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"It's easier to run away from a problem if you numb your mind for a few hours?" -- "That's right, a beer makes everything rosy temporarily, then when you wake up, whoosh, nothing like a big wave of soberness to make you feel even more miserable." -- "Until they crack open another bottle of whiskey to whisk them away to dreamland." -- "It's a harsh cycle Nietzlawe, when the problems start piling up, being drunk is one stop short of suicide, but safe for the time being." -- "These conventions I'm doin' make me feel like drinking more Don, the old people there, they stare right through you, totally creepy, not even a flicker of emotion from any of em, it's quite intimidating if truth be told, they are there.. it's like they are just waiting... waiting for the sweet release." -- "Somethin' ain't right with the world Nietzlawe, more and more, I'm seeing people in their teens, their twenties, talking about suicide." -- "Goths? Emos?" -- "No. Ordinary everyday types. And they aren't just talking about suicide, they're actually doin' it." -- "It's not our problem Don, there are things that you and me just can't solve." -- "That's almost true." This caused a small pause of silence. "So, why did you come to America Nietzlawe? What are you looking for?" -- "My job brought me here Don." -- "Your job brought you into this bar?" -- "Huh? Yeah, this was the nearest place to the convention that offered a temporary solution to my day's stress." -- "A drink is alright once in a while, but don't make it an habit." -- "I wont Don." -- "It's been nice having this chat with you Nietz." - "It's been a pleasure Don. Hope we meet again sometime, maybe we can change the world together."

You're a wise man Nietzlawe, 'everybody' needs a beer from time to time, it opens their soul, where better than Tennessee!" Don was already pouring my shot of Dickel. "Here's to the future Nietzlawe!" We clinked our glasses together, hard. "So, the people who come in here, you know, feeling all suicidal and that... is there no talking them round, making them see sense?" -- "Nah.. Once they cross a line, they can't seem to get back, sitting on those bar stools like living corpses." -- "So where is everybody now? The place is dead." -- "You answered your own question Nietzlawe." -- "Right." -- "Listen, Nietzlawe, we live in a harsh, cold-blooded, destructive world and if anybody tells you differently, he's probably a politician that can afford to keep himself distanced away from it all." -- "No surprises eh!" -- "What about you Nietzlawe? Ever gotten involved in politics? Ever marched or protested for something you care about?" -- "Not really Don, I've kind of just been sitting on the fence." -- "You gotta get out there, you gotta do more, a man can't do nothin' if he just watchin' all the time." -- "Never underestimate observation Donald. There are people who wade in with all guns blazing, and then there are those who can make the whole world dance without lifting a finger." -- "I see your way of thinking Nietzlawe, Hitler for example, all he had was a voice, and suddenly he's got millions of people on puppet strings, millions falling like dominoes. Never had to get his own fucking hands dirty." -- "It's the same for all these world leaders Don, shit stirring all this trouble and then getting millions of people with no hatred, to fight each other to the death." -- They both downed a full shot glass of Dickel. "Do you ever need a drink to give you Dutch courage Nietzlawe?" -- "Not particularly Don, even when I'm drunk I feel aware that I'm making a fool of myself." -- "Don't beat yourself up about it, we're all fools, the biggest concern you should have is feeling ashamed of 'being' a fool." -- "I get that Don, it's another thing about society, make people feel insignificant, insecure and foolish." -- "There is no liberation in repression, the only time people feel liberated is when they have a drink, hence a lot of drinkers, alcoholics."

I wasn't really aware of what I was saying, the bottle of Goerge Dickel had left my thoughts in a bit of a pickle. It was worse than that time I went to a bar (which was now) and the bartender said, "pick your poison!" all I could see were bottles of bleach, cyanide, arsenic and tap water. I said, "I'll have tap water please, if you don't mind." he said, "a wise choice Sir." "So!" he said, "you're not the suicidal type?" I said, "not really, why do you ask?" and he replied, "you've just walked through the door of my bar, did you not familiarise yourself with the name on entering?" -- "No, not really Sir, what's it called?" -- "The Over In an Innstant bar." -- "Ahh, cute." -- "Thank you, I was going to name it 'Innstant Death', but some of these heavy alcoholics just refuse to die. They come in, guzzle back a shot full of bleach then demand a refill, after that, they say, 'give me something stronger." "So then I gotta grab a couple of the bouncers off the doors and get them to finish the bastards off." -- "Whoof! That's pretty harsh stuff Mr. Bartender!" -- "Please, call me Don." -- "Well Don, you could have named this place, DONe Another One Inn." -- "Yeah, that's a good one.. a.. er... Mr...." -- "It's Nietzlawe." -- "Nietzlawe? That's a strange name." -- "Yeah, people always say that to me, usually strange people." -- "Well, we're all friends in here Mr. Nietzlawe. This place makes a good confession box. We attract all kinds of weirdos in here, so you'll fit right in." -- "Ah.. er... thanks.. Don." -- Don crouched down under the bar and pulled a bottle of Goerge Dickel out from underneath. "You sneaky bastard Don!" -- "This is where I keep the good stuff Nietzlawe, the people that come in here don't usually need it. Only people I like get to drink this." -- "I'm flattered Donald." -- "No need to be.. No need. So Nietzlawe, how long you been staying in the US?" -- "How did you know?" -- "I'd recognise that limey accent anywhere." -- "Well, I've only been staying here for a couple of weeks you know, just finished a convention up the road, thought I'd drop by for a couple of drinks." "I'm not usually a drinker, I've been teetotal for over 16 years now." -- "And you thought you'd come here to break your fast? Hallelujah!