The power system is invariable, consistent, and subtle. Authority at the Old Miami is an extension of the bar-tender’s position. Her mask is the comfortable and accepted deception of accomodation and pleasentry. Behind this front, her power manifests. It flows in dark black ink on the tabs she keeps behind the counter. It becomes audible as she demands identification from unfamiliar patrons. It registers in the rapid movment of her eyes as she studies the counter. She counts the drinks incessantly and instinctively. Three beers, four whiskey on waters, one cranberry and vodka. It voices itself in the vertable drink database which is her internal mainframe. Her authority reaches to every extremity of the bar. It is entirely reminiscent of those comics which depict political control. The analogy arises in consideration of the way in which her tentacles wrap around everything. In the realm of political power, the Russian octopus positions itself in relationship to China, Europe, and Africa; the Asian octopus in relationship to drugs, and “white disadvantage”; the Standard Oil Company in relationship to constructs of home, work, and leisure; the British in relationship to urban development; the bartender in relationship to the patrons. Eventually, the various scenarios play out…
Scenario 1: “You’ve had too much to drink.”
Scenario 2: Managing Transportation
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