Exams are finally over for a breather. Last night was the first night after exams I dreamt of derivations. I derived time dilation formula and pasted it on big pig's cabinet! Yay! And she understood! =)
I wanted to tell a story, a story I've long wanted to write about. Its a story of a rock star. It all starts with band, a drummer, a bass, a guitarist, a vocalist. A little gig in a little pub, with a little crowd. The system was junk and the booze was flea cheap. The kinda pub that you'd never would be the birthplace of a starlet, least to say, only of those path leading to stardom. But heck it, if it's not for feeding those hungry mouths at home, singing would just be something, eh, I would say, "reserved for the bathroom".
This was the shabby, little obscure pub in little Minnieville it all began. For Zac, he was that caged rat in solitude, racing on the wheels, trying, but inevitably failing, to reach the top of the rat wheel. Facing the photocopier 8 hours a day and taking home a meager salary of $60 a day, it was no wonder he would be trying his luck on the slots. Old Barn's Bar was situated midway of the drive home. They serve really good burger and drinks were inexpensive. The dart boards had chuncks of sponge missing, only 2 cue sticks were left in usable condition and the pool table looked like they came from the sixties.
Old Barn's (as they called him) himself was always drunk as lords by the time Zac reached the pub. It was rumoured he lost his wife (for two days) in a dreaded plane accident. Halfway through a flight to London for their honeymoon, Barns got up to go for a piss, originally sitted in the inner seat, the couple swopped seats when he came back. Thereafter, there was a loud explosion, lights flicked, everything was in chaos. The plane to an emergency landing in Toulouse, which by then Barns had already lost his beloved wife.
The post-accident investigation suggested that the plane had not undergone maintenance prior to flight that day and metal fatigue from the plane caused one of the aluminium plates to loosen and break, puncturing the middle-top section of the plane. The difference in cabin pressure meant that the seat, which screwes are 'coincidentally' loose, gave way and uprooted. The body of the bride was never found, and Barns made a widower just a couple of days from marriage.
Having devouted his whole life to the business, Barns finally established the pub and had sufficient finacial capacity to marry the woman of his life. The zest he once possessed was marred after the disastrous accident. He left the pub to incapable and dishonest managers who mishandled the pub and the funds. But nothing bother Barns the drunk and he reeked alcohol everywhere he went. Age caught up with him and his once radiant face now looked wrinkled and jaundiced.
Barns the drunk's pub was in a mess. All these only way of attracting customers was the cheap beer and sprits, the kind that the average worker like Zac and the others fancied. The pub was still profitable in that sense, but seriously lacked good management. A burger and a mug of beer, just one mug, to keep it below the driving limit, was what Zac and many other regulars like him needed halfway through their drive home.
Alas after so many years, a good manager. Dickens was a fresh graduate with a MBA from Minnieville University. He turned down several job offers to take up the managerial post in Old Barns'. Dickens was an upright man, a the man set to return the pub to the glory days of dynamic Barns in the past. Dickens though, had very serious problems in the huge debts his predecessors left behind.
Despite the difficulties he faced, Dickens never gave up on the pub. He worked extremely hard in order to prove to himself and his peers he made a correct decision to take on the job offer at Old Barns Bar, or rather to show them that it was not a mistake turning down those lucrative offers from big MNCs.
Dickens and Myra were friends since the day they were born. Myra came from an impoverish family, as a teenager, she held 3 jobs trying to make ends meet. She had a good voice and she sang soprano at Christmas functions in exchange for meals during the cold winter, she collected garbarge, she was janitor, she did every kind of labour, as long as they paid her.
Myra, now jaded with the monotonous life she has lived so far, got a group of friends and wanted to start a band. They wanted to do something new, Jake, Matthias, Davidson and Myra and a band was formed. Through Myra, they got to audition in Old Barns and got a 2 year deal to perform thre, easing of much of Myra's finacial woes.
The band could only get better and so was the business at Old Barns. Now, with the food, drinks, slots came also the band. On days Zac won at the slots he would tip the band a little more. The moment came when Zac and Myra exchanged glances during an interval. Zac for the first time noticed how the eyes of Myra was so enticing yet so soothing at the same time. Myra was also caught up for a moment in that glance, she felt like she had known this man for ages. They both however, excused themselves but bashfully looking away in opposite direction.
Zac won big at the slots that day and tipped the band heavily, purposely choosing to hand it to Myra personally instead of asking the bartender to pass it to them. "Great performance fellows! Just a small token of appreciation." he said extending the $20 bill to Myra. Myra, took the tip gladly and thanked Zac for it.
Myra recognised the face.
Not wanting to let the opportunity slip, she extended her arms, "My name's Myra, and we'll be here for the next couple of years so please do continue to support us." Their hands engaged for the first time and Myra bowed, gracfully. Zac offered to buy her a drink which she gladly accepted, but saying that she has one last gig to perform.
Zac waited for her to finish up and got her a drink as they had earlier agreed on. Zac introduced himself and told her his dreams of being able to work in a big company, earn lots of money, get a good wife and settle down. Myra also shared her dreams of touring the world, performing with her band. They both giggled at how silly their dreams were and long away is it from accomplishment.
Like all good things had to end, the pub closed for business and Zac had to sent Myra home. The one thing at least to be glad about today, was that he found out where she lived and that she lived just a couple of streets away. With this new found company, Zac would always wait at the bar till she end work and he would send her home. Life became for meaningful for the two. Zac found the motivation to work harder and Myra were always in high sprits, which gave her the strength to sing better.
On days she did not have to perform and he did not have to work would spend time together at his place, doing jigsaw and playing games, teasing and making out. Things couple would do, despite an occassional quarrel and so. Two years passed and Zac has since got a promotion, Myra's band gain popularity but difference in goals forced them to part ways. Myra, got a sponsorship to Hollywood for auditions.
The story doesn't end here, so do check out my blog, I will be continuing it soon! =)
Chatboard (0)