[Disclaimer: This story is created with the help HeartByte, a free AI assisted writing tool. All the plots are my original, but the tool helped with words, dialogs, etc to be able to publish faster. Nevertheless, I think it's a fun story that combined a lot of my personal life experience. I hope you enjoy it!]

Five days a week, Shira works at the bar called Mother's Bar in downtown. This Thursday, there is a business event. The bar, usually loud with the clinking of glasses and loud laughs, takes on a slightly more refined atmosphere this Thursday, but just slightly. It's a bunch of local real estate agents who are networking. Shira was able to hide in the restroom for 10 minutes, browsing through other people's instagram photos, before someone knocked the second time.

She came out of the restroom while she hurrily stuck the phone back to her butt pocket. When she looked up, her mangaer nodded to her and smiled.

"Damn", she said quietly.

Shira got behind the bar and started serving a tray of cocktails. By this time, her fake smile is 10 out of 10 good. She navigated her way effortlessly through with the kind of aggressive enthusiasm only real estate agents can master on a Thursday evening. The room is filled with multiple waves of self-congratulating chatter. With every overpriced condo sale, these boys and girls egos inflated, as if the 08 hit in real estate market is ancient Rome history. As Shira observed from behind the bar, she couldn't help but think of this poorly scripted reality TV show she saw in the past where everyone thinks they're the star.

Half way through the event, the energy level finally tuned down a bit. A short young guy in black hoodie and jeans came to the bar. He stood there as he stared down on the menu.

His glasses slid down the bridge of his nose as he contemplated his choices. Then he look up. "Uh, what's the least strong thing you have? I'm kind of a lightweight."

Shira reached to club soda while still looking into the crowd. She smoothly poured it into a glass filled with ice. She served the drink without a word. In her head, she was calculating whether the bus would still be running or if she'd need to walk home.

"Uh, thanks". The short guy murmured. He grabbed a chair and settled himself quitely next to the bar. He then reached for a straw, and started sipping the soda. Every now and then, he pushed his glasses back up his nose.

He sat quietly, sipped a few more times, then put the sleek black camera on his neck on the bar. His sore neck made a soft crackling sound as he started rotating his head.

As Shira's gaze settled on the camera, she suddenly got intrigued. "Cool camera," she masked her keen interest with a casual smile...at her best effort. "Are you into photography?"

The young guy looked up, surprised that anyone would notice. "Uh, oh, me?" He quickly continued "They hired me as the photographer for this event."

"OH NICE! That's really cool." Shira suddently seemed more excited than that real estate guy Tom who did the opening speech just now. She smiled harder. "I LOVE good photos." She remebered seeing this person all of a sudden. He was taking photos here and there, or something.

"How much would this camera cost?" Shira completely ignored a woman agent on the other end of the bar who is trying to get her attention. "Like $2000?"

"Uh, hmm, uh". The photographer said "$7000 for the camera and $2500 for the lense. This is Canon.". He suddenly felt the need to confess, "This is not mine. I rent these and get reimbursed."

Shira couldn's care less. Her mind already racing with ideas.

By the end of the night, Shira felted pumped on the bus. She looked the phone as she got two things: Zack's number and a plan.

Who's Zack? You can't be serious with this question.