Last Call in Tokyo

For Akiji every night starts the same, lights on, check the bottles, clean the glasses, before turning the flickering neon ‘Open’ sign on. The old Izakaya only had room for a few patrons, each one with stories and problems. The quiet whisper of the auto-piano would be drowned out by the local train passing by. Like clockwork the rain begins, turning the street lights into flickering flames. Akiji continues polishing glasses waiting for his first guest to slide the door open; minutes to hours pass, still calmly patient. A sudden thud brings Akiji’s eyes to the front, a man drenched from head to toe, his hair matted and large bags under his eyes. With a graceful gesture leads the man to the right most seat of his establishment. Before asking questions he turns on the heater.

He eyes the man “Welcome, what’s your name?”,

“…..Michio” he labored,

With a nod “Let me prepare you a drink”,

“But….I haven’t told you…?”

The bartender dances around the bar: an espresso, coffee liqueur, vodka, simple syrup. All into a shaker with ice and 15 seconds later into a chilled martini glass, garnished with 3 coffee beans in the centre.

“An Espresso Martini, you look like you need a little pick me up” smiled Akiji, sliding the frothing glass towards Michio. Gingerly he picks up the the glass, smelling the roasted coffee and takes a small sip. The creamy, smooth vodka, sweet syrup, finished with the coffee bitters bring a spark back to the mans heart.

“You’ve walked a long way Michio, where are you going?” Inquired Akiji,

“I once had a destination…a home, but where does a man go when his fire burns out?” Michio grieved, “I had all the money, status, everything a man strives for yet I am empty”,

Akiji looks with concern, “What motivated you to do all these things? I see only material concern, what of family and spirit? I see only a husk”, Akiji eye’s showing contempt.

In anger Michio answered “How dare you, I had a family, I gave them everything!…”, “everything, except you”, coldly stated Akiji.

Guzzling the remainder of his drink, he trudged to the door. Before leaving Akiji remarked, “I’ll see you soon”, Michio slamming the door behind him. Looking towards his glass, Akiji saw a crumpled note and some coin next to the glass, at least he payed.

Over time the rain outside subsided, and the crickets could be heard. Only the small bars light’s where on throughout the tiny street. The Izakaya was quiet, the old timbers that held many stories eagerly waiting for more. The back door sitting beyond the counter sealed shut for what seems like forever. Akiji never went through that door; but he always wondered what lay beyond while mindlessly polishing a martini glass. The stiff sliding door bounced as a shivering hand appeared pushing it open -snapping Akiji out of his daze- she fluttered her umbrella before placing it in the holder next to the door. The wood darkened by water damage. Coming for behind the counter, Akiji pulls out the middle stool for her.

“Welcome, please sit” he invited, “the heat is on so you should warm up soon.”

She bows and generously takes a seat, moving her long, dark hair out of her face. Her gentle smile brought warmth to Akiji’s heart.

“I…I got lost, this place was the only one with any light”, faintly she replied.

“I’m always here to guide”-preparing a glass with ice-“Many people find themselves here,” reminisced Akiji “The stories they told, the problems they let go, all felt lighter and moved on.”-grabbing some bourbon and black chai tea-“Lay your problems on a stranger and leave refreshed and warm”

He places a short tumbler glass in front of her, the amber liquid glistened like gold and from a small draw behind him he grabbed a stick of cinnamon placing it in the glass, gently flaming the top. The smoky cinnamon hit the lady first, warming her lungs. Grabbing the glass and placing it to her lips the botanicals of the chai tea and the warmth of the bourbon warmed her body.

“This is delicious!, what is it?” she asked,

“Chai Old Fashioned”, Blushed Akiji “Never fails to warm the soul.”

Her eyes sparkled like the night sky, “I’m Kina.”

Akiji smiled and bowed “lovely to meet you Kina, what do you do?”

“Oh I’m a cook, training to be a chef….Well trying to anyway” Kina said disappointedly,

“Don’t be so hard on yourself, you’re still young” he comforted,

Side eying Akiji “You’re my age, and you make such beautiful drinks,”

“I’m older than I look” he laughed, “Your too kind.”

Interrupting, the door opened, an elderly gentleman stepped into to the warmth. Akiji eyes opened wide in recognition, “Ouji!” -jumping out for the counter, giving him a big hug- “It’s great to have you back”. Ouji chuckled patting him on the head, “I’m a very lucky man”. Akiji pulled his last seat closest to the door out for the gentleman, helping him.

“Good evening miss, I hope Akiji has been looking after you?” curiously asked Ouji,

Giggling Kina replied “Oh yes”.

Akiji gave Ouji a joking scorn look, “You want what you had last time?” “Yes please, dear boy”, “Cherry?”, “No, don’t want to choke like last time”. Grabbing a chilled rock glass, and a fresh shaker; bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, bitters, egg white. Shaken and poured, garnished with an orange twist, a classic Whiskey Sour. Ouji grabbed the glass and sipped, with a big breath he said “You’ve gotten better”, Akiji bowed.

As Kina finished her drink, she started grabbing some money, Akiji put his hand forward, “No need”- he points towards the back door - “head through the exit and promise me one thing” he asked, Kina looking confused “Sure…what?” “Next time, try your best and listen closely” he said with a smile. Kina smiled back and excitedly bowed thanking him and Ouji. She opens the dusty green door with a golden flower that had faded with time. A bright light shined, inviting Kina to pass through, disappearing as the door shut.

“So that’s what it looks like from this end” said Ouji,

“Have you ever seen it?”

“No, I…I can’t” answered Akiji “It’s not for me, only you humans.”

Ouji nodded, “It was a surprise the first time”, “Your a rare one to comeback, hope you lived well, I have never seen anyone return for a third time” a tear welling up in Akiji’s eyes. Ouji acknowledged, taking his last sip. “Well you’ve given this man a worthy finish”-opening the green door-“Good luck, old friend.”

He steps through, Akiji waving and a tear rolling down his face. Quickly wiping it away, he grabs the glasses and starts cleaning.

After a while the front door slowly opens, Michio slumping into the building, “Welcome back Michio, care for another drink?”