Allen: 10 July 2008

He noticed it was overcast again as he gazed out of his bottom floor office. There was nothing to do after work. No girlfriend, no meetings, no football. He may as well head to the pub.

Once home he changed into something casual, comfortable, unremarkable. Taking the route he had taken so many times before, he walked out of his rented flat. He said hello to his old neighbor sitting on her porch, knitting, as she always did. He passed the corner store where he bought his morning coffee and biscuit. His feet carried him onto the main street that would lead him to his pub, The King's Head. The sun was peaking out over the clouds. It was going to be a good evening. He could feel it.

After living in Galway for three years The King’s Head was the closest thing to a Scottish pub that he had experienced. It was comfortable. He enjoyed the size of it, just large enough to not be noticed but just small enough to be near people. When he was comfortable he could usually meet new people over a pint or three.

The King’s Head was just as he had expected, not too crowded but enough people to have a few conversations. On his way in to the bar he noticed a few fresh faces sitting outside, laughing. Ah, to be young again. The guys appeared to be Americans. They were usually entertaining. He bought his drink, a pint of Carlsberg, as he had so many times before. The familiar taste of Carlsberg made him comfortable.

He walked out into the dull sunshine and into the enclosed outdoor terrace. A few tables and chairs massed together formed the familiar terrace. It was usually too cool to sit outside and enjoy downtown Galway from this perspective, he smiled at the oppurtunity. He sat at the table beside the young men and sipped his Carlsberg, taking in the atmosphere while listening to the conversation. They seemed to know each other quite well. They were friendly enough, laughing at each other, enjoying their youth. Ah, to be young again.

He piped in, did they mind if he sat with them? Of course not they said, I guess they didn’t mind the company of an old man. He introduced himself, they replied. Stuart and Joe. Easy enough. They certainly were impressed he was from Scotland. Ah, to be young again. Everything seemed so new, these kids were just starting to live. He wondered if they realized this. Probably not, youth is fleeting; one never appreciates it until it is gone. He may as well bask in their youth and enjoy himself. They certainly were talkative. Good kids. They will do well. Ah, the pains of the old, nature calls more frequently. He will be right back.

He returns to find an intruder in the midst of his new friends. A drunken intruder. An ignorant drunken young man causing a ruckus in his comfortable space. Things had been too comfortable. The Americans get up for more beer. They ask around to see if anyone wants one, they are polite people. The drunkard of course wants one. He’ll take one as well.

Time to talk to this young man. He makes the drunkard aware that he is causing a scene and giving the Irish a bad name in front of the Americans. Hopefully this will calm him down. The drunkard appears more relaxed, but this doesn’t mean he will be calm in ten minutes. Conversation resumes, though they are intermittently interrupted by the drunkard asking about a broken jaw or to have a cigarette.

He finally asks the drunkard what is wrong with his jaw. The drunkard attempts to narrate his story. Unfortunately he is too drunk to get passed the parts before the broken jaw. He again asks about the broken jaw. The drunkard is becoming frustrated. The drunkard repeats the beginning to the story. Ah, lad, forget it! Your story is too long!, he says. The drunkard has a moment of rage. The drunkard bolts out of his chair and grabs the front of his shirt, yelling at him to listen to the story. A burly bouncer promptly picks the drunkard up by the shirt and yanks him into the street. The whole incident happened so fast. Everyone looks at each other in shock. The drunkard is the most confused. That escalated very quickly.

And now the Americans have a film to attend and must depart. Ah, to be young again. Always being entertained, without a care in the world. They leave their new friend Allen with kind words and a handshake.

He sits and ponders being thirty-nine, and old.