BE PREPARED

Traveling on business about half way through the week stopped for the evening in a small city. This was my usual stopping place, because there was usually some late night action here. The interstate runs through the edge of town and the motel I stayed at was just about a block from the action. Had called ahead for reservations and as usual checked in, didn’t bother to change clothes, went straight to the bar for happy hour. It was a slow night, the barmaid was having no difficulty keeping up with the light crowd, and the waitresses looked bored. After a few beers went into the dining room and had dinner. After eating walked back through the bar and it was totally deserted except for the three-piece band that was setting up for their evenings performance. By this time it was quarter past eight so I went up to my room.

Nothing good on TV, so I showered and changed clothes, jeans and a sport shirt replaced my business suit. No underwear, just in case I got lucky. Back down to the bar at nine thirty. Of course the bar charged a premium for the band, so I sipped a high ball slowly and looked over the scene. Wasn’t much happening here. Of course you only need one other person to make it a good evening, you don’t need a crowd. However that one person seemed to be missing.

Nursed the highball as long as possible, but it was apparent that things weren’t going to improve. So I decided to try somewhere else and a ride around town. There was a nearby bar about five blocks from the motel. Parked and went in and if anything it was deader than the motel. Well I was through the door so might as well have a drink. Bartender allowed as how things were really dead tonight but I should have been here Sunday night. Yes Mr. Bartender will get in my way back machine and go back.

Things were looking poorly so drove around for a while and on a side street in the downtown area was a place I had not seen in the past. It had a large neon sign shaped like Michelangelo’s David.