Dew-Drop-In

The Dew-Drop-In bar opened just after prohibition ended.  It was by all accounts a working man’s bar.  Most of the customers were either laborers at the steel mill or construction workers.  The men earned their wages using their hands and the strength of their backs.  Hard honest men who took crap from no one.  These men by day did tough physical work and by night settled differences by physical persuasion.  In the alley behind the bar, many a dispute was settled by a strong right haymaker.  The bar was located in the middle of town where the light commercial business area morphed into residential.  It was on the corner of Oakland and Third Avenue.  Oakland would later become Martin Luther King Jr Drive, but today was several years before the events that led to that transition.  

The solid front door opened wide only when given a substantial push.  First-timers to the Dew-Drop-Inn bar often looked foolish trying to enter with a sissy little wimpy push.  The door would open a crack and stop abruptly.  When this occurred, the regulars looked up from their beer and whiskey to smirk and blow smoke circles that spread and faded into the already thick grey-blue haze.  The regulars would immediately make obvious assumptions about the newcomer.

Baltus gave the door a shove with a decisive movement that was a part of his nature.  The door opened wide.  Baltus was a large man such that even though the door was wide open, very little light made it past his frame into the bar.  He was of Eastern Europe descent and named after Balthazar, one of the three wise men.   He was quick to tell everyone it was certainly not the one who brought gold.  His full name was Balthazar Novak.  Novak means “newcomer” in Czech or Slovakian.  Indeed, he was a newcomer to the Dew-Drop-In Bar. 

Since it was his first time at the “Dew Drop Inn” Baltus cautiously gazed across the dimly lit room and spotted an open stool near the end of the bar.  He walked past a couple of men more interested in their half-empty glass than the newcomer.  Further down the bar, close to the open seat he had in mind was a heavy-set square man with a nasty scar across his forehead.  The man watched him closely, intently as he took his seat.

Elias was attentive to all his customers, and all that went on inside or out.  He approached Baltus with a coaster and ashtray in hand. He started with his standard line, “So what’ll it be”.  Baltus replied without hesitation, “Shot of J.T.S. Brown if you’ve got it with a Bud chaser”.  Elias answered, “Coming right up”.  On his way back with the drinks, Elias noticed the heavy square man kept his eye on the newcomer. He said, “Bubba, the man here is drinking your drink, maybe he wants to take your spot”. 

Bubba stood up tall, walked directly up to Baltus, and growled “Are you after my spot? “ Baltus growled firmly back at him, “No, but I do have a score to settle with you”.  “What’s that?” said Bubba.  A strange slight smile crept across Baltus’ face and then quite softly he said “You stole my Teddy bear when I was six, and it is time you pay for that evil deed”.  Bubba bellowed loudly, and the whole room heard him say, “You spilled so much milk on that old thing, the milk dried and stank so bad mom told me to sneak up to your room and throw the little guy out.  Does mom know you’re in town?”  Baltus chuckled and said, ”Of course, do you think I dare not let her know.  I’ve been told to be at dinner tonight at 6, and don’t be late.”  Bubba who was now also smiling said, “Yep, I didn’t know you were coming but I was given the same orders.  That woman is deceitful you know”.

Bubba continued, “Why don’t we head over to my place, you can clean up there before we see Mom.”  Baltus offered a half-hearted resistance saying, “No I don’t need to impose”.  

Bubba was insistent, “Aw come on, don’t be silly”.  Then he moved to the door and swung it open, saying “Shall we go?”