A/N- This is my response to the Guild of the Fantastic Quill’s Challenge Five—the St. Patrick’s Day Challenge. The word prompts used were “Irish music” and “leprechaun.” The work must also include the word “green.” I also managed to work in the bonus word, “beer.” And finally, look for a hidden “green.”

A Saint Patrick’s Day Mission

It was seven at night when I stumbled into the bar—excuse me, pub. I was not yet drunk, and—exhibited by my natural grace—it was probably not a good idea that getting blotto-ed was exactly what I was here to do.

Green-dyed pints of beer and Irish music surrounded me as I took a seat at the bar. The bartender turned, and, in an Irish brogue I was sure was fake, asked me what my poison was. I rubbed the black stubble on my chin before I replied, “A beer. To start with.”

I shoved my hand into my brown jacket’s pocket as he turned away and withdrew a twenty dollar bill and a five. Slapping the money onto the countertop just as the fake Irishman slid me my own green-tinted beer, I told him to keep ‘em coming until that twenty-five wore out. He took a deep breath, stared at the price of beer that was displayed , and nodded after his mouth moved along with the mental counting.

Around dyed beer number five, I lost count and was slumped over on the bar counter. My eyesight was blurred, and my head felt groggy. Suddenly, instinct told me to lift my head up, if only an inch or so.

There, right before my folded arms on the counter was a leprechaun. An honest to God, dressed in green, red-haired leprechaun. I blinked.

When my eyes reopened, the wee one was still there, but he had now acquired a green beer in each hand and a mischievous grin. It widened when I arched my brow at him.

Slowly at first, he began to rhythmically tap his feet on the glass-covered counter. Finally, when the gig had picked up speed, he began to sing (and I was sure his accent was real):

Glad to see me?
Really glad?
Energetically, here I dance,
Exuberantly to and fro.
Never once—no, not once!—is a drop spilled!

The leprechaun finished with a bow, and my world went black.

…………………

I groaned and rolled over. Immediately, I realized I was at home on my own bed. My girlfriend loomed over me. Boy, did she look pissed.

“Have a fun night?” she asked, sarcasm dripping from her lips.

I smiled through the pain of my hangover.

“Best Saint Patrick’s Day ever.”