There's a half moon out at Pirate Ziet's Tavern it's late and my pint is empty so I yell across the table ... your turn Pirate and the bartender is a lass of mine, no tabs you scoundrel! He roars ARR up your's matey may your drink taste of the sea. Luckily I have my flask of Jamesons, Harvey is content with his bottle of Bourbon and the Leprechaun has his pipe, long stemmed. As the Pirate roars off for a pitcher we contemplate his question. What makes a seasoned veteran arr ee arr?
We're quietly yelling over "the meaning" of a warrior.. at the bar a group of Bandito's arrive, "Quero Mas Tequila", one rasps. The Leprechaun, never one to miss a gibe, beckons and smirking says, "Hey Paco, tryin' out for Van Hagar?" The Mariachi Band silences. I never imagined I would ever be in a Mexican stand off, yet here I am. One of the Mariachi's sneers, "What you got against Van Hagar, ESSE?", as he raises his side by side.
We're all in a difference of opinion over this and when in doubt we're trained to draw, my K-Bar is on the table, Magnum in hand. Across from me Harvey has his scattergun. "Bastards!," he laments, "People are always out to get me." I understand and give him a sip from my flask. The Leprechaun smiles and says everyone's a sucker and hunkers down his shillelagh (a big knotted tree branch) along with something that looks like a four barrel pistol (I always knew it). The Pirate returns, see's we're all at arms and from nowhere a small cannon appears. Whoa whoa whoa!!!... lets all have a shot, realizing my instant bad choice of words I yell, "WHISKEY!!!" All eyes look at me and arms (weapons) are lowered. Jesus... racing the Isle was safer than drinking with these lads.
So we ALL had a shot, the Bandito's had jugs of Tequila, myself Jamie's and the usual for the revolutionaries and scoundrels, a close call to all. The Mariachi's playin' "Panama", go figure. A slew of ribs appear and the merry times start, after all it's a holiday. Six gun's ablazin' and the spirits a pouring. Thunderous Jack starts a fireworks show that's worldly, having beat the CFU (Chinese Fireworks Union). They foolishly put a hit on his ass, he freely fires the best of rockets... fantastic!
The tables are full and conversations roar, drink and merriment abound. Talitha The Hawk brings up "The Revolution", is it forgotten? (good question) Some foolish biker rears up, talks shit and is hit so hard I felt it, but she's a tough on she is. We move on, another bloke stands and starts yapping about unity and all, the regulars are "christening" his new Ducati as he speaks, most toss "soft" food at his new gear. Thick Chuck ckucks him, not too far as we wanted him to see his "redone" bike when he awakens. Hatchet Chad keeps throwing his hatchet at a tree and Kate the Wise keeps catching them, she likes trees. Some unlucky soul shot the hatchet while in flight, the Leprechaun bopped him over the head with his shillelagh, rude bastard. I ordered more pitchers and pigs for the spit, a fine cheerful time. Sailor Will yells "what is a warrior ya bunch o' lubbers!?"
The Bandito's revere Pancho Villa as the definition of a seasoned vet and warrior, I stand and shoot in the air yelling VIVA VILLA!!! AYAYAYA ( I always wanted to do that). Everyone does the same, I smile. Thunderous Jack tosses large firecrackers in the bon fire, many step back. Cool Hand Luke is mentioned , we all agree if there was ever the definition of perseverance it's him. Gerald the Traveler yells Bruce Lee, he'd kick all our asses! of course he's right, no one faster a true master. Big Paul suggests Butch And Sundance the room lights up with gunfire and rockets, guess everyone loved their robber spirit. Thick Chuck says Yoda, as usual we give him ribs. From there the Mariachi's stop and Barbarosa is brought up, yes a true badass. They play a Willie Nelson tune, cool. Wade toasts to Joey Dunlop and we all have a shot. I mention that scars tell a story, all have a tale of victory, woe or just plain stupidity. Experience isn't necessarily time in the saddle and years under your belt. Seeing the dragon is believing, it's what you do from there.
From the look out tower (every pub should have one) The Caffine Kid jabbers Oompah Loompahs! and they're on mopeds hundreds! Well it's about time this shindig really gets out of hand. I look at the Bandito, "those guys always creeped me out"..."Ay caramba pinche Oompahs" he hisses, the Bandito's are pissed, the Oompahs have been getting into their territory (don't ask). We have a shot of reposado and look ahead as the place filled with blue smoke and little people. As usual it always starts with Talitha, we see a couple blue sacks flying into a wall, it was on. Thick Chuck plays that gopher game where you just knock on their heads, they swarm, I guess each moped musta held four Oompahs, hundreds, they play dirty also. The Mariachi's play" La Cucaracha" and a melee ensues.
A stranger arrives on a roaring bike, with a flurry of wind the doors fly open, shots are fired. The Mariachi's stop and whisper Barbarosa in the silence. Kate the Wise says no.. look at his eyes gringo's, I stare in awe and smile we're all going to be alright, it's Steve the Man, he roars "settle down you bastard's it's Christmas!" as he punches the person nearest to make his point. The mayhem dies down. All who can gather around the fire, we put a pig on the spit and pool together what drink survived. So the gunslinger has a seat takes a shot and lights one up, after a long drag he says I think part of being a warrior is to look at incomprehensible odds and say ok lets go. A man who finishes what he set out to do no matter how long it takes. To be able; get the strength, go ahead bravely and valiantly no matter the consequences means you believe in your cause, you may die a good death...how many can say that. To overcome great odds is to be invincible in the end, wether you live or die. We all fire in the air and cheer to the man.
Remember the Ducati rider? Well it seems while the Leprechaun, was "checking" his ID, my suspicions were right, a narc. Some of the revolutionaries set up the catapult and were now going to see if he can fly, hee hee. They aimed him towards the bay as to give him a chance. I've seen a pig fly, somehow this was funnier. The night turned to day and night again, we all had a merry time.
~Cheers, Alx