The Sky Harbor on Airport Road was my home away from home in the late 80's and early 90's. In fact, it was right next door TO MY HOME. I rented a house from Daryl Klusendorf in 1986 and two years later, we started a band that has been my main musical vehicle for over 30 years, The Flying D'Rito Brothers. Not only did the band play there every Thursday night and many weekend nights for many years, It was my favorite watering hole on my off nights.
On one such night, I dropped in and sat at the bar next to an old friend that I had not seen in a while. We chatted, laughed, and basically caught up on life while we consumed several bottles of delicious BUD LIGHT. As we drank, I became aware that my friend was ending each "two more" request with..."those are on me". Now let me explain that at this time in my life, I did NOT have a ton of money. I paid my bills and could afford a few beers occasionally but I had to be thrifty with what money I had.
Let it be said, that I never really bought into the whole I'LL BUY YOU ONE AND THEN YOU BUY ME ONE concept of drinking. To me it's kind of like, I'll open the first door for you then you open the next door for me deal. Plus like I said, I would have run out of money sooner. I always preferred to buy my own drinks. I will say that at this stage of my life, I can afford to play the buy one receive one concept more frequently.
The very next day, while working at my desk at Prudential, I received a phone call from the guy I drank with the night before at the Sky Harbor. After some small talk, he asked if my band would be playing tomorrow night at the Harbor. After I said we were, he jokingly barked that he'd see us then...and that I OWED HIM A COUPLE BEERS!!!!! I immediately knew what he was talking about!!! Yes, it's true, I hadn't reciprocated with the BEER BUYING the night before. I admitted to my friend that I was sorry and admitted I SUCKED at BEER ETIQUETTE.
Not wanting to confess that I really didn't have the money for that.
Now the funny part is that the next night, I was sure I recognized my friend and his wife across the restaurant in the other room, through the glass window. The Flying D'Rito Brothers were well into our first set and the place was packed as usual when I called over a waitress and asked her to BUY THAT GUY WITH THE BEARD AND RED SHIRT IN THE BACK ROOM A BUD LIGHT. I told her, TELL HIM IT'S FROM THE GUITAR PLAYER IN THE BAND. She took the order and we began to play another tune.
Just before we were about to end our first set, I asked the same waitress to buy the guy in the beard in the back another bud light. Tell him it's from the band. Now, Knew I was getting paid later in the night and felt I was doing my best to right write my previous wrongs and poor beer etiquette to my friend. I was certain that it would brighten his night and we'd be even.
As we played out last song of the set and began to place our guitars in their stands and make our way out behind the piano bar, the table including the guy with the beard and red shirt came closer and began to pay for their meal. Then, the guy with the beard and red shirt looked over to me and our eyes met. I realized that SHIT!!!!! THIS WAS A STRANGER!!!! IT WAS NOT MY FRIEND AT ALL!!!!! I had just bought a complete stranger two bud lights!!!! He must have been as puzzled as I!!! What must he thought when the waitress brought him a beer and said THIS IS FROM THE GUITAR PAYER IN THE BAND!!!! AND THEN ANOTHER LATER ON!!! Oh my, perhaps he thought I was coming on to him. Or most likely he thought, Man, I love this place..the band buys me free drinks. The best part was...the guy never even thanked me. Maybe he was too scared.
Just another Tale From The Orange Room....When Days Were Psychedelic.
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