Music Choice during Pool

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Peggy Sue, the bartender at the Pukin' Pelican Sports Bar and Waterfront Grill is quite a-typical of her generation. She has the appropriate amount of tattoos, several small children to different fathers and a suffering look on her face as the rock and roll oldies play on the iPhone over the speakers. Certainly not her choice.

“Now that we're in season, you won't change the station on the iPad playing over the speakers,” said Shirley the newest manager. Peggy Sue stomped off and our four, senior citizen group applauded. Shirley smiled and went back to her office.

“Shirley's had a tough up hill battle,” said New Jersey Jack. “It's not the same place. I especially like what she did with the pool tables.”

“When did she get rid of them,” ask Tallahassee Ted. Our newest member of the the 'Dead End Canal Yacht Club' who is from Lower Alabama.

“She moved them out to the Lani the first of the year and out completely the first of this month,” said Erie Earl. “When she got rid of the Jukebox she raised the prices but it's worth it not to hear Country Rap New Age!”

“If you miss them, try Boot Kickers,” said New Jersey Jack. Bootleggers, no way? Someone asked?

“'Boot Kicken Sports Bar',” Peggy Sue said. “I miss the Jukebox because I have no energy with this elevator music playing.”

“Boot Licken said they weren't a Country Bar but I think their personal preferences won out,” said Erie Earl. 

“The Pelican took a while to figure out it's identity, too. They first went with just the view, then they improved the food, then they did a little advertising and finally they added pool tables and then took them out. Now, I think it's darned near perfect here.”

“It's still a work in progress but much improved. I'm glad they hired some locals people and have specials everyday,” said a strange woman a few seats down.

“Are you talking about me,” Peggy Sue demanded? The woman denied she'd meant her. “I want you to know that I make more tips than anyone else. My customers like me.”

“Of course we do, Peggy! You drive all the way from LA (Lehigh Acres) every day. We appreciate the effort. Plus you are friendly and efficient but if Shirley goes to the bank, you change the music station. Look around and see who your customers are and try to understand their music taste. We're old and this music makes us feel young,” said New Jersey Jack.

“I only change the station if someone asks,” said Peggy. The woman pointed out that a waiter or cook isn't the people who spend the money. Peggy insisted the requester's are always customers.

“Let's go to Boot Kickers and play some pool,” said Tallahassee Ted. It was a great joke and half the place laughed. We hadn't realized we'd been so loud.

Peggy Sue went into the kitchen and returned with a sample platter of mild Chicken Wings, thin Cheese Pizza slices, tiny bowls of chili and small Beach Bread Squares. She passed them up and down the bar. This is a new marketing practice instituted by Shirley since February first. Courtesy dictates that customers take just one of each. Just enough to wet the appetite.

By the time the platter was presented to our end of the bar, it was pretty bare. Only Earl took anything because the rest of us got Peggy's message. She mostly avoided our end of the bar for the rest of happy hour. The new bartender took pity on us. 

We ordered some food to go. My wife loves there Muscles, almost as much as the Fish Mongers but not quite. New Jersey Jack ordered a Pukin' Pizza and Ted took a to-go order of Pelican Wings. We finished up and waited for our designated driver, the 'Reverend' to pick us up in his boat.

As we were heading for the dock, the woman spoke,” That will teach us to keep our mouths shut!”

This blog/column is meant for educational purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. Do not read while operating a vehicle or heavy machinery. Keep sending those great questions and comments! (Contact) boatguied@aol.com