Encounter At The Pub
It was late in the evening. Mary was working at the local tavern serving people their food and drinks and clearing off the table. The country is on a tangent about whether to split away from England and to start a new country of its own or if we should stay under the rule of King George. People don’t care what her thoughts are since she is a woman but she is very much interested in what happens to the country. She is able to pick up tidbits of what is happening from the local customers, many of whom work for the government. They don’t know or don’t realize that as they speak she is listening to their conversations about the turmoil our nation is facing. To them, she is just another bar wench.
The large wooden door opens. They all stop to gaze at who is entering the tavern. It was a well-known patriot Ben Franklin and his beloved son, William. They come in here quite often to discuss politics. They remove their overcoats and place them on a hook on the wall. Ben gives a wave to others he knows sitting down already enjoying their spirits. Ben and William walk over to another group of people and give a handshake and a pat on the back as they greet one another and engage in some small talk.
“No. William and I have a few things to discuss this evening so we will be sitting alone this evening. Thanks for the offer.” Ben says to one of his colleagues. He nods a goodbye and motions to William over to a table by the window. The candle on the table reflects their portrait on the glass window.
Mary pours them their regular ale and heads over to their table. “Good evening, gentlemen. I hope I find you in good health.”
“Ah, Mary.” Ben greets Mary first, “You are looking lovelier each time I come in here.” He smiles broadly at her.
“Oh, that is because your eyesight if failing you again.” Mary jest with him. She glance over at William. “Hello William.” She gives him a flirtatious smile. Years ago they had a brief affair but she never stopped having feelings for him. His career and marriage to Elizabeth took him to another direction of being Royal Governor of New Jersey. How mary envied Elizabeth’s position in his life. That should have been me, she thought to herself.
He eyed her petite little figure in her dress that enhanced her bosom. You can tell by the look in his eyes that he was reflecting on those nights with her long ago. “Hello, Mary,” he whispers back to her.
“Mary,” Ben interrupts their gaze, “Will and I need to discuss some things privately. We will not be eating anything tonight. “ Mary turns to Ben, smiles and nods to him and walks back to the bar. Little did they know that Mary was listening intently to their conversation. They have been in there a few times before arguing between staying loyal to England or taking a risk and starting a new country.
“Dad, “William speaks up, “How many times must we go through this?” He pleads, “We need to stay loyal to King George. America does not have a strong enough economy, military or any other means for America to stay afloat on its own. England has been good to us. This is our way of life.”
“I thought so too, son, until I seen the light. We have no say here, in America. England is on the other side of the world. They don’t care what happens to us over here. Don’t you understand? They want to tax us for THEIR own good, NOT OURS! “ Ben’s fists hit the table rattling the glasses. He quickly regains his composure. “England has been good to us when we needed them. But how can they tell us what to do when they are so far away. They don’t know how we had to have dealt with the settler’s and the fights with the Indian’s. We cannot trade freely who we want to trade with! We can only trade with who King George says we trade with. That is not fair to those who are trying to make a living by buying and selling. We need fairness in our country!”
“Don’t you see? They HAVE to tax us. How else are they going to pay for the soldier’s coming in to protect us from those darn farmers creating havoc in the streets, burning down homes that people worked so hard to build and all their belonging turned to rubbish?! It is THOSE farmers and bar hoppers that are burning effigies of our FRIENDS out in the street! Our country could be a peaceful country if they abide by the laws of England!” William voice starts to rise.
“THOSE people,” Ben snaps back, “are standing up for your freedom in which you are quick to deny. They are there to stand up for what is right for our country. There is no one forcing them to do what they do. They do it because they BELIEVE in a freer way of life. They do it for the potential of a greater nation.”
“These people, Dad, are just common everyday men. They know little of what it takes to run a country. The country cannot provide for itself naturally. Rules have to be set into place. Laws have to be made. This is not all free. Someone will eventually have to pay for it and it can only be done through taxes. Did you hear me? TAXES! The same argument that these farmers are fighting for will still have to give their money over to the government, whether it be England or America.”
Rain starts to tap on the window. They stare at the window for a moment in silence. Their thoughts are running madly through their minds. They have always enjoyed each other’s company but the stress of the nation is tearing their closeness apart. There is a pain residing deep in their hearts but hopeful that the other person will see their point of view and join in their cause. Their attention is distracted by Mary who started wiping up a table across from them. She smiled kindly at them as she uses her wash rag to wipe a few crumbs off the table and into her hand. They nod and smile back at her. Little did they know that she was trying to get closer to hear what they were talking about.
“William, it is true that taxes are going to happen whether we are under the rule of England or not. But if we have control then we get to say where the money goes. Not England! We can use the money to help build better roads and help develop new towns. The tax money would go to US, NOT ENGLAND!” Ben’s voice roared.
“You don’t understand. England is our bread and butter. They appointed me governor of New Jersey, for crying out loud,”
“And with MY help!” Ben sternly interrupted.
“True, you did help with that but it was England who finalized it. If I join the patriot cause England will hang me for treason. They see fit for me to help them govern New Jersey. If I can’t do that what will I do? I have a family to raise and to take care of. Speeches alone cannot feed my family. Who is to say, if we become a new nation, that the people will want me to still govern for them? I cannot take that risk! It is too costly!”
“Sometimes it is the costly risk that changes the direction of where our lives need to go. We must unite with the patriots and take a stand against England! I want you on our side, son.” Ben places his hand on top of William’s.
William quickly pulls his hand away from his father. “Do you actually hear what you are saying? This is treason! TREASON!” The other people in the bar look over. Mary stands up and watches closely now at what is happening. “Going against your country is treason! For everything England has done for you, dad, you are ready to turn your back on them! How dare you!” William bellows at his dad.
“How dare I? HOW DARE I?!” Ben starts to stand up. “You, son, have a yellow streak going down the center of your back! If I had every taught you anything it is to take a stand for something to believe in. It is to do what is right and not hide in your glorious comfort! We need to take stands! America needs us to come together as a nation and pull away from England.” Ben’s voice started to quiver. “If you cannot see that then you are no longer my son!”
The whole tavern was now watching Ben and Will. It was silent for a moment. No one could move. No one could speak. Mary couldn’t believe they were both that upset with each other over this issue. She had a look of concern on her face as she hugged her dish rag close to her.
“You, Dad, are a Traitor. You are a traitor to England! When this is all over you will be charged as such! Remember that!” He got up, walked past his dad without saying another word and grabbed his cloak from off the wall. He opened the heavy wooden door and the cold rain slapped him in the face as he entered out into the evening slamming the door behind him. The tavern was still silent.
Ben looked down at their drinks. How did I let this happen? Ben thought to himself. “Careless words. Careless words.” He muttered to himself. He reached down grabbed his mug and raised it up to his lips. His eyes came in contact with Mary and noticed her worried look. Without removing his stare from hers he chugged down the rest of his ale. He put down his mug and walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek and whispered to her, “It will be alright, my dear. Don’t you worry. “ Ben reached into his pocket and paid for their tab. He quietly walked over and grabbed his coat, tossed it over his arm and left the tavern.
What the people in the tavern realized they had seen was more than just a father and a son fighting. They were seeing the personification of what is happening between England and America, with England being the father and America its son. They realized a tension is rising fiercely among them that cannot be stopped. Side will be taken as who is loyal and who is a patriot. A war will be fought and lives will be lost. At the end they all hope it will be worth it.
