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"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

Day 147, Sunday October 26th
Just ready fer dinner
The Tavern of Hell

It's - it's bin an okay week. That Damien guy seemed pretty nice, though I haven't seen much 'a him since. I saw him buskin' with his guitar, which dunt seem like real work, 'specially in harvest season, but that's his business, I guess. I wanted t'go out t'the Carnival this week t'see if that Vic woman went out t'see Zann, 'cause I think they'd get 'long real well, but it's bin busy 'n I ain't had a chance.

I met three new people this week and if it hadn't bin fer Friday it would 'a bin nice. But I got a feelin' like the hound-god ain't too pleased with me fer carryin' off that girl. Mr. Laclos said her name was Alice, and he was real glad at me bringin' her back like that. He invited me in fer a cup 'a coffee, but I wanted t'get as far from the Silk Road as I could, knowin' the hound-god was out on the street. I skipped out the side 'n near ran all the way back t'my room.

Saturday I was workin' again. Mr. White wanted t'be greetin' people and doin' the councilman thing, 'n Rob was needed fer bakin', so it was me mindin' the stall at the market. It was okay, 'cept I could really go anywhere. I did chat with a few folk - I think the townies 'r gettin' more used t'havin' a couple 'v us wanderin' 'round. I dint see much 'a Tess though. She's bin spendin' lots 'a time with her friend Kate. I dunt think she's even really looked 'round fer a place t'stay 'r work t'do.

Sunday's my day, and I'm grateful fer it. I went t'the church this mornin'. It was okay, but way different than home. And their book's got some stuff that's different than the Book. I ain't sure theirs is a proper Bible, but I dint say nothin'. Spent the rest 'a the day cleanin' my room 'n loungin' 'bout on the bridge, just watchin' the water go by.

By the time the sun's started towards the horizon I'm hungry 'n ready fer food. I ain't gone t'the Tavern in ages, but I should be able t'get somethin' t'munch on and maybe a beer. They dint said nothin' when I was there with Luke, 'n I figure they dunt mind me bein' there. So off I go, steppin' into the dim room with the jukebox playin' in the back 'n one 'a the bartenders workin'. I order up 'n find myself a table near the door.

[Open]

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"I know," she says, "I just wish they'd stop. I kinda thought it had. Guess I was wrong." She sounds tired, 'n she's just playin' with her drink. I feel bad now, 'cause somehow we all got brought down. "So. How'd it go with Mr. White?"

I grin. "It went well. He gave my job back 'n said I just better let him know next time." I hesitate fer a sec, but she did help. "I - thanks, fer pushin' at me t'go talk t'him. I dunt know that I would've otherwise."

John grins when I ask about his job and whether Mr.White gave it back to him. Oh good. A tension I didn't even know was there loosens an' I relax just that little bit. It went well. He gave my job back 'n said I just better let him know next time. John hesitates for a moment then continues. I - thanks, fer pushin' at me t'go talk t'him. I dunt know that I would've otherwise.

A big smile takes over my face, along with a definite blush. I reach out an squeeze his hand very briefly. The I steal a fry. I kinda wanna give him a hug but that means getting up an I'm still not sure if he'd be okay with hugging. "That's great! See?-- I'm glad it worked."

'Ri gets a big grin and it's nice she's pleased fer me, but she's also blushin' and I dunt get why she'd - oh. She reaches out 'n squeezes my hand 'n I think I blush too, just quick. And almost giggle as she breaks the short moment by stealin' a fry from the plate. "That's great! See?-- I'm glad it worked."

I get myself lookin' serious again. "Er, yeah. Me too. It is. I mean - um." I look 'round the room quick tryin' t'think 'a somethin' t'say that ain't babblin'. "So, I dunt think you ever said what you 'n your folks did, back at the Carnival." That's somethin', anyways, though I hope it dunt get her thinkin' 'bout the trouble they're in there.

John blushes when I squeeze his hand and was that a giggle? He returns to serious,Er, yeah. Me too. It is. I mean - um. And he starts looking around the room,wonder if he's looking for something or someone in particular or does he just not want to look at me? So, I dunt think you ever said what you 'n your folks did, back at the Carnival.

A corner of my mouth twitches at that. Yeah. I didn't say. I was bein' kinda careful not to. I've now idea what he'll think of it. Well long as I don't hafta explain about my father or lack of one it probably won't be that bad. I take a deep breath an say," You're right. I didn't. Mama runs a bar tent. S'called, L'Heure Vert, means The Green Hour in French. Me'n my sister Abby help her run it." I run my hand through my hair, look at my empty glass. "Mama wasn't too pleased with me for leaving her n'Abby shorthanded." Which is why we fight just about every time I come back there.

Look over to Johnny. "Hope your family's better about you being in town."

She looks kind 'a guarded as she answers, like she ain't sure how I'll take it, 'n she takes a deep breath. "You're right. I didn't. Mama runs a bar tent. S'called, L'Heure Vert, means The Green Hour in French. Me'n my sister Abby help her run it." I blink. I mean, a bar sure ain't a place fer girls, but it's honest 'nough work. "Mama wasn't too pleased with me for leaving her n'Abby shorthanded," she says, starin' down at her drink.

Huh. I guess that'd explain why she dunt talk 'bout them much, 'f there's bad blood over her movin' into town. "I could see that." She looks up at me. "Hope your family's better about you being in town." I grimace.

"A little better, but only 'cause some 'a them think it's a good idea and manage t'convince the ones who dunt. I think I've got Pa t'see it's fer the good 'a the Family, me bein' here in town, but there's no guarantee he won't just change his mind on the whole thing." It's easier too, 'cause there's more 'v us t'take care 'a stuff on the farm. It must be a bit strange, havin' such small families. Even if it is normal.

I could see that. He grimaces when I ask bout his family. A little better, but only 'cause some 'a them think it's a good idea and manage t'convince the ones who dunt. I think I've got Pa t'see it's fer the good 'a the Family, me bein' here in town, but there's no guarantee he won't just change his mind on the whole thing.

I nod. "Mama runs our little family, so as eldest child I'm settin' a bad precedent for the others. It sounds like you got it better cuz you got your Pa to agree to what you wanted. Even if later on he does change his mind, you can remind him he agreed in the first place. I just up an left. Told Mama afterwards when the deal with the town council was done. Less trouble that way."

I pick up my beer again. I don't really wanna drink I just want something to do with my hands so I start rolling it from hand to hand.

She nods. "Mama runs our little family, so as eldest child I'm settin' a bad precedent for the others. It sounds like you got it better cuz you got your Pa to agree to what you wanted. Even if later on he does change his mind, you can remind him he agreed in the first place. I just up an left. Told Mama afterwards when the deal with the town council was done. Less trouble that way."

I nod back. I can see doin' that, even if I dunt know that I could do it t'Pa. She starts playin' with her mug, 'n I dunt know if she's bored 'r embarrassed 'r what. "It must 'a bin hard, goin' off 'n doin' what you wanted 'stead 'a followin' your Ma."

He nods. I like the fact he gets things like this. "It must 'a bin hard, goin' off 'n doin' what you wanted 'stead 'a followin' your Ma.

I shrug an' smile. "Going off to do my own thing was the easy part," I admit. "What's hard is staying when things aren't going so well or you get lonely."

Sip the beer that I don't really feel like drinking and steal another fry. There must be something less serious to talk about.

"Enough of the serious stuff," um... now what do I say? I spot the jukebox sittin' at the back. "What kinda music d'you like?"

"Going off to do my own thing was the easy part," she says with a shrug. "What's hard is staying when things aren't going so well or you get lonely." We sit there sippin' our beer. I feel kind 'a bad fer 'Ri, 'cause I know what it's like t'not be 'round your family 'n be feelin' kind 'a lonely.

"Enough of the serious stuff." I look up but she looks kind 'v unsure 'a what she's goin' t'say. "What kinda music d'you like?" she asks. I shake my head. "Um, I ain't quite sure what you mean. I ain't a real fan 'a church music, but otherwise..." I shrug. "We go t'some 'a the barn dances sometimes, and Paul can play guitar. Anythin' with a good tune, I guess."

Johnny shakes his head when I ask what kinda music he likes. Oh right. Small town...But they have jukeboxes in town. Plural. I try to not to show my confusion and just listen to his answer. Um, I ain't quite sure what you mean. I ain't a real fan 'a church music, but otherwise...We go t'some 'a the barn dances sometimes, and Paul can play guitar. Anythin' with a good tune, I guess.

Shoulda expected that. Small town stuff. I grin at him. "Ever hear any rock? That's my favorite. But outside of the cities it's all real old so you need tech to play it properly. D'you know id the jukebox here works? If not I've gotta ghetto blaster back at my place n' some tapes n' cds."

Edited 2009-06-30 22:10 (UTC)

She grins at me. "Ever hear any rock? That's my favorite. But outside of the cities it's all real old so you need tech to play it properly. D'you know if the jukebox here works? If not I've gotta ghetto blaster back at my place n' some tapes n' cds."

I heard a few old songs on record, but not 'nough t'say what I like 'n dunt. And I ain't really bin payin' attention t'the jukeboxes in the background when I bin at the Tavern 'r the café. I pause 'afore I answer. I know the jukebox here works, but I think it'd cheer 'Ri up t'get me t'hear some 'a this rock music she's talkin' 'bout. "It dunt really work. But I'd love t'hear some 'a the music you got."

He pauses as if thinking then says, It dunt really work. But I'd love t'hear some 'a the music you got.

He sounds sincere, like he actually does want to hear my music. I give him a brilliant smile, it's so nice to finally have someone near my own age here in town who gets things. It's been too long since the last time I was actually happy. Quickly I finish what's left of my beer.

"Wanna finish those fries, an' go?"

She smiles real wide, 'n I dint think she'd be so happy 'bout it but it makes me glad, like I made the right choice 'cause she ain't so down no more. She stops toyin' with her beer 'n polishes it off, gesturin' at the fries. "Wanna finish those fries, an' go?"

I finish my beer almost as quick, feelin' a bit dizzy as I do. "I'll bring 'em," I say, standin' up 'n gettin' a small bad from the bartender fer the fries. "I can't remember where you live, now. At your place?" I find myself wantin' t'go now, t'spend some time with her where she feels more comfortable 'n I can get t'know her more.

He tosses back his beer n' stands. I'll bring 'em, He says and goes to get something from the bartender to put them in. There's strange fizzing kinda feeling. He's going to come to my place! I'm gonna have a guy I like come home with me.

I can't remember where you live, now. At your place? Johnny looks just slightly impatient to go. I grin and head for the door. "It's not far. I live above the Salon."

She grins at me as we leave. "It's not far. I live above the Salon."

We walk up Silk t'Main. It's gettin' darker now, but I dunt think it counts as night. I look at bit nervous behind us as we go by the Whitechapel, but there's neither sight nor smell 'a the hound-god. Good. I got 'nough worries 'round him without him knowin' who I'm spendin' time with.

The salon seems a bit strange, dark 'n deserted as we go in. I ain't ever bin in here, but it looks like 'Ri's place. There's posters on the walls 'a skinny guys with hair like the doc's and guitars sneerin' out at me, 'n one's 'a women wearin' hardly a stitch carryin' big swords. Is this fer the music she's talkin' 'bout? Like everythin' 'bout 'Ri it's outlandish and strange 'n kind 'a interestin'. "How old 'r those?" I ask, noddin' at the posters. Lord know you dunt get paper like that much - they remind me some 'a the posters up at the Carnival, but less... livin'. Heck, I dunt know art.

Johnny looks behind us once as we walk up Silk road but I'm not sure at what he's watchin' for.

It's not long before I'm unlockin' an' lettin' us into the darkened Salon. Johnny lookin' round at my posters of rockstars an' sword wieldin' women. Not sure how much he can see. I make my towards the kitchen, I want some light but not too much. He nods at the posters an' asks, How old 'r those?

I lean on the door to the kitchen n' turn back to answer, "Real old. From Before. They only survived cuz they was sealed up in tough plastic." I reach behind me for kitchen light switch. "Um...I'm 'bout to turn on a light." I say as my fingers find the switch. I pause to give him time to cover his eyes, then flick it.

'Ri's walkin' into the back room while I look 'round the front. "Real old," she says, turnin' back at the door. "From Before. They only survived cuz they was sealed up in tough plastic." I whistle low. I know we got some stuff left from them, and Tess has the journals, but stuff like this... "Um...I'm 'bout to turn on a light."

I close my eyes and she turns 'em on. I wait fer a sec t'get used t'the light 'n then open my eyes back up. There's more stuff in here than I thought, and there's all sorts 'a weird-lookin' machines 'n stuff. "Huh," I say. "I guess this is all more complicated 'n I thought." I ain't sure what t'do now, so I stuff my hands in my pockets.

john closes his eyes as the lights go up. He looks around at my stuff especially the tattoo gun and piercing needles. "Huh. He sticks his hands in his pockets clearly at a loss for what to do. I guess this is all more complicated 'n I thought.

I grin a little n' make myself comfortable leaning in the doorway. "Most customers don't want anything more fancy than a trim, but I also do hair dying, piercings an' Tattoos. Each has it's own equipment." I point to the shelves and stations.

"But we didn't come here for that" I say. I lean in an hit play on the ghettoblaster. I can't remember what's in there but because it's my music it'll be an example of rock music which's why Johnny an I came here.

I keep my eyes on him as the first notes play.

It's all the same, only the names will change
Everyday it seems we're wasting away
Another place where the faces are so cold
I'd drive all night just to get back home

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
Wanted dead or alive

Edited 2009-07-01 21:40 (UTC)

'Ri grins and leans in the doorway. "Most customers don't want anything more fancy than a trim," she says soundin' a bit peeved, "but I also do hair dying, piercings an' Tattoos. Each has it's own equipment." She points out the different spots and some 'a the gear. Sheesh. I guess some people ain't satisfied with what they got. But 'Ri's into it, so I dunt say nothin'.

"But we didn't come here for that," she says, leanin' over and flippin' a switch on a machine near the door. The music starts up, 'n I hardly recognize any 'a the instruments 'till the guitar comes in. But it's got a good twang t'it, like the music we play out on the farms. The guy's voice is pretty good.

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
Wanted dead or alive

The song speeds up as it goes, the singer's voice buildin', 'n I find myself havin' a hard time not singin' 'long, 'r dancing even though it ain't quite a dancin' song. I grin at 'Ri as it ends. "So that's rock music? It sounds kind 'a like some 'a what gets played on the farms. Ain't bin no railroads 'round here fer a while, mind." I was expectin' somethin' stranger, lookin' at the posters, but it was good.

Continued here (http://community.livejournal.com/estdeus_innobis/273392.html).

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"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

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