January 1994
I was in a big van or bus with Dave G, Scott G., Scott D., Cork, and John R. We were driving down a 202 type road at night in the rain going to a party, a college party of some sort.
It was in a small city or town, like in the Godfather, old Jewish or Italian neighborhood – grey walls and buildings, large stoops in front of each apt, etc. Enroute, Dave said he had been at this bar before and said that if you get the right bartender he knew how to get a free round of drinks. What you do is order a shot of absolute. Then work into the conversation with him that the shot glasses are really small and ask if they have 2 1/2 ounce shots glasses. It was a code in that bar.
We all got a kick out of this story and then I said, “If you pull this off, how do you tip?” The Scotts and John laughed, Cork gave me that, ‘its comical’ looks and Dave missed the joke.
I then asked what is proper etiquette when using special code phrases in order a free round of drinks in tipping? Was it written down anywhere? The scotts lost it laughing.
Next thing I know, I’m at the bar and order an absolute shot. The shot came in a very small, tiny shot glass with syrup all over it. The bar was crowded, so he put the shots down and went to the other side of the bar for a moment. I drank the shot, then thought of the perfect and clever way to get the code words into conversation.
He came back to me and started to take my money and I said, “That was a real small shot. Do you have 2 1/2 ounce shots glasses?” I was drunk already and thought this worked, but he returned with my change, placed it down in front of me and left without a word.
The scene then shifted a bit, and we were in a big, empty house, like a granola-type house, but very nice. Solid wood floors and walls, with absolutely no furniture. We hung there awhile, there was a pool outside and Cork and |I thought about jumping some fences through some back yards, (Another possible call back to several dreams which I did some fence jumping in Oakland).
