Ten Shots of Jim Beam By George Gad Economou

“ten shots of Jim Beam; just line’em

up right here, and get me a large glass of Ceres Classic, too.”

“are you alright?” the bartender asked.

“I’m fucking fine. just line’em up, please.”

he did.

I was in a new bar; wanted to escape my old

haunt, needed to escape the memories imbued

in those dirty four walls. had to forget, had to

move on, had to try something new.

I downed two shots, chased them with some beer. soon,

the draft glass was empty. “fill it up, will you?” I told

the bewildered bartender. sank two more shots

while he poured me the draft. chugged half the

glass in a single sip. lit a

cigarette. had a shot. five

to go.

the beer was gone. a new one appeared in

front of me. three more shots went

down. another beer. some more

cigarettes.

I could still not forget the smiling eyes of

those gone, the curled lips I used to kiss

while under the influence of too many substances.

last three shots went down in quick

succession, plus the fifth beer.

“again,” I said. “ten shots, in a line.”

“are you alright, man?”

“no but I hope I will be by the end of the night.”

George Gad Economou has a Master’s degree in Philosophy of Science, currently works as a freelance writer, and has published three novels and two poetry collections, with the latest being his horror novel, The Lair of Sinful Angels (Translucent Eyes Press). His words have also appeared in Spillwords Press, Ariel Chart, Cajun Mutt Press, Fixator Press, Horror Sleaze Trash, Outcast Press, The Piker Press, The Beatnik Cowboy, The Rye Whiskey Review, and Modern Drunkard Magazine.