This story is called Shynola. A tribute to the dog Laika, who was the first known earthly being to visit space that we are aware of.

Shynola:

The pub was closing in an hour and people were filtering out.

He asked me: "Do you believe in life outside of this planet?"

I chugged my beer. Made a signal for another beer after hearing the waitress yell out that it was last call.

He asked me again: "Do you?"

I nodded.

He asked me another question: "What is the significance of the Pope?"

I started thinking about other things. The waitress put the beer down on the table I was seated at and some overflowed from the glass and got onto my pants.

He asked me again: "What is the significance?"

I nodded.

I asked him a question: "Do you know Shynola?"

He looked worried.

I said, "Son, you don't know shit."

I chugged my last beer. Took off my right shoe. Took off my right sock. Rolled it up. Put the sock down my pants so it could dry them quicker. Walked to the front of the pub to take care of the bill. The waitress checked me out. I paid my bill. She then went home with me.