Someone fleeced the Bullfinch, and Q got the fleece back. The hero is being all “no big deal” and “no comment” about it, but it’s all out there in the police reports, and the praise has raised Q’s stature from barback (and occasional show promoter) to Assistant Manager. Might’ve been an even better offer, but Q’s made no secret of wanting to spend more time on his Think-Q record label and his own (mostly unheard) music projects.
So remember Josh the bartender? He was stealing from the bar, pocketing other bartenders’ tips. In the boldest stroke of all, he was taking the large amounts of cash he’d been given to pay deliverymen for shipments. He’d say “I’m new, they didn’t tell me you were coming, I don’t have the money,” and they’d believe him.
It was the kind of scheme that could only work once, and Josh had to know in advance that his employment would be short-term. In fact, he’d done this elsewhere (which is one reason why we haven’t had to use the word “allegedly” in this account) and after bolting from the Bullfinch (and this town altogether) last Tuesday, had already lined up his next target, a bar about 75 miles away.
Which is where Q came in. He’d been calling other clubs in the state to start a mini-touring circuit for a few of his favorite bands. He called this place upstate and who answered but Josh? His distinctive accent is part of the “charm” which has gotten him far in his criminal business.
Here’s where Q was cool. He got so curious so fast that he was able to avoid Josh knowing it was him and keep him on the line a little while so he could formulate his own plan. Under the guise of the No Man Distillery, Q arranged a delivery. He then hipped the bar to the scheme, and (despite some misgivings from the owner, who understandably wanted to fire Josh on the spot), it was decided that Josh should be caught in action with cops standing by around the corner. Real sting stuff. And very successful. So that Josh might avoid jail time, much of the money has already got returned.
But not all of it. Q’s first Bullfinch booking as Assistant Manager is a “Josh Scam Marathon” multi-band benefit to recoup a couple of grand and pay off the distributors.
Tonight: Thank You for the Eels and Musk Turtles (same band, different sets) at The Bullfinch… The Story Needs and Dame Rumor, college jazz rock, at Hamilton’s… Stop & Sop and Mid-K at D’ollaire’s, high-priced jams…