hed been admiring her from across the
bar
got off the stool
I wouldn’t do that if I were you. She’s
all business when she’s working and when she’s off, man, she hasn’t the time for
a soul lotsa guys, lotsa guys, egg on their face.
We regulars sit tight take her in.
Im
not regular
Whas her name
Sam.
Sam
Thank you
I wouldn’t if I were you.
Hey No you woudnt Ifya like ya can come over an help me pickup pieces of
my broken heart
they laughed
he headed over
he nodded to her as he came up on the bar she was taking orders he crossed behind them went up to the end of the bar
taking their orders she turned to come up to him he motioned
her off
she nodded
was nice to communicate without words
she made several drinks served them
walked over to him
I understand
youre Sam
I am.
Id eat green eggs
she chuckled despite herself killer dimples
You’re not from around here.
I am not
I am Joe he thrusted his hand forward
they shook she
had a firm gripsomeone taught her how to shake hands properly
Coud
I buy you a drink
Not allowed.
Wha No shit
Allowed in the Midwest
she smiled canines
Maybe I ought to go East.
Lemme know I got friends in low places friends in high places too
What you havin? Another beer like the
boys?
No
They ordered before I arrived Woud have been impolite not to share a drink from their pitcher
They like their pitchers. a couple came up to the bar
Please
Sam help yourself
Alright.
they looked like wine to him
they were
Sam sold them a bottle
they took a small table
she knocked it out of the park
uncorked the bottle at their table set it on a saucer offered it to
the gentleman poured him a sample he sipped
nodded she poured a glass for the
woman topped off his
Sam returned
Very nice elegant A barkeep sommelière Got all the tools
Really awfully sorry I
cant buy you a drink
What will you have?
I havent looked Do you have fifteenyear Redbreast
Yes.
Three fingers
I was thinking.
Yah
A mixed drink?
No thank you
I like straight I like neat
If I made you one?
Made me
Said I was thinking, thought you’d be
neat.
Let me.
If I don like it Im not drinkin it
Yes. Obviously.
Obviously
Obviously.
Huh
Ill have to work on tha
I thought I was a man of mystery
The way you move, very unlikely. I’ll be back.
Move
Move.
Awright
I wont watch I like surprises
I do too.
I have to do a turn on the
floor. You’re okay to wait.
I don wait held up a book he was carrying Robbins Still Life With Woodpecker
Well look at you. smiled dimples
I’ll be back shortly.
opened it
“ . . . there are ephemeral
explosions of passion between strangers that make more erotic sense than many lengthy
marriages, there are one-night stands in Jersey City more glorious than
six-month affairs in Paris – but finally there is a commitment, however brief;
a purity, however threatened; a vulnerability, however concealed; a generosity of
spirit, however marbled with need; an honest caring, however singed by lust,
that must be present if couplings are to be salubrious and not slow poison.”
Sam deftly set the drink before him atop
a napkin
Hemlock
Sorry. Fresh out.
Bottoms up.
I like the call
he sniffed took a sip shallowly inhaled over the liquor savoring it
swallowed
Not too stiff?
Has to be stiff doesnt it
I . . I should take that as a compliment.
Yes you shoud
I have to workthat’s on the House.
A drink after? I’m on till
Eleven.
Id like tha Sam he held the glass up to her
Thank you very much
You’re welcome, Joe.
probably
near 1530hrs, Sunday, 9 2.
25
1339, reggaefriday,
7 3. 25
