Why Do You Keep Calling Me Gary?

Way back, way back, way back, when Howiees on Front was still Stuffs. So far back that it was just a market and deli. You could get a pastrami on rye, kleenex, a candy bar, and your choice of over 100 beers. The only problem was you couldn't drink the beer on the premises. If you'd peek behind the office door you would find a 10x10 foot room with anywhere from 6 to 10 people, joking and enjoying a cold beer. Every now and then the owners would get a temporary permit, plan a party, bring in a band and a couple of kegs and the place would go hog wild.

For one party I was asked to make sure that no one got out of line, took beer outside, whatever. This was before I became a jaded soul and could diffuse situations with a few words and a friendly smile. Back when King Kosher and the Baby Dills were the hottest band in town, and the times were always good. I guess I can only blame myself, for I was the one that brought the poison into the group. Yet how was I to know that someone I considered to be a friend was to ingest it?

Anywho, towards the end of the nite this guy comes up, wants to pay his $5.00, get his two beers that comes with price of admission and split. He introduces himself as Gary middle name, last name, from Texas. So as we're packing up Gary is nursing his beer. Not yet done with his first, his second was poured and he was told that he had about 20 -30 minutes to drink up. In due time we were all ready to go...all except for Gary. Just into his second beer he was told he had to leave. Well out comes the Texan, and the "I paid for this beer blah blah blah", so despite the laws he was allowed to take his beer with him. All is right with the world.

Or was it? Gary made it as far as the middle of the road when he turned around and started yelling. Barry, one of the owners at the time, tries to calm the situation. "Gary, jsut take your beer and go. Isn't that what you wanted?" Then Gary in an inebriated stance, extending his arms, bending forward at the waist cries out "WHY DO YOU KEEP CALLING ME GARY?"
"Whats your name" I asked.
"Gary something something from Texas."
"Thats why we keep calling you Gary!"

It may not seem like much, but it still brings a smile to my face.