The Night

“Well, that’s it, boys. Every pipe in the city. Hand me that rag, will you?” said Joey.

“How can you tell?” asked Garland.

“See that gauge right under there? The one with the needle poking all the way on the right? And see how there’s that black bar, with the bubbles on top there?”

Garland squatted down to follow his finger. “Yeah.”

“Under that’s the company name, I just called them. The whole city,” said Joey.

“The water?” asked Mo, popping his head up from behind the counter.

Garland nodded wisely. “Every pipe in the city.”

“Down?”

“See that gauge right under there?”

A look crept over Mo’s face. “I’ve had three cups of coffee today, brewed them myself. What are you saying?”

Joey scratched an ear. “Well, you might be fine. Yeah. I changed my mind. You’re good.”

Mo sighed. “What kind of day this is turning out to be.”

“The game’s on tonight,” said Joey. “Tonight’s the night, boys. Let’s make a break for it. Meet at O’Doonies.”

“O’Doonie’s? I’m not about to go back there,” said Mo.

Garland frowned. “They buy some piss over there, Joey. What’s your plan here?” 

Mo nodded. “They water everything down. And charge for refills.”

Joey shook his head. “Can’t water down today.”

“Why today?” said Mo.

“See that gauge right under there?” said Joey.

Garland sighed. “You trust some poor places, Joey.”