This is great!

Mike hasn't had much real joy in his life; it's no wonder he isn't acquainted with such a positive sound.

Keep up the good work.

Love the verb choices that reinforced the sting idea. The details chosen to show it took place in a bar - nicely done. Only one missing pronoun in the piece: "...ducking his head as 'he' focused..."

I wonder if Mike really did hear laughter? Or maybe he's had too much to drink.