Mediums and Half Ones
"You know this frigging tooth has been giving trouble since 1918 I can go on no
longer. For as long as my Name is Mark by God it's coming out bfore the night. I'll go
down to Shivnan's bar and the good doctor Gaffney will pull it out for me. I'll go
there quickly".
Parking the black bike against Shvinan's wall Mark went into the bar
Be god Tom Pat how ya doin. How are your cows? Are they giving any trouble.
Ara no Mark sure I had the best of Blue kerries at the back of my crop.
They are small but give the greatest volume of milk in the west.
So your fine. That'll do. Give a medium (half pint of guinness)
and a half one (measure of Whiskey) Mama. Thank you. Will doctor Gaffney be in.
We'll Mark how ya doing. He'll not be in till evening. He had to drop the sister back
to the train station in Boyle and she goes to Balla from there. Going back to States
you know. Doing well for herself. A writer no less. How many did he have. Six Mark,
three less than you and all doing well in the America.
Give me a meduim and a half one there mama again if you would. Yes but are they
sending the dollars home. That's the question. Then you know they are doing well.
Be god I ate little today Mama. Have you a plate of meat and bread Oh and a
medium and a half one before you get the pan.
Grand Mama a lovely feed. Six red pennies. What did you say Mama ?
Sure I did not say anything Mark. Give me a half one and a medium Mama.
Ara tom Pat sure I fought with the best of men over in Balla during the troubles.
Sure you told me before Mark an hour ago and a half hour ago. Do you want a drink
Mark.
I will. Good man yourself. We'll I was a man. And shot no one. Thanks be to God.
Sure I was with you then Mark I know well.
Latch goes on the bar door.
Ara John James come in. A half one for this man and meself. Can you crap my head
seeing your here.
How are you Mark?
Never was better, fit as a fiddle.
Good. Come in the back and bring your drink. One Red penny is all ?
Ara no problem. I'm thankful to you John James.
Mama a medium half one Mama.
Mark have you had enough maybe. Where's your bike?
It's up the mountain at the house.
Well listen here one more and Tom Pat will bring you home. He has the cart and it's
too many miles to walk. Besides Baa will worry. Is that Ok ? - Right Mama make it a
double half one so.
Next morning his tooth is like fire and brimstone as the mediums and half ones wore
off. (Circa 1920- Crap -hair cut then)
Copyright © Ian Foley | Year Posted 2011
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