CHAPTER 37 TIPSY JANE

Jane followed Fred into the restaurant, her eyes adjusting to the warm, low-lit atmosphere. The familiar smells of food and drink filled the air, but there was a distinct change from the day's service. Gone were the tables of lunch patrons, replaced with a lively crowd of evening revelers. Fred led her to a secluded corner table, away from the buzz of conversation and laughter. "The restaurant transforms into a bar at night," he explained, a note of pride in his voice. "These people are bidding on drinks, and the proceeds help fund the restaurant. "You see, I've got some regulars who love to come in and bid up the prices. It's quite a spectacle, really. We've got some rare and expensive spirits, and these guys go crazy for them." Fred gestured to a group of men in the corner, their voices raised in excited chatter as they flashed signs to the bartender. "And the best part is, these bids go towards funding the restaurant, which means I can keep the prices down during the day. You kno