A Chance Encounter (Rayro, 2004 revisited)

Walking alone, whistling something indistinct seeking a shape as yet unrealized from somewhere most likely in the recent past. Reflected now in the front window of that little Turkish establishment only now beginning to draw a large student clientele after several years of uncertain success. Stepping then past the neighborhood grocery, ambling towards its Bombay variant recently opened and attempting to coexist financially therewith. And on, uphill now in his tread, with hints of a more forceful winter around the corner.

Hands pushed into pockets, forgot those gloves again because they did not seem necessary at first. At least there was success in getting out the door on the first attempt, not needing to reenter for something else forgotten and then remembered.

Up ahead could be seen a figure approaching downhill towards Leo: a scruffy individual in woolen cap and pea coat, both in Navy blue, and snorting steam from his red nostrils, a cigarette clutched by a tattered glove: “Hey, pal, you got some spare change for a decent guy who needs a small drink to warm him up?” growled he to Leo.

Though Leo sensed foul breath seeking to engulf him into the orbit of this scrofulous rogue entering into his small space on an over-crowded Earth, Leo just managed to check his impulse to look the other way, pretend not to hear, and protectively to quicken his step past this growing threat in his path. Instead, Leo reached into his right pants pocket and withdrew his overstuffed change purse, emptying its contents into the outstretched hands of the other fellow, whose breathing increased in intensity as a sign of appreciation. Full face that unearthly breath now was, and Leo almost fainted in its miasma.

Suddenly there was a blinding flash of light and the unmistakable sound of approaching hoofbeats and friction of wooden wheels turning against the pavement. The other fellow, clad now in a golden robe and haloed, stepped up into the winged chariot before them, which proceeded to fly skywards and out of sight.

Leo began to feel glad, after all, that he had decided to take this evening stroll. But why hadn’t the other fellow simply asked for the carfare that he obviously needed? People can be so strange.