“Another lonely evening amidst a crowd of happy people” was the thought on Fred’s mind as he poured another Guinness for Charlie, a regular customer at his bar. Indeed, business was thriving for Fred as his bar was very popular among the people of West Hoboken, New Jersey. Fred’s bar known as the Bulldog tavern was in a great location and he was a very popular person in the small town of two thousand people.
“Cheer up, Fred” said Charlie, “you are living the dream!”
“Am I?” asked Fred laughing at Charlie’s words, “and what dream is that?” he asked eagerly awaiting his response.
“Well, you are thirty four, single and you own a tavern, which means you can sleep all day until happy hour!” Charlie’s words seemed heavy with envy, but at the same time, his words were meant to uplift Fred’s spirits.
“This is not exactly true, but um…yeah I guess you’re right about that.” Replied Fred.
“And you are always surrounded by people, unlike that shady person over in the corner.” Charlie directs Fred’s attention to the leftmost corner of the tavern. As expected, the “shady person” was there quietly sipping his glass of red wine.
“Look at that, what kind of person comes to a bar and only drinks wine?” asked Charlie, who was clearly bothered by the stranger's taste in alcohol.
“He doesn’t speak English” whispered Fred into Charlie’s ear.
“Not a problem, I got this” replied Charlie and without a moment’s pause he yells:
“Hey why don’t ya drink beer like the rest of us?” said Charlie in Spanish, of course, that’s what he thought he had said, however in reality he said:
“Hey Senoro porque you no drinko beero?”
The quiet stranger put down his glass, looked at Charlie puzzled as to what language Charlie was speaking.
“More guwine plis!” was his response.
Defeated, Charlie turned around and just sipped his beer quietly. Fred served the quiet man his wine and received the money for it on the spot.
“sa-sa-sank kyu” was his response. Fred smiled and said, “you’re welcome buddy, anytime”.
Fred didn’t mind the quiet loner in his bar, probably because he saw a little bit of himself in that man...
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