-No Cheating-

After three days at a mental facility Allen was released.

He had suffered migraines and tinnitus that was debilitating.

He admitted to himself as he was not able to function. No work. No play.

The hospital kicked him out.

They thought it was the govt. 5g targeting him with high tech equipment like all the others.

No one picked him up so he walked to the nearest bar.

The bar was filled Natives and farmers of the Southwest.

Allen finally saw a seat at the bar between a fat and a skinny dude.

He squeezed in between them leaning to one side.

Allen sat down slowly, His right ear buzzing louder than the karaoke machine.

Allan started to get a migrane and grabbed his forehead.

"Are you ok?" Asked the bartender.

Tears came to Allan's eyes.

"I need a drink please."
Allen said humbly.

"Waddle ya have?"
The bartender said with a cool southern accent.

Allen's head seemed to pound more as he attempted to think.

"I got some new moonshine just brought in from the best bootleg brewer this county.

You wanna try a shot" he asked.

Allen nodded "yes."

The bartender went over to the waitress and whispered in her ear.

The bartender looked at Allen held up the one minute finger.

Patrons started to yell for service and the bartender stepped it up.

He even did tricks throwing and flipping bottles and glasses.

He got a standing ovation after the song "High Frequency" ended.

Allen thought the bartender must practice to the song daily.

He was very skilled and had mad style.

The waitress came back with a mini chalice shot glass.

She handed it to Allen like it was acid.

He looked at her like she was taking too long, grabbed the glass and downed it.

"Another one please!"

The waitress started laughing.

She gave him sympathetic look and walked behind the bar to serve others.

She was beautiful.

Her dress reminded him of the sky on a clear night.

Allen felt better right away
.
He stared at the dart board.

He wanted to play as soon as soon as the ringing in his ear stopped.

Allen felt dizzy and euphoric.

Things became dark and blurry.

Allen put his head down.

Suddenly the music stopped.

Allen raised his head in wonder.

The customers were all quiet and staring at him.

They had all seemed to change into aliens.

They looked human but they all had on the same clothes and he could feel their collective energy.

Telepathically they said
"Don't be afraid Allen"

Allen looked around and somehow was frightened.

He noticed his neighbor Melvin.

Allen jumped up and ran over to him.

"What are you doing here?"

Allen asked breathing hard in a panic.

"Did you drink the moonshine?"
Melvin asked ignoring Allen's question.

"Yes.. ..Why?" Asked Allen.

"Headache gone?" Melvin asked

"Yes." Allen said happily.

"Well the same thing happened to me last year. Seems like the headache is a signal to come here." Melvin said carefully.

"Come here for what?"

"Turn around Allen"
A strange but pleasant voice of a Entity said.

It was the bartender....holding a deck of cards.

The bartender stated matter of factly.

"You cheat your friends in poker games weekly.
Trick cards and mirrors.
Hmm....
You will play me from now on.
Every week or suffer in the head.
Should you win, no need to return.
Shall we play gentlemen?"

Allen knew he had no choice.

No headache or ear buzzing was like heaven.

And from then on, Allen and Melvin went to the bar every week.

No more cheating friends for them.

Every week their ear starts buzzing signalling to be on their way or the headache will surely come after too long.

The men show up to the bar, always full of Aliens having a good time.

The alien karaoke songs are a bit weird.

Melvin briefed Allen on Alien etiquette and the no no's in the bar.

For an example, you only get one shot of moonshine a week.

No more no less.

It is blessed by Princess Ata.

She loves compliments, and adoration.

They both enjoyed playing the weekly games.

After all, alien poker games are out of this world....hard to win tho.

The End

Here is the link to the contest:
https://steemit.com/twentyfourhourshortstory/@mctiller/writers-win-5-steem-the-june-26-twenty-four-hour-short-story-contest-a-man-driven-mad-by-a-ringing-in-his-ears-discovers-it-s-an

Written & Pic by @sweetjoy