Travel-Snack

The first and second beer pratically disappeared as soon as they were brought to me. The ensuing headache prevented me from draining the third one.

"You chug down a chilled drink that fast, you're asking for pain."
"Thank you mister obvious..."
"Take it easy my friend, I was just making small-talk."
The pain subsided.
"Sorry, got a little too much on my plate at the moment."

"First time on this train?" I nodded in agreement."Everyone eventually manages to cope with it, but the first time pretty much messes you up."

"How did you deal with it?"

He paused for a while, lost in thought, the liquid slowly swirling as he waved the glass his hand. Eyesight on the glass, unfocused, looking through the material. After a few seconds he raised his hand, swallowing the remaining liquid.

"Have you noticed the barman? How calm he is?" I nodded once again.  "He's new. The previous one couldn't handle this arrangement and also manage the two bars..."

"Ah... so I'm not loosing it... he works both bars."
"Yes. The female remains aboard while he's at the beach, in case anyone stays behind."
"So if this is his first time, how come he's so calm?"
"Tranquilizers. Enough to put down a small horse. But it's only temporary, look there."
I noticed the barman's arm twitching, but it only laste a moment.

"It's one of the side effects. He has two more doses, but he has to ration it since this trip is a long one and the effect doesn't last long... half an hour at most."

"Was that your solution?"

"No. I dealt with it the same way you are... and I got drunk at this bar. Which is how I met the previous barman. Great guy, but I you could tell his mind was messed up, and not just from the drugs."

"So drinking is your solution..."

"No, not really a solution... just a temporary anesthetic. And trust me you don't want it, it's much worse afterwards."

"Yeah... I was sort of figuring that one out by myself."

"But by the looks of it, you seem like you want to go down that road anyway."

I finished my beer, and asked for two more, sharing them with my new friend.
"Perhaps... I just know that this is the best tasting beer I've had."
He laughed.
"It's not. Just seems that way because of the heat."