The Incompatibilist

'What'll it be?' He said,
cocking an eye over my shoulder.
I poked a random finger
high over his, as he reached behind
and pulled down Wild Turkey.

He poured several digits,
saying he knew that I would order
this. 'Pre-determined, fellah.
Guess yuh thought before yuh came here
yuh had a choice or sumpn!'

The bar was full of
chancy strangers around the tables.
I took a willing swallow
of bourbon. 'I take the full
responsibility

for my actions.' But,
wiping a glass with grimy cloth
he winked and bellowed 'Buddy,
that's baloney, ev'rythin's determined,
free will ain't in play.'

I shot him with the Colt
smoking through the coat-pocket,
tossed Rhinehart's dice on the bar
and told the gasping fellow:
'I just felt like it.'