If only they had more happening in their lives, that is who'd they be.

Steely Dan gets played a surprising amount in the bar. Surprise is relative, of course: this means you hear one of their songs every month or two. Usually it is one of three: Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Do It Again, Black Friday.

Probably someone will play Black Friday today, for the obvious reason.

Do It Again, though: those are the lyrics some guys in the bar think of as speaking to them. If only they had more happening in their lives, that is who'd they be.

The ones who fancy themselves fighters identify with the first verse:

In the mornin' you go gunnin'
For the man who stole your water
And you fire till he is done in
But they catch you at the border
And the mourners are all singin'
As they drag you by your feet
But the hangman isn't hangin'
And they put you on the street

The ones who fancy themselves failed romantics go for the second verse:

When you know she's no high climber
Then you find your only friend
In a room with your two timer
And you're sure you're near the end
Then you love a little wild one
And she brings you only sorrow
All the time you know she's smilin'
You'll be on your knees tomorrow

And the third verse is claimed by the reckless ones:

Now you swear and kick and beg us
That you're not a gamblin' man
Then you find you're back in Vegas
With a handle in your hand
Your black cards can make you money
So you hide them when you're able
In the land of milk and honey
You must put them on the table

You can tell who is who by what they nod along to. Although you can pretty much tell who is who just by looking at them.


-jj

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