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Odd Encounters
Jan. 16th, 2015 11:21 amAt the public Library in our town there is an entryway large enough for a medium sized café. So, this being Eugene, there is one. (8 oz. coffee for $1, best price in town) I was hanging out there a couple weeks ago while Marian shopped at the bead store. Tapping on the keys of this very laptop, making slow progress on one of my open projects.
Next table to my left there was a man, my age, balding, three day beard. He had a voice that was alternately loud and nearly silent. He had a loud rolling laugh that filled the echo-ey café and a quiet little chortle.
“HEY, HOW YA DOIN’? okay, yeah. Sure man I can do that how much ya need? $4? Sure, glad to help out.
“YA! STELLA! He what? Oh, no you ain’t gotta put up wit’ that. He’s breakin the law, you know...” (as the young woman walked away: “HEY! DOES HE REALIZE THAT HE’S BREAKIN’ THE LAW?”
There were several repeats of those two conversations, with variations. All of his conversations were with homeless or nearly homeless people who were passing through the lobby to use the restrooms or “I’m gonna pick up a book and head home,” said one woman.
I am not sure if he’s paid by some arm of the gov’t or Xian do-gooders, or if this is his own initiative. I am certain that he was aware of the ‘performance’ aspect of his schtick.
Anyway, beware, y’all. The writer at the next table may immortalize you.
Next table to my left there was a man, my age, balding, three day beard. He had a voice that was alternately loud and nearly silent. He had a loud rolling laugh that filled the echo-ey café and a quiet little chortle.
“HEY, HOW YA DOIN’? okay, yeah. Sure man I can do that how much ya need? $4? Sure, glad to help out.
“YA! STELLA! He what? Oh, no you ain’t gotta put up wit’ that. He’s breakin the law, you know...” (as the young woman walked away: “HEY! DOES HE REALIZE THAT HE’S BREAKIN’ THE LAW?”
There were several repeats of those two conversations, with variations. All of his conversations were with homeless or nearly homeless people who were passing through the lobby to use the restrooms or “I’m gonna pick up a book and head home,” said one woman.
I am not sure if he’s paid by some arm of the gov’t or Xian do-gooders, or if this is his own initiative. I am certain that he was aware of the ‘performance’ aspect of his schtick.
Anyway, beware, y’all. The writer at the next table may immortalize you.
