The Desert Beer Bar Ocotillo Wells
The Desert Beer Bar Ocotillo Wells
By Rod Jones Artist-Writer
“John! Hey buddy, pour me another beer. What is this my third one? Maybe I better have some tomato juice to top this one off.”
“Coming up, Pete. You're in luck. We were out of the good stuff. Got some Sacramento tomato juice delivered yesterday. A little tomato juice mixed in beer doesn't get any better than that, especially when it's dry and hot out.”
“Am I hearing things John? That's got to be the third or fourth time I've heard that song, something about seeing clearly now.”
“No, you’re not hearing things Pete. This guy comes in here, usually late afternoon or in the evening. He asks me for change for the jukebox, quite a bit I might add. Then he seems to play that same song over and over, pretty much the whole time he’s in here.”
“What is that song anyway John? Why would anyone play it that much? It sure ain’t old country.”
“It’s called, I Can See Clearly Now. It was written and recorded by this guy named Johnny Nash, so I've been told by one of my lady customers.”
“I don't remember hearing that in here before John.”
“He’s been here before when you were here. Usually, you were busy talking to somebody. You're pretty outgoing Pete, I’m surprised you never talked to him.”
“Maybe I have, and just don’t remember him. What’s the guy look like?”
“He’s kinda muscular, not very tall. Usually wearing dark t-shirts. The few ladies that come in here seem to like him a lot. I’m pretty sure he’s not from here. See for yourself he’s standing over by the jukebox, playing that song.”
“ I see him. Why do you say he’s not from around here?”
“He drives a nice car, not a truck with dirt all over it. You know, kinda like yours Pete, with white dust and dirt all over it.”
“Well then he ain’t working at the prestigious Anza Borrego Gypsum Company. Besides, if he was, I would know it.”
“Is that what you’re calling it nowadays Pete, prestigious? Pretty fancy name for a place that is covered in white powder, and probably not all that healthy for anyone that works there, probably why it’s stuck out in the middle of nowhere.”
“Well it’s certainly out in the middle of nowhere. As you know it takes us all a good hour to get there. And on a barely 2 lane pothole ridden road, that gets flooded out when there is one of those rare desert downpours. I think I’m gonna go over and talk to this guy who keeps playing that see clearly song. Maybe he works at the Gypsum Co, and I just don’t recognize him. No one can see clearly at that God forsaken operation, especially with all the face gear we have to wear so we can breathe.”
“Good idea Pete, I'd be curious to find out what he has to say to you. The only time I talk to him is when I’m giving him change or he’s picking up a beer for himself. Actually, he has purchased several pitchers of beer and shared them with some of the ladies and others that he ends up talking to. Of course, that’s not when he’s preoccupied at the jukebox. I laughingly think he’s crying in his beer while he’s listening to that, seeing clearly song over and over.”
“ Excuse me Buddy, can I ask you a question?”
“My name isn’t buddy. My name is Ed, my friends call me Eddie. Now, who are you? I’ve seen you here. You’re usually sitting up at the bar talking to the bartender.”
“My name is Pete, and that’s all that anybody ever calls me, which is OK by me. I don’t care what you call me as long as you don’t call me late for dinner.”
“ Well I don’t know what calling me late for dinner means. I’m sure it’s meant to be funny. But you can call me Ed or Eddie, and I will simply call you Pete. So how are you doing, Pete?” Now I’m guessing you have something you want to say to me, right?”
“Yeah that’s right Ed, the bartender John and I wanted to know why you keep playing that clearly now song.”
“John has known me for a while now, and he’s never once asked me about my music choices. In fact, no one has asked me, not even the people I drink beer with. You would think these mature ladies would be more curious and ask me, none have. You are the first Pete, you are the inquisitive one.”
“ Well pin a star on me. Don’t know why no one else has asked you. That’s about as strange as someone who plays the same song over and over. It’s not even a cheatin’ heart, country song, and God knows I’ve heard plenty of tear jerking, beer drinkin’ sobbing, while listening to that kind of music. It’s a country thing I guess.”
“Well Pete, I'm not sure I’m gonna tell you. What do I have to gain by doing so? I don’t know you from Adam. It’s private to me. The reason I come to this hole-in-the-wall bar is because people out here in the desert know how to be friendly, but they also know not to be questioning. Why do you care anyway what song I play, and how often I choose to play it.? Huh Pete?”
“Maybe Eddy, I am one of those highfalutin music producers from Hollywood, trying to find out what kind of music nutty people play over and over on the jukebox in crappy little bars out here, in the desert.”
“Pete, just maybe you're a highfalutin desert rat, with a little bit of jerkiness mixed in. That’s how I would profile you.”
“You may be on to something there Eddie. You forced my hand, don’t think I’d be playing poker with you. Now that you and I are becoming good friends, just tell me why that clearly now song is so important to you?”
“You’re a nervy guy Pete.”
“Eddie, I do know something about music. I know the kind of melancholy thoughts often wrapped up in them. Songs can be inspiring, uplifting, and heartwarming. But then again, they can be disheartening and woeful.”
“Wow Pete, I didn’t think you possessed that type of vocabulary, and I certainly didn’t think you had any sensitivity when it comes to the lyrics in a song.”
“ Eddie, before you start telling me, and I know you’re going to tell me about the song you keep listening to. Let me share a little bit about myself, that nobody in this bar, in Ocotillo, and certainly not at the Gypsum plant knows about me. If you tell anybody what I’m about to share, I will beat the crap out of you. You can be sure of that.”
“Let me guess Pete, you’re a mass murderer that escaped from a prison, and you’re hiding out here in the desert. if you are, I’ll probably keep my mouth shut. I don’t want to become one of your victims, and find myself buried under a cactus.”
“Well what I have to share with you Ed isn’t all that exciting or interesting, but it’s a true story about me. Kind of like the who, what, when, where and why?”
“OK, I’m listening, lay it on me. It better be truthful. Otherwise you will never learn why I keep playing that song. The song you seem to be more obsessed about than I am. OK, I’m ready for your life story Pete, and leave out the salaciousness.”
“I’m not gonna tell you about my childhood, it wasn't all that interesting. Anyway, I’m going to fast-forward to the band I was in. I told you, I know something about music. I was the rhythm guitarist in a rock ‘n’ roll band back in the 80s. The name of the band was, Velvet Chains, out of Chicago. We toured for about a year and a half. Hit both coasts, and toured through the heartland. We had one recognizable hit that did well on the charts. Called Thunder Kiss. We made some dough off of that one. Then the band broke up. Lead guitar, who was really good, ran off with a French girl and moved to Paris. He and the drummer were the two big attractions. I’m glad I was part of it, but I don’t really miss it all that much.”
“I would never guess that about you Pete, no way in hell. I figured you for a redneck desert rat, a beer drinking one at that. I’m not gonna tell anybody your story, besides I doubt if anybody would believe me anyway, it’s all I can do to believe you. How did you end up in Ocotillo? I can’t help but think it had something to do with a woman. This place reeks of a lonely hearts club. I do my best to avoid hearing what all these middle-age women out here have to say. Yes, there are some that are happily married, I suppose.”
“Yes, there was a woman, in fact they’re still is. She has a place across the valley. We see each other quite regularly. I knew her from Chicago when I was in the band. God knows why, but she ended up moving out here into the desert. I followed her. We never married. We have no children, but we take great care of each other and I’m happy. In spite of the fact, I appear to complain a lot about my job. I actually really do like working at the gypsum plant. That’s my story Eddie, at least the interesting part, now it’s your turn.”
“Me listening to your story doesn’t obligate me to tell you mine, does it?! But, I will provide, if you keep your mouth shut and don’t tell anybody around here. I like coming out here. There’s something peaceful and meditative in the desert.”
“I ain’t going to say a word to anybody, promise.”
“You’d better not! Well, it’s pretty obvious that I don’t live out here Pete. I actually drive out here from San Diego. I have a hidden campsite back on the road towards Anza. When I’m out here for two or three days that’s where I spend my nights. It’s definitely quiet there. But incredibly beautiful, you can see the stars all the way to the horizon. I sit in front of my campfire late into the night, and then fall asleep on a couple blankets in front of the campfire. Sometimes I take a radio with me. I listen to classical music, it magically accompanies the crackling sounds of the fire. I have spent Christmas Eve by myself, by that campfire and New Year’s Eve. One Christmas Eve I was awakened by hearing raindrops sizzling in the fire. Fortunately, it was a light rain, but like all desert rains, the vegetation gives off the most fragrant smells, especially the creosote.”
“Seems kind of lonely to me, Eddie. But I suppose it’s a great way to get to know oneself, and maybe bring some inner peace. I don’t know for sure because I’ve never done anything like that”
“You should give it a try sometime, Pete. I have to say those experiences were some of the happiest in my life. I never felt lonely. I was surrounded by the loving, caring hands of nature.”
“Well get on with it, Eddie. I want to know why you keep playing that song on the jukebox. Maybe you heard it on the radio when you were out there staring into the fire, trying to figure out what life is all about, at least maybe your life anyway?”
“OK Pete, the song that I keep playing as you know is, I Can See Clearly Now. If you listen to the lyrics, you’ll discover, the rain is gone, and there is now a bright sunny day. Bad feelings have disappeared. I’m not going to recite all of the lyrics, but probably one of the most important ones relates to being able to see clearly, all the obstacles in your way, and now they’re gone. Let’s go over to the jukebox. I will be more than happy to play that song again just for you. As I have gotten to know you Pete, although briefly, I've managed to pick up that you have experienced much sadness in your life. If you repeatedly listen to this song, you will discover an inner peace and none of the bad experiences you’ve had will mean anything to you anymore.”
“What about you Eddie, is that why you listen to this song over and over because you’ve had a rough life?”
“Well it hasn’t always been a picnic, but I’m still young. I’ve had my heart broken a few times along the way. I’m sure I’ve broken a few hearts, and I’m truly sorry for that, but life goes on. I listen to the clearly song quite frequently as you know Pete. I’m trying to make sure the years I have on earth are positive and productive. The song somehow manages to keep me in tune with myself. When I feel like I’m surrounded by dark clouds, I know that a bright sunny day, is just around the corner.”
“Thank you Eddie for sharing. You are correct. I have had some major difficulties in my life, everything from health issues to relationship issues. And truly a bunch of garbage mixed in.”
“Well, like another famous song goes, That’s Life. But I believe there’s no reason to be unhappy about the experiences we’ve all lived through. I know you are much older than me Pete. You’ve had quite a few more experiences in life than me. I’m sure there’s been some good ones for you. Maybe listening to this song will put everything into perspective. I’m just trying to hedge my bet. I figured the longer, I can keep my life in perspective the happier I will be, and perhaps, as I grow older, I won’t become bitter. Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed too many older people that are bitter and unhappy about how they’ve lived their lives. The song I listen to repeatedly may not keep me from having difficulties, but maybe just maybe it will help me wake up in the morning and see a bright sunny day.”
“Perhaps you’re right Eddie. The next play of the clearly now song is on me. What numbers do I punch in on the jukebox? By the way, how much does it cost? I have some loose change in my pocket?”