(This is a rough draft preview, and I do mean rough, of a short story I am currently working on.)
“Larry? Is that you?”
In this bar it is common place for people to find old friends.
“Hello….I’m talkin’ to ya man!”
He taps me on the arm.
“Yeah Larry, it is you! Wow! This is amazing!”
Only my name is not Larry and this man talking to me, I have never seen him before in my entire life. Now seeing I am in a bar, and it is quite common for people to mistaken people for others, I turn to the man and politely let him know he has made an error.
“Sir,” I say, “You must have me confused with someone else.”
And I turn back to my drink, but to my surprise I get another tap. I turn around again and look at the man and he says to me, “Dude Larry, don’t screw with me,” he laughs, “How you been old buddy!” The smile on his face is genuine, he truely believes I am this Larry.
“Again sir, I apologize, but I am not Larry. And I do not know you. My name is Charles. And again I am sorry for the confusion, but you truely do have me confused with another person.”
Now thinking this mix up had been settled I once again return to my drink.
“Charles? Is that the best you can come up with? Shoot Larry. You sure are a kidder!” He laughs again and takes a seat next to me at the bar. At this point I was sure this man was drunk, but his voice was clear, their was no smell of liquor on his breath, his clothing was clean and neat, and he had yet to order a drink. Frustrated, but not yet ready to lose my cool I turn to the man and ask, “Why do you think you know me? I, let me repeat, I!” pointing to myself, “am not Larry! Who are you? Please, leave me be.”
He then stares at me for a moment and then says, “Wow, a little to much to drink for you tonight I think. I’m Chuck man, come on.” He then gives me a buddy slug in the arm and finished off with a nice strong pat on the back.
Not sure what to do next I reply to him, “Chuck…. I don’t know you!”
“Oh come on Larry, I mean,” he makes a quotation mark gesture in the air, “Charles… You can’t tell me you dont remember me back from High School. Dude, you dated my sister, c’mon!”
Dated a sister, yeah, original. Instead of walking away from this problem I decided to play the guy for a little. “Ok, what is your sisters name smart guy?”
“Stacy.” He says.
In high school I did date a girl named Stacy, but I could not recollect her having any brothers named Chuck. In fact I made it a habit not to get involved with my girlfriends families. “Ok, what’s the last name?” Quickly I add, “But don’t just blurt it out just yet. At the count of three we will both say the last name at the same time.” This ought to shut em up, she had one of the most original last names that I have ever known. “Ok. One. Two. Three,” and at the same time we both blurted out, “McDrindalson!”
…..to be continued.
Tags: short stories
