Bar

Once again, he pushes open the door to the cathedral of O'Brien's Pub. He takes his place on the pew--the stool where he normally sits when there's room. The smell of beer in the air brings calm and peace to his mind as he begins to shed the annoyances of the day's customers at work. The dark saloon's gentle light perfectly soothes him as the happy chatter of complaints about the baseball team's demise direct the conversations with purpose. As he eases onto the stool, he orders his first pint of ale. His bar friends acknowledge him as one of the regular members of this congregation. This pub does not have TVs saturating the crowd with sports. These are traditional Irish drinkers who shun the distractions in favor of the whole point of a pub: quality, vigorous conversation. The words flow easily from each extroverted person as they each take their turn pontificating life's deeper insights. His mood improves as the words start to flow, made all the easier by the smooth swallow of rich amber ale into his belly.