April 2022: Something Special - Jaydan Salzke (Runner-Up)
My favourite time to go to the bar is when it first opens. Before the tabletops get too sticky and the music becomes repetitive. Where the thump of vibrations, from footsteps to drowned out speakers, that will rattle the floor later that night are yet to arrive. You can hear the conversations of everyone in there, generally because there’s not many of anyone in there. But if you pick the right day and the right time, you’ll find someone. Maybe even a friend. And if not, you’ll see how the bar staff set up. There’s something beautiful about sitting back and observing.
My favourite pastime at the bar is to read. No one expects you to read at the bar. You walk in with a book and people stare. I worried at first that people thought I was bringing dunny material. Occasionally people will ask what you’re reading or what you think of what you’re reading. They may even tell you what they think. It’s a chance to meet someone, to find something in common with someone. Your individual activity may end up inviting other individuals in. And if not, you get to read a good book. There’s something beautiful in contradictions.
My favourite drink order at the bar is a glass of milk. Almost every bar will have milk on hand, but they won’t have guessed that’s what you want to drink there. They may not even know how to charge you for it. And you can share a laugh about that for a minute. It’s not easy to hide the fact that you’re drinking milk. It’s in a transparent glass and it leaves a white frothy moustache. Perhaps people will be kind enough to let you know your upper lip’s sporting a new look. And if not, you get to relive your childhood for a moment. There’s something beautiful about the unexpected.
My favourite memory at the bar is this one. Where I get to write. Even if it means bringing two books to the bar, and a pen to go with. Every visit is an opportunity to get out from behind the page. To say something new. Maybe someday you’ll say your something to someone. And if not, maybe someday someone will read it. There’s something beautiful about doing what you love.
My favourite thing to do at the bar is to leave. Or at least it used to be. Bars haven’t always been welcome places for people like me. Sometimes you get looks even if you’re not holding a book or ordering a glass of milk. I’ve learnt it’s best to do those things anyway. To come to the bar anyway. You may just find a nice reprieve from the bustling city outside, or a connection you didn’t have previously. And if not, you can say you tried. There’s something special about a place where people come together.
There’s something special about the bar.
May’s Right Left Write short fiction competition is open now - genre prompt: Crime/Thriller. Submissions of short fiction (max. 500 words) close 31 May - submit your entry.
Right Left Write’s March prompt was At the Bar.