...he's sitting there on the bench outside the courthouse. Who is this man? Do I have the right to even ask? I have the choice... to walk by and nod or sitting and trying to find out just who is the real Mr. Schwump...I sit next to him...
Al: "Hey Mr. Schwump.......".
Mr Schwump: [he looks at me and smiles..then gives me a quick nod]
Al: [looking up and around] "looks like rain..."
Mr Schwump: [nods twice; looks away]
Al: "...of course, who can tell.."[searching for an opening] "uh...it might not rain.."
Mr Schwump: [nods; looks down]
Al: "yep...rain.."
[we sit and stare straight ahead...why even try to force conversation?]
Al: "I understand Mrs. Wiley is having a dance this weekend?"[lame, she has one every weekend]
Mr Schwump: [looks at my forehead, smiles and nods, tilts head]
Al: [lying]"I think this time it'll be Freddy Fleet and his Band With a Beat!
Of course..who knows?..maybe Ernest T. Bass will pop in."
Mr Schwump: [nods twice; looks away]
Al: [ok, let's give it a try] "Say, some of the boys and I were talking the other day and we was just wondering...what is your first name?"
Mr Schwump: [opens his mouth to speak......]
[But, alas, we both look away at Gomer who's driving by in his pickup, honking his horn, waving and smiling]
"Hey Al....Mr. Schwump!"
[We both wave..mine a little less enthusiastic than normal. My companion's is quick and jolts him so that his toupee shifts. I'm more embarrassed than he is. But, he recovers nicely]
Al: [quietly] "good 'ol Gomer..."
Mr Schwump: [nods; smiles]
...and then I observe something that I find quite remarkable. I never noticed it before. I'm looking at his sleeves and notice that his cufflinks are turquoise with the gold emblazened portrait of Jesus. So beautiful! And then, I notice his tieclasp is The Cross!! A silver cross on a gold bar punctuated with speckles of white...pearl would be my guess. How appropriate this all seems. I look up and his eyes are square on mine.
Mr Schwump:[smiling]"Ok, Al?"
Al: [nods; smiles; looks down]
The End
