Mermaid Bar

Congratulations and welcome to the Mermaid Bar.
My name is Lisa Hearditall.
What brings you here?
Of course, your dream. I see your vision sparkles held up pretty well.
I'm here to tell you about the secret of the Mermaid.
Everyone who enters the bar brings their dream along with them, looking for a way to make it come true. They make a wish at the martini glass aquarium, showing the mermaid their dream. It's kind of like a wishing well, with a catch. You see, the Mermaid sees through your wish to see if it's authentic and comes from your heart.
You can't fake it. If it's from the heart, she receives your dream as a gift,
and helps you make it come true... with a splash!
At the Mermaid Martini Bar, we don't get smashed, we get splashed!
My name is Lisa Hearditall.
What brings you here?
Of course, your dream. I see your vision sparkles held up pretty well.
I'm here to tell you about the secret of the Mermaid.
Everyone who enters the bar brings their dream along with them, looking for a way to make it come true. They make a wish at the martini glass aquarium, showing the mermaid their dream. It's kind of like a wishing well, with a catch. You see, the Mermaid sees through your wish to see if it's authentic and comes from your heart.
You can't fake it. If it's from the heart, she receives your dream as a gift,
and helps you make it come true... with a splash!
At the Mermaid Martini Bar, we don't get smashed, we get splashed!

I love overhearing people's stories about their dreams. Mermaid Bar is my favorite place to relax after listening to people's troubling tales of their time on the Wall or the Abusement Park. Here at the Mermaid Bar, I don't just hear tall tales, I listen to short stories. There's a difference, you know.
Justin Tide and some of his friends are gathering about the piano to listen to Ralph Knottingham's story. Let's listen in!

HI my name is Ralph Knottingham. Thanks for listening to my story. As many of you know, I was the lead shoe tier at Sizer Shoe company for 20 years. Shoes are so important here in Splash City that tying shoes every day made me feel important. I had saved and saved and planned and planned for the day I would retire from Sizer with great pride, but then one day, I was let go and it was all gone! It wasn't my fault.They said they were downsizing, but I don't understand it really. I hear it had something to do with some Fall Street Bankers, but all I know is that I did my job very well. Day after day, I made sure people began their day on a happy note. When I planned for my retirement, I was planning on helping young shoe tiers, but no one ties their shoes anymore! It's all velcro or slip on now, zippers or some such nonsense. I never thought I'd see the day when a shoe tier would become obsolete.

Hey Ralph. I know it's hard to hear, but shoes aren't everything. I gave them up a long time ago, and I've never been happier. Remember when I would come by on my way to Funky Donuts with those crazy shoes I had to wear? You always made my day! In fact, seeing you so happy every day was a big part of what helped me get off my ride and take off my shoes. Now the shoe's on the other foot! I want to help you surf this, Ralph, and get you on your feet again! So in consideration for all the days you made me smile on my way to the dreary Abusement Park, I now would like to offer you free surf lessons to ride your wave of adversity.

Thanks, Justin! You know what? It's so odd. After going through the tunnel and losing my job, I don't feel so tied down anymore. I look at my past and have no regrets. Ever since I was let go, I have been thinking about my dream to plant smiles like flowers. I always wanted to do it, but was never sure how to make it happen, and now I'm not worried about how it will happen anymore. I never put this together before, even though it was there all along. Life isn't about retirement and happiness over there, it's about happiness right in front of me. I just had to open my eyes and heart. I'm so thankful!

SPLASH!
Whoa, Ralph! Look at that! The mermaid just splashed you! Look closely at the giant martini glass aquarium. Can you see her?! Is she hiding in the coral?
When the mermaid splashes you, it's a sign she received your dream as a gift! I don't know where they got the name Splash City, but it could be because of her. There's all kinds of myths about the mermaid. She only comes out of hiding and splashes on special occasions, and for a worthy dream! Congratulations!

Ralph, I just overheard your story. I can't tell you what it means to me, after just overhearing another story on the other side of the bar. Everyone is welcome at Mermaid Bar, yet it was very hard overhearing Wendall Paidoff and Rob Lasuit talk about their latest exploits. They didn't make it here on their own merit like you did. They made it here by stealing other people's dreams. You have inspired me. As owner of the Mermaid Bar, I would like to offer you a new job as Maitre d' of the Mermaid Bar. There's no doubt in my mind that you would be a Greeter extraordinaire. You can start planting smiles right here. What do you say?

Yes, I'd love it! Thank you so much! I feel like my world is blossoming already. I'm going to SPLASH this energy around!