The Knight & His Rapier (Dec25)

One of the Malay guys with a Chinese grandparent in the works somewhere, you would guess. Hailing on the approach. Pulled up a pew diagonally opposite, after first thinking this side one over. Couldn’t do that, however; thought again... Pal joined shortly after, ailing evidently. When the first went for a pee, the other doubled over and stayed doubled a couple minutes. On the first’s return a lottery ticket became the focus of attention. With the journal open all the while, rapier pointed and occasionally deployed, the chap knew better than to intrude; respecting the divide. (Schopenhauer’s challenge at his café table was recalled, the old curmudgeon offering reward for something he hadn’t previously heard—from any who thought they could manage.) All of these guys had only a rudimentary form of the imposed language, of course. In his first scouting of the prospects, the man had offered in passing, Have a break. Have a Kit Kat. Initial thought had been a suggestion to take a pause from the labour; an offer presented for a little out with some chat. The men’s English often came in lines from the old crooners, rock ‘n roll, school rhymes & advertising tags.