17: Taking Up Space (3)
277 Words
Another month, another city, another interview. Over and over and over. All the places looked the same. All the faces were a blur.
I finished my latest interview, and I was hungry. "Anywhere I can grab a bite?" I asked the receptionist.
"Everyone usually goes to the mall," she pointed to the right, out the double glass doors. "Just follow the crowd."
"I was thinking of something a little less plastic," I mumbled, so I went to the left. Only a few people walked the street. I sauntered past little clothing stores, a florist shop, a tobacco shop, and a shoe repair shop. Then I saw a diner.
The diner was empty except for the man behind the counter. He folded the newspaper when I sat down in a booth. "Coffee?"
I nodded. "Mind if I smoke?"
"I should mind, but…" he brought two steaming cups to the booth and sat down. "I'm probably going to close anyway, so who cares?"
"You want a smoke, too?"
He nodded, so I pulled out two cigarettes and handed him one. I lit them both.
He took a few puffs. "Forgot how good it is to smoke. My wife, she thinks smoking will kill me. I think her nagging will kill me first.”
I blew a smoke ring. "Why are you planning to close?"
He pointed out the window. "Do you see all the people out there?"
"Uh, no."
"That's why."
I looked at the window. And saw a guy walking by in a canary yellow suit.
Maybe it was time for me to pay attention.
I turned to the man. "I have a proposition for you."
- Writer
