How Times Have Changed

How times have changed. Victory Drive just outside of Fort Benning in Columbus was once lined with tawdry, seedy strip clubs. Now it’s down to just a few hardy survivors, including the Gold Club. The name has changed. I don’t remember what it was before, but it’s in the same small, run down, dreary looking cinderblock building I had been in long ago.

I arrived at about 11:30 p.m on a Thursday evening. There were a good number of cars in the parking lot, which I took as a good sign, but also plenty of available open spaces. It had been raining. When I opened my car door, I stepped in a water filled pothole. There was another big puddle in front that I had to side step as I made my way to the door.

As I got close the front door, I detected a strong scent of marijuana smoke. I paid the $5 cover and stepped inside, took the first seat at the bar, and paid $3.75 for a beer.