Dissociated Thoughts

Oink Joint

Written For: "Journalistic Intentions" 
Prompt: June 7 of 8 - Oink Joint Rd.

         I had just moved to a different part of Texas and was driving around to get a feel for the area. Because my old radio settings were not coming through, I ran a scan on my radio in order to find a suitable radio station to pass the time as I was driving southbound on Interstate 35. I was somehow in the middle of nowhere even though I was on the highway. I love that about small towns. Anyway, the scan picked up a local classic rock station, so I left it there and continued about my drive. A few miles down the road I saw a sign for a Love's truck stop and decided it was a good time to refuel, as I was unfamiliar with the area and did not know when I would see another gas station again. I was also getting rather hungry and figured I would just grab a snack at the station. As I was pulling into the truck stop, the radio DJ excitedly announced, "We're broadcasting live from Oink Joint until 10:00 pm tonight! Come on by and see us, where you can get ice cold beer from tap and great food! Aaannnd tonight we have a special treat for you! Come and check out the live bands playing until close!" This piqued my interest as my stomach growled, reminding me of my hunger. Music, beer and food; a win-win-win situation.

         When I walked into the Love's, I saw the attendant, apparently bored, sitting on a stool behind the counter. He was a tall, bespectacled, lanky guy with long, stringy, dishwater blonde hair and light blue eyes. On his nametag it said "Chad". After I paid for my fuel, Chad asked if there was anything else he could help me with so I proceeded to ask him if he was familiar with Oink Joint - and told him about the advertisement I had just heard on the radio. Upon this, Chad's face lit up and his speech and body language became instantly enthusiastic. "Oh yeah! I go there after I get off work all the time! They have the best double chocolate stout on tap, man. And tonight my band is gonna close the house down. You should come and check us out! Band's name is Bowling Pin Whiskey, I think you'd like us."

"Thanks," I said, "I'll consider it. What kind of music do you guys play anyway?"

He responded, "Aww, you know, a little classic rock, some heavy metal covers, some stuff we wrote ourselves. Really, come check us out."

"The food is awesome there too," he said as my stomach growled again.

So I asked, "Where is this place, in case I decide to go out there?"

"Just keep going down 35 for another mile or so and you'll see the sign on the right side of the highway. You can't miss it." At that moment, another employee of the gas station walked in. "Or, I'm about to clock out of work. You could follow me if you want," Chad said.

         Being an adventurous type, I agreed and followed his red 90's model mustang convertible down the road to this...bar. The sign for the bar was huge and well lit. It had a cartoon pig on it, smoking what looked like a joint. I took a moment to appreciate the word play of the sign before I entered the establishment. I guess Chad must've gone around to the back because he didn't go in through the entrance. It was dark and already somewhat smoky inside. The food smelled heavenly. I sat at a table close to the stage and asked to see a menu. I scanned the beer selection and found a few beers that suit my taste. I decided to try this double chocolate stout that Chad had said was so good. When the waitress came, I ordered my beer, a water, and a chicken fried steak plate with the usual sides. Then I settled in to listen to the local bands. The first band to play, Bubba Haze, was pretty good. Their guitarist reminded me of Stevie Ray Vaughn, and you could tell he loved playing. While they were playing, the waitress brought my order. The chicken fried steak could have rivaled my mom's and the stout really was good. A nice thick, dark, full flavored brew with a hint of dark chocolate in the aftertaste. The next to last band, a band called Fully Loaded, played mainly old country. I still enjoyed listening them, as that was the kind of music I grew up listening to. Finally, the last band of the night was announced, "Everyone put your hands together to welcome Bowling Pin Whiskey!" And there was Chad, carrying a bass guitar onto stage. A large guy with long dark brown hair sat at the drums and gave them a little sound check and this bald guy with a long beard wearing a Batman tee-shirt walked out with an electric guitar. And then they started to play. Wow! Chad was right on all accounts. I did enjoy their music! They were amazing! It seems as though my evening of driving around not only helped me get acquainted with the area, but also resulted in some new friends! And Oink Joint has turned into my new hangout as well!

LeJenD