The night before the big job, James went to a bar where nobody knew him.

Ordered a

whiskey

. More expensive than the 

liquor store

. But reasonably priced, all bars considered.

He traded remarks with the bartender. Had a chat with a few strangers who sat down alone by him.

The first whiskey excited him. When it arrived on the bartop he couldn't wait to taste the sting in his mouth.

But there was no buzz. He ordered another. This time he sipped it. While sipping he felt the buzz kick in.

Big Joe had warned him. "Don't go to the

bar

before a job. And if for some fucking reason you have to, don't go to one where people know you."

So here he was. A bar mostly filled with working class middle aged and older folk. Nobody would know him here. Or so he thought. While sipping his third whiskey a voice called out. "James Sullivan. Is that you?"

He turned around. Didn't recognize him at first. Knew it was someone from his old life.

They shook hands. And it was only when the familiar face said James' name again, that James realized who it was.

"Chad Henry. What are you doing here?"

They sat down. Had some beers. Then a shot or two of whiskey. Before James knew it he was drunk as a cow. He spilled the beans about next morning's job with Big Joe.

Chad was amazed. Kept asking for more details. First James held back. But with the drinks the details flowed. By the end they were both drinking cold Kolsch lager.

"So you're telling me you got into this, just cause you owed a guy a god dang lighter? You gotta be kiddin' me!"

"Yeah. A lighter."

"This is asinine. Do you realize--" Chad looked around. People were minding their own business. "Do you realize you could go to prison for this?"

"Yeah." James took a swig of the cold 

beer

. "But I don't mind."

Chad shook his head. Pushed his beer aside and put his elbow onto the bar.

"This ain't right. You shouldn't have to do this just because you forgot to return his lighter."

"Maybe it's not about the lighter then."

"Well why do you do it then."

"I don't know. Maybe feel like nothing happened right in my life. Maybe this is one way of getting back at it."

"At what?"

"The world. I don't know. Man I'm too drunk. I don't think i can go through with tomorrow's job. What time is it?"

"You should just not do it. Give the man his lighter back. Buy him one. Heck I'll buy it for you!"

"No. This isn't how things are done." James slurred.