It's Saturday. I was away from the bar last week, but I'm back and ready to buy David a drink and catch up while we deal with Linda G. Hill's Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt.

"Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is 'wee.' Use the word 'wee' or find a word that contains it and use it in your post. Have fun!"

If we were having a beer, you'd be upset with some changes at the bar.

"Hi guys. How are my two favorite customers?"

"Fine Cheryl. I hope you are as well."

"I'm good. What can I get for you?"

"I'll have a nice cold Corona and set the old man up with a John Howell's special."

"OK Dan. David, do you want the John Howell's Special Plus?"

"Huh?"

"The regular special includes seltzer and a glass of ice. The plus version has the seltzer in a snifter and includes cherries."

"What the family-bar is going on here?"

"Our cable bill went up because the shows our customers like are now on AMC-plus, History-plus, Discover-plus, Paramount-plus and ESPN-plus. We had to find a way to add a wee bit of money without raising prices."

"Cheryl…You are raising prices!"

"No, according to the owner, we've differentiated our product line."

"How much is a John Howell's Special Plus?"

"Oh, it's not a drink, it's a subscription. You pay five-ninety-five a month, and you get access to the enhanced drink menu for free."

"Five-ninety-five isn't free, Cheryl, it's five-ninety-five!"

"You're under no obligation to sign up, David."

"What if I order a Manhattan, with no vermouth? That comes with cherries, right?"

"Yes, but not John Howell's bourbon. We pour from the well, or maybe use Jim Beam. And, the seltzer would be in a glass."

"Dammit, Cheryl. This isn't fair."

"David, relax. I'll pay for your first month. If you don't like it, you can cancel at any time. He can cancel, Cheryl, right?"

"Oh sure, Dan. He can cancel at any time, but no prorated refunds. For fifty dollars, you can buy him an annual subscription – a savings of almost ten dollars."

"I'll pay for a month. He can decide later if he wants to pay for a year. What about my Corona? Do I still get a free lime?"

"The owner says, 'the pedestrian drinkers won't be charged more,' so you're good."

"Pedestrian…"

"I wouldn't complain if I were you. I'm out fifty bucks a year."

"Here you go, guys. A nice cold Corona with lime, a glass of John Howell's bourbon, a snifter of seltzer, a glass of ice and three cherries. As Linda G. Hill would say, enjoy!"

"Cheers David."

"Cheers Dan. Besides the tequila during family game day, did you drink anything interesting in Pittsburgh?"

"We had bourbon milkshakes at the Burgatory."

"That's on the North Shore. Did you go there before the baseball game?"

"No. On Wednesday. We went to the Aviary in the morning, and a Steelers practice session in the afternoon. In between…"

"You ate and drank like pigs."

"I'd prefer to say we had a hearty meal and an adult beverage."

"Did you like what you saw during practice?"

"We did. They've got some good young talent on that team."

"Good enough to tangle with the three teams in your division — all of whom are led by a recent Heisman Trophy winner — plus I read that you have the toughest schedule in the NFL."

"That's based on how teams finished in twenty-twenty — never a good indication. It's going to be a tough year, but I'm not overly concerned."

"Guys, please. We only just had the Hall of Fame game…"

"Which the Steelers won…"

"Yes, Dan, the Steelers won the meaningless exhibition game in Canton, Ohio, but can we not start talking football already?"

"OK, Cheryl, but we beat Dallas. Any time we beat Dallas, it's special."

"I'll keep him off the field, Cheryl. At least until my teams start playing."

"Look, I'm a fan of LSU and the Saints, but I'm not ready to start following them. I need a few weeks."

"Fair enough."

"You boys want any food?"

"How about a small pepperoni pizza? Are you up for a slice, David?"

"I'm up for three slices, Dan, and Cheryl. Could you have them add a wee bit of garlic?" "No problem, David — oops."