February 28, 2005

The two opponents who served alcohol that was good faced off and considered hurting each other and maybe using weapons or even just their hands but in the clear, clean light of morning they decided it would be better if they merely did not edit a sentence and that way they would not have to hurt each other or their hands and it was good . . .

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Two Key West bars feuding over their connection to Ernest Hemingway have reached a settlement. According to an Associated Press wire story, “From 1933 to 1937, Hemingway’s friend “Sloppy Joe” Russell ran a bar in a former city morgue. Russell moved his business half a block to the current Sloppy Joe’s location in 1937 and Captain Tony’s took over the morgue building.” The problem? Captain’ Tony’s put out a sign calling itself “The First and Original Sloppy Joe’s, 1933-1937.” It also put out signs saying, simply, “The First and Original Sloppy Joe’s.” The solution? No editing. Under the terms of the agreement, Captain Tony can use only the longer sign.

Dennis Johnson is the founder of MobyLives, and the co-founder and co-publisher of Melville House.

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