I once flirted with alcoholism and a bartender named Bob. Kai and I were regulars at Murphy’s, in Old Town. Bob, a dancing bear of a man, hovered near us, always filling our glasses, and lighting our cigarettes. Take two smart unhappy people, add alcohol, and let the banter go. It was better than sex would have been.
365/radical elements 
And clearly more memorable
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There’s a lot to be said for banter, even without drinks and cigarettes.
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I love this. And banter.
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If this is the Murphy’s in Alexandria, I’ve been there several times. It was our favorite bar in town when we lived there in the 80s and early 90s. I don’t remember the bartender though.
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The same one! I was a part-time barfly there in 1987-88. There were quite a few bartenders actually, but Bob was my sparring partner.
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Dang, perhaps we sat next to each other. (or stood — I remember it being really crowded sometimes).
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I had my last cigarette there with you. At least I thought I did. https://indigobunting.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/my-last-cigarette/
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