I won't extend this story into a fable but I would be fibbing if I was to say that for me Dale's character was not full of mythical proportions. Short of wearing a cape, the guy was a type of superhero or villain. It depends on how you look at it. Standing strong at 5'7 and 118lbs., on a winters morn', he didn't let his size set precedent for how he would live. Meeting Dale on that lonely day was a gift from the heavens. Placing himself next to me at the bar, he quickly ordered Bourbon "Straight up!" His voice squeaked as he chirped out his order. It didn't seem to bother him though. Leaning to his side, almost falling off the stool, he began to search for his wallet. Like a lizard snapping at an eight year old boy's curious fingers Dale whipped his head toward me and yelled "I always pay right away!" He slid his hand out in front of him and extended it across the whole bar. I don't know why he told me this but I didn't care. I slowly inched away and turned to look at a decent looking woman in her thirties who I somehow overlooked. Suddenly I felt slight breathing over my shoulder and heard the word "Tail." slowly ease it's way out of a weathered old voice box. I didn't have to move. I knew who it was. Turning around calmly I figured that this lost soul would slide back into his earlier position yet I was wrong. By the time I got clockwise to the front of the bar I could smell his breath as if it was fumigated right into my lungs. He didn't move an inch. However, the biggest surprise was that his breath didn't smell horrible. A strong permeating minty odor seeped from his face as if he had been sucking on a giant Yorks Peppermint Patty for three hours. I decided to stay put and not face him. He got the clue and turned clockwise as well.
"Yep. Fine piece, my friend. Dale's my name."
He uttered these words so fast that I barely had time to ignore them before his hand gripped mine and began to shake it firmly. I didn't want to retreat so I shook his hand. He wildly released mine then gulped down his bourbon in a flash. His actions were so abrupt that I gradually found myself intrigued by his spontaneity. While my interest grew Dale abruptly switched his eyes from my face and I noticed that he looked past me, way past me. 1,000 miles gone. Leaping off the stool and barely landing on both feet, Dale sped past me but not before whispering "Snooze you lose!" into my right ear. Shuffling past an oncoming biker couple, he made his way toward the woman I had just watched a minute prior.