Challenge #29 - The Land of Cope and 3 Minutes WTF
[The “Land of Cope” bar is equidistant between Chicago and Milwaukee in the parking lot of Hopeland Motel. Named as a joke by the owner’s deadbeat husband, the name stuck around even when he didn’t. HOPE, the aft for mentioned owner of the motel and bar, sits on a stool with a drink in her hand. FAITH, her younger sister and trauma-bonded best friend is behind the bar, drinking a light beer so it doesn’t really count as drinking on the job]
HOPE
I don’t think we’re going to make it through another winter like this.
FAITH
Like what?
HOPE
[gesturing all around]
When was the last time a customer walked in that we didn’t know by name?
FAITH
So we’re a neighborhood bar.
HOPE
No, Earl’s is a neighborhood bar. This place? It’s the place people come to when Earl as karaoke and they aren’t drunk enough to put up with Bo’s butchering of Sinatra. I get the motel taking a hit with Covid, and I know traveling to Wisconsin has never been destination travel but this is a bar in the drinking capital of the world, it’s 8pm on a Thursday and we are the only people here.
FAITH
I’ll grant you it’s not ideal.
HOPE
I’m going to have to sell. At this point so I don’t go bankrupt and lose mom’s house.
FAITH
Hold on a minute. Maybe there’s something before that. What if we did… mud wrestling.
HOPE
I’m sorry?
FAITH
Turtle racing?
HOPE
I have no idea what you are talking about.
FAITH
Something different. Something to get people excited and in the door. But maybe something that doesn’t cost so much.
HOPE
Yes, I’ve heard the turtle market is very cutthroat. People are always snapping them up.
FAITH
I’m sorry, did you just make a joke?
HOPE
Sorry. I’ll take future turtle related ideas to save the business deadly serious going forward.
FAITH
What about a book club?
HOPE
I do like to read.
FAITH
And maybe we can like, partner with Maggie at Baggage and Books. Make it like a small business collaboration.
HOPE
It’s not turtle related but it is something