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Tad wiped the top of the bar at the Regal Beagle, absently dipping his rag in to the sink filled with tepid water and a few squirts of lemon-lime scented Palmolive. As he looked around at the empty tables, he could almost make out the outlines, like ghosts, of the regulars who had gone home for the night to their quiet, hidden lives.

There was Jack. Jack was one of Tad’s favorite customers. Jack was a real comedian. But Tad knew when Jack went home, when he was lying in bed at night without an audience, how he was haunted by his passion to be a chef. Jack didn’t talk much about it. But Tad noticed that look in Jack’s eye whenever he mentioned cooking. He knew what it meant.

And Chrissy, beautiful Chrissy. At first Tad had wanted to sleep with Chrissy. But that was before he had a chance to know her. He felt ashamed for stereotyping her in such a demeaning, unimaginative way. Chrissy had a genuine innocence that no amount of wit or irony could ever match. Tad wondered what dreams Chrissy was dreaming tonight.

He was glad she had Janet. She could be a stickler, but what an inspiration. Janet had so much going for her – bright, intelligent, a real self-starter. Yet, she finds more joy in a simple arrangement of flowers then she does in the gray pursuit of a 9 to 5 career.

And there was Mrs. Roper. What an amazing woman. But Tad worried about her. He couldn’t imagine what it must be like for a mature woman so full of life to be in a marriage petrified by routine. She had one foot in the stultifying 50s, and another in the sexually revolutionized 80s. Tad wished her husband would be nicer to her.

A thunderclap echoed in the valley, rousing Tad from his ruminations. A heavy rain pitter-pattered on the windows making a rare, almost mysterious music in the dry South Californian climate. Tad rang the rag out in the sink and slung it over a stool. It didn’t look like it would let up anytime soon. It didn’t mater. Tad was in no rush to go home.

The next morning a million Lon Angelinos would get a free car wash. It would make them a little happier, Tad thought, and that must count for something.

Date Written: September 10, 2004
Author: scoop
Average Vote: 4.6667

Comments:
09/13/2004 Benny Maniacs (4): At first I thought, what the F. But then I got it, and it all made sense. Good idear.
09/13/2004 scoop (5): I'm on the phone with OSS right now, and he told me he wouldn't be my friend any more if I didn't give this five stars (emotional blackmail), so, there you go.
09/13/2004 Dylan Danko (5):
09/13/2004 Jon Matza: enjoyed the tone...still ruminating...in the meantime shouldn't that "rang" be "wrung"?
09/13/2004 Joe Frankenstone (5): Tad's world-weary optimism has made my day a little brighter. Outstanding.
09/13/2004 Dylan Danko: Thank you Matza! I'll deduct a star from the author's next short. Who could this be?
09/13/2004 Ferucio P. Chhretan (5): Bomb-Ass Punani.
09/13/2004 Mr. Pony (5): I almost deducted a star for this short's stubborn refusal to mention Larry, forever waiting for Jack at their regular table like a dog for his master, but then I thought, that's stupid.
09/13/2004 Dick Vomit: Why is everyone dicks?
09/13/2004 Mr. Pony: What?
09/13/2004 Dick Vomit: I wanted to post that comment on the Osama short. But anyway.
09/13/2004 TheBuyer: Oh, you mean Tad isn't short for Larry? Oh. What a gross oversight!
09/13/2004 Mr. Pony: I don't think Larry Dallas worked at the Regal Beagle. He and Jack would just "unwind" there. You want a couple of (or six) gross oversights, take a gander at this morning's short!
09/13/2004 anonymous: Tad is the name of the batender at the Regal Beagle.
09/13/2004 TheBuyer (5): Tad was so quiet. Who knew.
09/13/2004 qualcomm (4):
09/13/2004 John Slocum (4): Also liked the tone. Particularly liked the last 2 grafs.
09/17/2004 Jon Matza (5): Enhgnhhh
09/17/2004 scoop: Happy Yom Hannashoshanna, you scrumptous Matza ball!