High Noon (4)

Let the colour begin…

Light cracks the blind
As the midday sun swells
Heat penetrates an opening…
In the doorway stands a interesting couple
They enter the bar
The barman looks up, sensing their strangeness

The woman takes the lead
She asks for beer along with beef jerk
Behind her, a young man stands awkwardly
Their clothes have seen better days
It’s a faded look for sure… like an 80’s throwback
Altogether, they stand, slightly tragic
They pay with creased up notes
Revealing dirty fingers, with cheap rings, sitting over chipped nail varnish

A wireless whistles quietly
The place is empty
Mr and mrs strange sit near the back
They drink eagerly
Conversation is minimal, mainly whispers
Ceiling fans circulate what’s left of the cool air
The barman returns to his phone

More people arrive, slowly filling the bar
Locals called Luke, Brandon  or something like that.. provide some noise
After an hour and another drink, the couple leave the bar almost unnoticed
The heat outside is now sweltering
They climb aboard a rusty 2002 Taurus that’s truly forgettable
As they drive away, a man looks on from the bar window
He takes note of the licence plate

Slowly, this same man pays up and also departs
He gets into a car, waits a minute then heads in the same direction, all the time talking into his mobile phone

Inside the bar, the air fans spin
As they try to keep the temperature bearable
This afternoon is going to be a hot one, says Brandon or Jimmy

The sun glides ever so slowly westward…

Catching the windshield of a distant car