NEEDS MUST
Pub landlord Clive had erected an open-air shelter for
his customers, many of whom were waiting when he opened his doors after
lockdown, and there was instantly a party atmosphere. Those who had booked
tables for the evening found the afternoon crowd reluctant to leave, and by
nine pm the place was heaving.
When the downpour started, everyone scuttled beneath
the shelter, social distancing forgotten.
With his licence at risk, Clive hoped that the
inevitable needs after hours of drinking would send the diehards home, but he’d
reckoned without their ingenuity – and the ornamental bucket in the pub garden.
My husband went to the pub on Monday but, with the temperature freezing, I opted to stay at home. I shall go when the weather is warmer, though only for one drink - the thought of not being allowed inside the building is daunting when one has a weak bladder!
Thanks to Anne Higg for this week's photo prompt, and to Rochelle at https://rochellewisoff.com/ for continuing to host Friday Fictioneers - sometimes the prompt is all that wakes up my writing muse!
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST - allow me to remind you that my book of poems is now available on Amazon. My illustrations are just asking to be carefully enhanced with coloured pencils, so why not treat yourself ? Just click on the cover at the top of the page to order.
I hate to think what the ornamental bucket is for
ReplyDeleteHopefully nothing gastronomical!
DeleteI imagine Clive is not the only one to face this problem this week. I will be like you Liz, and not be rushing back on opening night!
ReplyDeleteYou do have one advantage - you can pee standing up!
DeleteBye bye ornamental bucket, I'm thinking :-)
ReplyDeleteClive would be well advised to remove it.
DeleteOh dear. Well, needs must, I suppose, lol.��
ReplyDeleteI wonder whether the government has considered this problem?
DeleteEww!! Not "ornamental" any more. Fun story!
ReplyDeleteAnne from annehiga.com
And more than a little malodorous!
Deleteit's a watering hole for pete's sake. what can we expect?
ReplyDeleteYou are right, of course!
DeleteI wrote a story recently about a place called Piss Alley in Japan. It was an alley filled with bars and no restrooms, so the patrons went where they wanted. This might be the beginnings of a distant cousin.
ReplyDeleteEeuw!! It might be. We have similar minds, it seems.
DeleteI'm with you. No bathrooms...no me. Hope it warms up soon and you can join your hubby when the doors finally open.
ReplyDeleteAnother two or three weeks should see me up there!
DeleteI'm looking forward to inside pubs, live music, and pints of Magners. Outside in the rain and no bathrooms no thanks.
ReplyDeleteOur local has had a marquee for a couple if years, with heaters too. It's the lack of a bathroom that deters me!
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteThat was certainly not what patrons expected, was it?
Shalom,
Rochelle
I'm glad I wasn't one of them!
DeleteI fear that bucket shall become more than ornamental!
ReplyDeleteUseful, perhaps?
DeleteGah. Only one bucket for all those people who've been filling their bladders.
ReplyDeleteVery short sighted of the management!
Delete