Chair

Chap standing behind at Al Wadi unnerved somewhat. Immediately behind in the passage and not budging. Two minutes, five minutes and more. Indian or Bangla. (Turned out latter). A member of a local Islamic community might have been listening to radicalized muftis in a number of locations across the globe, from any number of sources. Taking a head on the street like that—perhaps an accomplice filming from the corner—made a large statement of protest and revenge for what his people have been enduring.... Seemed to be watching the EPL on the screen, but at such a distance? The Indians were less entranced by that game.... Surprised and hesitating to take a seat. Ah. Well, OK then. Thank you, sir. Many of the construction sites and industrial quarters had closed down early for NY, the engineers and managers needing some respite—in fact two days off and then the weekend in the present instance. Endless replays on the screen last few days unseen by this fan. Big Centre-back Ivanovic for the blue team the dill penalized for handball, hanging his head; teammate half-heartedly protesting; kicker stuttering in his approach but in the end ramming past the hapless goalie and running into the corner with a celebratory sign to the delight of supporters. Played and played and played again at Al Wadi. Stiff shit big Branislav, you screwed up. Classic Serb looking a lot like neighbour Rade back in Melbourne, up-scale lump here.... Ya, of course. Taking a seat as a non-customer made a chap nervous, naturally. Using the facilities, soaking up the comfort and entertainment. Ninety cent tea converting to Bangladeshi taka was??... A few minutes previous while still on his feet he had noticed the photograph of his co-religionist refugees catching rainwater in their hands and bottles from under a canvas sheet in a camp in Myanmar carried by the Straits Times in a photo summary of the year gone. After commiserating together it was not difficult to put the man at ease on departure. A hand was extended. Rounding back by chance two hours later there he was still in the same seat, at a loose end on a free day.