Boxcar Willys

A Story by David

Look Back

Boxcar Willy was a friend of mine. No, not that one! The other one.

Willy loved people and they seemed to love him. He was not happy unless he was surrounded by people. I am not sure if he has ever been alone ever in his entire life? I sincerely doubt it. Even when he was in a car driving, there were no passengers but he was on the phone. If during the drive he was feeling deprived of human contact, he could always stop and get a coffee and chat up the cashier. That would probably hold him until he completed the next two miles.

Willy was a smart guy, handsome, muscular and of course owned a bar. Actually ,more than one bar but only one at a time. The last one aptly called “ BoxCar Willy’s. “ What other job could fulfill his need for attention. He would hold court when bored and the bullshit would fly. He was mad for blondes. Everyone of his girlfriends looked exactly like the one before her. He of course never turned down a stray brunette or two.

Most people have limits and are comfortable within them. Willy had limits and did his best to exceed them. He was a confidant son of a b***h and rarely got challenged about his limits. He was pretty savvy about reading people. I must admit ,I would never of had the patience to deal with some of the customers that showed up. A little aside here, Willy’s was not a high end night club. Not even air conditioned. They served comfort food and it was good. Basic stuff and priced well. This was a shot and beer place for the most part. Well at least except for the ever famous Rickeys “ Flu Shots” and a cosmo or two. It was a working man’s bar and restaurant. This place was infectious, comfortable, a cheers on Cape Cod. We had Texas Mike, Magic Mike , Lance, Joey Bag a Doughnuts, the Milkman, and so many more. Most of these people are a story unto themselves. So we will stay on message here.

We played pool, drank , laughed , lied , told fabulous stories and for the most part enjoyed our time with one another. Undisturbed , unperturbed and without thought to the rest of the world.

This place was a grouping of old worn out dysfunctional railroad cars, taken off track and left for the likes of Willy. During the early years it was a bar that most would not wish to be in. 99 cent drinks and fights all the time. He made a fortune and the best part for him , he loved to fight. I remember phrases such as we never took our face out of the ice and well we just kicked their a*s. It had earlier been a gentle bar called FinnSkins&Gins. Jack had been the owner operator. Jack loved cocaine and did well to sell it to Willy. Again , Jack is a whole other story.

Speaking of Cocaine? Are you familiar with the the film Blow? This was a movie starring Johnny Depp as George Jung the international and infamous cocaine dealer. I know this not for a fact but as some of Willy’s bullshit. Who knows what is ? Anyway , George apparently wrote this script from the bamboo bar atop Willy’s. George was a Massachussettes resident and this could easily be true.

There were friends , enemies, Arabs, hustlers, lovers, lesbians, bikers and only God knows what else. We all watched out for each other and it was a complete fraternity of such. Duke the disbarred lawyer would leave inches and trails of rubber as his Harley departed the parking lot. Paul’s wolf dog was tied to the bumper of his pickup. This was a massive animal a gentle giant as long as you paid attention. Dukes girl , Paula was half a lesbian and showed her independence every now and then by making out with some female patrons up on the roof.

There were the pool games . Usually friendly but sometimes , out of towners would show and the stakes changed. There were nights we were kicked out for a couple hours for dispensing an a*****e. Go away and come back after 8 Willy said. The poor b*****d on the floor waiting to catch his breath after being choked out by the Milkman. Listen here, he is our Arab. You don’t like it ?

Wiily , to my knowledge has had the only bartender ever to be arrested from behind the bar. You cannot make this stuff up! Rickey got fired and then rehired after a fashion and put on double secret probation for a good long period. Apparently Rick was drunk behind the bar at noon. Customers called the cops after being abused in some fashion or another. I love this story!