Third Drink | Video | Day 97

[justrunsasaloon]

[Ellen doesn't look real happy. She's not, but normally she's a bit better at hiding it.]

New batch is out of the still but it's weaker than the last one. If anyone wants a bottle, stop by and pick it up.

[She sips water out of a glass. She's got other things to say.]

We're going to need things to run through the still. Rice, oats, cornmeal, frozen fruit, anything that can be run through the still.

If you find anything in the forest, dandelions can be used to make wine, too.

[She almost turns it off, but stops for a second.]

Also, got a haunch of venison, if anyone's willin' to trade for it.

Comments

[bluesrat]

I don't have much to trade, but a few cigarettes. I'll look for dandelions, and I could use a drink.

[justrunsasaloon]

First drink is free. Keep an eye out for things to go in the still, and we won't have a problem.

I'm Ellen.

[bluesrat]

Will do. I... think I've seen you around, when I was playing in the bar. I hope the guitar didn't bother you...

[justrunsasaloon]

Barely noticed it. You're welcome to stop by and play again if you want.

[bluesrat]

Thank you, ma'am. It's like a taste of the old days, even if I don't have a band anymore.

[justrunsasaloon]

If you can get in, you're welcome here any time. My daughter and I live here, but it's usually open.

[bluesrat]

Thanks! I honestly didn't know somebody was living there. Now I feel like I've been trespassing, up 'til now.

[justrunsasaloon]

It's not a problem, don't worry. You play around the right times, might see my way clear to share dinner. You put in the work, I will too.

[bluesrat]

Swell! Tell me the right time, and I'll be there! I'll even do the dishes.

[justrunsasaloon]

Dinner's usually around sundown. It ain't fancy, but it'll keep you going.

[bluesrat]

I don't ask for more than that.

[He'll be there, before sundown, guitar slung across his back. He looks a little rough around the edges, and as if he's been sick recently. When he comes in he has to duck the door lintel.]

[justrunsasaloon]

[Ellen's in the back, moving things around. The symbols in front of the door have been recently redone - thanks Meg - and the chalk is fresh. There's the smell of fried fish in the air, as well as some sort of greens and frying butter.

Bottles cling together when she walks into the front of the bar.]

Howdy. C'mon in.

[bluesrat]

[He's noticed the symbols before, but never been sure what to make of them. They're meaningless to him.]

Hey. Oh wow, that smells fantastic! [His enthusiasm seems genuine.]

[justrunsasaloon]

[She smiles warmly.]

Gotta make biscuits in a minute, but come on in. Want something to drink?

[bluesrat]

Sure, but is there anything I should do to help? [He unslings the guitar and sets it carefully on the bartop, at the far end where it'll be out of the way. The warm welcome is more than he hoped for.]

[justrunsasaloon]

[She nods to the guitar.]

Just have a whirl on that, give me some workin' music?

[bluesrat]

[He rolls his eyes and grins, settling on a stool and pulling the guitar into his lap.]

I was offering actual work... any requests?

[It'll take him a moment to tune up, but he's listening at the same time, open and friendly.]

[justrunsasaloon]

Nope. Just something with an uptempo.

[She smiles, because this is more help than lending a hand would be. She's used to the Roadhouse or the car where there's always music playing.]

[bluesrat]

[He considers a moment, tuning up and playing a couple of idle riffs as he thinks. Then Rat bows his head over the guitar with a little smile, and starts up a more coherent tune. His voice is a little rough, a smoky baritone, and he's clearly an experienced musician.]

I walked into a beer tavern
To give a girl a nice time,
I had forty-five dollars when I enter
When I left I had one dime.

Wasn't she a beer drinkin' woman?
Don't ya know, man don't ya know?
She was a beer-drinkin' woman
And I don't want to see her no more.

Now, when I spend down to my last dime
She said, 'Darlin' I know you're not through'
I said, 'Yes, baby doll
And the trophy belongs to you'...

((Beer Drinkin' Woman))

[justrunsasaloon]

[Ellen, despite the day, despite the pain of Dean and Meg, despite their dire situation, laughs. It's been a long time since she's heard some decent blues. She shakes her head, going about her work. The biscuits are put in the oven by the time the song ends.

she looks over, feeling nostalgic.]

You know any Robert Johnson?

[bluesrat]

[He lays a hand flat over the strings, stilling them, and looks ceilingward.]

Mmm... Delta blues. We don't get much of that, up toward Chicago-way. [His smile is apologetic.] And I'm not sure I'm that good, anyway. Rhythm and lead guitar all in one is a good trick. But I'll give it a try... He did write 'Sweet Home Chicago', but did you have a specific song in mind?

[justrunsasaloon]

[Ellen wipes her hands on the bar towel. She shakes her head.]  

Nothing that mentions crossroads, but other than that, whatever you know.  

[She’s not in the mood to hear about demons.]

[bluesrat]

[His eyebrows rise, but he's got the sense not to ask. Rat does watch her thoughtfully, though, long fingers moving on the strings again. Strumming slowly, he starts with a hum and plays.]

You better come on, in my kitchen, 'cause it's going to be raining outdoors...

[justrunsasaloon]

[Ellen actually knows this one and hums along. She can barely carry a tune in a bucket, but that doesn’t matter to her right now. It’s not quite a bar, or home, without music. She doesn’t care if it’s live or on the jukebox.  
When
When dinner is done, she dishes him up a huge plate in thanks.]  

Here, thank you.

[bluesrat]

[Just because Rat is an excellent musician doesn't mean he expects that of others. He's just as happy to have an audience who wants to hum with him. When the song's done, he fiddles with tuning and an absent melody, but pauses when a heap of food is put in front of him. Either he rarely gets enough to eat, or he's one of those people who just puts it all away in a pocket dimension, because he's built like a beanpole. At 40-something, the first one seems more likely.]

That's... a lot. Are you sure?