The Bar Dogs: Henry In The Morning

"Come back here," she called after him as he stood already holding the door half-way open.

Henry quietly sighed and said to himself, as he glumly turned, here it comes. He shut the door wishing he already was on the other side. The consequences of last night's drunk were roaring through his head.

"Well, come, on, let me see you," she said excitedly.

"I have to go if I want to make this thing, Laura."

"You have five minutes for me. I just want to make sure that you look perfect."

Uncomfortable in his dark blue suit Henry did his best to look presentable and not squirm as Laura's fingers made minute adjustments-a slight dimple under the tie's knot, brushing back a few unruly strands of hair from his forehead, picking off a bit of lint from his lapel-until she finally pronounced, "Perfect," and added, "are you nervous?"

He shook his head heavily.

"Good. You'll do fine. You're so handsome. Now kiss me."

* * * * *

The three cups of coffee hadn't helped fight back Henry's nausea. On the subway ride into Manhattan he had to admit he was nervous. Job interviews just turn me into mush, he thought. This is ridiculous. I can just take it or leave it, there's nothing to get anxious about.

* * * * *

Stepping up out of the station he whispered his mantra: "Calm, cool, confident. I'm just a calm, cool, confident fool."

The morning, late April sun was climbing higher, and Henry began to sweat as he walked along Lexington Avenue, even though the temperature hadn't hit 60°. The anxiety began to rise inside him, floating upwards in waves through his chest. "Calm, cool-"

Then, unexpectedly, he stopped. He hadn't intended to but somehow, instinctually, his feet guided him into the cool dark entranceway half a block short of where his interview was supposed to be taking place in fifteen minutes. As he took the first few confused steps forward he realized where he was, and shrugged off all his uneasiness. Oh, he thought, isn't this serendipitous.

"You serving yet?" he asked the bartender.

"If you're drinking, sure."

"A Bloody Mary," he said, "with a shot of Wild Turkey on the side."