Closing Time

Beer stains and years of foot treads marked the floors and the tables and the chairs of the "Traveler's" bar. The piano man plays "The Piano man" while the crowd slowly gathers in.

Karen, the wife of many and now of none stood at the bar in her usual skin tight dress. Desperate that in the gloom it will hide the marks of the years and the less happier times. Karen sings across her drink and raises her glass when the piano man played "Fairytale of New York". Memories have a way of killing you and tonight Karen was not alone anymore, for this drink was her last drink, for tomorrow she would be gone.

John slowly danced with his daughter Ashton. He smiled and tears welled in his eyes as they twirled and whirled slowly through the space of the dance floor. Ashton was leaving him for another. Though happy he was, sadness was the greater and harder not to feel. The piano man played "I'm Already There" and sang while John stared into his daughters eyes knowing tomorrow would come but tomorrow she would be gone.

Katie and Collin had been working their bar for nearly 30 years. For years they worked together, for years they loved together, and for years they listened as the piano man played. Time after time they served every drink that was asked. Time and time again, they cleared and they poured, and they listened as the piano man played. He played, "Putting on the Ritz" for a lark, and "Keep your hands to yourself" for their anniversary. Age and time had caught up with them, but tonight they lived for each other for tomorrow they would be gone.

Marty, sat in silence every night and stared into his glass. Every hard working day he ended up spent. Every drop of blood, sweat, and tear had dried him of glory and of hope. Marty could fake a smile and laugh as good as any broken wife. Here was the only place that was honest. Here the piano man would play and bare his soul for free. The time ran long and so did the songs and the gin wiped away any fear, while the whiskey whipped away the years. The piano man played "American Pie" as he nodded in understanding, for tomorrow Marty would be gone.

The hours have grown late, and the piano man plays, "Sweet Caroline", and the whole crowd gathers and sings and cheers. The piano man sings melodies and harmonies. He plays with all of his heart and of all of his soul. The piano man plays, "Walking in Memphis" and the stains and the worries of the world are gone. The piano man plays, "Isn't she lovely" and they dance. The drinks are flowing. The clocks are broken. The world is over. Yet, one by one the travelers move on.

Marty works at 7 and John has to give his heart away. And the piano man plays. Karen leaves alone as she wants it to be. And piano man plays. Katie and Collin dance their last dance and leave their bar as it is. It is just the piano man. He lights his last cigarette, drinks the last of his last drink. Then he plays, "The Piano man", for tomorrow he will be gone. As he taps the last piano key, he moves over to stand at the door, flips the sign and walks out whistling.

A young couple appear and look at the sign and then at the piano man. He points to the sign, "Sorry we're closed" and under it it says, "Here today, for tomorrow we are gone."