The Old Crew & Regulars Last Night

For the Good Times Bartenders, Regulars and the Old Crew…not to be forgotten.

I remember walking into the dive to shoot that night ERL was shooting before the game, warming up for Dublin Jim and the guys from Sonny O’s. I saw Ruby’s face, it was a look I’d seen on victims of violent crimes, a cross of anger, fear and dejection. Rhoda had taken over, and the night shift was on. The news of Bossman’s treachery to the patrons and the bartenders took off across the Five Towns like the coming of the plague.

Many of the old crew were already there, Biker Bob, Timmy, and Raul were at the big end of the bar. I sat down and checked in with Cho’ to see about his big newborn son who had a heart operation. Cho’ said the kid is doing just fine, good news I was glad to hear. I saw Mickey at the bar and he had a smile a mile wide, Dino had to be somewhere close. Sure enough he showed up while toting boxes full of Bossman’s stuff out of the basement of the Dive.

Everybody got into a kind of ‘let the hair down’ mood and the place got loud and happy after Timmy and I conspired on a playlist. Music was playing when Dublin Jim showed up and razzed me about my brother not doing a job for him at Sonny O’s. I told him I would give the fat boy his share of hell. Dublin Jim heard the news about the corner and how it had been sold and got into a talk with Quite Man, co-owner about what happened.

Then it seemed all the regulars had come out of the woodwork.. Everybody showed up nearly at once. The Met Fan glided in with Hector and Elly right behind him. Not that ERL needed any more drama this night but Evie was in the place being herself. As I sat there attempting to finish my dinner, shrimp and Wonton soup (a few egg rolls too) I got a phone call. While I stood outside the door watching my seat Pimp strolled up and helped himself to one or two shrimp.

That pissed me off, but I was pretty full anyway. I gave away the rest and took in the conversations that flowed between sports, politics, women and Bossman’s apparent treachery. Bossman knew Shelly wanted to buy the place if he was going to sell it. He knew that every patron in the place was loyal to their bartenders, yet Bossman did the apparent cold and dirty deed. He and Quiet Man sold the bar without even a whisper to the bartenders or patrons.

These are tough times. America is sliding into a great depression and a job is as precious as life itself. “To do the dirt that was did was evil” said Timmy as he took another swallow from his ice cold beer. (The beer was cold indeed that night). Yaega Lee showed up and talked to Quiet Man about what was done while shooting pool. Rhoda and Yaega then somehow convinced Quiet Man (It could have been that dual embrace one from the front the other from the back) to give up a round of shots.

Yaega then got behind the bar with Rhoda’s blessing and started pouring shots while Rhoda kept up with the crowd. Quiet Man ordered the cheap tequila but Yaega poured ‘Patron’ anyway. Quiet Man was near helpless as the bartenders quietly ‘upgraded’ drinks, an owner might accuse them of giving away the bar, but that didn’t happen (It didn’t…you believe that, right.).

After the third round of shots Yaega Lee cried, I never saw her cry and I wanted to hold her but Dublin Jim beat me to it. Apparently they had a business meeting as he was wiping her tears. Dublin Jim was instrumental in Yaega’s announcement that would come later on that night. Yaega got hold of a camera and took several shots of the old crew. She wanted not to forget the last night in the ancient dive known also as ‘The Corner Tavern’.

As the Wednesday night pool game ended and the night wore on Yaega and Rhoda danced and had a ball with those of us who chose not to be wall flowers. Timmy definitely got his dance in with Yaega. Yaega became overwhelmed, and she broke into tears again holding on to Timmy. A couple of Firemen came in from a dress up occasion and had a few drinks with us before they hit the road. The danced to Johnny Cash and dug the ‘tough girl’ behind the bar. (Rhoda) They were really good guys who got things kind of fired up, pardon the pun.

After the Firemen left the crowd thinned out and Yaega and Rhoda were all that were left. As they walked out Yaega had her keys to the Corner in her hand. Yaega told Rhoda, “I want to do this.” She shut the door to the Corner Tavern and locked it for the last time. She sat in her car with a two hand death grip on the steering wheel sobbing for a few minuets after Rhoda took off. She took off into the pre-dawn darkness with a new job at Game On. As for the others, I cannot be certain. In these times who can be certain of anything.

RJ