
Listen to how bartenders experience intensification of work due to new technologies.
— SCRIPT —
[Fade in. Sounds of glasses clinking, drinks being poured and mixed. Intense chatter and music with a heavy beat.]
One two three four.
One two three four.
One two three four — pour!
One pint of lager,
two small glasses of white wine,
one single rum and Coke.
Two Sex on the Beach,
four gin and tonics,
one vodka lime.
One two three four — pour!
One two three four — out!
[Sound of printing. Tickets appear.]
Read the order.
Grab the glasses.
Fill the glasses.
On the tray.
Off they go.
Job done.
Read the order.
Grab the glasses.
Fill the glasses.
On the tray.
Out.
Job done.
Order. Glasses. Fill. Tray. Go. Done.
Read. Grab. Pour. Go. Done.
One. Two. Three. Four.
Over and out.
Over again.
Over and over and over again.
[PAUSE.]
QR code.
Download the app.
Card details, please.
Order processed.
Abracadabra — your drink appears!
The printer overflows.
A thousand drinks are ordered all in one go.
Dirty glasses filling up the bar.
Hands snatching the trays and running the drinks to your table.
Dropping them off.
Running back again.
No chats.
No banter.
No faces.
Just me.
Your invisible magician.
One. Two. Three. Four.
I have no idea who you are.
From the menu on your phone straight to my printer.
Cut out the middle man.
Cut out the bill.
Cut out the smile and the please and thank you.
Cut out the few breaths between orders.
Here’s your drink.
Made behind the bar.
Or Made in Taiwan.
Over and over again.
Make it quickly.
Now make it again.
No time or need for me to be your therapist.
Or your friend.
One. Two. Three. Four.
[Fade in. Sounds of glasses clinking, drinks being poured and mixed. Intense chatter and music with a heavy beat. Fade out.]
[END]
