It was a warm spring night and I sat at a table in the smoking area of Neachtain’s, watching it get dark and the multicoloured lights come on, and the crowds going by, and the cars crawling along Cross Street. I saw a man walk by my table with a down look, slow pace, and pensive mood. I realised it was my friend, Levi, and I asked him to join me.
“Hello there, Levi! How’re you getting on?”
“I’m alright, James.”
“What’ll you drink?”
“Guinness.”
I went inside to the bar, bought two Guinness, and brought them back to the table. As I sat down, I noticed Levi’s left leg jittering.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. Just a nice-looking beoir.”
“Brown?
“No. Blonde.”
“I do like a good blonde.”
“Me too.”
“Tasty things.”
“I…suppose. Her name’s Eleanor.”
“Oh, I see! I thought―never mind. Continue.”
“We’ve been seeing each other for a while, but ever since last week she’s been
avoiding me.”
“Any idea why?”
“No. She hasn’t responded to my messages.”
“That seems rude.”
“Bloody rude, and after everything I did for her.”
Levi banged the table with his fist and made some cream leapfrog from his Guinness onto the ashtray. I looked at him. He was slouched down low in his seat, much too dispirited to care about his posture. Classic reassurances flooded my mind: “It’s her loss. There are plenty more fish in the sea. You’ll meet the right girl one day.” They all seemed cliched and untruthful, so I said nothing.
“I’m sick of it all.”
“No point in being upset about it.”
“Easy for you to the say. You’re not the one who’s suffering.”
“True enough. How about I drown your sorrows in a few more pints here and then we head on over to the Bierhaus? At least you’re guaranteed to get some kind of beoir there.”
“Alright.”
We had several more drinks at Neachtain’s, and I ordered a takeaway. I ate it at the table while Levi finished his pint. I watched him rub brown droplets from his moustache. I could see he was thinking about something.
“They are jezebels.” he finally said.
“Who are?”
“Women.”
I noticed this was a recurring topic with Levi. He had been reading a lot online. This sounds harmless enough, but Levi had read and reread the anonymous, jaded posts of certain messaging boards. They are a bad read for the lonely, and an even worse read for the unloved.
“What are you talking about?”
“They deceive men to get what they want.”
“Rubbish.”
“It’s true!”
“Don’t be a fool.”
“I’m telling you. They flirt, and they may be affectionate, but they only choose the most attractive and successful men in the end. If you lack any one trait, you’re cast aside.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“I do.”
“Did you ever stop to think you’re being fiercely cynical?”
“Did you ever stop to think I might have a point?”
Levi was hurting, but he had found solace in nonsense and I couldn’t entertain that.
“Listen, Levi, I’m your friend, and I’ve to say…you’re embarrassing yourself. By rationalising your romantic failures like this, you’re only digging the hole deeper.”
“Do you have to be such a bloody cuck, James?”
“I’m serious, Levi.”
“So am I.”
“Whatever.”
The conversation had turned sour, so I suggested a change.
“Here, let’s head on over to the Bierhaus, and for Christ’s sake, can we talk about something else?”
“Sure.”
So there you were. I was sorry for him, but I couldn’t do anything about it, because of three reasons: he was blinded by his cynicism, reassured by anonymous chauvinists, and given Dutch courage by me―which often brings out the worst in people.
We left Neachtain’s and a group of revellers swept us into their flow down Quay Street. We got ahead of them, crossed the Corrib, and made our way to the lights and music of Dominick Street. I saw a throng of students along the way, with newly bought clothes and washed hair, hovering outside the Róisín Dubh like moths around a streetlamp, holding themselves as best they could to pass the keen eyes of the bouncers.
“I hope the Bierhaus isn’t packed.” remarked Levi.
“It should be fine.”
The Bierhaus was a craft beer bar on Henry Street in the West End. Seven days a week the beer aficionados of the city drank there. On Friday and Saturday nights it brimmed with patrons who left their haunts in the medieval city and migrated across the river. When we arrived, it was quite busy. All the long high tables and barstools were filled with people who were laughing and talking between the slugging of their beers.
“I wish we’d come earlier.” said Levi.
We went up to an empty space at the bar. Levi was a regular, so he was served immediately.
“Two beoirs, por favor.”
The bartender came back with a strong, brown Belgian beer that Levi liked. I paid for it in cash.
“What shall we drink to?” I asked.
“To these lovely and loyal beoirs.”
“Sláinte!”
We clinked our tulip glasses together. I drank a large gulp from mine and then looked at the beers and whiskies on the wall behind the bar while Levi talked to the bartender. I felt the pub was getting crowded and hot. I looked around and saw the revellers we met on Quay Street come in. I was about to suggest to Levi to come outside with me for a smoke when I noticed he was gawking at someone. “She’s a fine looking beoir.” he remarked. I turned around to see for myself. She was a beautiful girl alright, with a nice head of black curls.
“You don’t mind if I go talk to her?” he asked.
“Not at all.”
Levi smiled at me and took another gulp from his drink before disappearing into the crowd. As for myself, I couldn’t bear the heat any longer, so I drank my beer outside. I leaned against a windowsill in the smoking area and enjoyed the cool breeze from the street. I lit a cigarette and watched the taxis pull up and drop off their excited passengers under the waning crescent of the moon. As I sat there, glad that Levi was cheering up, a stranger approached me.
“Hey, could I scab a cigarette off you?” she asked.
“Not a bother.”
“Thank you.”
I gave her a cigarette and glanced into her eyes. They were complimented by her cheeks, which looked feverishly warm under her blonde hair.
“Do you have a lighter?” she asked.
“I do.”
I took out my lighter and ignited it. She placed her hand on mine and guided the lighter to her cigarette.
“Thanks.” she said, after exhaling a cloud of smoke. “It looks wedged inside.”
“It is. I needed a breath of fresh air.”
“Oh yes, the air is very healthy out here.”
She took a drag from her cigarette and smiled. An impression of vitality and intense life radiated from her face. I liked her, but I was a little drunk. Not drunk in a negative sense, but just enough to give me the confidence to continue talking to her.
“Do you come here often?”
“Sometimes.”
“Are you from Galway?”
“Dublin, but I study here.”
“What do you study?”
“History. I’m doing my master’s degree.”
“What’s your thesis about?”
“Brehon law.”
“That’s my forté.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes.”
“What do you know about the poetic grades?”
“Everything.”
“Let’s see about that.”
So we began to converse amid a moonset of silver and sable hues. The time passed amicably, and the conversation touched on many commonalities, until there was a pause, and in that pause, it started to rain. It was hard to see the rain fall in the darkness, but the flags hung damp from the white poles of the Nova Bar across the street and the rain made pools of water along the streets, and people ran for cover under the canopies, and the streets became wet and dark and deserted; yet the nightlife kept jostling under cover.
“Would you like a drink?” I asked.
“Sure.”
We went back inside. I saw Levi in the dim light beside the fireplace, still talking to the curlyhaired beauty. I couldn’t tell how well they were getting on, but Levi looked a bit tipsy. The girl and I sat down on two empty barstools at the far end of the bar, and we waited for the bartender to serve us.
“So, what’s your name?”
“James. What’s yours?”
“Eleanor.”
Her name sobered me right up. Eleanor? Could this be Levi’s Eleanor? I looked down towards him. He was deep in conversation now and seemed to be enjoying himself.
“Do you know that guy over there?” I asked, pointing at him. She gave a glance behind her, then quickly turned back.
“Unfortunately. That’s Levi. How do you know him?”
“He’s my friend.”
“Oh really?”
“He’s in a sorry state because of you.”
“Certainly doesn’t look it.”
“What happened between you and him?”
“You’re a noisy piece, aren’t you?”
“Indulge me.”
She gave me a smirk.
“Alright. I met Levi at a conference about a month ago. We got along well together. He brought me out for dinners and surprised me with thoughtful gifts. He was sweet. But another side of him revealed itself. He became possessive of me and acted as though I owed him something. We started getting into heated arguments until one day I had enough and ended it. Levi didn’t quit though. He kept messaging me, begging for another chance. Then, one night, he appeared at my apartment really drunk. He banged on my front door and threw bits of rubbish at my window. He woke up my housemates. They were furious. I told him to leave. He did, and we haven’t spoken since.”
“I’m sorry he was such a nuisance.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“Do you want to go?”
“No. Let’s have a drink here.”
I looked at the bartender. He was serving a customer at the other end of the bar, and by the time I caught his eye, I had wised up to my situation. Eleanor was intelligent and nice. I wanted to wallow in her voice and laze in her eyes, but her former lover, my friend, sat metres away. He was a foolish friend, but a good friend, and he liked Eleanor, and I was loyal to him. If he saw us together, in his downtrodden state, he’d shatter, or worse.
“What can I get you, sir?”
“Two Augustiners, please.”
In that moment I saw Levi stand up, smile at his newfound girl, and slowly jostle his way through the crowd with two empty glasses in his hands. It’d only be a matter of seconds before he’d spot me.
“Levi’s coming.”
“What?”
“He’s coming.”
“Where?”
“Here.”
I heard my name shouted.
“James!”
I turned my head and saw Levi waving at me with an empty glass.
“Get two more! I’ll be over in a minute!”
Levi placed his two empty glasses on a little opening on the far counter and pushed his way to the toilet.
“He didn’t see you.”
“Thank God.”
“I’ve a suggestion.”
“What?”
“Let’s head into town.”
“Town?”
“Yes. I’ll bring you to Garavan’s. They’ve a cosy snug there.”
“Alright, but what about Levi?
“Don’t worry about him. Wait for me outside. I’ll only be a minute.”
Eleanor smirked at me, walked through the crowd and out the door. The bartender returned with our two Augustiners. I had two euros left in my wallet, so I paid with my credit card and tipped the bartender the two euros. As I put my wallet back in my pocket, Levi appeared beside me.
“There you are James! What’s this?”
“Augustiner.”
“Where’s yours?”
“I’m heading home.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, I’m tired.”
“Sorry for leaving you on your own.”
“Don’t worry about it. I see you’re well entertained.”
“I am. Her name’s Bláithín, and by God is she a lovely, little flower!”
“I’m glad.”
“What do I owe you?”
“Nothing.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Thanks, James!”
“Not a bother.”
Levi slapped me on the back and returned to Bláithín with the two beers. I got up off my barstool, passed the happy, mellow drinkers of the Bierhaus and went out the door. Outside on the streets it had stopped raining and the crescent moon was peeping through the clouds. I saw Eleanor standing where we had met. We both had large smiles on our faces.
“So, Garavan’s?”
“That’s right.”
“Will we walk?”
“We will.”
“Wonderful. I’ll buy a gin for my gallant hero.”
“I’m no hero.”
Just as I put my foot forward, I was quickly pulled backwards. I turned around to see Levi holding my upper arm.
“Hey, before you go, can I have a cigarette―”
Levi stopped. He saw Eleanor standing beside me. He let go of my arm. His face was sallow under the streetlight.
“Eleanor?”
He stood waiting, processing the situation. I saw his eyes dart from Eleanor to me. I knew it looked terrible, and even I didn’t know any more if I was being friendly to Eleanor or treacherous to Levi. I saw his eye-brows furrow. My gut told me I wouldn’t get a chance to explain.
“You bloody snake!”
He swung at me, and I dodged. I regained my stance and swung at him, but I saw his face duck sideways in the streetlight. He hit me in the stomach and winded me. I felt like vomiting. I supressed the feeling as best I could and got up again. Before I could get in another hit, he hit me twice. I went backwards over the wooden chalkboard menu. I tried to get up, but I couldn’t. I lay there in the dark for a few seconds. Eleanor helped me up and I leaned against the
windowsill. She was holding a bloody tissue over my right eye.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“I’m okay.”
There were several people standing around, asking if I needed any help.
“Where’s Levi?” I asked.
“The bouncer kicked him out.”
“Where’d he go?”
“Back into town.”
“I’d better go after him.”
“You were out cold.”
“I’m alright.”
“You should sit down for a while.”
“Get him a drink!” someone shouted.
I stood up and heard onlookers talking about the fight. Some said they had seen it. Others speculated about its cause. I saw Bláithín among them with a half drank Augustiner in one hand and a cigarette in the other.
“Do you want me to come with you?” asked Eleanor.
“No, don’t come. Can I call you a taxi?”
“No. I’ll meet up with my friends in the Róisín. I’ll go home with them.”
“I’m sorry to leave you like this.”
“So am I.”
“See you around.”
“Good luck.”
I waved goodbye to her and walked down Dominick Street. My legs felt unsteady, so I slowed my walk and used the wall to support me. I passed the Róisín Dubh. It bled music, and Vinnie’s chipper bustled with messy customers. I stopped a second at Monroe’s and caught a reflection of myself in the window. I saw a bloody scratch above my right eye. I touched it with my fingers. It didn’t hurt me because I was still drunk. I crossed the road and walked down Raven Terrace. A few smokers and a wolfhound stood outside The Salt House. I knew I had a good chance of finding Levi inside. It was one of his haunts.
The Salt House was long and narrow. A few people sat at the bar and a group of friends were playing a board game on a long table further down the pub. I saw someone sitting beside the fire.
Two empty steins sat on the table beside him. It was Levi.
“Hello.”
“I’m drunk.”
“Me too.”
He drank the dregs of a stein in his hand and placed it beside the others.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright.”
He looked at my eye.
“Does it hurt?”
“No.”
I sat down on the stool beside him. I still felt unsteady, so I leaned against the wall.
“How’s Eleanor?”
“She’s fine.”
“Good. I’m happy. I’m happy for you and that thot.”
“Don’t call her that.”
“She’ll cast you aside like she did me.”
“From what I heard, she had every reason to do it.”
“Bullshit.”
“Look, Levi, we think we know ourselves, but we usually don’t, and I don’t think you do.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You don’t see your own flaws. You fall back on ignorant generalisations about women and say that’s the problem. But it’s not the problem. You’re the problem. You’re living in your head, and your happiness is paying the price.”
“Maybe. Or maybe the problem is ungrateful women who sneak off with your so-called friends.”
“It wasn’t like that.”
“Yeah right.”
We sat there in silence and I looked around the pub, watching the group of friends laugh and move small pieces on the table, and the smokers rolling their tobacco, and the wolfhound wagging his tail.
“Let’s go and eat.” I said.
“Sure.”
As we left the pub, I wondered how many more nights like this I would have with Levi. I wondered how many more nights it would take for him to know himself and fix his faults.
I hoped they wouldn’t be many.
Meascra 
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