Happy Hour with George - pipTalk Forums

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

wranx
Member Elite

since 2002-06-07

Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn

0 posted 2002-07-08 05:21 PM

I know that this isn't really "Dark", so, pretend that everyone dies at the end. OK?

Lenny stepped out of Steinbecks’
“Of Mice and Men”
and into Joes’ bar
I recognized him immediately
except , that his name was,
incongruously, George.

He was a large man
with a soft manner
an Elvis hairstyle
complete with sideburns
his lower lip was a bit slack.

In short order,
it became apparent
that this oafish creature
was the master of any
game that was played
in any barroom

Pool? You needn’t ask
Backgammon? Indeed
Video? Pinball?
He'd have a new game tamed
before his second quarter
rattled down into the box

But, what George really
liked to do.
The thing he liked best
was to play himself some
Chess

I played him
Joe played him
All of the regulars
played Chess with George

No one beat him
None came close

Soon, a new clientele
started to frequent
Joes’ bar at happy hour

Men from all over
Men in suits
Men in Izods

Would queue up
to hunker over the board
across from George
trying their hardest
to humble
this already humble man

None beat him
No one came close

And George would graciously
accept payment on their wagers.
Then, buy everyone drinks

“George?” Joe said one day,
“you can’t keep hustling these
guys on the Chessboard,
it isn’t fair”.

“It ain’t me Joe, honest.”
“it’s them other fellas,
that always wanna play for money!"

And you knew, that this was true.
You knew that they thought,
“This bumpkin cannot beat me.”
“It just isn’t possible.”

The very next afternoon
After besting, yet another,
Ex-president
of this or that Chess Club
and tucking a $50 bill into
the pocket of his blue work shirt,

George gave Joe a sidelong
and sheepishly guilty glance.
Then, said to his opponent,
“You know, mister?”
“that wasn’t very fair”
“this time I’ll give you my Queen”

and proceeded to separate
the unbeliever
from 50 more

Actually, my friend Joe has recently died
and I don't like it very much.

~wranx

"Writing is a perfectly natural thing to do...provided it's done in private and you wash your hands afterward"....Heinlein.

devina
Member Elite

since 1999-10-28

Posts 3539
Cali

1 posted 2002-07-08 05:36 PM

At least you have your memories man!!!
Some damn good ones too!!!

and here I thought maybe YOU wrote somthen dirty...*sigh*

tsk to you wranx...

Open arms can be the most fragile in the world...

LMNOP
New Member

since 2002-07-08

Posts 7
NY, USA

2 posted 2002-07-08 06:07 PM

I think it surprises much more than it has inspired within you.

Thanks...

Krishankins

Senior Member

since 2002-06-23

Posts 972
Texas

3 posted 2002-07-08 08:43 PM

I ditto devina! I'm sorry to hear that your friend passed. I love the way you remember him!!
Nice one Wranx!!

K

A bird never flies so high that it can't hit the ground

brian sites
Senior Member

since 2002-06-25

Posts 1475
usa

4 posted 2002-07-09 01:21 AM

another gem from our favorite memory banks.
and why is everybody mourning joe?
he lives on--
thank you wranx

I never aimed at reality; I aimed at truth. --Orson Welles

LMNOP
New Member

since 2002-07-08

Posts 7
NY, USA

5 posted 2002-07-09 01:42 AM

Krishankins:
"I'm sorry to hear that your friend passed. I love the way you remember him!!"

Was not the infamous George the one in the spotlight?

Brian Sites:
"...and why is everybody mourning joe?"

HUH, who?

Thanks

brian sites
Senior Member

since 2002-06-25

Posts 1475
usa

6 posted 2002-07-09 02:02 AM

you're right lmnop
It's just that Joe's bar
has appeared more than just this one time.
Joe seems, to me, to be the recurring
thread here.
Wranx, please correct if I am off base with that assumption.
BS.

I never aimed at reality; I aimed at truth. --Orson Welles

LMNOP
New Member

since 2002-07-08

Posts 7
NY, USA

7 posted 2002-07-09 02:07 AM

AHHH!

AYE!, I comprehend.
Thank you B.S.

Thanks

wranx
Member Elite

since 2002-06-07

Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn

8 posted 2002-07-09 08:07 AM

BS, your assumption is correct, it seeems that Joes' passing may be cause for more of these "recollections" (serenitys' "HINT" was timely)

LMNOP, Welcome to the board. you'll find a diverse and talented group here.

"Writing is a perfectly natural thing to do...provided it's done in private and you wash your hands afterward"....Heinlein.

idrift2u
Member

since 2002-07-09

Posts 60
MD., USA

9 posted 2002-07-09 12:35 PM

Hey ED!
This is Mike

Was up?, nice poem, like it alot!
Not sure if I'm going to submit something, but who knows...

Later

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

10 posted 2002-07-09 03:52 PM

thank you for this, wranx...I too, write from memory--er, when I am ABLE to, that is.

I wish I'd been there. OH. MAYBE I WAS.

MidnightSon
Member

since 2002-05-15

Posts 312
between the gutter & the stars

11 posted 2002-07-09 11:02 PM

everyone talks about running the table at a bar...never the chessboard. this is a fine story and good memories.
a nice break up between the other poems drifting around passions.

*off to get a pint and sing piano man *

bsquirrel

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-01-03

Posts 7855

12 posted 2002-07-13 06:58 PM

Loved this, wranx. I don't think it matters that it's not "Dark." You've found a kinda family here. Post where y' feel comfortable.

I'm glad y've made i' here.

She said burn ... together.
-TON

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.