[Closed to US Expats in London on Thanksgiving]

[dirtyredneck]

The Lanky Loon wasn't exactly Daryl's bar of choice on most days, but it did one thing that the majority of pubs in the area didn't: catered to Expats feeling a little lonely on Thanksgiving. Mostly becuase it was run by ex-Expats who'd settled down decades ago and thought it would be fun to do when they were hurting for friends. Turkey and potatoes with stuffing and cranberry were the only items on the menu today and several long tables set out so all the people with no family in the area could sit down next to each other like they were. They got to be as dysfunctional as expected but without any of the baggage that went with it and they could disown the rest when they left. The place was open all day and food was first come first serve.

Daryl had found it through his job since they like to hire state-side and this would be his third year going. He didn't know anyone's names but the owners and didn't really care if he remembered them or not. Didn't matter, the big game was on the tiny little screen that passed for a television and people were already getting loud and rowdy about it. Felt enough like home to be worth an hour or two of his time.

He grabbed a plate, a beer, and set himself down at an empty spot. Turned to whoever he was next to and raised the bottle up in toast, "Happy Turkey-day."


[we have a small cast of american characters so if anyone wants to mingle with each other and not just Daryl, go right ahead.]

Comments

[specifiercity]

"Thanks," Arthur says, taking a sip of his beer once he's determined what the score is on the tiny screen. After he takes a bite of his food he smiles wryly and gestures back at the TV.

"You know, I never would have bothered to turn this on if I was still living in the States."

[catphishing]

"Neither would I. I'd have still seen it. There's always someone who puts it on."

Probably the one upside of staying in his apartment tonight is he might never have know the score.

[specifiercity]

Arthur will stick around long enough to see that at least, now that he's kind of committed, but he doesn't begrudge anyone their preference for being comfortable at home.

"It is tradition," he says not sounding all that convincing. He can only talk about football for so long, though.

"So, how long have you been in London?"

[catphishing]

"A few years, but this is the first Thanksgiving I haven't been home for," he admits. He guesses that makes him pretty lucky. Not everyone would be able to as often as he has.

"What about you?"

[specifiercity]

"About two and a half years in London, but I was traveling in Europe before that," he says, nodding. "It's actually been a while since I was home for Thanksgiving."

The thought makes him feel a little guilty, but it's not like his family has ever begged for him to come home on this particular holiday. They usually get him for a few weeks or so once a year, so he's not too worried about falling farther out of touch than he wants to.

"You here for work?"

[catphishing]

"Not really. I mean, I work here, but until recently I could have done the kind of work I did here just as easily."

Which does make him feel a little bad. He's here because he wants to be, not because he has to be. Much as he might miss his family at times like this he wouldn't change his choices.

"Where did you go in Europe?"