I took solace in a place I knew well, where the sign flashed red and green. Where the word of my world was ‘Bud’ in a side-street of seedy neon. I ducked inside to slide along the crowded bar, to find my place amid the sea of drowning faces. Drowning by degrees, in poisons ordered by the shot. I lit a cigarette, drew deeply and let the moment pass. “Hey Artie, JD on the rocks”. No pleasantries wasted here, Just cash on delivery. The swap completed by a nod and a flick of a tired note-‘Keep the change’ with no words required... No words required, now there’s a thing. Three JD’s later and I can feel my halo forming. “Keep em’ coming Artie, I’ve got a train to catch.” And the drunk next to me looks me up and down and shakes his head - “What you lookin at?!” The music plays but no-one sings along. House Rules - No singing while drowning! Am I alone? I look over my shoulder just to assure myself that I am. It seems to me that everyone is alone in this bar. Even the bitch over there, laughing for the sound of it... Laughing while drowning. No House Rules on that one. Laugh away. Some time later, in the easy hours of the haze, I slip my berth. And with languid, rolling steps, another slate grey day is wiped. As I reach the door I hear Artie shout “See ya tomorrow.” That wasn’t a question – Just a fact.Birth sign: Gemini
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