The Man From Mars - Episode Nine

   Hunkered down in the bunker, once I was alone, I had time to think. I thought about my encounter with the Man from Mars. What was it that he said or did that made me believe his story in the first place?
   Looking back, it was like any other Friday night at Harry's Bar. The usual crowd of drinkers. Some, just sitting there, quiet, drowning their deep seated sorrows. Some, where after work drinkers, unwinding from the hard day. Some, were a group of everyday regulars laughing, telling jokes. Others, were the same single guys and gals flirting with one another every night. But they always seemed to go home alone. I guess having friends was too important for each of them, then by ruining it, with having a real relationship with anyone.
   If I recall correctly, when I walked in, there were two tables open. I could have sat at either one, but then I would have been drinking alone. If I wanted to do that, I could have stayed home and saved some money. No, I like sitting at the bar, where I usually know whom I am sitting next to. That way I can have a conversation with someone.
   I like talking to people. That is why I go to a social environment like a tavern in the first place. Besides, you never know who you might there.
   This is New York. When celebs aren't being paid by the top Raves or Clubs to patronize their establishments, and they feel a need to get out and about, they always find a place like Harry's to hideaway in. I even seen a few local Politicians come in once in awhile, not knowing I was there, with someone or two which would have put them on the front page of the morning newspaper. Lucky for them, if I'm not doing a story where they are involved, I can care less what they do. I'm not a tabloid kind of journalist.
   But that night, the only chair at the bar, was next to that stranger. He was friendly enough. He didn't say much at first. I was the one who started talking to him first.
   It was the usual dopey stuff like, "What do you think of this weather?" Do you think those Mets will go all the way?" "Are you an Islander's fan or a Ranger's fan."
   At first I thought the guy must have been a TV personality. He had an impeccable suite on. Better than anything I've seen at Harry's in a long time. He had the perfect skin tone for what I imagined was his age. He was without a blemish, wrinkle, or crows-feet to mar his complexion. The perfect combination of nipping and tucking, I thought, with a little bit of Botox on the side.
   Then, when I asked him about the weather, he goes into this rant, about the effects of the different atmospheric conditions and what it means to the oncoming weather.
   How could I not think of him as a TV personality. At the time it seemed pretty obvious to me that he was doing the weather for a TV station somewhere upstate or something. He was just too happy to explain things to me. Like those meteorologists you see on the Weather Channel.
   He wasn't from New York though, that's for sure. Because I know everyone at the local stations and I had never seen him before that night in the bar.
   After all the small talk got out of the way, that is when he offered to buy me a shot and a mug of beer. And as my Daddy always told me, "If someone is willing to pay, let them pay. You'll be that much richer in the morning."
   The more I drank, the more he opened up and talked.
   I almost walked out when he started talking about, what every drunk starts mumbling about, how lonely he was.
   But, that would have been rude. He had just bought me a full mug of beer and a shot of tequila. And you never know, he might buy me some more.
   His rant was about how he had outlived everyone. From his family, to his friends.
   That kind of tore at my heart stings. He didn't look a day over forty and everyone he knew had died?
   At the time, I was thinking, I hope it isn't catchy."
   Maybe that is when I started listening in earnest. He was so sincere about his relationships and the effect it had him being alone, that I actually started feeling sorry for the guy.
   He talked about how he was an important figure, where he came from originally. A World leader, of sorts. Where the populace erected monuments in his honor.
   I don't know if I was impressed by this or a little suspicious that he was beginning to bullshit me, but I had to know, so I asked him. "Do you have any pictures? Can I see one of these monuments?"
   This sadden him. He didn't say anything at first. Then he slowly pulled out his smart phone, from his suite's inside jacket pocket, and showed me a picture.
   It was the picture we have all seen on social media, saying there is a human's face on the planet Mars.
   "This is all I have left," he said. "You see, my World destroyed itself millions of your Earth years ago. Only a few of us managed to escape, and we came here, to populate this World!"

To Be Continued...

Next Thursday.

This is,

Me,

Saying I Am Sorry For Missing So Many Days Last Week Of Writing

Hopefully I Will Not Become Sick Anymore This Year

Thanks For Coming Back

And Reading My Stuff Though

I Really Do Appreciate It

Jim Hauenstein,

And,

“I am not going to Mars unless they have a McDonald's dollar menu.”
- Steven Magee -

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

 

Like what you are reading?

Set up my Blog as your Homepage,

or sign up as a Follower,

or Leave a Comment,

or a Suggestion,

and I will answer you in a Post.

Thanks for reading.