A Priest, Rabbi and Minister, Wednesday night regulars, walk into “The Punchline Bar & Grille” They ask for a table and are told to go to Helen Hunt for one; she is the hostess and wife of Mike Hunt, the entertainer and Stan Dupp the bouncer. The only open table is twenty steps from the restrooms and has a picture on the wall of the bar’s best customer, I.P. Freely. As they sit Will E. Make-it and Betty Won’t pass by quickly on the way to use the facilities.
Their server comes over and introduces herself as Svetlana. She seems a bit testy but they forgive her as she is only wearing one sock and may have cramps. They say to her, “Ben Dover…is he working tonight?” Svetlana tells them Ben Dover is off sick but Eileen, the one-legged chef from the IHOP next door is filling in.
It was a busy night so while waiting for their drinks the trio surveyed the activity around them. They recognized the man, Seymour Butts, crawling around under the tables. Next table over a mommy was telling their child to shut up while he walked in circles. Another boy questioned if his mother was dying because he heard her praying in bed last night yelling “Holy Moses, I’m Coming!” But the most poignant sight, one that brought a tear to all their eyes, was watching a young man lovingly lift a pretty young lady with no legs, from a type of harness and set her back into her wheelchair. They had seen her before and were so happy that tonight her date did not leave her hanging.
It was so busy that Helen Hunt didn’t notice the bar was overcrowded. When the Fire Marshall insisted three people leave immediately, she asked for volunteers. An Englishman and Frenchman both stood up and exited the bar, proudly saying their sacrifice was for the honor of Queen and Country. Next a Texan in a 10-gallon hat headed to the door. It appeared he was to be the third heroic volunteer, but on the way to the door he shouted “Remember the Alamo” and tossed out Francisco, the bartender,
That was the final straw for Sir Lancelot who saddled up his Great Dane and exited into the rainy night.