FUN...

Was This Fun, a Horror Show, or Both?

It was a late night type of place where Eric and his band were playing. My cousins were there and we had traveled all of the way to Montgomery to see him. They were in town for a family reunion and determined to attend a show while they were here. We worked out the plans and caravanned ourselves to Montgomery. Thankfully we were able to get rooms at the same hotel where the band was staying. It was located in the heart of downtown Montgomery and only a couple of miles from the venue.

This was years ago and the place no longer exists as I am told. But I believe it was called Off The Wagon. I had not seen some of my cousins for a long time and it was a happy, enjoyable trip, interspersed with a bit of insanity. A recipe for a great time.

I have a cousin named Brenda that is outspoken and says anything that passes through her mind. I have to tell you some really crazy stuff passes through her mind. When we arrived at the venue, the band was outside getting a breath of fresh air before the show began. They needed this because it was a dark and smoky bar. My son proudly introduced me and all four of my cousins to the bar owner. We all stood crowded together on that sidewalk, talking. Suddenly my cousin, Brenda blurted out; “I was wild when I was young, all a guy had to do was pat me on the head and my pants fell off!” 

A very brief silence followed her words. This was not something any of us expected to hear. We all burst out laughing. Some laughed because they were nervous and embarrassed; it was an awkward situation. Others laughed because it was funny!

When things calmed down. She piped up again by saying that she had told the pastor at her church this same story. Since then, when she goes to church, the pastor stands near the doorway as the parishioners enter, saying, “Don’t pat Brenda on the head, please”.

The band started playing and filled every inch of that bar with uplifting music. People were dancing, gyrating and laughing for hours. Everyone had a great time. A couple of my cousins had a little too much fun, which I was certain would cause their heads to punish them the next morning.

It is unfortunate that the bar is now closed. It was small, it was very smokey, the actual place was not anything special or unique but it had a vibe about it that was rare…

This bustling, busy, noisy, bar pulsated with a vibration of its own. As the night was ending, many of the people in attendance were so intoxicated that they could no longer form a proper sentence. Conversations were nearly impossible. As I watched them, they looked much like people ice skating for the first time. They searched for things to hold onto for balance; grabbing anything and anyone to steady their movements. They seemed to be confused as their words were falling loosely and incomplete into the air. 

It was very entertaining yet very frightening at the same time, much like a good horror movie.