People Watching

“Lovely day, isn’t it.”

“You always say that.”

“It’s always true.”

“It’s raining.”

“Yes. Life giving rain.”

“Flood bringing rain. You’d know about that, wouldn’t you?”

“Don’t remind me.”

“Hit a nerve?”

“Anyway, it’s just a sprinkle now. Look. Children splashing in puddles. Couples chatting under umbrellas. Joggers cooled by the shower.”

“Lost souls milling around to distract themselves from their dismal lives. Smiling to hide their true feelings. Rushing to jobs they hate.”

“Some are happy.”

“That mendicant who just sat on a wet bench?”

“He looks calm. Unbothered.”

“I see numb. Possibly in shock.”

“You are the glass half empty type.”

“Empty. That’s another good descriptor for him.”

“Look, he’s put out a hat. That’s hope. And a book. I don’t see emptiness in that.”

“A momentary distraction. To forget he’s homeless.”

“I think they’re saying unhoused these days.”

“They can say whatever they want.”

“More people are coming.”

“Now that the deluge has ended.”

“Someone is bound to help him now.”

“You’re too optimistic.”

“And you’ve no faith.”

“I do. Just not in humanity. Look at all of them walking by him. Disgust or guilt on their faces. Quickening their gaits to get away.”

“Some are looks of empathy, I’m sure. They want to help.”

“But they don’t.”

“They don’t know how, or they’re scared.”

“Fear. That sums up the human condition. Causes everything from anxiety and avoidance to downright anger and hatred.”

“You’d know about the latter, wouldn’t you?”

“I’d call it contempt rather than hatred.”

“Aren’t they the same thing?”

“No. I don’t hate people. That would imply that they stir me to some volatile emotion. I disdain them. Find them tiresome and predictable and pathetic.”

“All of them?”

“Most. 95 percent of them are at least apathetic, if not full on asshats who would throw their grandmothers under a bus.”

“Come now, you exaggerate. All have some spark of good.”

“All? Now who’s exaggerating.”

“Okay, most. There is the odd Hitler.”

“There are many such men. They just lack the opportunity and the means to do it right.”

“Right is not a word I’d use to describe mass murderers.”

“It all depends on your point of view.”

“To each his own.”

“And to each what they are due. Isn’t that how our whole venture operates?”

“I take no pleasure in judging people. There’s a scale of justice to be followed.”

“You judge and leave the real work up to others.”

“I couldn’t cope with the punishment side.”

“Not so perfect after all.”

“I never said I was perfect. Good isn’t perfection.”

“No, certainly not if all these losers are good.”

“The human animal isn’t purely good or bad. They have the ability to do good, and often do.”

“If you think most of these people have such a good streak, how about a wager?”

“The last one didn’t go so well for you.”

“I have nothing to lose.”

“Other than your all-consuming pride. What’s the bet?”

“If anyone gives him money in the next five minutes, you get ten. If no one does, I get ten.”

“Ten seems like a…”

“Scared?”

“Fine. Ten. Foot traffic has picked up.”

“And see them all just walk past. Not a sign of concern for…”

“Look. That young man has stopped. They’re talking.”

“Talk is cheap.”

“He’s pulling something out of his bag.”

“Doesn’t mean….”

“There.”

“Looks like a sandwich. I said money.”

“I may not have won the bet yet, but you have to admit it strengthens my argument.”

“One in dozens, hundreds of people doesn’t…”

“And that woman. Paper money, too.”

“Damn.”

“No, ten borderline cases who won’t be damned.”

“Limbo’s no picnic.”

“Ah, there’s a family picnicking. Right over there.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“And you bring suffering.”

“Whose fault is that?”

“Are we going to have that old argument again?”

“No. Not worth the effort.”

“I agree. Same time next year?”

“Fine.