Bars and Melodies

Like any other Friday evening, he was sitting in the bar and listening to music playing, looking at people talking, laughing. The bartender was pouring drinks to everyone, and people were all in a jolly mood. As he sat by himself, his mind drifted away, and he thought to himself how Music and Writing had changed his life over the years.

Joe, the bartender, knew him and asked him why he was on his mind.

He said to Joe, "Two things that have helped me become who I am today are music and writing." He sounded drunk.

He continued, "Okay, that was a Lie. Not a total lie but a semi-lie. I've always enjoyed music, but my choice of music was primarily set in my teenage, and since then, I haven't been able to change the course of music I listen to. I grew up with many Rock, Music, Rock and Grunge genres with a bit of Pop. I never was attracted to classical music or instrumental, Rap, Hip hop or other Genres. However, I often told people I enjoy all sorts of music. Maybe it came from the need to wanting to socialize with people. I am a natural diplomat; I don't want to offend anyone.

In that sense, I lie a lot. I like to think of it as a desire to socialize and less of a lie; everyone does it all the time."

Then he pulls out a packet of cigarettes from his jacket and lights one with a matchstick.

He continues, "You know I've always wanted a quiet life, been a tranquil person for most of my life, kept to myself. Just going on with my day without offending anyone and not getting in anyone's way. Even then, it's so hard to have a peaceful life, man. It frustrates me."

He talks another sip of the whiskey, feeling the liquid go down his throat, and continues. "You make a great drink; no wonder I love this place. I've never been much of a drinker, but I cannot resist a drink on a Friday night. It's a must. I don't have many friends, you know, so it helps me calm my nerves and relax."

He continues, "I think coming to his bar, looking at all these people who are going through different things in their own life, seeing you make drinks helps me feel a little less alone. Isn't that what we are all trying to do? Feel a little less alone each day. In today's day and age, although we are more connected than ever, we are all mechanized like robots. We have forgotten to live. No Doubt we had better problems than 100 years ago or even 20 years ago, but still, I feel with each day we are becoming more hollow, more empty, or perhaps we were born that way, and with the advancement of technology, we are only sensing it now."

The cigarette is almost burned out, and he takes his last sip and drinks down the whiskey.

"It's already 10; I gotta go now, Joe; thanks for the talk. Will see you next week, man. Cheers."

Half drunk and a little sleepy, he climbs down the dark old stairs of the bar and into the street. It starts to rain, and he disappears into the darkness, sinking deep into the city.