I turned the handle and walked in. The aroma of food and drinks flared my nostrils.
A few people sat at the bar, conversing in low tones. The TV in the corner ran the news.
"Can I have a glass of water?" "Sure!" I grabbed the glass and scanned the room. I walked down to the farthest corner, set the glass on the table, and dropped my bags on one seat. I pulled out my laptop and turned it on. Then I pushed my bags under the table.
It was a beautiful pub, stylish and eloquent. The wooden floors, the glass windows, the chandeliers, the fireplace at the other end of the room, surrounded by some couches.
I was hungry, but I wasn't sure if I'd get some vegetarian grub at this time of the night.
I plugged in my right earphone and checked the radio. Audionautix. Great! I opened Mixxx and went live.
I glanced around the room and noticed the dj booth, and speakers mounted on every corner. Perhaps I could play some music here some time, I thought.
I checked the Covid stats on my phone and shook my head. What if the pandemic never ended? What if the mutations would only grow stronger and spread faster, eventually culling the human race in a spontaneous burst? There was a silicon shortage in the developed countries, and food shortage in the third world countries.
I pushed my laptop away, lay my head on my arms, and stared through the window. I felt numb. The new environment and the music distracted me from the sadness and loneliness, for once. "I wish I was special But I'm a creep I'm a weirdo What the hell am I doing here?" The lounge version sounded silky smooth.
I closed my eyes.
Welcome, glad to see you poked your head out of the Gopher hole.
~isvarahparamahkrsnah! Welcome! I know you from your gopherhole (tilde institute).
Welcome. It’s a good place to sit, breathe, squarely face the dread of the current zeitgeist, and know you aren’t exactly alone.