The
doors were propped open to let in the crisp, Autumn air. The bartender
cleaned glasses with a soft whoosh-whoosh-whooshing sound. Happy patrons
seated around tables and standing in groups created the low hum of cacophonic
noise that always characterized early evenings at the pub.
Gary, Walt, and Eunice were bellied up to the bar enjoying a locally brewed Helles-style lager. Their conversation morphed from beer, to travel, to beer, to upcoming ski trips, to beer, to music, and back to beer again. Occasionally, Walt would grip the edge of the bar and launch himself into a spin on his barstool.
Poking his nose into
the glass, Gary sniffed his beer and waxed nostalgic, “This reminds
me of Oktoberfest in Munich.” Having seen his own share of Oktoberfests,
Walt added, “Oh! I remember those incredibly strong ladies who can
carry 4 liters of beer in each hand!” And then, as if on pure instinct,
Gary and Walt began to sway back and forth on their barstools, “Ein
Prosit, Ein Prosit…” Eunice grinned to herself and looked around.
Several people had stopped talking and were watching them sing and sway.
“Ein Prosit,
ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit!”
Someone nearby shouted, “Again!” Easily convinced, they sang the German toast to happiness again, louder, and several others joined along.
“Ein Prosit,
ein Prosit!
Der Gemütlichkeit!
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit!
Der Gemütlichkeit!”
By now, nearly everyone in the pub was laughing, swaying, and lifting their glasses of beer high into the air… “Again! Again!” The pub nearly erupted in song as the toast was offered once again. The bartender had taken the opportunity to pour herself a pint of beer and was crash-clinking her glass with Eunice. Finally, the obligatory chant was shouted by the pub patrons, the bartender, and possibly even some people outside on the street…
EINS! ZWEI! DREI! GETRUNKEN!!
And the pub fell silent as everyone in proper fashion chugged down their beer. The bartender quickly served Gary, Walt, and Eunice each a fresh pint, on-the-house. Eunice and Walt collapsed into a fit of giggles while Gary took a long, deep swig of his new pint and quietly smiled.