Staashu sat on his own at the bar so I wandered over to say hi.

“Hey Staash.”

“How you doing, Duane?”

“Same old. I thought you were sick, brother. I ain’t seen you at work all week.”

“Sick and tired of fuckin’ workin’, that’s for sure. Hey Ruby, beer and a shot darlin’.”

“Coming up. Usual for you, Duane?”

“Yeah, what’s on tonight?”

“Fish ‘n chips.”

“Sounds good.”

“S’bina’s been looking for you, Staash.”

“Yeah yeah, it’s good to be wanted Ruby, seek and ye shall find, baby”.

 

Ruby wasn’t impressed. “She’s crazy for you man. You should treat her right.”

“Crazy for you. The Crazy for You Polka.”

“I mean it Staash. That girl thinks the world of you.”

 

Ruby was right. We could all see Sabina was head over heels for Staashu. Staash, he wasn’t exactly the attentive boyfriend type if you know what I mean. Ruby brought our drinks and Staash grunted.

“Staashu, maybe you should ease up for a while?”

“Hey Ruby, thanks. I’m fine, OK?”

“It’s just S’bina’s been looking for you and she’s not going to be happy with what she finds, babe.”

“You’re alright, Ruby, you know that?

“I’m serious, Staashu.”

“Yeah yeah, you got some matches there darlin’?”

Ruby handed him a book of matches with Toronto Brake Service on the cover – we fix it til it brakes for Christ’s sake. “Merci Merci Mrs. Percy.” He struck a match and lit up his cigarette, inhaling the smoke deep in his lungs. “The Smoke that Cigarette Polka, Ruby. The Smoke Smoke Smoke that Cigarette Polka.” Staashu laughed, and exhaled a stream of smoke. He was giddy and acting strangely.

“What’s this polka-this-polka-that shit tonight Staash? What the hell’s wrong with you?”

“Not a damned thing Ruby, not a god-damned thing. I’m on top of the world. “