by Jon Coe

Created on: March 15, 2009

Tom Murphy from Chicago Illinois, entered the little coffee shop on Clover Street. He was hoping to find someone that could tell him a little bit about his family history. Tom had traveled on an overnight flight from New York City and he hadn't slept a wink.

The coffee shop was filled with it's usual patrons, all bleary eyed from a heavy night's celebration. With a name like Murphy, Tom felt quite confident about approaching a potential part of his Irish lineage, so he boldly walked up to one fellow and introduced himself.

"Hi, I'm Tom Murphy..........................how are you doin'?" He announced, extending his right hand.

"Be Jasus!" Exclaimed the Irishman, looking side long at some of his comrades. "American, aren't ye?"

"That's right." Tom replied joyously. "All the way from Chicago."

"Now what's an American doin' walkin' in here?" The Irishman took a sip of his strange looking coffee. "Let me see.....wid a name like dat, you'd tink y' owned this freakin' island!" With that, all the people in the coffee shop began to snigger.

"I'm only trying to..................................." Tom Spluttered, trying to get some words in.

"I know, I know............" Interrupted the Irishman. "You came here to trace your family, just like all the others."

"Well.................I".......Murmured Tom.

"But guess what?...............Half dis freakin place is filled wid Murphys and y' may as well go back to the States right now, cos you'll never find your family roots, no matter how hard y' try. Jasus, try going to China wid a name like Chan, fer Christ's sake!"

"But my family were little people!" Exclaimed Tom, knowing full well that if he didn't do something quick, he would be in for a much harder time. "See!" Tom smartly dropped to his knees. "Look.....I'm only three foot nine!"

Suddenly, the whole place erupted into belly laughter. Then the Irishman stood up and shouted, "Does anyone here.... know da little Murphy's?"

Tom laughed nervously, but the Irishman wholeheartedly shook his hand. "You're alright........ Tom from Chicago.....you're alright!" The Irishman continued. "Me name's Patrick and these are me mates, Sean, Peter and Daniel."

"Nice to meet you." Replied Tom, shaking all of their hands rigorously.

"Will y' be joinin' us for a little Irish Coffee?" Inquired Daniel.

Tom had never had an Irish coffee before and despite his weariness, he agreed. After all, Tom needed some kind of a pick-me-up to get him through that particular day. "Sure." Said Tom. "I'll take mine dark,

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