Bartender (wiping the bar): Well it’s about time for him to make is appearance.
Guy at Bar:
Who?
Bartender (resignedly): Janus.
Guy at Bar:
Local guy?
Bartender (acerbically): No, not really.
He gets around. He’s
everywhere at once—like Santa Claus.
Guy:
He come in often?
Bartender:
No, only once a year, actually.
On New Year’s Eve.
Guy (mildly surprised): Really. [he takes a swig of his beer] That’s odd.
Bartender:
It’s often enough if you ask me.
Guy:
You don’t like the guy?
Bartender:
Well, he’s a funny-looking bloke.
Guy: Yeh? How?
Bartender (quietly): Two faces.
Guy (puzzled): Whatdyamean?
Bartender (irritated): Two faces.
One at the front
and one at the back.
Guy (half-interested): Kind of creepy.
Bartender:
Yeh.
Guy:
Why the two faces?
Bartender: He says it’s so he can look both
ways. Back to the past and forward
to the future.
Guy (considering this): All at the same time.
Bartender: Yeh.
Guy: And he only shows on New Year’s Eve?
Bartender:
Yeh. I’m expecting him any
minute.
Guy: Point him out to me when he comes in.
Bartender (ruefully amused): Oh you’ll spot him easily enough!
(curtain)
