Jake's Tavern

Revenge of the Spirit

Revenge of the Spirit

It is a cold, rainy November evening and the howling of the wind sounds like a ghost trying to free himself from the powerful, evil grip of the spirit. The spirits of the deceased began to surface and roam the earth refusing to lay idle and allow fate and time to surpass. The thin, long fabric curtains, draping over the small, square windows at Jake’s Tavern began to sway violently from side to side as the customers’ crowd around the fireplace telling tall tales, while Mr. Calvilier serves liquor and randomly makes wise cracks pertaining to the stories and people in general. “Does anyone believe in life after death?” I wonder what happens after someone dies. Do they really come back as ghosts?” questioned Chuck Steiner. At this point, many customers began to sigh in disbelief while others were contemplating and debating the possibilities of this phenomenon. “Come on, there is no such thing as a ghost, it is just something we are told as children to scare us,” claimed Mike Bender. As usually, Mr. Calvilier shouted, “Yeah and they come to earth every now and then to wet their bones and renew their spirits with bourbon.” Soon the screaming and arguing overwhelmed Jake’s Tavern and all that could be heard is the crashing of glasses in the fireplace.

Once the noise had started to subside, Mr. Calvilier realizes that a new customer has drifted in and so hurries to serve him. “What will you like to drink?” asks Mr. Calvilier “Whatever,” replied the stranger in a depressed but aloof tone.

Conversations throughout the bar immediately came to an abrupt end as the customers’ interests turn to the tall, thin, scaly, middle aged transparent gentleman whose dark, sunken lifeless eyes stare blankly about the room. His elongated, bony stature began to shake uncontrollably as he moved. Above all, he has numerous scares and bruises all over his body, but most noticeable is a large, dark bloody grotesque dent in the base of his skull, which can only be the result of a human inflicted, violent blow from a large, powerful mechanism or tool, which was fascinating and intriguing to all that saw it. As the regulars at Jake’s are aware, no one is to pressurize another customer to talk about his or her problems. It is entirely up to the individual and he or she is to do it in their own time. However, the customers’ can see the pain in the stranger’s eyes and are adamant to get him to talk. “Hey Chuck, why don’t you play us a tune?” shouted Mr. Calvilier

Immediately, Chuck began to pick violently at his guitar, while the people randomly and cheerfully joined in. Soon the tension at Jake’s Tavern began to fade away and the jovial, lively carefree manner it is known for slowly began to filter through. However, a sense of weariness and uncertainty lurked and constantly plagued everyone that was there.

Several hours later, while joking and playing cards with the other customers, Chuck notices the stranger sitting by himself so he decides to go talk to him and see how he is. Without phasing anyone else in the bar, Chuck paces briskly toward the stranger and taps gently on the table to get his attention. As the stranger, a look of astonishment upon his face turns to face him Chuck asks, “Hey man what is the matter?” “Nothing,” replies the stranger in an agitated and hostile manner.
“Well then, come join us. We are just playing cards and can use another player,” said Chuck “No, I am useless and you are better off without a hideous, scaly bag of bones such as myself,” mumbled the stranger. “That’s not true. I am sure we can use another man,” claimed Chuck. “Well, alright,” said the stranger in a hesitant tone.

As they return to the table, everyone is aware of the overwhelming presence of the stranger and quickly make space for him to sit. As usual, Mr. Calvilier sits in an isolated booth. He is engrossed in the daily news and completely oblivious to his surroundings. “What do you think of these kids killing their parents?” shouted Mr. Calvilier in a loud, piercing voice. Everyone began to mumble to themselves as though they were not very interested or even listening to his random remark. “Where is my drink?” yelled the stranger. Without hesitation, Mr. Calvilier casually rose to his feet and headed to the bar to serve drinks. By now, Mr. Calvilier realizes that the stranger has been drinking a lot and refuses to give him another one. The constant bickering between Mr. Calvilier and the stranger quickly caught the attention of the other customers, who automatically defended Mr. Calvilier. “What is the problem? As the bartender, once Mr. Calvilier feels that one of us has had too much to drink, it is his responsibility to stop serving alcohol until we sober up,” claimed Mike Bender. “Well, I am not drunk and who is he to tell me when to stop?” cried the stranger in an angry manner. “It is for our own safety,” shouted Doc Webster, another of Jake’s frequent customer’s. “I pay to drink, so give me what I ask for,” yelled the stranger.

Again the atmosphere got out of control and all that can be heard is the clashing of glasses in the fireplace. Several minutes later, a loud scream came from the back of the room and everyone ran to see what had happened. It was the stranger, crouched down in the corner with his big, long, thin, bony hands over his face shouting and crying hysterically. “What is the matter,” asked Mr. Calvilier in a sincere and concerned tone. “Nothing, you will not understand,” cried the stranger. “Alright, if you insist, but if we can help please let us know,” Said Mr. Calvilier.
At that, Mr. Calvilier and the other customers headed back to their seats and spoke among themselves, leaving the stranger to contemplate his situation. Soon, the lively, pleasant atmosphere returned to Jake’s Tavern, as Chuck and Mike began to play some spiritual music, while customers randomly started singing and dancing.

Several hours later, breathing heavily and unevenly, the stranger began to pace briskly toward the bar and ordered three bourbons. Immediately, he downed them all in turn and hunched over a stool, behind the chalk line in front of the bar he shouted, “To the revenge of the spirit.” Instantly the roaring of activity at the bar grew silent as everyone turned to see who is talking and what he had to say. “Preach on brother,” yells Mr. Calvilier in an interested and encouraging tone. ‘Well, I have been divorced for two years now, so my two sons live with their mother and spend the weekends with me,” said the stranger. “So, what is the matter with that?” asks Doc Webster in a confused but hesitant manner. My oldest son claims that he is gay,” cries the stranger. “How old is he?” asks Mr. Calvilier. “Fourteen,” said the stranger. “What does he know about love, let alone being gay?” shout the customers simultaneously. “My point exactly. Anyways, I explained to him what it means to be gay and that I do not approve of it,” mumbles the stranger in a low and depressed tone. “What did he say?” asks Mike Bender. “Nothing, he became extremely quiet and locked himself in his room. When I asked if anything was wrong, he said no and so I left it,” moans the stranger. “As a child, he will complain and soon forget about it, right?” shouts Chuck Steiner. The stranger stopped for a pause, as his throat began to close his muscles tense and let out a loud, piercing scream. As the other customers stare in amazement and confusion, the stranger lost his composure and began to shake and cry uncontrollably. Quickly, Mr. Calvilier put his massive, firm hand on the strangers shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. In a matter of minutes, everyone had surrounded him and offered to help. “What is the matter? What happens next?” asks Chuck. “He conspired with his younger brother and murdered me while I was sleeping. His own Father!” mutters the stranger. The bar grew silent once again and jaws drop in shock and awe at the sound of these words. “What do you intend on doing about it?” asks Mr. Calvilier. “I will haunt them for the rest of their lives. My blood will forever be upon their hands and their guilt will feast and fester on their conscience,” growls the stranger in an evil yet satisfying manner. “No! We understand how you feel but being the older, wiser man I think you should forgive and forget,” preaches Mr. Calvilier. The stranger began to laugh and pace around the bar, mumbling to himself as if formulating a plan and not really listening to Mr. Calvilier. At this point, Mr. Calvilier began to raise his voice and started pounding on the counter to get his attention. Immediately, the stranger forgot about what he was doing and turned to see what was going on. “Hey, seriously I knew a gentleman who came here with a similar problem and refused to heal my advice. His spirit roamed the earth refusing to rest and for years’ pressure began to weigh him down. Eventually, he went insane and slowly dissipated,” claimed Mr. Calvilier. “Mmm,” muttered the stranger truly contemplating and considering what was said. “I do not want another person to suffer, if I can help it,” said Mr. Calvilier.

“Do you know what? I think you are right. What happened is history and I think it is better if I leave it to the law to judge them,” cried the stranger. Chuck and Mike began to play some music again and soon everyone was singing, dancing and joking around. The bar regained its lively spirit. Hours later, the stranger stood by the bar and once he had caught everyone’s attention he said, “Thank You! Thank you for opening my eyes and getting me to see the beauty of forgiveness. Also, I love this bar, you guys are so warm and caring that I will love to rest right here.”
Diving into the fireplace, Mr. Calvilier ran to save him but it was too late. Everyone stared blankly around the room as the stranger’s hatred and hostility began to converge with the flames causing them to rage and dance violently and spasmodically about the fireplace. Mr. Calvilier and the regular customers, which remained, were astonished and speechless when the flames began to transform into what appeared to be a figure of the devil spiting clouds of smoke.
Once the flames had died down, the atmosphere at Jake’s Tavern returned to a tranquil and peaceful state. However, the spirit of the stranger was ever present and could be felt throughout the bar. In a happy and jovial manner, Mr. Calvilier and a few others began to clean out the fireplace and get ready to go home.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to read this, it is really appreciated. Honest opinions and/or suggestions are always appreciated. Also I am not sure if I have rated it accordingly..so please let me know what you think