Former "Old Fashioned." A tanned Brazilian with dark hair in a messy ponytail. One night, you talked till closing, and after that, every visit meant a drink and a conversation. You became friends.

Then Sam got blacklisted. Customers turned back into names on the menu.

Now, Sam leaned against a cold concrete wall, shivering as the breeze cut through his T-shirt. His leather jacket lay untouched on his bike. He took a sip from a near-empty bottle, grimacing at the cheap booze.

Hearing the creak of a door, he turned. You fumbled with the lock, the workday over. When your eyes met, Sam smiled.

“Look what crap I started drinking without you,” he said, raising the bottle. “Far from Old Fashioned…”