O'Malleys Alley

O'Malley's Alley, in progress.

A long time ago there was a drinking establishment on a barrier island near western Florida. O'Malley's Alley was loaded with character and characters, in those days. It was a waterman's bar full of shrimpers and commercial fishermen, live-aboard sail boaters, tradesmen, a few dope peddlers and plenty of retirees who liked the dangerous atmosphere and cheap drink prices. Tourists couldn't find the place which was fine with the regulars. Only one group was discouraged from patronizing O'Malley's, crack whores who assailed newly paid shrimpers and fishermen.
Several lost souls painted every object they could find, coconuts to driftwood which they traded for alcohol. They tried to place their works around the bar with price tags and hoped the bartenders would guard their profits. Most of the work ended up in the trash when the collected dust. The alley 'bought' a few of the best and they decorated every flat and empty space.
Some of it was hopeful but mostly it was depressing. The majority on display was from one man, Charles Williams or One-Legged Charlie, as most people knew him. Over the years he painted the good, the bad and the ugly of the beach, all in caricature. His pencil drawing dominated the bar art because they were good. Some were even beautiful line drawings and they were epoxied onto the ceiling and doors.

The old-time beach was different!

Before the beach became gentrified, there were a few places that the tourists didn't go. Down a long alley, behind a grocery store was just one of those places. Despite any similarity to the living or dead, this is a work of fiction,

Ed Donlin, Author

From the Book "O'Malley's Alley"

O'Malley's Alley, in progress.

The old-time beach was different!

From the Book "O'Malley's Alley"

O'Malley's Alley, in progress.

The old-time beach was different!

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