I've never seen the inside of a bar room
Or listened to a jukebox all night long
But I see these are the things that bring you pleasure
So I'm gonna make some changes in our home
The biggest wave of turmoil had crashed down over Salem�s most solid couple. Too many secrets and lies had bundled themselves up and worked their way in between John and Marlena. For all the times Marlena had begged her husband not to keep anything from her, John only held back more. Fearing the hurt and pain in her eyes when he spoke the truth, he felt it was easier to hold it in and pretend nothing was wrong. But secrets have a way of coming out and when all was said and done, the marriage teetered on the brink of destruction. John found solace in the honky-tonk bar down the street, dropping back quite a number of whiskeys, and huddling in the far corner away from the prying eyes of the town.
This night was like any other night. The bar�s air was visible with heavy clouds of smoke. The laughter ripped through the rooms of it�s inebriated patrons. John sat at the corner table, swirling the ice around in his glass. He hadn�t had much to drink, more interested in the way the liquid cast a warm glow on the crowd when he peered at them through the glass.
�So much for rose colored glasses.� He downed the booze in one gulp, wiping his mouth before slamming the glass back down on the table. He whistled at the bar tender, snapping his fingers and pointing toward his glass for a refill. The man behind the bar shook his head and turned to retrieve the bottle his customer liked so much. Coming around from behind the counter, his mission was intercepted by a set of gloved hands.
�If you don�t mind, I think I�ll handle this one.� The bartender turned his head to come face to face with a blonde haired woman, who looked very out of place in the sweaty, smoky bar. With a stunned smile plastering his face, he nodded his head and gave the woman the bottle.
Marlena sat the bottle on the countertop and pulled her gloves off,followed by her coat. She looked around self- consciously, worried someone would see her here and how she was dressed. The leather skirt came just above her mid thigh, the shirt left little to the imagination. Smoothing out the skirt, wishing that she could smooth it out to a longer length, she picked up the bottle and started over to her husband. Making her way to him, she slightly buckled in the boots, catching herself casually.
�This is the last time Belle picks out anything for me.� Her brow furrowed for a moment. �Is this the stuff my daughter is wearing. I�ll have to have a talk with that girl.� She shook her head and trained her eyes on her husband.
I've heard it said: If you can't beat 'em, join 'em
So if that's the way you've wanted me to be
I'll change if it takes that to make you happy
From now on you're gonna see a different me.
John held his head in his hand, covering his eyes. Hefelt the thud on his chair, and heard the clink of the bottle hitting the table. Rearing back and ready for a fight, he was shocked to see the boot beside him with the tanned knee peeking out from the top of it.
�You order a drink, buddy?� Marlena bent over, placing her elbow on her knee, looking John directly in the face.
�Doc,wha�� John�s mouth drew open at the sight of his wife. Marlena pulled herself onto his knee, crossed her legs and began fiddling with the top of her boot.
�So do you want some company?� She turned her body so she faced him, eyebrows raised waiting for the answer.
�Doc, what are you doing here.� Her feet pounded the floor heavily as she uncrossed her legs and brought herself off of his lap.
�Well, if you don�t want me, I�m sure those fellas over there would like me.� She turned on one heel and started over toward the men playing pool. Her procession was halted by John�s hand around her wrist.
�Oh no you don�t. If you�re with anyone, you�ll be with me.� He turned her to return to his knee, but his wife had other ideas. Turning, she flipped herself into the opposing chair. �So, you wanna tell me what you�re doing?�
�Me? Oh, I�m not doing a thing. You seem to spend all your time down here, so I figured that�s what you want. You want the women like the ones that patron this establishment, fine. You�ve got her, as of now.�
Because your good girl's gonna go bad
I'm gonna be the swingin'est swinger you've ever had
If you like 'em painted up powdered up
Then you oughta be glad
'Cause your good girl's gonna go bad.
Marlena snapped her fingers at the bartender, who was watching the show with great interest. She faced John, but wriggled her finger to summon the bar keep to her side. The small man rushed to the lady�s side, smoothing his apron and patting down what was left of his hair.
�What can I get you , m�am?� Marlena tappedher finger against her mouth, before bringing her hand down and showering John�s vision with a smile.
�I�ll have what this guy�s having.� John�s mouth droppedin shock.
�Doc, I don�t think you�� She turned toward the hapless help and looked up at him. She beckoned him to lean down to her level. Grabbing his shirt collar, she brought him closer to hear her whisper.
�I want you to bring me what he�s having. Would you throw a cherry on top of that, just for kicks?� She stifled a giggle as she saw the man�s Adam�s apple pop up and down.
�Sure!� His face flushed crimson at his excitement and the break in his voice.
�That�s a good boy.� She pushed him back with the toe of her boot before turning to face her astonished husband again.
�Doc, I think we should go home.� John pulled his jacket off, meaning it to fall on her bare shoulders.
�Ahhh no, no, no. We are staying here� well at least I�M staying here. You can do what you wish, but there has got to be something about this place that makes you like it so much. I need a boost, so here I am.� She slouched in the seat, crossing her legs, popping her free leg with the beat of the music. John fell back in his seat, wadding his jacket up and tossing it in the other chair. He placed hisfingers on his chin, watching his wife with amusement.
�Where�d you pick up that little, and I emphasize the world little, number?� Marlena tilted her head to one side, placing a finger on her lips,feigning forgetfulness.
�Hmm, it just slips my mind. Why don�t you likeit?� She pouted her lip, waiting for him to respond. John shifted uncomfortably in his chair, coughing to cover up his predicament.
�Umm, Doc, that would have to be the understatement of the year. I like this a WHOLE lot.� His trance was snapped when he saw Marlena�s victorious smile dance on her lips.
�What I don�t like is you being here. All these guys are looking at you, you know you don�t belong here.� Marlena leaned forward, letting her frustration and anger over his patronage to the bar show for a brief time.
�Well, you don�t belong here either.� Her words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. �John, I don�t want to be alone. If you would like to, like you said, I�ve got choices. Would you like me to go?� She brought herself up and leaned over the table toward him, coming mere inches from his face. John�s mouth hung open, his mind trying to find the words that his wife just ripped away. �I didn�t think so.�
She pulled a tube of lipstick out of her hip pocket, drawing on a fresh set of ruby lips. Popping the lid closed and returning it to it�s place, she stuck her finger in her mouth and slowly withdrew it. John�s eyes widened with amazement, and he scanned the room to see who was watching. Moving her lips back from her teeth, she clicked the pearly whites together.
"No lipstick on the teeth, that�s the best way to make sure that incident doesn�t happen.� She drew her hand to her mouth to stop the burst of laughter that lay just behind her closed lips. John drew his hand over to hers and pulled it down to the table.
�You think that�s funny huh? Well�� Marlena�s breath caught as she was whisked from her seat to her husband�s lap. The couple broke out into peals of laughter, their gaze finally met, slowing down the humorous side of the conversation and revealing the passion that they were missing.
The bartender made his way to the table, his smile fading as he saw the woman perched on the man�s lap. Slapping the drink down, he awaited some sort of recognition. Finally, hecleared his throat, snapping the couple awake.
�Here�s your drink, mam. Will there be anything else?� He teetered on his tip-toes awaiting any request she had.
�Uh, no, no thank you. That�ll be all. Thanks.� The couple remained transfixed on each other throughout her reply.
Flinging his hands in the air, the bartender made his way back to the bar, muttering explictives under his breath about the man.
�John.� Their faces inched closer together with each breath they took.
�Hmm?� The euphoric stupor that surrounded them both shut out all the noise and goings on about them.
�My drink is here.� Marlena jumped up from his lap and took her seat again.
I'll even learn to like the taste of whiskey
In fact, you'll hardly recognize your wife
I'll buy some brand new clothes and dress up fancy
For my journey to the wilder side of life.
Marlena swirled the liquid around in the glass, bringing it to her nose to inhale the aroma. Twitching her nose as the smell hit her, she smiled at an amused John. Sucking in as much air as she could muster, she drank a rather large gulp. With her cheeks puffed out and tears beginning to gather at the corners of her eyes, she shook her head and spit the liquid out before her.
Marlena�s jaw dropped when she regained her breath and saw her husband,not moving, not talking. His hair and face dripped with the whiskey she�d just sprayed out. Biting her lips, she fought hard not to laugh. The laughter burst out, Marlena held hersides, throwing her head back. John drew the napkin over his face, removing the traces of alcohol.
Pushing the drink closer to her, he crossed his arms and waited for her hysterics to end. Wiping the tears that coursed down her face, she sighed and pushed the drink away again. John leaned forward and picked the drink up, placing it hard on the table before her.
�John, I don�t want that.� She continued to try to catch her breath.
�What was it you said, �I�ll have what the guy is having.� Yep,that�s what you said. I said, �No, no you don�t want that.� But, NOOO.� John smiled, leaning back in the chair and placing his hands behind his head,waiting to see how she got out of this one.
Marlena stiffened in her chair, scooting closer to the table�sedge. Grasping the small glass, she pulled it closer to her mouth. She swallowed the amber liquid quickly. Slamming the glass down on the table, she looked defiantly at her husband.
�Wow, Doc, who the hell has taken over your body tonight?� The corners of Marlena�s mouth twitched, soon realizing chugging the drink had not been a good idea.
�Drinking the thing wasn�t a good idea, Marlena. What are you talking about!?� Her mind scolded her with great disappointment. Taking the cherry placed on the ice, she swirled it around the remains of the liquid. Feeling her brain fog up a slight even at that small amount, she decided she needed to get home. Bringing the glass to her mouth again, sheintentionally poured the remainder on her outfit.
�Oh no! My brand new clothes are ruined. I guess I�d better get home and get something else on.� She stood, pulling her shirt down and smoothing her skirtback out.
�You�ve got more of this at home?� John stood up, disbelieving his wife�s actions and wardrobe. Marlena picked up the cherry that tetteredon the edge of the glass, and tossed the whole thing in her mouth.
�Yep, I sure do. Got a whole new look to go along with a whole new attitude.� She blew him a kiss and turned on her heel to go out the door. Walking up to the bar, she hopped up on the seat and motioned for the bartender to comeover.
�You�ve been a gem. Here�s fifty, that should cover all tips and charges.� The bartender�s devastated face perked up with the flash of a dead presidents face. Handing her the coat, gloves, and purse she came in with, he smiled and bid her a good night. Jumping off the bar stool, her knees buckled under her, causing a slight mis-step before she proceeded toward the door.
�Adios, muchachos!� Flinging her purse overher shoulder, she walked back toward the table John still occupied.
�Well..�
�Well, what?�
�Are you gonna help me pick out a new outfit, or do I have to take this one off by myself?� John jumped to his feet and swooped down to throw his wife over his shoulder. Marlena�s laughter caught the attention of the bar patrons.
Slapping John on the behind, she ordered him to stop at the frontdoor. �Well, don�t that just beat all!� She pulled the cherry stem from her mouth, neatly tied in a knot.
�I�ve never been able to do that before. John, get home and see what else I can do.� She smacked him again and the couple took off out the door,leaving a room full of people wondering just what happened there.
Because your good girl's gonna go bad
I'm gonna be the swingin'est swinger you've ever had
If you like 'em painted up powdered up
Then you oughta be glad
'Cause your good girl's gonna go bad
Oh Yeah Your good girl's gonna go bad.