a surreal sunday

It’s no secret around here that I’m an avid fan of, and hang out quite a bit at, a local Irish pub. I have dubbed myself the assistant manager who doesn’t get paid because when I’m there I like to look over the place and make sure things are running smoothly. I’ll tidy up the bathroom if it’s particularly messy, alert the MOD that the phone is ringing if it’s loud and answer random questions from patrons about whatever. Many other regulars tend to do the same, as we all care to some extent about the bar. Or maybe it’s because a lot of the regulars are in the service industry and work at other places in the immediate vicinity. With that in mind, I like to patronize these other establishments and visit my friends while they are in action.

One such friend happens to work at another Irish pub in the neighborhood, one that I’ve never been to....partly because I thought I’d feel like I was cheating on a significant other. Stupid I know, but I fall in love with buildings and their history and to patronize another pub is blasphemy. But I finally got tired of hearing my empty promises and on Sunday night I did the deed. I cheated on Tom.

Leaving my apartment I thought, OK – one drink and that’ll be it, quick and easy. As I walked into the joint I was met with a big room, long bar and lots of brick. I immediately liked it. Good feel and vibe. Plus, I knew the bartender! I bellied up to the bar and got a drink and within 2 minutes of being there I saw a theatre acquaintance at the opposite end of the room. I went up to her and said hi and she’s like “Oh, you’re here to see Steve’s band right?” I replied with “No, actually I just stopped in to see my friend behind the bar.”

I knew the Steve she spoke of so I wandered into the adjacent room and quickly realized it’s filled with actors from various shows that I’ve Stage Managed throughout the years, and they are all there to see this band. Small world huh? So I stuck around and watched a few songs and then they decided to take a 10 minute break. By now my first drink was long gone so I went back into the main room to get another and the place is PACKED, all the people watching the band have the same idea as me, and my bartender friend is the ONLY person behind the bar. He has no other help. Again, the bar is 2 deep...and it’s a big bar. Somehow he catches my eye and I mouth “I feel like I should help you.” His response was a nod of the head and a “come on back” wave of the arm. I then got a 20 second run down on how to pour a beer and ring it up and for the next 10 minutes I was slinging pints.

After the rush was over I went back to my spot on the patron side of the bar and watched my friend work a normal crowd and pace. But this time I watched with a whole new sensibility. And what was supposed to be just a quick jaunt into uncharted territories was just that, in many ways than one.

x

Comments

[Gideon]

Nice seeing you there on Sunday! I showed up to see Steve's band, too. I've worked with him as an actor. Small world.

[shannon]

that's right! i saw you too!! totally forgot about that in all the hoopla. sorry i couldn't chat more but my somewhat helpful services were needed. :)

[Lisa]

ooohhh.. intriguing! I'm dying to know who you cheated with ... perhaps a chick down the street starting with "M"? email me :)