[ WP ] A sudden , horrible storm traps a group of strangers in a bar together .

`` Well, ladies and gents, does n't look like anyone is going anywhere for a while, I'm shutting up shop, you 4 sit tight for a while.'' 
 
 The bartender was addressing his 4 patrons, as he moved around his bar storm-proofing it. He did n't like to cast aspersions, as that was not at all conducive to being a bartender, but who was in a bar at 2pm on a Thursday afternoon, anyway? 
 
 Let's answer that question now, shall we. Seated alone in a booth, shuffling a deck of cards, was a surly looking man in his mid 40s, balding and slightly overweight. We join our other 3 patrons seated at the bar. The first was a striking young lady, in her mid-20s. She had flowing brown hair and a free-spirit air about her. Like moths to a flame, the other two men in the bar sat either side of her, taking turns trying to impress her. 
 
 To her right, sat a tall and thin man, who was just entering his 30s, although he seemed very reluctant to do so. The other was a more age-appropriate young Asian man, with a smile permanently plastered across his visage. The tall man spoke with a vague accent, whilst the Asian man had clearly been born and raised in the US. 
 
 The young lady started giggling at the bartender's announcement and placed an arm around each of her new friends. 
 
 `` Well, guys, looks like we have a few more hours together. Because we're the three best friends that anyone could have!'' 
 
 The Asian man burst out laughing, but the tall man only raised an eyebrow and leaned slightly closer. No one was paying much attention to the man they all had their backs to. Tommy the bartender approached with 5 glasses and a bottle of gin. 
 
 `` This one is on the house, guys. to the storm.'' 
 
 Tommy poured the 5 shots, handing 3 out and then sliding the forth down to the far end of the bar, without glancing in that direction. 
 
 `` I propose a game, you know, to pass the time. We're all strangers right? I say we each reveal one thing about ourselves, which we've never told another soul before. This is our chance, see? We all leave here and never see each other again, promising to never repeat whats said here. What better chance to get something off our chests, right?'' 
 
 Tommy's announcement was met with a good-natured silence, so he realised he would have to be the one to start things off. 
 
 `` Alright, I'll take the lead on this one. My name is Tommy, ladies and gentlemen, and I have a secret. I never wanted to own a bar, hell, I was enrolled in Pharmacy school. But you see, I met a girl when I was younger. The sort of girl that makes you wonder what the fuck you were doing and who the fuck you were before you met her. Only thing, she was in love with another guy we studied with. She eventually dated him, but her and I were close friends, way too close, you know? For my own sanity, at least. We always talked about how we would move abroad when we were older and open a bar together. Well, you see, she died in a car accident, 10 years ago last week. I never stopped loving her though, so here we are, over 9,000 miles from my home, sitting in the bar Cindy's Place. I think about her all the time, you know? I still miss her, goddammit did I love her.'' 
 
 The 3 at the bar all stared open-mouthed at Tommy, he was n't messing around. 
 
 `` Alright, there you have it, I've never told anyone about that before. So, whose up next?'' 
 
 A gruff voice emanated from the other side of the bar. 
 
 `` Lost loves, I'll drink to that. My name is Earl, kids, and this is my tale of woe. Just like Tommy here, I too loved the wrong girl, no offense, son. She was married, always said she loved me, though, and that she was days from divorcing him. Could never quite bring herself to do so, for some strange reason. Well, her husband eventually found out. He was a very wealthy man, and he paid me a huge sum of money to disappear and never see or contact her again. Now, do n't go feeling too sorry for me, I used the money to start a business, got married, had kids, good kids, much better than me. But, I ai n't never told anyone that, not even my wife. She thought the money came from inheritance. Today is actually her birthday, mystery lady, not my wife. I always take the day off and drink to her.'' 
 
 Tommy smacked his hand on the bar and beamed at Earl. 
 
 `` That's the spirit, Earl. I never knew that, mate, do n't worry, I wo n't mention it to the missus. I'll drink to that, to lost loves!'' 
 
 Emboldened by the two older men, our Asian friend opted to go next. 
 
 `` Hi guys, I'm Ang and I'm a doctor. Well, technically a med student, but soon to be a doctor. But that is n't my secret. The thing is, I'm a friggin cliche, who did n't have the balls to stand up to his overbearing Asian parents. They are the come back when you doctor types, pushed me insanely hard my whole life and here I am, hiding out in a bar when I should be at work, because I fucking hate it. I used to draw, man, only I never told my parents, used to hide the drawings in my room then throw them out. I always wanted to be a cartoonist, but no dice, you know? My parents did n't travel all the way from Vietnam to give me a better life so I could doodle. It's just a lot of pressure, and I sort of resent it. I did n't ask for this, but they heap all this responsibility on me, live vicariously through me. It's bullshit!'' 
 
 Tommy reached an arm over the bar and clapped the young man on the back, as he poured him another drink. 
 
 `` It is bullshit, Ang, we're drinking again, friends. To chasing those dreams, it's never too late.'' 
 
 Tommy turned to the beautiful woman seated opposite him and gestured at her. your turn, pretty miss, ladies first, of course. 
 
 She smiled at him, and shrugged. 
 
 `` I used to be a dude.'' 
 
 There was total silence, as all four men were utterly floored. After an agonizingly long minute, Tommy continued to MC. 
 
 `` Well, um, thanks for sharing, sorry, what was your name again?'' 
 
 `` Daniel, but I go by Daniela now.'' 
 
 `` Right, well then. Tough act to follow, but you're up buddy.'' 
 
 Tommy poured our tall foreigner a drink. He shifted in his seat, and spoke. 
 
 `` Well, I was born in Wisconsin. If you listen closely to my accent, it changes from Russian, to vaguely German, to God know's what, but people do n't seem to mind. I moved away for college, and I was such a loser in High School! My nerdy friends always told me I was good with accents, so first night of College I'm drunk and nervous as hell, so I start putting on an accent to feel more confident around the ladies. Before I know it, people know me as Andrei from Moscow. I'm popular, man, real popular in College. So, I think fuck it, I'm Andrei now. Doing my PHD there now, still talking with this stupid accent. Confuses the hell out of my mum when she calls.'' 
 
 Andrei shook his head and downed his drink. Tommy poured another round, as the storm raged on. 
 
 Let's jump forwards a bit now, to 11 months later. Tommy is cleaning up the bar, when he notices someone has left a newspaper on one of the seats. He picks it up absentmindedly and a comic strip catches his eye. There's an image of four people sitting at a bar. Tommy glances at the bottom corner, and there it is, Ang Lee. 
 
 Tommy smiles and pours himself a drink. They always buy that Cindy story. 

