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Whispers From a Tavern Wall

Secrets of the Drunk and Damned

By Nikki LynnPublished 3 years ago 6 min read
Whispers From a Tavern Wall
Photo by Jakob Braun on Unsplash

"If walls could talk," the old brick wall began, "I could tell you tales of love, of laughter, of heartache and pain. I've seen it all, from the first nail driven into my surface to the last lick of paint applied. I am the silent witness to the secrets of this building, and I have a story to tell."

The wall was located in an old tavern, and it had been standing for over two centuries, enduring the test of time and weathering countless storms. The tavern had been a place of refuge for travelers and locals alike, a place to share a drink, a meal, and a story.

"In the early days, I was just a simple wall, dividing the tavern into two sections. But as the years went by, I became so much more," the wall continued, its voice filled with a sense of pride.

The tavern had seen its fair share of history, from the American Revolution to the Prohibition. "During the Revolution, this tavern was a gathering place for the Patriots, a place for them to plot their next move against the British. I was privy to their secrets, their plans, their hopes, and their fears," the wall said with a chuckle.

But the wall's favorite era was the Roaring Twenties. "Ah, the Prohibition," it sighed. "What a time to be alive. The speakeasies, the flappers, the music! It was all just so... exciting. And I was right in the thick of it."

The wall went on to tell of the secret passageways, hidden rooms, and underground tunnels used to smuggle in illegal liquor. "It was a dangerous time, but it was also a time of freedom and rebellion. I'll never forget the night a young woman in a feathered headband and a beaded dress danced on the bar, her laughter ringing through the tavern," the wall reminisced.

As the decades passed, the tavern changed hands and underwent renovations, but the wall remained, a constant presence in the ever-changing landscape.

"In the 1970's, the tavern became a popular hangout for the hippies," the wall said, its voice tinged with a hint of amusement. "They would gather here to drink, to smoke, to sing, and to dance. And I was there, listening to the music, watching the love-ins, soaking up the atmosphere."

"Oh, but the 80's," the wall continued, its voice taking on a nostalgic tone. "The tavern underwent another transformation during that decade. Gone were the hippies, replaced by the bright lights and loud music of the new wave. The neon lights, the synthesizers, the big hair, it was all just so... electrifying. And I was there, watching it all unfold."

The wall witnessed the rise of punk rock, the emergence of hip-hop, and the birth of a new era of music and fashion. "The crowds were different, too," the wall said. "They were more energetic, more rebellious, more... alive. And the music, it was like nothing I had ever heard before. It was raw, it was powerful, it was real."

The wall went on to describe the concerts and parties, the dancing and the singing, the laughter and the tears. "It was a time of change, a time of growth, a time of new beginnings," the wall said. "And I was there, soaking up every moment."

"The 90's," the wall began, its voice taking on a wistful tone. "Ah, what a decade that was. The tavern underwent yet another transformation, this time into a popular hangout for the grunge and alternative crowds. The plaid shirts, the ripped jeans, the combat boots, it was all just so... raw. And I was there, watching it all unfold."

The wall saw the rise of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden, and the emergence of a new style of music that reflected the disillusionment and anger of a generation. "The crowds were different, too," the wall said. "They were more introspective, more anguished, more... searching. And the music, it was like a catharsis, a release of all their pent-up frustration and pain."

The wall went on to describe the concerts and parties, the moshing and the head-banging, the quiet introspection and the loud rebellion. "It was a time of change, a time of growth, a time of new beginnings," the wall said. "And I was there, soaking up every moment."

The 2000's," the wall began, its voice taking on a contemplative tone. "What a decade that was. The tavern underwent yet another transformation, this time into a popular hangout for the hipster crowd. The skinny jeans, the thick-rimmed glasses, the vintage T-shirts, it was all just so... quirky. And I was there, watching it all unfold."

The wall saw the rise of indie rock, the emergence of electronic music, and the birth of a new style of music and fashion that celebrated individuality and creativity. "The crowds were different, too," the wall said. "They were more eclectic, more diverse, more... expressive. And the music, it was like a celebration of all that was unique and different."

The wall went on to describe the concerts and parties, the dancing and the singing, the art and the poetry. "It was a time of change, a time of growth, a time of new beginnings," the wall said. "And I was there, soaking up every moment.

The 2010s," the wall began, its voice taking on a reflective tone. "What a decade that was. The tavern underwent yet another transformation, this time into a popular hangout for a new generation of music lovers. The skinny jeans were still there, but now there were also brightly colored hair and tattoos, it was all just so... vibrant. And I was there, watching it all unfold."

The wall saw the rise of EDM, hip-hop, and pop music, and the emergence of new technologies and platforms that revolutionized the music industry. "The crowds were different, too," the wall said. "They were more connected, more global, more... inclusive. And the music, it was like a reflection of all that was happening in the world."

The wall went on to describe the concerts and parties, the DJ sets and the live performances, the excitement and the energy. "It was a time of change, a time of growth, a time of new beginnings," the wall said. "And I was there, soaking up every moment."

And now, the 2020s," the wall said, its voice taking on a hopeful tone. "Who knows what this decade will bring? But one thing is certain: there will be more change, more growth, more new beginnings. And I will be here, soaking up every moment."

The wall predicted that music will continue to evolve and change, reflecting the experiences and perspectives of each new generation. "The crowds will be different, too," the wall said. "They will be more connected, more diverse, more... open-minded. And the music, it will be like a window into their souls, their hearts, their minds."

The wall looked forward to the concerts and parties, the new sounds and styles, the excitement and the energy. "The future is always uncertain," the wall said, "but one thing is for certain: the music will never stop, and I will always be here, listening and watching, soaking up every moment."

And so, here I stand, a witness to it all," the wall said, its voice filled with pride and nostalgia. "From the hippies of the 70s, to the grunge and alternative crowds of the 90s, to the hipsters of the 2000s, to the vibrant music lovers of the 2010s, I have seen it all."

But through it all, the wall remained steadfast, its brick and mortar holding firm against the tide of time.

"And now, here I am, still standing, still telling tales," the wall said, its voice growing quiet. "I've seen it all, the good and the bad, the laughter and the tears. If walls could talk, I would have a story to tell. But for now, I'll just be here, a silent witness to the history of this tavern."

The wall fell silent, its tales told. But for those who stopped to listen, its words would linger, a reminder of the rich history and vibrant life that had passed by its walls.

"If walls could talk," the old brick wall echoed, "What stories would they tell?"

HistoricalShort StoryYoung Adult

About the Creator

Nikki Lynn

I have recently discovered that I have a passion for writing. Short fiction stories and poems have been my focus thus far. I am looking for other areas to experiment in.

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

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  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

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    Well-structured & engaging content

  3. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

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Comments (1)

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  • Test3 years ago

    I love the perspective from an old brick wall in an old tavern. I love that the wall describes itself as “being in the thick of it”, as it is a middle wall in the tavern. I really like that you went through all the iconic eras and that the wall had a unique story for each!

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