I Saw The Doctor Four Times
First Time
Today marks my 5th year at Vinny’s. There was a cake for me this morning. I said thanks. Inside I’m wondering, who eats cake in the morning? In those 5 years I’ve learned the difference between guys who want to be here and guys who have to be here. It’s a sad, slow transition. Am I at all responsible? I don’t know, no one’s come pointing any fingers yet. This guy who just walked in has to be here. Not for the same reasons as the rest of these dead-eyed schmucks. He’s dressed nice. Not suit nice — nice like he thought he was going to spend his night elsewhere. Navy turtleneck, expensive-looking suede boots, black hair slicked back real good. I can tell he has to be here because despite looking the part, the guy was walking like his feet were tangled up, like he’d never been to a bar before. Held a crumpled piece of paper tight in his hand. Kept looking at his watch like he hoped it’d stop the hands from moving forward.
He finally sits and I ask him if he’s going to drink. He says just peanuts. He says please. I like that. I hand him his peanuts and he’s making a real mess with those shells and my costers. I try and make a little small talk but he’s just tugging on that navy turtleneck and looking at the bar phone behind me. Suits me, I know better than to pry these on-the-edge types. I get a call from god-knows asking for the doctor and the nervy guy looks like he’s seen a ghost when I call it out, I give him the phone, help clean up the drink he so frightenedly spilled on Laszlo and watch him leave through the kitchen. Good luck to you, pal.
Second Time
The doctor was back today. Not that it’d take much, but he looks calmer than last time. He walks in and takes a booth. He’s dressed almost the same, but I spot a new gold watch. Laszlo asks me if that’s the cocksucker that spilled his beer last week. I’ve seen this a couple times before, honest folks who bite off more than they can chew. They bite off more than they can chew and all of a sudden they’re Henry Hill. I got no ill will against the doctor but he’s gotta watch himself.
He comes up to the bar, complained to me that the booth was sticky. Wants me to do something about it. He’s got a briefcase today. Pulls up his sleeve a little to give us a better look at his watch. Laszlo makes some crass joke to him about how he got it. The doctor gives him a nervous nod and I spot some nerves. He still plays with the coasters a little, getting little wet bits of paper everywhere. Orders two gin and tonics and drinks them quick. Seems to have picked up a sense of conviction in the last week. I must assume his little rendezvous went well. 8:15 and I get the call for the doctor. He hands the phone back without looking at me. Out through the kitchen and I don’t see him until next week.
Third Time
Second favorite part of my job is the first time someone musters up the courage to order ‘the usual’ and seeing relieved satisfaction on their face when I go and get it for them. My favorite part is when some smug son-of-a-bitch strolls to the bar and asks for their usual, and I got no clue. I give them the wrong drink and their cocky grin turns into giving me shit. When the doctor came for the third time, it was a bit of both.
He comes in at 7:30 and beelines right next to Laszlo. “The usual,” he says. He’s got a cut on his jaw he seems to be wearing proudly. Laszlo gives me an eye roll. I’m good at what I do, I remember last week, I know he wants a gin and tonic. I got an important decision to make. Take this guy down a peg or feed his new-found conceit. Ah, fuck it. He gets a gin and tonic and tips me good. Calls me by my name, I’m not sure about that. Today he’s the one that feels like small talking me and Laszlo. I’m busy running the bar so I got nothing say. I go to the back for 5 minutes. I get back and Laszlo’s got him by the scruff of that navy turtleneck. That’s a guy you don’t want to piss off — especially when you got no experience pissing people off. Laszlo leaves him in a crumpled mess outside, real nasty. Nevertheless, I get the call and I have to drag him out of the rain and into the kitchen. He spits something smart, but those missing teeth dampen any impact it might have on me. I don’t see the doctor for a while and I stop thinking about him.
Fourth Time
Saw on the news this morning that mob boss Rudy Gallo made his first public appearance in 18 years. Had a real bad sickness last I heard, now he looked to have finally recovered. So when I saw the doctor come in with some company for the first time, some dots started to connect. I hadn’t seen him in months. This guy he’s with, a sharp-looking Italian, asks for something strong for the two of them. Doctor gives me an extra silent nod, not looked so suave anymore. Tired. I leave them to it.
They talk for about an hour, I see the doctor sign some papers but not looking too pleased about it. The Italian comes to the bar with a heavy envelope and leaves it by the register. He gestures the doctor over and the two of them go into the kitchen. Doctor’s back to the shivering wreck he was when I first him. He’s looking at his nice gold watch like he hoped it’d stop the hands from moving forward and coming to terms with his own expendability. I saw the doctor four times.
